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THE CGC COMMUNICATOR
CGC #840
Saturday, June 14, 2008
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Robert F. Gonsett, W6VR, Editor
<r.gonsett@ieee.org>
Copyright 2008, Communications General® Corporation (CGC)
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FCC EXPANDS NATIONAL DTV EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
The FCC is providing more than 11,000 radio stations
across the country with public service announcements on the DTV
transition. The 15, 30 and 60-second radio PSAs highlight
important information for consumers to adequately prepare for
the transition. High quality audio and MP3 versions of the
PSAs are available for listening and downloading. The FCC
is also launching a DTV billboard campaign in the largest
metro areas.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-282681A1.doc
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FM IBOC POWER INCREASE SOUGHT
A group of broadcasters and equipment manufacturers has
formally asked the FCC to approve increasing the allowable FM
IBOC RF power by up to 10 dB. This is a hot topic that will
undoubtedly draw many comments in the trade press and before
the FCC.
http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/index.cgi
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NEWS BRIEFS
o Experimental grant of interest to Qualcomm for MediaFlo
testing on TV Channel 60, 746-752 MHz, in San Diego:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-282820A1.doc
o FCC approves southern California 700 MHz regional plan
amendment:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1344A1.doc
o City of Los Angeles granted use of 472/475.1875, 472/475.2125
and 508/511.0375 MHz:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1332A1.doc
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FCC ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS - SELECTED ITEMS
o The FCC has fined Liam Patrick Ryan $610 for marketing
uncertified AM transmitters. Unfortunately, Mr. Ryan is
still selling his uncertified wares on the Web:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1299A1.doc
http://www.ontheair3.com/
o New Tung Kee Noodle House No. 4, Mountain View, issued
a Citation for using grossly excessive power on 433.92 MHz
from a Point of Sale transmitter:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-282597A1.html
o KIQQ AM&FM near Barstow busted for incomplete public
inspection files, $4,000 fine proposed:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-282595A1.html
o Orvac Electronics, Fullerton, tentatively fined $7,000
for marketing non-certified 2.4 GHz camera gear:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-282596A1.html
o City of Bell Gardens issued a Notice of Violation for
operating a Travelers' Information Station (TIS) as "Bell
Gardens Community Radio" in violation of the strict TIS
program limitation rules:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-282599A1.html
o Mulocks Tower, Bakersfield, cited for outdated contact
information on an Antenna Structure Registration:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-282600A1.html
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ROYCE INTERNATIONAL AGAIN DENIED MORE TIME TO BUILD KIEV(AM)
The FCC already extended KIEV's original October 23, 1985
construction deadline ten times and finally said enough is
enough -- and stuck with that decision on appeal. KIEV is
(or was) allotted to Culver City, CA on 1500 kHz.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-08-144A1.doc
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DTV RECEPTION REALITIES START TO SINK IN
As government officials campaign to offer the facts about
DTV reception, millions of over-the-air viewers are going to be
faced next February with a harsh reality: install a sophisticated
new outdoor antenna or subscribe to a pay-TV service:
http://tinyurl.com/3oofyh
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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COMMENT ON "WORRISOME WRINKLES IN THE DTV TRANSITION"
I live in the Sierra foothills in Grass Valley, California
and have a high gain outdoor TV antenna on a rotator. In analog
mode, I receive all four Sacramento VHF stations and (weakly) the
San Francisco VHF stations. However, in DTV mode, I only receive
one station, so DTV does not appear to be nearly as robust as
analog at my location.
Barney Dewey, barney (at) deweys.org
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XESS & XESDD STILL OPERATING WITH ONE TOWER, SHOULD HAVE THREE
In early April, a group of AM DXers (including Scott Fybush
and me) visited the XESS-620/XESDD-1030 site. There is only one
tower there; both stations are supposed to have three. I'm not
sure if I'd recognize a slant wire if I saw one but I don't recall
anything unusual about the tower. I've read about their alleged
use of a slant wire and the resulting discussions about whether
or not that makes them directional using only one tower....
Dennis Gibson, wb6tnb (at) cox.net
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EQUIPMENT THEFT IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Last night (6/12/08), the KECR/KCBQ storage yard was broken
into along with the El Cajon Amateur Radio Club's storage trailer.
Several locks were cut and 15-20 Kintronic inductors were taken
along with some miscellaneous copper pipe.
The El Cajon club lost a gas generator, new antenna in the
crate, several hundred feet of coax and heavy power cable, along
with several other items. A report was filed with the Sheriff's
office.
Jeff Zimmer, Family Stations, Inc., ab6ne (at) juno.com
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YEARS OF EFFORT PAY OFF FOR KRKO(AM)
After an eight year effort to overcome environmental litigation
and opposition related to a new transmitter site for KRKO(AM) in
Everett, Washington, the FCC issued a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) and granted a construction permit to increase power
to 34 kW day and 50 kW night from 5 kW. This has been a
particularly difficult case because Washington State's environmen-
tal rules allow for multiple opponent appeal paths. KRKO needed
a total of eight local permits, plus FAA and FCC approval. The
project began in 1997. A URL linking to the FCC's 20-page
FONSI decision follows.
Andrew Skotdal, andrew.skotdal (at) krko.com
http://www.krko.com/filestore/Newsroom/DA-08-1272A1.pdf
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CATALINA ISLAND IS PARADISE BUT...
Running the KBRT transmitter plant here on Catalina Island
has its ups and downs for sure. On one hand, the beauty of the
island is awesome, even to the point many call this Paradise
Island. Another nice thing about our little island community
is the very low crime rate. I have had a stack of copper sheets
in our yard for over 8 years and there are no worries about copper
thieves here. You can walk the city's alleys at midnight and
never worry about getting mugged, and many people leave their
keys in the ignition when they go into the store.
Being cut off from the mainland does have its drawbacks
however. The price of food is quite a bit higher and only basic
products are available. If a storm hits, we usually run out of
many items and sometimes go over a week without diary, produce
or other perishable products. The other drawback is the price
of gas, and my company truck drinks plenty of that commodity.
The following picture says it all and from that photo you'll
understand why I'll be on the mainland purchasing a Moped next
week (no kidding).
Bill Agresta, bagresta (at) crawfordbroadcasting.com
http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/Images/Gas_Catalina.htm
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LARRY SMITH, PRESIDENT OF MAGNUM TOWERS, PASSES AWAY
SBE Chapter 43 Special Notice: Lawrence Edward Smith,
president of Magnum Towers, Inc., died Monday, June 9, 2008.
The Lawrence Smith Memorial Page has been added to our website.
Messages from members and friends sent to SBE Chapter 43 will
be posted on this page:
http://www.broadcast.net/~sbe43/smith.html
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THANK YOU
Just a continuing thanks for your great service (Newsletter).
Couple weeks back you had the info on the new FCC "Public" manual.
Without seeing that I would not have had the new manual in our
public file when the FCC knocked on our door for inspection at
the end of that same week!
Terry Gaiser - W6RU
KUZZ Radio, Bakersfield, CA
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RANDOM NOTES
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MT. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE -- A POSSIBLE PIRATE ON 1620 KHZ
In the May 31 CGC Communicator, we mentioned a possible
AM pirate station being operated by Chaffey College in Rancho
Cucamonga, CA (although the station is reportedly dark for the
summer). Now, word has reached CGC that another possible AM
pirate is being operated by Mt. San Jacinto College that, like
Chaffey College, claims to be using 30 watts ("30,000
milliwatts") of power.
One Communicator reader contacted San Jacinto's technology
department and was told that their 1620 kHz signal serves Hemet
and San Jacinto and may be heard as far as Moreno Valley.
Sounds like another case for the FCC's field investigators.
http://www.msjc.edu/music/audiotech/serv04.htm
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NEWS BRIEFS
o NRSC has published its updated IBOC radio technical
standard:
http://www.radioworld.com/pages/s.0101/t.13815.html
o Read about last minute attempted TV channel shuffles
in San Diego:
http://tinyurl.com/5q3756
o Fascinating TV statistics (service types, channels
available, viewing habits). However, as one industry insider
pointed out, San Diego has the LOWEST penetration of Satellite
TV in the nation:
http://tinyurl.com/6cpwds
o Honolulu and Las Vegas have conducted simulated short-term
DTV tests of the analog cut-off while other markets are gearing
up to conduct their own tests:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6568211.html?industryid=48696
o Bills to grant an analog (NTSC) extension through Feb. 17,
2014, to U.S. TV stations within 50 miles of the Mexican border,
have stalled in both the Senate and House:
http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/7844.html
o Status reports on KFI's tower reconstruction wanted. For
example, has the elevated guy anchor station been rebuilt?
Please send reports (100 words or less) to <r.gonsett@ieee.org>.
No photos please (perhaps later).
o Phil Wells, who was working as an engineer for KJQY(FM) at
the time, remembers the 1995 military tank rampage in San Diego:
http://phil.philwells.net/tank.html
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CHP LETTER IS STILL OUR BEST DEFENSE
A number of CGC Communicator readers agree that the
CHP letter featured in CGC #839 is a two-way radio user's best
temporary defense against prosecution under California's "hands-
free" law that goes into effect on July 1. However, the law
itself needs to be modified to make it perfectly clear that
drivers using conventional two-way radios that are not connected
to the telephone (or cellular/PCN) network are immune from
prosecution under the hands-free law. Regretfully, we do
not know of any activity taking place to modify the law.
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HOME FOR SALE, SAN DIEGO COUNTY
San Diego SBE member Walter Johnson is retired, is moving
to be closer to family and is selling his very special estate
in Jamul. If you're looking for a satellite antenna farm and
lab, he has just the place for you:
http://house.jamulseller.com/
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OFF TOPIC
o Video: Radio remote controlled B-29 model aircraft
with a surprise package attached:
http://users.skynet.be/fa926657/files/B29.wmv
o Fun color test, quick and easy:
http://www.humorsphere.com/fun/8787/colortest.swf
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FM RADIO - LOCAL ITEMS FROM THE FCC
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FM STATION APPLICATION FOR ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
PETITION TO DENY
BNPED-20071022AOY NEW 175014 CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY
E 89.1 MHZ TWO HARBORS, CA
CP New Station.
Petitions to deny must be on file no later than 30 days from
the date of this public notice accepting the application for
filing. Petition to Deny Filed 06/02/2008 by Padadena (sic)
Area Community College District.
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FM AUXILIARY TRANSMITTING ANTENNA APPLICATION FOR
LICENSE TO COVER AUXILIARY PERMIT ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BXLH- 20080529AFT KCBS-FM 9612 CBS RADIO EAST INC. CA
E 93.1 MHZ LOS ANGELES, CA
License to cover auxiliary permit.
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FM STATION APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER GRANTED
BLH-20080521AEA KWIE 10099 KDAI LICENSING, LLC
E 93.5 MHZ ONTARIO, CA
License to cover.
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FM AUXILIARY TRANSMITTING ANTENNA APPLICATION FOR AUXILIARY
PERMIT GRANTED
BXPH-20080428ABA KTWV 25437 CBS RADIO EAST INC.
E 94.7 MHZ LOS ANGELES, CA
CP for auxiliary purposes.
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FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BMPFT-20080610AAE K253AD 156524 EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION
E 98.5 MHZ OCEANSIDE, CA
Mod of CP
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FM STATION APPLICATION FOR MINOR AMENDMENT TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT AMENDMENT RECEIVED
BPH-20071107ABE KAEH 3727 MBR LICENSEE LLC
E 100.9 MHZ BEAUMONT, CA
Engineering Amendment filed 06/05/2008
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FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATION FOR LICENSE TO COVER GRANTED
BLFT-20080509AAO K276EF 89084 CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS..
E 103.1 MHZ MUSCOY, CA
License to cover.
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TV - LOCAL ITEMS FROM THE FCC
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DIGITAL TRANSLATOR OR DIGITAL LPTV APPLICATION FOR DISPLACEMENT
ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BDISDVL-20080528AFZ KHTV-LP 60026 VENTURE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP..
E CHAN-5 INLAND EMPIRE, CA
Minor change of callsign KHTV-LP.
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FCC-PROPOSED LP OR TRANSLATOR CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
CHAN-6 at Altadena for Alma Vision Hispanic Network, Inc.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-282731A1.doc
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DIGITAL TRANSLATOR OR DIGITAL LPTV APPLICATION FOR DIGITAL
COMPANION CHANNEL OPPOSITION
BDCCDVL-20070810ACK NEW 168576 KRCA LICENSE CORP.
E CHAN-9 SAN DIEGO, CA
Digital Companion Channel
Construction Permit request for facility id no.: 22162.
Petition to Deny Filed 05/15/2008 by CHANNEL 51 OF SAN DIEGO, INC.
Opposition Filed 05/28/2008 by KRCA LICENSE LLC
Opposition Filed 05/28/2008 by KRCA LICENSE LLC
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR AMENDMENT TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT AMENDMENT RECEIVED
BPCDT-20080418AAE KCAL-DT 21422 LOS ANGELES TELEVISION
E CHAN-9 STATION KCAL LLC
LOS ANGELES, CA
Engineering Amendment filed 06/10/2008
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DIGITAL CLASS A TV APPLICATION FOR DIGITAL FLASH CUT GRANTED
BDFCDTA-20080513ABD KSBB-LD 60639 SMITH MEDIA LICENSE HOLDINGS..
E CHAN-17 SANTA BARBARA, CA
Minor change of callsign KSBB-LP.
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TV TRANSLATOR OR LPTV STATION APPLICATION FOR ORIGINAL
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT DISMISSED
BNPTTL-20000830BBK NEW 129515 TELECOM WIRELESS, LLC
E CHAN-28 EL CENTRO, CA
Construction permit for a new station for EL CENTRO, CA on
channel 28, Effective Radiated Power 10.0, coordinates
NL 32 deg 47 min 44 sec WL 115 deg 29 min 53 sec, as amended.
Engineering Amendment filed 12/13/2006
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT GRANTED
BMPCDT-20021028ABV KFTR-DT 60549 TELEFUTURA LOS ANGELES LLC
E CHAN-29 ONTARIO, CA
Modification of construction permit file number
BPCDT-19991029AFX.
Engineering Amendment filed 11/04/2004
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR CHANGE TO A LICENSED FACILITY
GRANTED
BPCDT-20080228ABI KMEX-TV 35123 KMEX LICENSE PARTNERSHIP, G.P.
E CHAN-34 LOS ANGELES, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KMEX- TV.
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR CHANGE TO A LICENSED FACILITY
GRANTED
BPCDT-19991101AEM KAJB-DT 40517 CALIPATRIA BROADCASTING CO...
E CHAN-36 CALIPATRIA, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KAJB.
Engineering Amendment filed 01/11/2005.
Engineering Amendment filed 03/12/2008
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DIGITAL TRANSLATOR OR DIGITAL LPTV APPLICATION FOR DIGITAL
COMPANION CHANNEL APPLICATION REINSTATED
BDCCDTL-20061030AGH NEW 168607 COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING CORP.
E CHAN-42 SAN DIEGO, CA
Digital Companion Channel
Construction Permit request for facility id no.: 11371.
Petition for Reconsideration Filed 01/07/2008 by
COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION
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The CGC Communicator is published for broadcast engineering
professionals in so. California by Communications General®
Corporation (CGC), consulting radio engineers, Fallbrook, CA.
Letters to the Editor are always welcome but must be non-
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Typographical errors originating in FCC material are
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