At 9/25/2010 10:57 AM, MikeH wrote: > Does my memory serve me correctly that channels 3, 4, and 37 are out >of the picture for use?
Yes. 3 and 4 are reserved because cable systems and other devices use them for the analog feed to TV sets. (The FCC forgot this several years ago and gave a temporary license to an LPTV station to operate on Channel 3 from a tower right near my house. It knocked out my cable boxes and VCRs. I let the FCC know, in no uncertain terms, that this violated a rule, which I cited, and that station went off the air within a day or so.) Channel 37 is clear for radio astronomy, and allows low-powered medical devices. >Some metropolitan areas use parts of 14 - 20 for public safety >communications, right? Yes; they're in the database and named in the rules. >Do the above channels ALSO need a guard band, making 2 impossible to use >and 5 the first real channel you can use? Are 36 and 38 out the >window? One channel on either side of the public safety channel(s)? 2 and 5 are not protected, though some cable interests are unhappy about it. 36 and 38 are not protected per se. However, channels 14-20 are only usable for "portable" devices, which basically means wireless mics. In markets where those are used for public safety, the first white channel on either side of 38 is reserved for wireless mics. -- Fred Goldstein k1io fgoldstein "at" ionary.com ionary Consulting http://www.ionary.com/ +1 617 795 2701 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
