What manufacturer's antennas were specified the most in DTV applications? How many DTV antennas are omnidirectional? I found answers to these questions using data from the FCC CDBS database dated May 17, 2003. If you are interested in doing your own analysis, you can download the DTV database file in zipped Excel 5.0 format directly from http://www.xmtr.com/fcc/dt030517.zip. This file will be available for download this week, along with an updated Excel 2000 spreadsheet with all current TV listings -- analog and digital -- in the FCC database, from www.transmitter.com.
DTV transmitting antennas
As specified in FCC Licenses, Construction Permits,
Construction Permit Modifications and Applications:
UHF
1703 total - Non-Directional: 733; Directional: 939; "C": 26; Not Specified: 5
Manufacturer
Total
Percent
Dielectric (includes RCA, Harris and TCI)
1076
63
Andrew
426
25
RFS
47
2.8
Not specified
45
2.6
Kathrein and Scala
31
1.8
Various
78
less than 1% individually
VHF
218 total - Non-Directional: 114; Directional: 98; "C": 5; Not Specified: 1
Manufacturer
Total
Percent
Dielectric (includes RCA, Harris and TCI)
141
65
Andrew
33
15
Kathrein and Scala
14
6.4
Jampro
9
4.1
GE
6
2.8
RFS
4
1.8
Not specified
3
1.4
Various
8
less than 1% individually
Note: Stations may use a different manufacturer's antenna with the same azimuth pattern than the one shown in the construction permit.
As with RF Current and my RF Technology column in TV Technology, your comments and story leads are appreciated. Drop me a note at dlung@transmitter.com.
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