It all depends. Full-license TV stations which currently have two channels get to make an election between the two. It’s all very complicated. There are issues of interference, core channels (2-51) vs. non-core channels, desirability of VHF vs. UHF and the like. The discussion goes well beyond the scope of this Board.
Very often, stations with a DTV allocation in the core band have elected to stay on their DTV channel. But, there are exceptions. And, it’s a moving target, as a round of elections is completed, the chess pieces move around the board.
So, plan on having VHF and UHF for now. In my town, I will have at least one VHF DTV station when the dust clears.
There is someone lurking on this Baord who knows more than most on this issue. As a TV engineer it’s his business. Perhaps he’ll chime in.
As far as DX on DTV (btw: HDTV is high-def; not all digital TV, or “DTV,” is high-def), DXing will be different. Folks who spend time on the dials have found the hobby different digital, but not impossible. “Cliff effect,” I think most would agree, increases difficulty. But, with channel mapping and the like, IDing stations is easier. Despite the differences, I have seen loggings through the troposphere (e.g., UHF stations) seen over 800 miles out. There have even been a smattering of loggings of DTV stations on low-band VHF via refraction though the ionosphere. Those contacts, while rare, can exceed 1000 miles.
DE
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Edited by DeadElvis on 12/05/05 10:28 PM.</FONT></P>
