The silly thing here is this: Any EE who knows something about comm systems and isn’t in the pocket of the broadcast companies and the FCC knew this was going to be the case. The promises from the TV industry and FCC just didn’t add up in comm system terms.
But there are huge amounts of money circling this situation like buzzards over a herd of dead cattle: those UHF channels that will eventually be “re-allocated” are going to be sold off to the highest bidder(s) and as it stands now, most any available frequencies above 500Mc are going for big, big bucks in spectrum auctions. The FCC can almost smell that money from here, and so they’re not going to be particularly attentive to complaints from consumers as a result.
This is sort of like broadband over power lines (BPL). People who know a thing or two about power and comm systems could see that it wasn’t going to meet the wild promises being made. Didn’t stop the FCC from shoving it through.
http://pacer.cadc.uscourts.gov/common/opinions/200804/06-1343-1112979.pdf
My guess is it will be suggested that those with reception problems can just pay for satellite or cable access if they don't like it. There's money to be made on that end too.
Wasn't it Colin Powells son who was in charge at the FCC when all this decision making to switch to digital tv and sell the frequencies was made?... and isn't he still in the position to receive millions as a result? Bureaucratic mandarins will be the death of this country...