[BC] Station sign-on time/power

[Dana Puopolo]

A client's Boston area AM station was recently inspected by the FCC. I have
known the FCC engineer doing the inspection for many years (In the past he has
inspected many of the stations I have worked for). The client asked him why he
had come and was told they received a complaint that his tower lights were off
(they were not).
We got into his Explorer to fo the monitor points (the SUV is amazing - a
whole story in itself that will soon be in Radio Guide) and it gave us time to
talk. He told me that he is but one of two engineers that cover all of New
England. His duties are not just broadcast - he deals with ALL forms of radio
including land mobile, aircraft, ship, amateur, cellular, etc. etc. This
spreads him quite thin. he told me that his main thrust with broadcast
involves dealing with pirates and there are plenty of them to deal with! He
told me that he's frustrated with his inability to do more - the bureaucracy
in D.C. makes this difficut.
He's retiring next year and looking forward to it.

Generally speaking, he doesn't inspect radio stations randomly. He only
inspects when he either receives a complaint or if a station is clearly and
blatently operating illegally.

This FCC engineer is a good guy-I've known him over 25 years-but hs seems
tired and frustrated.

The bottom line? DON'T blame the local FCC guys because they are doing the
best they can. Blame the guys in Washington for not giving them more support,
and for deciding it's more important to fine 100 watt college stations 7 grand
for not filing their renewals on time then to enforce the rules on a local
level.

-D 

------ Original Message ------
Received: 
From: "Sid Schweiger" <sid at wrko.com>
To: <broadcast at radiolists.net>
Subject: Re: [BC] Station sign-on time/power

>>As for the commission, and their enforcement division, it  is up to
them 
to place priorities in which rules to actively enforce.  Enforcement
has 
turned into a political issue and the only way to change it is with 
vocal opposition.<<

Agreed, but the FCC is not setting the politicized agenda.  Congress
is.  IIRC, the FCC did not set the six-figure fine for indecency. 
Congress did.



Sid Schweiger
IT Manager, Entercom New England
WAAF - WEEI AM/FM - WKAF - WMKK - WRKO - WVEI AM/FM
20 Guest St / 3d Floor
Boston MA  02135-2040
Phone: 617-779-5369
Fax: 617-779-5379
E-Mail: sid at wrko.com
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