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THE CGC COMMUNICATOR
CGC #841
Tuesday, June 24, 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 NEWS BRIEFS
o FCC Chairman announces his support for the proposed XM/Sirius
Satellite merger:
http://tinyurl.com/4hqcuj
o How to contact the FCC 24/7 for emergency assistance:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-282953A1.doc
o Telemarketers told to honor the Do-Not-Call List indefinitely,
not just for five years as originally required:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-282946A1.doc
o FCC identifies mutually exclusive non-commercial FM
applications (88.1-91.9 MHz):
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1437A1.doc
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1437A2.pdf
o FCC conditionally grants Sprint Nextel's request for a
waiver of the June 26, 2008 rebanding deadline with respect
to channels 1-120:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1444A1.doc
o FCC seeks comments on the proposed rule changes for Advanced
Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum in the 1.9 and 2.1 GHz bands:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-283120A1.doc
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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THE "HANDS FREE" LAW - NOT AN ISSUE FOR TWO-WAY RADIO USERS
In regard to the cellular driving law, there is no need
for a re-write. The law is very clear in that it pertains to
telephone operation. I have spoken with CHP headquarters in
Sacramento and they are briefing their staff on the telephone
specifics.
One possible snag is the use of Ham (and commercial) VHF/UHF
units through auto-patch telephone links. This may be illegal
according to the wording of Section 23123(e) unless you are
driving one of the exempt listed vehicle types. I wonder if the
legislature considered auto-patch systems when drafting this text.
In the URL below, note the revision which takes effect in 2011.
Hal Williams, N6TZ, hal.williams (at) salem.cc
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc23123.htm
[Hal's contact with the CHP is much appreciated. Some readers
note, however, that not all law enforcement is done by the CHP,
so other agencies may have other enforcement guidelines or no
guidelines at all. -Ed.]
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BEWARE OF SIGNAL SPLITTERS THAT ALSO ACT AS RF FILTERS
Early in the DTV days, I ran into someone with a reception
problem that was traced to a splitter that rolled off the high
end of the UHF band. Remember the world revolves around cable TV,
and some cable systems move the UHF stations to lower frequencies.
So, a splitter intended for cable use may be worthless when used
with an antenna.
Also beware of coax from a certain national chain of stores.
I ran into a roll in which the shield wasn't braided -- it was
just wound around the center conductor and they improperly
called it RG-6.
Roy Trumbull, roy547 (at) msn.com
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VANISHING DTV COUPONS
While RV traveling, I ordered DTV converter coupons. When
they shipped in March, I had forwarding activated from my home
address to a private mailbox handling our mail while we were
away.
I waited and checked the Internet, then called the toll free
number and was told that since I had my mail forwarded, the coupons
would have been returned... and, no, I couldn't order replacements!
I was told I could appeal to DTV 2009 Coupon Program Comments
in Portland, OR. I wrote. So far, no response! If my experience
is typical, there will be a LOT of upset former viewers!
Raymond Voss, KG0DK
Retired Broadcaster, Edina, Minnesota
RayVoss (at) aol.com
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TWO CHANNEL 6 LPTVs -- ONE ON MT. WILSON, ONE ON MT. HARVARD
I note with some amazement the Commission's apparent
blessing of a new CH-6 LPTV CP Application for 500 Watts ERP
on Mt. Wilson, directional, with a skinny main lobe pointed
at 310 degrees true (KTAV-LP, BDISTVL-20080509ADD).
What befuddles me is that there is already an *existing*
CH-6 LPTV on Mt. Harvard about 1.5 miles away, also with 500
watts ERP, but this station is non-directional (KSFV-LP,
BPTVL-20021018AAZ).
Could one of your readers give us some insight on how these
two stations are supposed to work together?
Mike Worrall, KABC/KLOS, mike.worrall (at) citcomm.com
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RANDOM NOTES
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MT. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE: A POSSIBLE PIRATE - PART 2
In the last CGC Communicator, we mentioned a possible 1620
kHz pirate station being operated by Mt. San Jacinto College.
What makes this case particularly interesting is that the FCC
wrote-up the college for excessive field strength in December
of 2007 (see the URL below) as reported in CGC #825. The question
now is whether the college is continuing to operate with excessive
strength as implied by recent distant reception reports.
Last December, the FCC found Mt. San Jacinto College to be
running way too much field strength, the equivalent of 19,000,000
times the power authorized by Rule 15.209(a) [calculated via
65,000/14.8 uV/m squared, see the URL below]. KAHZ, 1600 kHz,
take note -- your reception may be impacted.
It would be interesting if a qualified broadcast engineer
took field strength measurements on the college station along
the lines of the measurements reported below, to see what the
college is doing today. Hopefully they comply with the Rules:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-279229A1.html
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NEWS BRIEFS
o Proposed IBOC power increase causes concern, including
from Bert Goldman:
http://www.radioworld.com/pages/s.0121/t.14035.html
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6571408.html?desc=topstory
o Social Security Administration has a satellite earth
station application dismissed -- a somewhat unusual event:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1454A1.doc
o KMRY(AM), Cedar Rapids, OH, dries off -- transmitter
photos. Don't miss the floating red gas can:
http://kmryradio.com/snapshots.htm
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OFF TOPIC
o Some members of Congress want to ban incandescent
light bulbs -- apparently the members have nothing better
to do with their time. Learn more in this 5-minute video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e-LOtKIIKcg
o BPL's impact on the ham 80-meter band is significant in
Tasmania leading one to wonder what other radio services are
being impacted. Video by VK7TW:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdcY0Eetvsw&feature=related
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AM RADIO - LOCAL ITEMS FROM THE FCC
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AM STATION APPLICATION FOR MINOR AMENDMENT TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT AMENDMENT RECEIVED
BP-20060310AHK KRLA 61267 NEW INSPIRATION BROADCASTING CO...
E 870 KHZ GLENDALE, CA
Engineering Amendment filed 06/12/2008
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FM RADIO - LOCAL ITEMS FROM THE FCC
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FM STATION APPLICATION FOR MINOR AMENDMENT TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT AMENDMENT RECEIVED
BNPED-20071022AOY NEW 175014 CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY
E 89.1 MHZ TWO HARBORS, CA
Engineering Amendment filed 06/16/2008
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FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A
CONSTRUCTION PERMIT GRANTED
BMPFT-20080610AAE K253AD 156524 EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION
E 98.5 MHZ OCEANSIDE, CA
Mod of CP
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FM BOOSTER APPLICATION FOR ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
TENDERED FOR FILING
BNPFTB-20080617ACK KCAQ-5 178198 GOLD COAST BROADCASTING LLC
E 104.7 MHZ LAS FLORES CANYON, CA
CP New Station.
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FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATION FOR MINOR CHANGE TO A LICENSED
FACILITY ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BPFT-20080613ABA K287AL 156359 GOLD COAST BROADCASTING LLC
E 105.3 MHZ ISLA VISTA, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign K287AL.
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FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATION FOR MINOR CHANGE TO A LICENSED
FACILITY DISMISSED
BPFT-20080613ABA K287AL 156359 GOLD COAST BROADCASTING LLC
E 105.3 MHZ ISLA VISTA, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign K287AL.
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FM STATION APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF LICENSE
ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BMLH-20080612AAV KBUE 34386 LBI RADIO LICENSE LLC
E 105.5 MHZ LONG BEACH, CA
License to modify.
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TV - LOCAL ITEMS FROM THE FCC
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR AMENDMENT TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT AMENDMENT RECEIVED
BPCDT-20080222ABI KECY-DT 51208 GULF-CALIFORNIA BROADCAST CO..
E CHAN-9 EL CENTRO, CA
Engineering Amendment filed 06/11/2008
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BMPCDT-20080616AAK KTTV-DT 22208 FOX TELEVISION STATIONS, INC.
E CHAN-11 LOS ANGELES, CA
Modification of construction permit file number
BPCDT-20080319ACL.
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DIGITAL TRANSLATOR OR DIGITAL LPTV APPLICATION FOR DIGITAL
COMPANION CHANNEL DISMISSED
BDCCDTL-20070411AAR NEW 167362 ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC
E CHAN-14 SAN DIEGO, CA
Digital Companion Channel
Construction Permit request for facility id no.: 4035.
Opposition Filed 02/11/2008 by ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC
Petition to Deny Filed 02/01/2008 by NATIONAL SCIENSE AND
TECHNOLOGY NETWORK
Reply Filed 02/25/2008 by ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC
Supplement Filed 02/20/2008 by ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC
Informal Objection Filed 03/19/2008 by RCA
Supplement Filed 03/06/2008 by ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC
Reply Filed 03/12/2008 by NATIONAL SCIENSE AND TECHNOLOGY NETWORK
Informal Objection Filed 03/07/2008 by THE ENTERPRISE WIRELESS ALLIANCE
Informal Objection Filed 03/24/2008 by MOBILE RELAY ASSOCIATES
Reply Filed 04/14/2008 by THE ENTERPRISE WIRELESS ALLIANCE
Reply Filed 04/16/2008 by MOBILE RELAY ASSOCIATES
Motion to Strike Filed 04/18/2008 by ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC
Opposition Filed 04/02/2008 by ENTRAVISION HOLDINGS, LLC
Opposition Filed 04/28/2008 by MOBILE RELAY ASSOCIATES
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DIGITAL TRANSLATOR OR DIGITAL LPTV APPLICATION FOR DIGITAL
COMPANION CHANNEL DISMISSED
BDCCDTT-20070417AAM NEW 167583 BOARD OF TRUSTEES, CSU,
E CHAN-15 FOR SAN DIEGO STATE UNIV.
LA JOLLA, CA
Digital Companion Channel
Construction Permit request for facility id no.: 6119.
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TV TRANSLATOR OR LPTV STATION APPLICATION FOR MINOR CHANGE TO
A LICENSED FACILITY GRANTED
BPTTL-20080122AQF KPCD-LP 129226 WORD OF GOD FELLOWSHIP, INC.
E CHAN-40 BIG BEAR LAKE, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KPCD-LP.
Engineering Amendment filed 02/05/2008
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR CHANGE TO A LICENSED FACILITY
GRANTED
BPEDT-20080326AJE KLCS-DT 38430 LOS ANGELES UNIFIED
E CHAN-41 SCHOOL DISTRICT
LOS ANGELES, CA
Minor change in licensed facilities, callsign KLCS.
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR AMENDMENT TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT AMENDMENT RECEIVED
BPCDT-20080222ACV KESQ-DT 25577 GULF-CALIFORNIA BROADCAST CO...
E CHAN-42 PALM SPRINGS, CA
Engineering Amendment filed 06/11/2008
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DIGITAL TV APPLICATION FOR MINOR MODIFICATION TO A CONSTRUCTION
PERMIT ACCEPTED FOR FILING
BMPCDT-20080616ABQ KCBS-DT 9628 CBS BROADCASTING INC.
E CHAN-43 LOS ANGELES, CA
Modification of construction permit file number
BPCDT-20080409AAB.
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KJLA(TV), VENTURA, ALLOWED TO TERMINATE NTSC-TV ON CHANNEL 57
KJLA has filed a petition for reconsideration asking to
terminate its analog operations on Channel 57. The FCC
has granted the request with conditions.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1440A1.doc
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