Sutro Tower to Study Effects of Spectrum Auction

Sutro Tower, which is home to nearly a dozen Bay Area TV stations in San Francisco, California, has retained the services of Osborn Engineering, to study the effects of the upcoming incentive auction and how the repacking will affect Sutro Tower Inc., who manages the structure and the leasing and use of its space, TV Technology reported. The incentive auction is slated to take place in 2016, and stations on air after the auction will have their channels repacked or shared for more efficient operation and reception. “The FCC DTV Spectrum Auction and Repacking of tenants at San Francisco’s iconic and complex Sutro Tower structure has prompted the owners to accelerate future planning,” Sutro Tower said in a statement, which added that “this massive undertaking is now underway.” (TV Technology) The engineering company will examine FCC regulations, proposed coverage patterns, and the option of switching some stations to very high frequency.