May Newsletter


A. *OUR SUSTAINING MEMBER OF THE MONTH IS . . .* *SYSTEM ONE COMMUNICATIONS* System one communications is a full service tower, communications construction, and FR engineering company located in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1988, System One has provided nationwide services primarily to the Broadcasting Industry. The System One Communications Tower Service division is second to none. Our stacking crews are seasoned professionals, with a crew typically having 20-30 years combined experience. Our equipment is state of the art. Our erection rig is capable of stacking up to 1000 feet and performing maintenance up to 2000 feet. Our antenna and line crews are professionals in the installation of antennas and transmission lines. We have considerable experience in the installation of the multi-bay antennas, microwave and 2-way antennas. We are highly experienced is microwave systems and have single hops up to 90 miles. Of course, we offer routine tower service including inspections, painting, lighting systems, and plumb and tensioning. System One has an in-house RF Engineer to perform antenna sweeps and emergency diagnostics on antenna and transmission lines. Typical test equipment available would include : IFR Com 120B communications service monitor, return loss bridge, and Tektronix 1502 TDR. We offer 24 hour emergency service. Customer satisfaction is paramount. Our strategy is to offer very compettive rates and outstaning quality. We are a small enough company to give every job our undivided attention, yet large enough to handle any size project you might have. The bottom line is ... We offer unsurpassed workmanship for a very reasonable price.	TABLE OF CONTENTS : GUIDE A. Sustaining Member of the Month B. HAPPENINGS . . . (MATERIAL FROM CGC, ROBERT GONETT,W6VR) 1. $4000 FINE UPHELD. 2. FCC CLOSES STATION IN TEXAS. 3. $8000 FINE TO KANSAS PIRATE UPHELD. 4. NAMES OF COMPLAINANT(S) DENIED WXGI. 5. Cap-Of-The-Month, DAVID TUNG, KPRC TV C. Chairman's Thoughts . . . *** EAS Self-Check List from FCC (please note, due to length of this article, placed at last of newsletter.)
**************************************************************** B1 $4,000 FINE UPHELD FOR AM DAYTIMER OPERATING AT NIGHT While the above captioned incident occurred in Puerto Rico, the island is a possession of the United States and its radio stations operate under FCC jurisdiction. ************************************************************* B2 FCC CLOSES UNLICENSED RADIO STATION IN TEXAS - EQUIPMENT SEIZED The FCC, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service and the United States Attorney's Office, seized radio transmission equipment used in the operation of an unlicensed FM radio station in Canyon Lake, Texas, on March 2, 1999. The pirate station, identifying itself as "Canyon Lake Radio," was operating on 105.7 MHz. The seizure of equipment followed FCC warnings to the operator about the penalties for unauthorized operations, and attempts by FCC agents to have the station voluntarily discontinue transmissions. ************************************************************** B3 $8,000 FINE TO KANSAS PIRATE UPHELD The FCC's Director, Legal Services Group, Compliance and Information Bureau, has upheld an $8,000 fine against a Kansas pirate who allegedly operated on 102.1 MHz. ************************************************************** B4 WXGI ASKS FCC FOR NAMES OF COMPLAINANTS - REQUEST DENIED WXGI(AM), 950 kHz, Richmond, Virginia, had asked the FCC for, "information concerning the person(s) or company who reported to the Commission that WXGI AM 950 Richmond VA was operating above power assigned by the [FCC]." The station's Freedom of Information Act request was denied in large part, and the denial was upheld on review. The name(s) of the informant(s) remain confidential. _________________________________________________ B5 CAP-OF-THE-MONTH WINNER WAS DAVID TUNG ! Congradulations to David for winning the SBE Cap-Of-The-Month. David is presently employed by KPRC TV. He moved into the area in 1982 from Louisville, Kentucky. He worked for about six months for Channel 26 and then moved to KPRC TV. He is married, with two grown children. His daughter is married and lives here in Houston. His son is employed by Dell Computers in Austin. David says that he moved to Houston because his wife's family lives here and they wanted to be close to them. David has always been involved in the Broadcast field. Has received a Master's Degree in Broadcasting from Saint Louis University and as worked on his PHD at the University of Missouri. He can still remember the Black and White days and when it first became color. He tells of what TV was like when they didn't have any tape . . . only LIVE SHOWS. He has had many hats during his career...ranging from Director of News at KOMU TV, Missiouri to Director of Broadcasting in Erie, Pennsylvania. David joined SBE when it first began in Houston. He believes in the SBE and has supported it through the years. He remembers Mike P.(now deceased) encouraging him to attend his first SBE meeting. David now has a Professional Certification within the SBE and also has his First Class License. I know David as a friend who is constantly seeking ways to become better at what he does. I sold him alot of parts in years past and always found him to be very conciencious when he does something. He concentrates fully on the matters at hand and is one from my own personal experience you can count on to do what he says he is going to do. Our chapter definitely needs more folks like David !! ------------------------------------------------------------------ HAVE YOU SENT IN YOUR RENEWAL FOR SBE YET?**	************************************* C Chairman's Thoughts George Schank It's that time of the year again. No. I don't mean that it's time to get out your Easter bonnet. And Spring Break is over. I mean that it's time to elect a new slate of officers to continue leading our local SBE chapter on to bigger and better things. It's been a distinct pleasure to serve as your Chairman for the past two years. It's also been an enriching experience as it gave me the opportunity to meet some wonderful folks throughout the SBE. Even though I cannot serve as Chairman again, I intend to look for other ways to make Chapter 105 an even better chapter in the coming year. Great organizations such as SBE are known by their leadership. And that leadership comes from within the organization. It isn't something you can necessarily hire someone to do, because the person you hire doesn't care as much about the organization as a member does. That leadership has to come from the membership - from the people who make up the group and who care the most for it. I think we have many members who care deeply for this SBE chapter and want to see it continue to be one of the leading broadcast organizations in this area. So, if you consider yourself among that lot, then I'm asking you to step forward and let it be known that YOU are ready to lead. If you don't feel that you're quite ready for that responsibility, then at least be a good follower; by attending meetings, discussing engineering issues, and learning to lead by following the leaders. Bob Stroupe, Fred Morton and Danney Stanley have graciously volunteered to serve as our Nominating Committee for this year. When they contact you, I hope you'll give serious consideration to throwing your hat in the ring for one of the chapter officer positions. Even if there are two or more people vying for the same position, I can promise you there won't be any losers. Just by running you will have encouraged your peers by letting them know that you care. To paraphrase an old military recruiting poster "Your SBE Chapter Wants YOU!" So when Uncle Bob, Fred or Danney call you, step forward front and center! George Schank

Emergency Alert System

Self-Inspection Checklist for Broadcasters and Cable System Operators

General information on airing EAS messages, applicable to all EAS participants.
What tests must I air for my area?

F You must air the RWT, the RMT and any national level alerts (header codes of EAN and EAT)
What about all those weather alerts, must I air them?

F You are not required to air any weather information, however, in the interest of serving your listeners/viewers, you should provide them with emergency information - this may be done as an EAS alert, or as an on air message by station personnel, at the discretion of management
F For LP-1 and LP-2 stations, if all stations in your local operational area cannot receive the National Weather Service, your local EAS plan should address which weather service alerts stations want sent via the EAS (Many have agreed that these warnings should be sent via the EAS: flash flood, tornado, severe thunderstorm, and blizzard.) 1. EAS Operating Handbook available? (§11.15)

This is a required document and is available from the following sources:
F Call the EAS office at 202-418-1220 and request a copy
F Write the EAS office at: Federal Communications Commission

Compliance and Information Bureau

1919 M Street NW, Room 736

Washington, D.C. 20554

(EAS office will move to Portals in May 99)

F e-mail: send request to eas@fcc.gov
F Download the document from our website: http://www.fcc.gov/cib/eas/handbook.htm

2. EAS Encoder/Decoder installed and operational? (§11.35)

F EAS unit may be programmed to be in the fully manual or fully automatic mode, or a combination of both modes

F Unit must be programmed to transmit/send the Required Weekly Test (RWT), the Required Monthly Test (RMT) and the national level alerts (EAN, EAT) to the state and county for the broadcaster's county of license. Other locations codes are optional, however, stations are encouraged to program the unit to transmit for all counties in their local operational area. The LP-1 and LP-2 in the local operational area must program their units for all counties in their local operational area.

3. EAS Decoder tuned to stations in accordance with local/state EAS plans? (§11.52)

F Per FCC Rules, all broadcast stations are required to monitor 2 sources

F The EAS unit must be able to receive a clear, strong signal or it will not activate

F If you cannot receive your assigned monitoring sources adequately, report this to your local and state chairperson, and request a change in your assignment

F The current chairperson contact is:

4. Encoder timing tones 8-25 seconds in length? (§11.32)

F In order to conserve air time, most station keep the tones set for 8 seconds.

5. Transmit Tests - Is Required Weekly Test, "RWT", conducted weekly? (§11.6

F A week typically runs from Sunday to Saturday

F All stations are required to send at least 1 RWT each week

F The RWT may be aired on any day, and at any time, as long as the days and times are random. The RWT must include at least the FIPS# of the county of license or cable system county of service. Other FIPS #'s are optional.

General Logging Information

F Printouts from EAS units or program log sheets are not a log unless the entries are signed/initialed by the operator - in other words, all logs must be signed

F All logs must be reviewed weekly and signed by the chief operator - a review on Thursday is suggested, as this allows for the sending of tests if it has not been done

F There must be a written explanation in the log for any tests not received or sent - station's have an obligation to determine why a test was not sent or received

F The EAS printouts do not have to be kept if other logging is used, however stations may want to keep proof of the RWT and RMT

F All tests and alerts received from your 2 required sources must be logged

6. Transmit Tests: Required Weekly Test , "RWT", logged properly on station log? (§11.61)

F Logging consists of a signed entry recording the date, time, and type of activation transmitted/sent

F If no test was sent, explain this omission

7. Receive Tests: Is the Required Weekly Test, "RWT", logged properly on station log?

(§11.61)

F Logging consists of a signed entry recording the date, time, and type of activation received

F If no test was received, explain this omission

F All tests and alerts received from your 2 required sources must be logged

General Required Monthly Test Information:

F The schedule for the RMT should be part of, or an appendix to your state plan

F Usually the RMT is generated by the LP-1 in your local area

F In even numbered months, the RMT is conducted during the evening (between local sunset and 8:30 a.m.)

F In odd numbered months, the RMT is conducted during the day (between 8:30 a.m. and local sunset)

F The RMT should be conducted during a full calendar week in the month, unless the State plan dictates otherwise (This means it should not be aired on a day that part of the week is one month, and part of the week is in another month.)

8. Transmit Tests: Required Monthly Test, "RMT", logged properly on station log? (§11.61)

F Logging consists of a signed entry recording the date, time, and type of activation transmitted/sent

F If no test was sent, explain this omission . (i.e. not for our operational area, station off air, etc.)

9. Transmit Tests: Is the Required Monthly Test, "RMT", conducted within 15 minutes of reception? (§11.61)

F The RMT must be transmitted within 15 minutes receipt if it is for counties in your local operational area

F This may be done manually or automatically

F If the RMT received is from a different local operational area, it should not be retransmitted - the test should be logged, and a note included to explain why it was not retransmitted (RMT not for our local area)

F The script of the RMT may not be changed. The digital codes of the RMT must never be changed. The LLLLLLLL code is automatically changed by the EAS encoder upon retransmission of the RMT message. The script is part of the State plan, and must be aired as received. No station call letters should be in the message portion of the text. You are allowed to have your own station personnel record the RMT script if you feel certain on air voices have a high recognition factor.

F If a station is off the air when an RMT is received, they are required to air the RMT if the valid time period of the message has not expired. If sign on occurs after the RMT has expired, it does not have to be aired, but your log should reflect why it was not aired. An RWT should be sent if it is not possible to retransmit the RMT.

10. Receive Tests: Required Monthly Test, "RMT", logged properly on station log? (§11.61)

F Logging consists of a signed entry recording the date, time, and type of activation received

F If no RMT was received, explain this omission. An RWT should be sent if it is not possible to retransmit the RMT

F If RMT was not retransmitted, explain this in your log (Not for our local operational area, or county of license, station off the air during time when RMT was valid, etc.)

11. Does the Station Log explain any failures to send or receive RMT and/or RWT?

For any failure to send or receive a test, the log should contain information that explains why the test was not received/sent. The explanation should include notes if your equipment failure, staff omitted test or is not trained to send tests, or why the sending station did not transmit the test. List name, date, and phone number of person contacted. Items than should be explained are:

F No RMT received, or RMT not sent within 15 minutes of receipt

F No RWT sent for a calendar week

F No RWT received from either source for a calendar week.
12. Does the station log contain data and time for EAS equipment outages?

If EAS equipment fails, note date and time in the log. If the equipment must be sent in for repairs, note day sent, when it is expected to be returned and detail any action taken to get a replacement unit or to obtain EAS messages from another source. Proper logging of equipment failures may prevent enforcement action for missed tests.

Items Applicable for cable systems only:

13. RMT - Is the visual message of the RMT on all channels that carry programming?

F The visual message must include the originator, event, location(s) and valid time period of RMT.

F Programmed channels do not include channels used for the transmission of data, such as interactive video games.

F The video message must be on all channels, this includes pay-per-view and premium channels.

14. RMT - Is the EAS audio message transmitted on all channels that carry programming?

F The audio message must include the EAS header codes, Attention Signal, emergency message, and End of Message using EAS Protocol.

F Programmed channels do not include channels used for the transmission of data, such as interactive video games.

F The audio message must be on all channels, this includes pay-per-view and premium channels.

15. RWT - Is the RWT on all channels that carry programming?

There is no requirement for a video message when the RWT is transmitted on a cable system.