Dielectric Launches New Digital LPTV Products

Dielectric Communications, a division of SPX, has announced that it’s rolling out a new line of television broadcast antennas and filters to assist low power operations in going digital. According to Dielectric, the new products are designed to provide a “cost-effective and easy-to-install solution” for LPTV telecasters to take advantage of an FCC low power DTV open filing window that begins in January.

“LPTV stations serve an important role in the community by offering a broad range of educational, service, and spiritual programming, often to populations that were previously underserved,” said Garrett VanAtta, Dielectric Communications president. “And yet, many lack the resources to upgrade their equipment for digital broadcasting. With the upcoming FCC filing, we saw an opportunity to apply our expertise and years of experience in the high-power market to offer solutions that specifically address LPTV requirements.”

The new low-power line is engineered to operate between 470 MHz and 860 MHz and to take input powers of up to 2 kW. The antennas and filters are targeted not only at LPTV broadcasters, but also for translator and booster digital conversions.

The FCC filing window opens on Jan. 25, 2010 without any geographic restrictions, and covers digital-only LPTV stations and translators, major modifications to existing analog and digital television stations and digital companion channels. After that date, the Commission will accept no more applications for new analog facilities.