[BC] When COL matters

[Bailey, Scott]

Barry,
    I see what your saying, in emergency situations, the COL is much
more noticed by the public, but what I'm speaking of is "regular
programming", especially with the "Metro FM's".
    Most of these kids out here today don't know call letters anymore,
like you and I grew up to, all they know is things like "The Fish", "The
Buzz", "The River", etc.  To me, this is sad.  I've always loved hearing
the Legal ID.

-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Barry Mishkind
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 11:12 AM
To: Broadcasters' Mailing List
Subject: [BC] When COL matters

Scott ... I tell you EXACTLY when a COL (and/or ID) matters.  (... 
aside from when the EB can cite and fine you.)

First, while it is quite true it is rare for a station to "jump 
channel" these days ... but as has been noted here - and on other 
lists - daytime facilities are often left on at night. This is one 
way to identify the station.

More importantly - your personal safety: suppose you are driving 
across another state (I use another state for a reason ... please 
read on) and your Rush Limbaugh rant is interrupted by a tornado 
alert in Wacko County.

Now, it may be that, for some places, you the name/location of the 
COL would not help you, but it is much more likely that you will have 
a clue to that than you would know where Wacko County was.

Are you driving directly into the tornado?  Are you driving parallel, 
but the tornado is starting to turn at you? Or are you going the other
way?

This is one of the weakest elements of EAS, IMHO.  Many people on the 
highways have NO IDEA where the weather (or other disaster) 
is.  County names are only of use to locals in almost all cases.

Here's another: "State Route 77 is blocked due to a crash in Navajo 
County."    So, if you are somewhere near Route 77, do you worry 
about going north or south? Is the crash close to you, or eight hours 
away?  Too many EAS messages are like this.






At 08:55 AM 8/31/2006, Bailey, Scott wrote
>IMHO.....I've felt the public and listeners for the most part care less
>about a station COL. The only interest the Legal ID draws is us in the
>industry, be it the broadcasters or hobbyist.
>The everyday person that we see on the street each day only cares about
>programming. Doing a legal ID is just to satisfy the FCC, to make sure
>"we are on our toes", and means nothing to the average Joe or Suzie out
>there listening.






_______________________________________________________________________
Barry Mishkind     -       Tucson, AZ    -   520-296-3797








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