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THE CGC COMMUNICATOR
CGC #361
Monday, December 13, 1999
Robert F. Gonsett, W6VR, Editor
Copyright 1999, Communications General Corporation (CGC)
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MORE ON 8-VSB vs. COFDM
The latest edition of Tech Note carried two stories of
interest to the DTV community:
The Department of Defense has reportedly raised concerns about
8-VSB as it is currently implemented. Outdoor antennas are
vulnerable in natural/unnatural disasters, and 8-VSB has trouble
reaching indoor antennas. Therefore, DOD reasons, 8-VSB will
limit the government's ability to communicate with its citizens.
The second item of interest is a letter from Mark E. Hyman,
VP Corporate Relations, Sinclair Broadcast Group. He writes,
"If you and your organization are uncertain of your position
(on 8-VSB vs. COFDM), but believe that this matter is deserving
of public scrutiny, then I urge you to immediately notify the
FCC that you support a public comment period." See his
complete letter at:
http://216.24.35.148/cgc/
Click on Additional Postings.
Click on 'SUPPORT THE COFDM VS. 8-VSB DEBATE.'
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"COMMUNITY BROADCASTERS PROTECTION ACT OF 1999" SETS DEADLINE
OF DECEMBER 31, 1999 FOR FULL SERVICE TV STATIONS TO FILE
LETTERS OF INTENT TO MAXIMIZE THEIR DTV FACILITIES
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Public_Notices/da992739.doc
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PART OF SIGNAL HILL WIPED CLEAN OF RF
Part of Signal Hill near Long Beach has been wiped clean
of RF communications sites to make way for condominiums. That
has caused ongoing problems for KLON(FM), 88.1 MHz, which was
one of the evicted tenants, but it also caused massive problems
for the KACD/KBCD microwave feed as the following home-brew web
page by Mike Callaghan shows:
http://www.hottips.org/Hottips2/verdugo.html
Be sure to click on the note at page bottom which reads:
"This page has been APPENDED; some of the information is WRONG..."
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FCC FORFEITURE WATCH (SELECTED ITEMS)
$4,000 - Against WPBZ(FM), Indiantown, FL, for broadcasting
a telephone conversation without first informing the party to the
conversation of its intention to do so.
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Enforcement/Orders/1999/da992764.txt
$9,000 - Entergy Security Corporation has had its fine reduced
from $12,000 to $9,000 for acquiring control of two microwave
stations without prior Commission approval:
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/1999/db991207/da992734.txt
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HOME SHOPPING CLUB WANTS CLOSED CAPTIONING EXEMPTION
Home Shopping Club L.P has filed a petition for exemption from
the closed captioning requirements for its electronic retail
programming:
http://www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/1999/db991208/da992738.txt
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JOB SHOPPE
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LAND-MOBILE INTERFERENCE SOLVER NEEDED
Who would you recommend to solve land-mobile interference
problems? Not that we have any yet, but an FM broadcast station
is planning a series of test transmissions from a new site in
southern California, in January, and we need to know who to call
in case interference is caused.
Please send a short note with your recommendation to
Bob Gonsett, editor of the CGC Communicator newsletter:
rgonsett@connectnet.com
Thanks!
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (NINE LINE LIMIT PLEASE)
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KNSD-DT IS BORN
KNSD-DT, CH-40, San Diego, went on the air at 10:58 a.m.
on Wednesday, December 8th. ERP is 18.2 kilowatts; transmitter
is on Mt. San Miguel. Testing is in progress, but programming
will be up most of the time. When we are not broadcasting in HD,
we will be upconverting our standard definition channel. (The
only High Definition programming available on NBC right now is
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.")
Congratulations to Bob Vaillancourt (Engineering Manager,
KNSD TV/DT) and his engineering staff for a job well done.
Oscar Medina, KNSD
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DTV INTERFERENCE TO LAND-MOBILE?
I was wondering if your readers have any reports of problems
caused to land-mobile installations located in the proximity of
DTV transmitters? If problems have been reported, what steps
were taken to correct the interference? Were the corrections
completely successful?
I am working with the U.S Forest Service in developing a
communications site master plan that will include new DTV
installations, and would like to know if there are some issues
learned in your area that we should consider in the plan.
Information relayed to me indicates that DTV has rendered
some land-mobile communications inoperable. Any information or
documentation you may send my way would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Jim Lencioni, cpi@powernet.net
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USE OF DIGITAL CAMERAS IN HIGH RF ENVIRONMENTS
Has anyone had any experience with the Kodak 265 (260, or
290) digital cameras in high RF environments? Places like
radio rooms FILLED with transmitters, multi-high powered
transmitter buildings, ATU/AM tower bases, roofs or tower tops?
A client is considering the purchase of one of these
high end cameras for a variety of work, including site
inspection/due diligence work, and would prefer to learn
about any RF related aberrations before buying.
Mike McCarthy, CSRE, N9EAO, Chicago
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FASTER, CHEAPER, BETTER
Dr. Borsum says: "Faster, cheaper, better - pick the two
you want."
We ran our business with a very similar slogan:
"Price, Quality, Speed - pick two"
Bill Sepmeier :-)
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS
While not related to the content of your most excellent
on-line publication, "The Communicator," please allow me to
wish you and all of your readers a most happy, healthy, and
prosperous holiday season! Y2K ain't seen notin' yet!
Best regards, Bill Wysock-N6UXW.
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MISCELLANEOUS
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CGC COMMUNICATOR NEWS
Our readers have voted in favor of putting LOCAL ITEMS
FROM THE FCC at the end of each newsletter, so that will be
the format from now on. Thanks to everyone who responded.
You may locate past stories of interest in the CGC
Communicator (and our Additional Postings files) by using the
word searcher at our web site <http://216.24.35.148/cgc/>.
It's a simple Microsoft searcher where single word inputs
are best.
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T-R-W SWAP-MEET CHANGES LOCATIONS
The monthly TRW Swap-Meet began in 1974 and has become one of
the nation's best known monthly ham radio bargain finding events.
It now has a new location which is in the suburb of Redondo Beach
only a short drive south from L.A. International Airport.
Head south on the 405 Freeway, get off at Rosecrans, head west.
Continue west until you get to Aviation which is the stoplight
with the train-bridge overpass. Go left (south) on Aviation to
Space Park Drive which is one traffic light south of Marine.
Thomas Brothers 733(A5).
The TRW Swap-Meet always convenes on the last Saturday of the
month which happens to be Christmas morning this year. Things
get rolling about 7 AM and usually run until just before noon.
Pay them a visit and make this a truly special holiday year.
(Newsline)
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LOCAL ITEMS FROM THE FCC (FCC TYPOS TOO)
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATIONS FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO
A LICENSED FACILTY ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BPCDT-19991028AEN KADY-DT 56384 BALTIMORE BROADCASTING, LLC
CHAN-24 OXNARD, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KADY-TV.
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BPCDT-19991029AFX KHSC-DT 60549 USA STATION GROUP PARTNER....
CHAN-47 ONTARIO, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KHSC-TV.
_____________________
BPCDT-19991029AFZ KMIR-DT 16749 JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION
CHAN-24 PALM SPRINGS, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KMIR-TV.
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BPCDT-19991028AES KMEX-DT 35123 KMEX LICENSE PARTNERSHIP, G.P.
CHAN-35 LOS ANGELES, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KMEX-TV.
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BPCDT-19991101AHI KECY-DT 51208 PACIFIC MEDIA CORPORATION
CHAN-48 EL CENTRO, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KECY-TV.
____________________
BPCDT-19991029AGV KESQ-DT 25577 GULF-CALIFORNIA BROADCAST CO.
CHAN-52 PALM SPRINGS, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KESQ-TV.
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BPCDT-19991101AHZ KTBN-DT 67884 TRINITY CHRISTIAN CENTER.....
CHAN-23 SANTA ANA, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KTBN-TV.
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BPCDT-19991101AIP KVMD-DT 16729 DESERT 31 TELEVISION, INC.
CHAN-23 TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KVMD.
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO
A CONSTRUCTION PERMIT GRANTED
BMPCDT-19990420KE KWHY-DT 26231 HARRISCOPE OF LOS ANGELES, INC.
CHAN-42 LOS ANGELES, CA
MP (BPCDT-980203KG) TO CHANGE OVERALL HEIGHT OF TOWER:
88 METERS; HAAT: 917 METERS AND ANTENNA SYSTEM: DIELECTRIC,
TFU-26GTH-RS2180
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FM STATION APPLICATIONS FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A
LICENSED FACILTY DISMISSED
BPH-19911010IG KACD 33902 CITICASTER CO.
103.1 MHZ SANTA MONICA, CA
CP TO MAKE CHANGES: ERP: 4.5 KW (H&V), HAAT: 99 METERS H&V,
COORDINATION WITH MEXICO AS AN INTERNATIONAL CLASS B
STATION REQUESTED
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BMPH-19980512II KACD 33902 CITICASTER CO.
103.1 MHZ SANTA MONICA, CA
Application to increase ERP (Amended)
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BPH-19911010IH KBCD 33904 CITICASTERS CO.
103.1 MHZ NEWPORT BEACH, CA
CP TO MAKE CHANGES: ERP: 3.3 KW (H&V), COORDINATION
WITH MEXICO AS AN INTERNATIONAL CLASS B STATION REQUESTED
INF OBJECTION FILED 2/7/92
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FM BOOSTER APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER GRANTED
BLFTB-19990831AAL KPLM-FM1 92390 RM BROADCASTING LLC
106.1 MHZ JOSHUA TREE AND TWEN, CA
Lic. to cover
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