Dennis Thompson
“Measure TWICE, Cut ONCE.” I believe that’s the phrase I’ve heard the do-it-yourself builder guys and gals say on the many home improvement shows I get to QC at the TV station. If our industry had such a phrase it might read like this: “Check TWICE, transmit ONCE”. Looking at the FCC’s summary of enforcement actions, and the increasing fines, there are more than a few things to check twice. Contract Engineer, Scott Cason has researched the ‘Top 10’ rules that seem to generate the most fines from the FCC. Knowing the key things the inspectors look for can give you a great heads-up to avoid costly problems.
Here is a quick summary from Cason’s FCC’s gotcha list. #10 – Equipment Performance Measurements (EPM). #9 – Modification of transmission system. #8 – Operating power. #7 – Licensee-conducted contests. #6 – Transmission system operation. #5 – AM fencing requirements. #4 – Inspection of structure lights and monitoring equipment. #3 – Unauthorized operation. #2 – The Public Information Files. No doubt you’ve already guessed the Number one item – EAS Equipment and Readiness. The FCC provides a broadcast self-inspection check list on their website. There are categories for, AM, FM, TV, Class A TV broadcast stations. As well as, FM translator, LPFM, and Low Power TV, TV Translator & TV Booster. For more help on each of the top 10 catafories, check out Scott Cason’s full article here. It might save a few headaches and more than a few dollars down the road.
The Central Valley lost one of its long-time engineers last month. Many of you may know, or have worked with Ed Lamb who died at the age of 73, on April 24. Ed worked for KTIP radio and KMPH televison, as well as other facilities. A memorial bio is located here in this newsletter.
I hope you’ll be able to join Frank Grundstein, CBRE, CBNT, Director of Sales at Logitek Audio Systems, at the Clovis HomeTown Buffet for this months hosted lunch meeting at noon. Frank will be discussing the benefits and limitations of networked audio consoles, more information on the meeting can be found here.
Now something from our, “Read ONCE, Groan TWICE!” department. Thanks to our friends at SBE16 for the punography:
*When chemists die, they barium. *Jokes about German sausage are the wurst. *A soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran. *I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time. *How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it. *I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me. *This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore. *I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I can’t put it down. *I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words. *They told me I had type A blood, but it was a Type-O. *Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations. *Energizer bunny arrested. Charged with battery. *I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me. *Did you hear about the cross eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils? *I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me! *What do you call a dinosaur with a extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus. *England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool. *I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough. *Earthquake in Washington obviously government’s fault. *I used to think I was indecisive, but now I’m not so sure. –See you at the meeting!
