[BC] FCC query re AM

[Tom Spencer]

Thanks, Al!

With knowing the 2007 authorizations have been rescinded, that makes 
more sense.

Here's one, though -

WSYW, AM 810 Indianapolis.

Seems to be operating in accordance with the 2007 PSRA/PSSA.  I don't 
have access to their antenna ammeter, but the times for start and end 
operation match.

 From the signal strength, I'm not sure but what they're running the 
full 250 watts, though...

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=13795

And I can see what you mean about those being defective -

Just for chuckles; this is from the PSRA for WSYW:

For February; the allowed sign on is at 6:00 AM, with a power of 2 
watts... and the next time period is ALSO at 6:00 AM, with the full 250 
watts!

(in January, they're supposedly allowed to go full power at 6:30; and 
March allows 6:15 - AFTER the DST switch; before, they're stuck with 10 
watts...)

Glad they rescinded those...

But in that case, what would WSYW be using for PSRA/PSSA?  Their basic 
instrument of authorization does NOT have any night operation AT ALL - 
due to WGY's skywave.

I'm generally not up pre-sunrise, but I've heard them running in the 
evening well past sunset - and the carrier dump is consistent with the 
2007 PSSA times...

(they program Spanish AC; and the only ID I can pick out is "AM-810" - " 
Aye  EMMAY  Ocho Diez ")

Alan Gearing wrote:
> 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.
>>>       
>
>   

-- 
Tom Spencer
PG-18-25453 (nee' P1-18-48841)
http://radioxtz.com/