[BC] FCC query re AM

[Alan Gearing]

Tom,

Follow-up comments:

(Based on only a very quick check) it appears WHON should qualify for PSSA powers ranging from approx 100-120 watts 1st half-hour, approx 50 watts 2nd half hour, and approx 30 watts for 2nd hour.  The 4-watt/50-watt levels are evidently from the suspended Feb/Mar 2007 authorizations.  Yes, I know that these are the authorizations that show up in the FCC's CDBS records, but they are invalid.  The power levels shown in most of these authorizations don't make any sense because they are all wrong.  You need to totally disregard these 2007 authorizations obtained from the CDBS.  That there is nothing in the CDBS record to let anyone know this doesn't seem to concern the Commission.

And yes, in some cases stations that don't qualify for any regular nighttime operation may still qualify for PSSA operation.  And the 2007 authorizations shown in the CDBS for these stations are very likely wrong as well.

The PN suspending the 2007 authorizations may be found at:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-1076A1.pdf

As for WHON's 114-watt nighttime authorization:
Using today's criteria WHON would only qualify for approx 30 watts at night (similar to the last hour PSSA power).  If the 50% RSS is protected (instead of the current 25% criteria) and if contributions from Region II List B stations are included in calculating the existing 50% RSS of protected stations, then the permitted nighttime power for WHON does work out to be approx 114 watts.  Normally, under criteria in place today, List B (as well as List D) stations are not included in calculating existing RSS values, but they were included when the FCC initially implemented these secondary nighttime authorizations for Class D stations.  (List B and D stations are those that have been notified to the IFRB but have not been officially accepted into the Region II station inventory.)

Regards,

Al Gearing

Tom Spencer wrote:
>The specific example cited was WHON, Centerville, Indiana - serves
>Richmond, IN - doesn't quite reach Dayton, OH (search was triggered by a
>look at their FM, which does serve Dayton).
>
>But that's not the only place I've seen it - several Ds that I've been
>able to compare the license with the PSRA/PSSA have that discrepancy...
>
>Alan Gearing wrote:
>>Tom,
>>
>>Even the FCC apparently has trouble understanding PSRA/PSSA issues,
>>since they don't seem to be able to fix their program to calculate new
>>authorizations.
>>
>>Without knowing the particular station, can't give specifics as to why
>>their PSSA powers are less than their authorized secondary nighttime powers.

-- 

####################
Alan E. Gearing, PE
Mullaney Engineering, Inc.
PH: 301-921-0115