PUBLIC NOTICE
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     Internet:  http://www/fcc/gov



                                        Released:  July 2, 1997

     
     OET BULLETIN No. 69 ISSUED BY FCC OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY
                                
                                
     The Office of Engineering and Technology has issued OET
Bulletin No. 69 entitled "Longley-Rice
Methodology for Evaluating TV Coverage and Interference."  

     The Bulletin provides guidance on the implementation and use
of Longley-Rice methodology for
evaluating TV service coverage and interference in accordance
with Sections 73.622, 73.623 and 74.704 of
the FCC rules.  Those sections of the rules became effective with
the adoption of the Sixth Report and
Order in MM Docket No. 87-268 concerning Digital Television, on
April 3, 1997.

     The Longley-Rice radio propagation model is used to make
predictions of radio field strength at specific
geographic points based on the elevation profile of terrain
between the transmitter and each specific
reception point.  In accordance with the new rule sections cited
above, evaluations of TV service and
interference will be made during the transition from analog to
digital television using this prediction
technique in many cases.  The Bulletin describes the methodology
and computer program used by the FCC
for this purpose.

     The Bulletin is divided into four parts.  Section I provides
information on evaluating TV service area or
coverage.  Section II provides information on evaluating
interference to the service areas of both analog
NTSC and digital television (DTV) stations.  Section III provides
information on implementation of the
FCC's Longley-Rice Computer program.  Finally, Section IV
provides answers to frequently asked
questions.

     Copies of OET Bulletin No. 69 are available during normal
business hours at the FCC, 1919 M St.
N.W., Public Service Division (Room 254), Washington, DC.  Copies
can be purchased from the
International Transcription Services, (202) 857-3800.  The
document is also available through the Internet
on the FCC Home Page at http://www.fcc.gov.

     For further information about the Bulletin, contact Robert
Eckert at (202) 418-2433.


                            - FCC -