According to all reports, the bidding is not quite as brisk as was projected for the frequency auction being held by the FCC. One look at the mapping of the proposed spectrum shows that again, the FCC and those who thought up this money grab had no clue of how radio transmission works and how electromagnetic propagation takes place.

look at the way the band is chopped up - this must have been figured out by Bozo the clown and his band of mental patients, using darts and a ouija board.

Looking at this, along with the other failings of the FCC in the last 20 years, makes it possible to decide that some sort of revolt should most definitely take place, as the FCC has no concern for the public good, only the lining of the pockets of its leaders ( and of course, any elected official who successfully hooks up with all the graft and chicanery).

Beyond the problem of the chopping of the spectrum, the entire changeover is a disaster waiting to happen - and it probably will, February of next year. This transition was to take place all at once, moving from analog to digital like the movement of a double-throw knife switch. Not anymore, and it is being reported  that someone wasn’t paying attention to things, and was probably bad with numbers, as many (117) stations across the country will be moved from not only their channel frequency, but also their numerical designator. Oh, I can see the civil actions lining up now, as we all use those numbers daily. Some lawyers are going to be convinced by stations, inconvenienced by channel number changes, that their inconvenience is worth some money (big money).

Now there is talk about ‘unique technical challenges’ that might let some stations cut back power, as long as 85% of their viewing audience is covered. (Just hope you are not in the 15% that get screwed when your favorite shows are no longer available in your area.)

There are so many problems here that the money once allocated to ’sell’ this idea to the masses, may not be enough - especially when those problems start cropping up. 

When things start getting dicey, it’s going to take more than a couple of $40 coupons to mollify thousands of unhappy television viewers.

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Tags: channel auction, fcc, bandwidth costs, converter box, graft, bilking the public