Maximum broadcast power question

[comfortably_numb]

What are the maximum wattage for VHF LO and VHF HI? Are the limits different for Zone I and Zone II?

 

[Trip]

Zone I: 10 kW and 30 kW
Zone II: 45 kW and 160 kW

All at 305 meters, with power decreasing as you go above 305 meters.

- Trip

 

[Jim5506]

VHF low with antenna at or below 305 meters - Zone I - 10Kw; Zone II and III - 45Kw.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Zone I: 10 kW and 30 kW
Zone II: 45 kW and 160 kW

All at 305 meters, with power decreasing as you go above 305 meters.

- Trip

Thanks. I'm glad the FCC is allowing VHF stations to increase power. I saw that KOAM in Southeast Kansas applied to increase power to 98 kW. Do you know what the effective date of that increase will be, if approved? I'm thinking I should be able to pick them up at my location once they increase power. If my research is correct, that would make KOAM the most powerful VHF station in the region, unless (and until) KOCO in Oklahoma City bumps up to 101 kW.

 

[Trip]

The VHF power limits have not changed, some stations just requested more power once given the opportunity.

Not sure what your comment about KOCO means. They're at 65.7 kW, brushing up against the limit for its height (451 meters). They have an auxiliary facility at a lower height that operates at 101 kW, but the power is designed to overcome the lower height.

KOAM would have three years from the date of grant to construct its new facility. And it will require replacing the current omni with a new directional antenna. That antenna would only put about 20 kW toward the north, so I'm not sure how much of an increase you would see.

- Trip

 

[comfortably_numb]

That antenna would only put about 20 kW toward the north, so I'm not sure how much of an increase you would see.

- Trip

Ah, I see. When pointing my VHF antenna to the north, I can pick up KQTV-7 from St. Joseph pretty well most nights, so hopefully the increase in power from KOAM won't affect that.