Dennis Thompson
The spectrum real estate wars continue. The Wireless Association, CTIA has requested to the FCC that spectrum from the recently reallocated broadcast auxiliary service (BAS) be reclaimed for commercial use. CTIA is suggesting that 15MHz of contiguous spectrum from 2025 to 2110 MHz be repurposed to fulfill a February 2015 reallocation deadline for mobile broadband. The NAB is not happy with this request nor is the Society of Broadcast Engineers, and rightly so. The BAS spectrum is used daily by local TV stations to provide coverage of breaking news important to public safety. Read the SBE regulatory update in the newsletter here.
Looking at some of the recent FCC NOV items, it appears that public inspection files are big on the Commissions list. Don’t get burned! Here is a link to some helpful information about public inspection files.
The main areas where stations often find themselves facing nasty monetary assessments are:
1. The Public File 2. EAS logs 3. Tower lighting issues 4. Tower fence integrity 5. On-Air ProfanityThe FCC provides some downloadable checklists that could be helpful to your station if you need to ‘review’ some of the above items. Find the FCC’s Broadcast Self-Inspection Checklists HERE.
Don’t forget to renew your SBE membership. Current members should have received a notice in the mail. If you can’t find it or would like to become a new member you can apply online –click here– . Please note that the current membership dues have been increased to $75.00.
NAB2013, you know that BIG show over in Las Vegas, is only a few weeks away. SBE will have a booth with daily prize drawings, be sure to check it out if you’re there.
This month’s meeting will feature Arnold Taylor of Digital Broadcast, he will be discussing IP workflow. Information will be provided on DBI’s MediaFire IP solution. Meet Mr. Taylor and the rest of the SBE 66 gang at this hosted lunch event at the Clovis HomeTown Buffet, beginning at noon, Thursday March 28th, in the back banquet room.
