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THE CGC COMMUNICATOR
CGC #749
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
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Robert F. Gonsett, W6VR, Editor
<r.gonsett@ieee.org>
Copyright 2006, Communications General® Corporation (CGC)
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ERRONEOUS EAS MESSAGE TRANSMITTED VIA CHARTER CABLE, RIVERSIDE
The Charter Communications Cable TV system for Riverside,
CA sent an alarming but erroneous EAS message to its viewers on
Friday, July 7, 2006, resulting in numerous calls from a concerned
public. This follows on the heels of the false Civil Emergency
Message broadcast across Santa Barbara and Ventura counties on
June 27 (CGC #746 & 747).
According to Chris Avery, a regulatory attorney in Charter's
St. Louis office, the latest emergency message (exact contents
unknown to his office) was received as a "must carry" and was
dutifully passed on to Charter subscribers who were instructed
to tune to Cable Channel 18 for details. Because there were
no details, viewers became further disoriented and concerned.
False EAS activations not only alarm the public, but flood
911 circuits with so many inquiries that legitimate life-and-
death calls can go unanswered. One lady reportedly called
Charter fearing that North Korean missiles were heading toward
the Golden State.
If any of our readers has time to investigate the Charter
incident, please post your findings on the Web and send us the
URL. The step-by-step details are needed to prevent a repeat
performance. One recommendation from an FCC staff member:
New EAS equipment could include an "apology" button to alert
viewers and listeners of false alarms.
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FCC TO CONSIDER DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING ITEM THURSDAY
The FCC will hold an Open Meeting Thursday to consider a
number of items including near-final rules for digital audio
broadcasting. Nighttime AM IBOC - a thorn in the side of iBiquity
from day one - could very well be on the agenda. See Item 4 at
the URL below:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-266285A1.doc
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SIRIUS MINI-TRANSMITTERS DRAW MORE FCC FIRE
According to Radio World, automobile equipment maker Directed
Electronics received a letter from the FCC stating that the Sirius
ST2 and Sirius S50-C wireless devices are out of compliance with
emission limits or the applicable operating frequency range. In
an SEC filing, Directed Electronics said the Commission seeks
information regarding the certification, manufacturing,
importation, and other matters relating to these radios.
Further information at:
http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=9314
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SAN DIEGO SBE MEETING SET FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 19
As the sunset of analog 2 GHz microwave approaches, you are
invited to see a presentation by longtime local manufacturer
Broadcast Microwave Services who will host SBE's July 19 meeting
at their Poway plant. Sandwiches and refreshments from 6 to 7 PM,
meeting at 7, details below.
http://tinyurl.com/rzkl3
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FCC FORFEITURE WATCH - RECENT PIRATE ACTIONS
Notice of Unlicensed Operation, 87.9 MHz, to Prime Apartment
Properties II, LLC, San Francisco, CA:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-266233A1.html
Notice of Unlicensed Operation, 87.9 MHz, to Pastor Nestor
Morales, San Jose, CA:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-266333A1.html
Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, $10,000, to
Adam Troy Venters for operation on 100.9 MHz in Okeechobee, FL
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-266328A1.html
The last case (above) is particularly interesting because
a detective from the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office was
the field investigator, not the FCC.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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COPPER THEFT
Hal Williams reminds us that copper theft is big business
and advises that any losses from broadcast facilities be reported
to the FBI.
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ARE THE SAN DIEGO RADIO BANDS BEING JAMMED?
My contacts at NAB suggested sending you my observation
about radio interference in San Diego County.
AM and FM reception is getting difficult near certain areas
and intersections. I'm not certain that my receiver is failing
or not, but it seems that on the AM bands 550 kHz through 1000 kHz
are getting hit with noise. With FM the frequencies from about
98 to 105.3 MHz are vulnerable to interference; 101.5 totally
disappeared at one location and that did not happen in the past.
Any ideas what may be causing the interference?
Robert Blanchard, KI6BTP, San Diego
Robert.Blanchard (at) am.sony.com
858-942-2759
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THE "NIGHT OF NIGHTS" IS TONIGHT
In the seventh annual event that has become known as the
"Night of Nights", historic Morse code radio station KPH will
return to the air in commemoration of the last commercial Morse
message sent in the United States....
KPH, the ex-RCA coast station located north of San Francisco,
will return to the air for commemorative broadcasts on 12 July
at 1701 PDT, 7 years and one minute after the last commercial
Morse transmission in the US. These on-the-air events are
intended to honor the men and women who followed the radio-
telegraph trade on ships and at coast stations around the world
and made it one of honor and skill. For more info see:
http://www.radiomarine.org/non7.html
Bill Ruck, ruck (at) lns.com
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RANDOM NOTES
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ASBESTOS AND ASBESTOS-LIKE DANGERS ARE NOT UNCOMMON
A fascinating article from Science News: Asbestos and
asbestos-like dangers are natural and lurk in some otherwise
ordinary soils, even in some well-to-do residential neighborhoods.
http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20060708/bob9.asp
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TRIBUNE, KTLA AND THE L.A. TIMES
Consumer groups are preparing to oppose the request by the
Tribune Co. for a waiver from the FCC to allow Tribune to own
both The Los Angeles Times and KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, whose
license is up for renewal. Under current FCC rules, now under
review, Tribune is not allowed to own a newspaper and a TV
station in the same market. (NAB)
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=110446
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FM RADIO - LOCAL ITEMS FROM THE FCC
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FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATIONS FOR MINOR AMENDMENT TO A
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT AMENDMENT RECEIVED
BPFT-19980812TD 980812TD 91370 LIVING WAY MINISTRIES, INC.
E 91.1 MHZ PLACENTIA, CA
Engineering Amendment filed 06/30/2006
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BPFT-20060124AAS K216EM 88940 LIFE ON THE WAY COMM....
E 91.1 MHZ ARCADIA, CA
Engineering Amendment filed 06/30/2006
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FM BOOSTER APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT GRANTED
BMPFTB-20060626AAA KMLT-FM1 164724 AMATURO GROUP OF L.A., LTD.
E 92.7 MHZ MALIBU VISTA, CA
Mod of CP
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LOW POWER FM APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER GRANTED
BLL-20060605AAI KJSM-LP 124223 JOSHUA SPRINGS CALVARY CHAPEL
E 97.1 MHZ YUCCA VALLEY, CA
License to cover.
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FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BMPFT-20060629AGN K252EI 144445 RFENGINEERS.COM, INC
E 98.3 MHZ RIALTO, CA
Mod of CP
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FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT GRANTED
BMPFT-20060629AGN K252EI 144445 RFENGINEERS, INC.
E 98.3 MHZ RIALTO, CA
Mod of CP
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TV - LOCAL ITEMS FROM THE FCC
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CALL SIGN CHANGE GRANTED
K02QJ, Palm Springs, to KCWQ-LP
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-266270A1.doc
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DIGITAL TRANSLATOR OR DIGITAL LPTV APPLICATION FOR DIGITAL
FLASH CUT ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BDFCDVA-20060705ABN KSPP-LP 130176 MARK C. ALLEN
E CHAN-8 PALM SPRINGS, CA
Minor change of callsign KSPP-LP.
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CLASS A TV APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER DISMISSED
BLTTA-20031231AAZ KUNA-LP 19779 GULF-CALIFORNIA BROADCAST CO..
E CHAN-15 INDIO, CA
Application to convert: BLTTL-20031124AQH to Class A station
status.
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TV TRANSLATOR OR LPTV STATION APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER
ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BLTTL-20060628ADC KDUG-LP 128855 LOUIS MARTINEZ FAMILY GROUP..
E CHAN-21 HEMET, CA
License to cover construction permit no: BMPTTL-20051229ABK,
callsign KDUG-LP.
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BLCDT-20060629AFP KPMR-DT 12144 ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC
E CHAN-21 SANTA BARBARA, CA
License to cover construction permit no: BPCDT-20000427ABZ,
callsign KPMR.
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BMPCDT-20060630ACN KEYT-DT 60637 SMITH MEDIA LICENSE HOLDINGS..
E CHAN-27 SANTA BARBARA, CA
Modification of construction permit file number
BMPCDT-20010126ABE.
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER
ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BLCDT-20060629AFB KWHY-DT 26231 NBC TELEMUNDO LICENSE CO.
E CHAN-42 LOS ANGELES, CA
License to cover construction permit no: BMPCDT-20000428ABX,
callsign KWHY-TV.
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR CP EXTENSION ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BEPCDT-20060628AAB KECY-DT 51208 PACIFIC MEDIA CORPORATION
E CHAN-48 EL CENTRO, CA
Extension of time to complete construction authorized pursuant
to a modification of a DTV permit: BMPCDT-20041028AFC
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DIGITAL AUXILIARY APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER AUXILIARY
PERMIT ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BXLEDT-20060706AEX KOCE-DT 4328 KOCE-TV FOUNDATION
E CHAN-48 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA
License to cover auxiliary permit.
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TV TRANSLATOR OR LPTV STATION APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER
ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BLTTL-20060626ACU K55KD 52216 ALMAVISION HISPANIC NETWORK...
E CHAN-55 SIMI VALLEY, CA
License to cover construction permit no: BPTTL-20060331AEE,
callsign K55KD.
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TV BOOSTER STATION APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER GRANTED
BLTTB-20060117ABN KBEH1 134300 BELA TV, LLC
E CHAN-63 LOS ANGELES, CA
License to cover construction permit no: BMPTTB-20040315AAH,
callsign KBEH1.
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TV TRANSLATOR OR LPTV STATION APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL
ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BRTTL-20060629AGK K63EN 11608 CIVIC LIGHT, INC.
E CHAN-63 SAN DIEGO, CA
Renewal of License.
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT GRANTED
BMPCDT-20060616ACF KRCA-DT 22161 KRCA LICENSE CORP.
E CHAN-68 RIVERSIDE, CA
Modification of construction permit file number
BMPCDT-20000501AFR.
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