[BC] FCC Enforcement Priorities

[Mark Humphrey]

Our guest speaker at the Philadelphia SBE meeting this evening was John
Rahtes, head of the local FCC Enforcement Bureau office.  Here's a brief
summary of his presentation.

When his staff make random inspections of broadcast stations, they focus on
three things:

1) Public File
2) Tower
3) EAS

The public file should include ALL required sections --  they now pay
_particular_ attention to the issues-program lists.

The tower(s) must be registered and have proper ID numbers posted unless
exempted by the rules.  Inspectors also want to see fencing, locked gates,
RF warning signs, and general compliance with RF safety procedures.

For EAS, they will check to see that the equipment is operating properly and
that tests have been received, sent, and logged as required by the rules.

Here's something to keep in mind:  Instead of camping out in their trucks,
the agents now set up remote monitoring stations, accessible on demand via
the Internet, to check for EAS compliance, station IDs, proper
sign-on/sign-off of daytimers, pattern changes, etc.  These remote boxes are
temporarily installed in US Post Offices, local police stations, or other
government buildings near the transmitter of interest.  If a licensee is
found to be in violation of a rule, the bureau will usually monitor its
activity for a while to verify that corrective measures have actually been
taken.

John also mentioned that his budget has never been higher than it is under
this Administration -- he has more vehicles, staff and equipment than ever
before.

Be careful,
Mark