Broadcast News
06/01/2022
ARK Multicasting Takes LPTV To The Next Level
ARK Multicasting is taking low-power television (LPTV) to the next level with ATSC 3.0, and ARK has selected Dielectric as its main antenna provider.
Dielectric has built and stored Powerlite™ Series antennas for nearly 50 ARK stations, most of which operate on UHF frequencies impacted by the low-power FCC Repack phase. The deal also includes antennas for two repacked VHF stations, and 150 single TUA panels for non-repack UHF stations.
ARK's 300 LPTV stations reach about one-third of U.S. households across the country. In an effort to make room in the broadcast spectrum for wireless broadband services, the FCC Repack displaced almost 60 of ARK’s stations. Those stations will be assigned new broadcast frequencies by September 2022. Within three years, ARK plans to upgrade the affected stations to ATSC 3.0 operation and offer datacasting services as well as its current religious programming.
Dielectric's new range of ATSC 3.0-ready Powerlite slot and panel antennas has been designed specifically for U.S. LPTV broadcasters. To meet ARK's need for antennas, Dielectric recalibrated its automated pole fabrication machine, originally built for full-power broadcasters impacted by the FCC Repack, to accommodate low-power, pre-production workflows. As a result, low-power antennas can be built more efficiently and broadcasters can bring their displaced stations back online more quickly.
"Because Dielectric has applied its technology and experience from the full power repack to LPTV, we’ve been able to design and build ARK’s antennas way ahead of their needs," explained Cory Edwards, director of OEM, distributor, and Southeast Asia sales, Dielectric. "And knowing those antennas are already in process helps ARK plan better for their upcoming installations. We also worked closely with ARK to make the FCC reimbursement process more efficient for their business and operational needs, which was critical to meeting their repack deadlines."
Dielectric will ship DLP Series slot antennas and TUL Series panel antennas to ARK stations across the country in the coming months. Dielectric worked closely with ARK engineers to develop custom patterns for each station based on coverage areas and market conditions.
Edwards added that ARK is already lining up installation companies with experienced crews to manage the equipment installations next year.
"Dielectric has been an important partner for ARK Multicasting as we navigate the broadcast repack," said ARK Multicasting CEO Josh Weiss. "The ability for Dielectric to anticipate and meet our antenna needs has allowed ARK Multicasting to more efficiently navigate the myriad of supply chain challenges confronting low power broadcasters impacted by the repack."
Dielectric's Powerlite Series DLP antenna is an economical, single-channel choice for LPTV, DTV and gap filling. The DLP features standard mounting brackets for 1-1/4" to 4-1/2" OD pipes, slot covers for environmental protection, and a 2.5 kW average power rating. Available in horizontal, circular, and elliptical polarizations, this Powerlite antenna series feature five standard elevation gains and offers eight standard azimuth patterns. Custom patterns are available on request.
www.ARKMulticasting.com
Dielectric has built and stored Powerlite™ Series antennas for nearly 50 ARK stations, most of which operate on UHF frequencies impacted by the low-power FCC Repack phase. The deal also includes antennas for two repacked VHF stations, and 150 single TUA panels for non-repack UHF stations.
ARK's 300 LPTV stations reach about one-third of U.S. households across the country. In an effort to make room in the broadcast spectrum for wireless broadband services, the FCC Repack displaced almost 60 of ARK’s stations. Those stations will be assigned new broadcast frequencies by September 2022. Within three years, ARK plans to upgrade the affected stations to ATSC 3.0 operation and offer datacasting services as well as its current religious programming.
Dielectric's new range of ATSC 3.0-ready Powerlite slot and panel antennas has been designed specifically for U.S. LPTV broadcasters. To meet ARK's need for antennas, Dielectric recalibrated its automated pole fabrication machine, originally built for full-power broadcasters impacted by the FCC Repack, to accommodate low-power, pre-production workflows. As a result, low-power antennas can be built more efficiently and broadcasters can bring their displaced stations back online more quickly.
"Because Dielectric has applied its technology and experience from the full power repack to LPTV, we’ve been able to design and build ARK’s antennas way ahead of their needs," explained Cory Edwards, director of OEM, distributor, and Southeast Asia sales, Dielectric. "And knowing those antennas are already in process helps ARK plan better for their upcoming installations. We also worked closely with ARK to make the FCC reimbursement process more efficient for their business and operational needs, which was critical to meeting their repack deadlines."
Dielectric will ship DLP Series slot antennas and TUL Series panel antennas to ARK stations across the country in the coming months. Dielectric worked closely with ARK engineers to develop custom patterns for each station based on coverage areas and market conditions.
Edwards added that ARK is already lining up installation companies with experienced crews to manage the equipment installations next year.
"Dielectric has been an important partner for ARK Multicasting as we navigate the broadcast repack," said ARK Multicasting CEO Josh Weiss. "The ability for Dielectric to anticipate and meet our antenna needs has allowed ARK Multicasting to more efficiently navigate the myriad of supply chain challenges confronting low power broadcasters impacted by the repack."
Dielectric's Powerlite Series DLP antenna is an economical, single-channel choice for LPTV, DTV and gap filling. The DLP features standard mounting brackets for 1-1/4" to 4-1/2" OD pipes, slot covers for environmental protection, and a 2.5 kW average power rating. Available in horizontal, circular, and elliptical polarizations, this Powerlite antenna series feature five standard elevation gains and offers eight standard azimuth patterns. Custom patterns are available on request.
www.ARKMulticasting.com
Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.
23/10/2024
Dielectric Teams Up With TVJ
Dielectric is working closely with Television Jamaica (TVJ) to support the first NextGen TV launch in the Caribbean region, completing phase one of a
Dielectric Teams Up With TVJ
Dielectric is working closely with Television Jamaica (TVJ) to support the first NextGen TV launch in the Caribbean region, completing phase one of a
27/09/2024
Dielectric And SCMS Partnership Takes Flight
Six months into their US partnership, Dielectric and SCMS have developed a rapport that has opened Dielectric to a growing number of FM projects in th
Dielectric And SCMS Partnership Takes Flight
Six months into their US partnership, Dielectric and SCMS have developed a rapport that has opened Dielectric to a growing number of FM projects in th
29/11/2022
WUCW-DT Now On Air With New Dielectric UHF Antenna
Dielectric has announced that WUCW-DT, a CW affiliate serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul market, is now on the air with a new Dielectric UHF antenna tha
WUCW-DT Now On Air With New Dielectric UHF Antenna
Dielectric has announced that WUCW-DT, a CW affiliate serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul market, is now on the air with a new Dielectric UHF antenna tha
09/04/2009
Dielectric Launches New 1.4-GHz Circularly Polarized Antenna For MobileMedia
A division of SPX and a leader in broadcast antenna systems, Dielectric Communications, has introduced a new antenna designed to support the rapidly e
Dielectric Launches New 1.4-GHz Circularly Polarized Antenna For MobileMedia
A division of SPX and a leader in broadcast antenna systems, Dielectric Communications, has introduced a new antenna designed to support the rapidly e
21/01/2020
Dielectric Prepares Shipments For Final High-Power Phases
Dielectric's has announced it is preparing shipments and installations for the final high-power phases. These include three Phase 8 projects for early
Dielectric Prepares Shipments For Final High-Power Phases
Dielectric's has announced it is preparing shipments and installations for the final high-power phases. These include three Phase 8 projects for early
21/03/2024
Dielectric To Unveil New FM-Ring Style Antenna
NAB Show 2024 brings a new entry to Dielectric's revered DCR range of FM antennas, extending the benefits of its lightweight, ring-style designs acros
Dielectric To Unveil New FM-Ring Style Antenna
NAB Show 2024 brings a new entry to Dielectric's revered DCR range of FM antennas, extending the benefits of its lightweight, ring-style designs acros
13/04/2023
Dielectric To Unveil Top-Mounted, Free-Standing UHF Broadband Pylon Antenna
Dielectric is to introduce its first top-mounted, free-standing UHF broadband pylon antenna at NAB Show 2023, building on more than 15 years of field-
Dielectric To Unveil Top-Mounted, Free-Standing UHF Broadband Pylon Antenna
Dielectric is to introduce its first top-mounted, free-standing UHF broadband pylon antenna at NAB Show 2023, building on more than 15 years of field-
06/03/2017
Dielectric To Exhibit TFU-WB UHF Antenna
At the 2017 NAB Show, Dielectric, a pioneer in purpose-engineered antennas and RF systems for TV and radio broadcasters, will exhibit its innovative,
Dielectric To Exhibit TFU-WB UHF Antenna
At the 2017 NAB Show, Dielectric, a pioneer in purpose-engineered antennas and RF systems for TV and radio broadcasters, will exhibit its innovative,
19/09/2024
Antennaware And Raycom Launch Innovative New Antenna
Launched at IBC 2024, the Sub-GHz BodyWave™ antenna promises notable increases in wireless range and reliability of signal in a form factor designed s
Antennaware And Raycom Launch Innovative New Antenna
Launched at IBC 2024, the Sub-GHz BodyWave™ antenna promises notable increases in wireless range and reliability of signal in a form factor designed s
25/10/2018
Dielectric Welcomes Chairman Of FCC
Dielectric has welcomed Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to its repack antenna facility in Lewiston, Maine. Chairman
Dielectric Welcomes Chairman Of FCC
Dielectric has welcomed Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to its repack antenna facility in Lewiston, Maine. Chairman
24/05/2016
Dielectric Antenna Systems Planning 7.0 Released As Free Web-Based Service
Dielectric has released version 7.0 of its Dielectric Antenna Systems Planning (DASP) software for TV and FM systems. As the first web-based version o
Dielectric Antenna Systems Planning 7.0 Released As Free Web-Based Service
Dielectric has released version 7.0 of its Dielectric Antenna Systems Planning (DASP) software for TV and FM systems. As the first web-based version o
27/06/2024
Dielectric's Sales Leader Christine Zuba Officially Retires
A storied chapter in Dielectric's history closes next week as longtime sales leader Christine Zuba officially retires, concluding an impressive 49-yea
Dielectric's Sales Leader Christine Zuba Officially Retires
A storied chapter in Dielectric's history closes next week as longtime sales leader Christine Zuba officially retires, concluding an impressive 49-yea
25/06/2024
Hiltron Experiences Growing Demand For Ground Antenna Refurbishment
Hiltron Communications has announced increasing demand for its refurbishment capabilities across the entire satellite communications sector, from high
Hiltron Experiences Growing Demand For Ground Antenna Refurbishment
Hiltron Communications has announced increasing demand for its refurbishment capabilities across the entire satellite communications sector, from high
11/03/2020
Dielectric To Debut New DCR-Q Series At NAB 2020
Dielectric breaks through existing size and weight constraints of low-band VHF antennas with the debut of its new DCR-Q Series at the 2020 NAB Show. T
Dielectric To Debut New DCR-Q Series At NAB 2020
Dielectric breaks through existing size and weight constraints of low-band VHF antennas with the debut of its new DCR-Q Series at the 2020 NAB Show. T
25/07/2018
Dielectric Accelerates Orders For Storm-Ravaged TV Stations In Puerto Rico
Dielectric has accelerated antenna orders for a number of Puerto Rican TV stations ravaged by storms almost a year ago. Hurricane Irma and Hurricane M
Dielectric Accelerates Orders For Storm-Ravaged TV Stations In Puerto Rico
Dielectric has accelerated antenna orders for a number of Puerto Rican TV stations ravaged by storms almost a year ago. Hurricane Irma and Hurricane M