Lots of abandoned or silent stations will still show up in FCC station search records, particularly if the owners owed money ... and ended up walking (or maybe running) away.
"I'm happy to report Channel X will be safe on 1610, UNLESS I messed up on the FCC query."
Could be some of the data base is still migrating over to the new "facelift" of the FCC website.
Then again it could be the hiding and confining of what was once public accessible information.
Things are not as what they seem.
I would still choose another frequency. With the way NADA removes our right to defend ourselves against non-disclosed charges or non-existing charges, makes no sense to throw it to the wind.
RFB
Just a quick note that instead of posting publicly about other members or membership issues, please click the 'contact' link in the top left hand menu - one of our moderators will get back to you right away with an answer.
jp i'm glancing over this thread to try and figure out what you're referring to.
are you sure you didn't mean to post in this thread? http://www.part15.us/node/3642
please note i purposely neglected to mention any specific member and just basically put out a general warning to keep identifiable details of station and location to themselves in order to protect themselves from any undue aggravation resulting from giving too much info online.
i posted the same warning across 4 different part 15 forums warning people it's time to keep your head down and watch your back.
It turns out I was using the wrong query. I found the info on the TIS on 1610 in Batavia and I have good news. Their license expired in April 2001. So, I think we're safe on 1610.
It took alot of digging through databases, but its good to know the facts now.
"What if I declared myself as "sharing the frequency" and used their channel after they sign off?"
I'm not sure self declaration is acceptable. Granted such a station that signs off at sunset does not have any control over their frequency while other stations elsewhere are transmitting on that same frequency. They basically share it too. But while one must sign off at sunset, others remain on the air, but both are protected. (and then some)
It's just good common sense and courtesy to use a frequency that is not being used by any local station, daytime only or not, or even use a frequency of a station that is in silent mode.
Besides that, there may be someone who finds your station on a frequency where it's not supposed to be and turn you in for transmitting on another station's channel. It would certainly peak the FCC's interest and justify sending out a field agent to go poke around with their fancy meters. Why take the chance? Besides, an unused channel is far more likely to reach an audience than a channel occupied during the day or night or both where a station builds their image and logo and so forth focused around their frequency.
An example is "Hot Potato 970" so the listening public becomes accustomed to that, then suddenly out of nowhere a station starts transmitting on that channel when the public knows Hot Potato signs off at local sunset. It's bound to attract unwanted attention.
RFB
I get your point, RFB, but what do you think about a different idea...
What if I met with the manager or owner of 770 AM, or whatever, and ASKED if it would be ok to use his frequency after hours...???
If the guy is very hip he might understand that "it doesn't matter," but on the other hand, he might be unsure if he could even make such a decision.
It could be interesting just to ask.
Rev. Robert C wrote: ...I posted the same warning across 4 different part 15 forums warning people it's time to keep your head down and watch your back.
Just to note that persons who understand and actually comply with Part 15 have no need to avoid FCC scrutiny, or to advise others to do so.
Sorry to be so blunt, but perhaps that is required at certain times -- which hopefully will diminish in the future.
Hi Robert! sorry, my comment wasn't referring to your post at all, but a comment to your post about 'half way' down the list....I really need to turn on 'nested comments' so it is more obvious 🙂
Cheers!
"What if I met with the manager or owner of 770 AM, or whatever, and ASKED if it would be ok to use his frequency after hours...???"
Perhaps the station management or ownership might not have a problem with your proposal, and may even give you blessings and a signed paper stating they have no issue with the use of their frequency at night.
However I don't think it would fly with the FCC.
RFB
"It turns out I was using the wrong query. I found the info on the TIS on 1610 in Batavia and I have good news. Their license expired in April 2001. So, I think we're safe on 1610."
That's good to hear. Just keep in mind that the majority of these TISk TISk stations use either 530 or 1610, and at any time that frequency might be assigned again to another TISk station, which would mean a frequency change for you and your listeners and re-training them to tune to the new frequency after spending months building the station imaging on the current frequency. Imagine all those station liners and logos and such that would have to be changed. Not to mention creating a whole new station imagery for the new frequency.
Might be better to make the change now and be done with it instead of setting yourself and your listeners up for an unexpected and sudden move.
Happy Hopping! 😉
RFB
Rev. Robert is correct keep a low profile. If you do get a visit cooperate and do not get hostile. Remember the FCC are just gov. employees.
I had to respond to a complaint a few years ago and won the complaint was found to be at fault.
Just purchased a Sencore FSI34 antenna tester and it does 88-108 band. Will be able to measure output down to 30 mv. Will know when I am legal.
Wow guys!
first off , Rich I am going to explain a few things to you.
I worked for KNRY AM 1240 in Monterey Ca and just when my ratings started to clime to levels that would challenge the Left VS Right talk guys poof it was sold to the Catholic church who is out there buying stations just like clear channel.
I have watched KGO get killed off by clear channel who also owns KION and KDON FM.
They are in radio for the bottom line period and don't give a rats ass about the workers or the audience.
I started KLNJ-DB to keep my show going and to offer indie Artists who can't get a break on any station now days due to the fact they are owned by a few people.
The Indie music I was playing on KNRY was a challenge to KDON's garbage Fake top 40.
I payed for royalties and will pay seasac and BMI along with ASCAP to have my station more legal than many of the Class A Stations out there who do not pay they're royalties.
I see you constantly on many forums always saying the same thing over and over and always taking the side of the FCC or the Licensed Stations.
Who pays you to come on here ?
Who are you working for ?
what are you're goals in you're posting ?
I have worked in Films and in radio and I want to continue to work with radio.
Thus Part 15 looks like a very good way to work at making radio what it should be.
Radio should be about the community and should offer entertainment for it's listeners.
Radio should have news that matters not the same old white wash crap that the Class A guys are doing.
Radio should be fun and should offer things that help people.
The Big Guys don't care about you and me.
So Rich let's work together to make Part 15 truly great and to offer the public a great venue for info and music and news and talk show hosts who are not working for the two big parties.
Think about Rich , Part 15 is a potential great thing for you and me.
Let's all work at this and grow it to become something that matters to America .
have a great day and consider what I have said.
Take care.
Lefty.
Hey bartender.. give Lefty a drink on me.
Who pays you to come on here? Who are you working for?
No-one.
what are you're goals in you're posting?
To provide clear and accurate technical information about the performance of radio transmission equipment and systems.
I try to keep my posts limited to technical matters, and to avoid making/responding to political and personal judgments.