RF Shorts - Sept. 7, 2012

By Doug Lung
published

FCC Appears Ready to Consider Incentive Auctions
Nextgov.com reported last week that the FCC would be likely to take up its incentive auction plan shortly.

Juliana Gruenwald writes: “The FCC appears set to vote on a proposed rulemaking implementing the ‘incentive auctions’ authorized by Congress in legislation signed into law earlier this year. An FCC spokesman would not confirm whether the incentive auction item will be on the agenda for September’s meeting, but several industry sources said they expect the commission will take up the issue at the meeting.”

This would likely happen at the next Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Sept. 28. The article notes, “NAB has called on the FCC to ensure the rules implementing the incentive auction legislation are ‘transparent,’ will ensure that broadcasters who do not participate can retain their service areas, and will give broadcasters ‘ample time’ to consider whether to participate in the process.”

[Ed. note: The Washington Post reported today that the FCC would put forth its plan today, Sept. 7.]

KVH Antenna Provides Yachts With Sat Internet
Yachtandboat.com.au described another option maritime customers will have for accessing the Internet while at sea in the article KVH Introduces New TracPhone V7-IP for mini VSAT Broadband Service.

The article states: “In its latest initiative to advance the quality, speed and affordability of broadband data connectivity at sea, KVH Industries Inc. introduces a revolutionary new onboard terminal for its industry-leading mini-VSAT Broadband service, the TracPhone V7-IP … the TracPhone V7-IP features a robust, three-axis, gyro-stabilized antenna and a completely integrated below-decks unit that includes an ArcLight spread spectrum modem and KVH’s breakthrough new IP-enabled antenna control unit—the CommBox-ACU—which includes a built-in CommBox Ship/Shore Network Manager, Voice over IP (VoIP) adapter, Ethernet switch and Wi-Fi adapter.

The new system is on display at the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM) international trade fair in Hamburg, Germany. The system uses an interlaced network of 14 Ku-band satellite transponders to provide seamless worldwide coverage north of the equator and around all major continents, including most major shipping routes south of the equator. Additional coverage is available through three global C-band transponders.

Comments and RF related news items are welcome. Email me at dlung@transmitter.com.

Doug Lung
Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.