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                      THE CGC COMMUNICATOR

                            CGC #1124

                     Monday,  March 5, 2012

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                Robert F. Gonsett, W6VR,  Editor
                <cgc (at) cgc333.connectnet.com>

    Copyright 2012, Communications General® Corporation (CGC)

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  FCC ANNOUNCES TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR MARCH OPEN MEETING

  The FCC has several tentative items to consider in
  its Open Meeting set for Wednesday, March 21, including:

  o  items to get FM translators and LPFMs moving again, and

  o  the possible issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
  and Notice of Inquiry for Advanced Wireless Service in the
  2 GHz Band.

  The entire agenda is posted at:
  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-312739A1.doc

  Also see:
  http://tinyurl.com/RW-on-LPFMs-and-Translators
  http://tinyurl.com/Leslie-sViewOnLPFMvsXlators
  http://tinyurl.com/FCC-LPFM-Xlator-Agenda

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  GOVERNMENTAL DISRUPTIONS OF CELLPHONES, IPADS AND THE LIKE

  The FCC is seeking Comments on concerns and issues related to
"intentional interruptions of Commercial Mobile Radio Service by
government authorities for the purpose of ensuring public safety."

  The Commission says, "While the important function that
wireless service plays in protecting public safety is undisputed,
some commentators, including some law enforcement personnel, have
raised concerns that wireless networks can be used in ways that put
the public's safety at risk.  Concerns, for example, that wireless
service could be used to trigger the detonation of an explosive
device or to organize the activities of a violent flash mob have
led public authorities in the United States and abroad to consider
interrupting wireless service...."

  http://tinyurl.com/IntentionalWirelessTurnOffs
  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-12-311A1.doc
  http://tinyurl.com/WSJonWirelessTakeDowns  (WSJ by subscription)

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  THE LATEST ON LIGHTSQUARED

  The FCC has granted in part LightSquared's Motion for Extension
of Time:
  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-12-320A1.doc

  That said, there is a rather provocative opening sentence in
a news article from The Daily Caller: "LightSquared CEO Sanjiv Ahuja
abruptly announced his resignation Tuesday amid revelations of his
company's political proximity -- and his own closeness -- to the
White House and Obama administration officials."

  The Wall Street Journal, on the other hand, simply opened by
saying, "LightSquared Inc.'s chief executive and an executive vice
president stepped down in the wake of a regulatory setback...."

  While Republicans are seeking key documents from the FCC
(and the FCC isn't cooperating), The Daily Caller has pieced
together the massive political favoritism it believes benefited
LightSquared at the expense of others -- and the picture isn't
pretty -- see the third URL below.  CGC does not necessarily
endorse the view of The Daily Caller but the allegations give us
engineers some behind-the-scenes hints as to why LightSquared
was always the FCC's favored child.

  The Daily Caller:
  http://tinyurl.com/LS-CEO-SaidToResign

  WSJ (subscription required):
  http://tinyurl.com/WSJ-on-LS-CEO-Resignation

  The Daily Caller - Part II:
  http://tinyurl.com/FCCs-Solyndra

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  FCC ENFORCEMENT WATCH

  o  The FCC is going after a number of Class A LPTVs and is
  threatening to strip them of their Class A status for failure
  to follow all of the Class A rules (which are essentially the
  full power rules).  This is perhaps a harsh housecleaning
  prior to the TV spectrum auction.

  The FCC's Daily Digest for February 28, 2012 (center section,
  under the heading TEXTS) contains a large number of similar
  cases.  See the first URL for a sample case and the second URL
  for the Feb. 28 Daily Digest:
  http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-12-225A1.doc
  http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Digest/2012/dd120228.html

  o  The Commission has uncovered a gizmo "designed to jam
  radio transmissions" in the 450 MHz band and wants to know "from
  whom you purchased the device, including copies of any receipts
  or invoices:"
  http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-312659A1.html

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                            JOB SHOPPE
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  BROADCAST ENGINEERING MANAGER AVAILABLE

  Available now: A broadcast engineering manager with decades
of technical experience, successful at supervising and mentoring
a diverse crew, planning for upgrades, negotiating contracts
and researching creative solutions to technical challenges.
Hands-on experience with RF, IP, video compression, and audio.
Willing to work independently or on your team from San Diego.

  Editor's Note: This is a blind-box announcement.  Interested
parties should reply to the editor of this newsletter by writing
to cgc (at) cgc333.connectnet.com.  Your e-mail will be treated
confidentially and forwarded to the party involved.  The indi-
vidual is known to our office and is exceptionally well qualified.

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                           RANDOM NOTES
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  LOS ANGELES SBE LUNCHEON MEETING -- MARCH 13

  The next Los Angeles SBE meeting is set for Tuesday,
March 13, at 11:30 AM.  The location is the Holiday Inn Media
Center in Burbank as usual.

  The subject is the "CALM Act and TV Loudness" and that
is a matter of great interest.  The speakers are terrific too:
Bob Orban and Greg Oganowski of Orban Associates.  Keep in mind
that the Olive Avenue I-5 exit may be closed on meeting day due
to construction activities.

  RSVP is required because of the expected large turnout.
For RSVP instructions and any last-minute info on the possible
Olive exit closure, see:

  http://www.sbe47.org/

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  SAN DIEGO SBE MEETING -- MARCH 14

  In the words of the San Diego SBE Chapter:

  "Orban's chops in the broadcast radio and TV realm are certainly
undisputed.  The company continues to address the needs of current
broadcast technology, with processors to address specific needs
for digital side channels, streaming, and the new TV loudness
rules.

  "Our next meeting features two of the rock stars of broadcast
audio.  Orban Founder and VP of Engineering Bob Orban will discuss
the workings of the new Orban Optimod-TV 8685 for Surround Sound
and loudness control.  Also, Orban VP of New Product Development,
Greg Ogonowski, will discuss the latest in streaming technology
offered by Orban.

  "This is your chance to meet Bob and Greg and ask those nagging
questions you have about audio processing.  Let's give these guys
a big welcome Wednesday, March 14, at noon at TV Magic, 8112
Engineer Road in Kearny Mesa, San Diego.  As always, members and
guests are welcome."

  http://sbe36.org/

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  GENERAL NOTES

  o  Cris Alexander of Crawford Broadcasting Company gives us
  his electric power saving experience with MDCL and, in addition,
  a status report on the KBRT(AM) transmitter relocation project:
  http://tinyurl.com/LO-ForMarch2012

  o  The new EAS rules appear final -- commentary:
  http://tinyurl.com/ApparentFinal-EAS-Rules

  o  A slice of life from the Philadelphia cellphone jammer:
  http://tinyurl.com/Cellphone-Jammer-PA  (Video)

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  BASIC GUIDE TO RF SAFETY SURVEYS

  Here is a basic guide to RF safety surveys at broadcast
sites courtesy of Richard Strickland:

  http://tinyurl.com/RFR-Safety-Primer

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  OMNIA'S IMPROVED FM STEREO TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

  Here is a demonstration of Omnia's proposed SSBSC alternative
for FM stereo transmissions.  The demo is impressive because it
compares SSBSC against the DSBSC system in use today -- and SSBSC
is said to be fully compatible with existing receivers.

  Note: The SSBSC test may have relied on a special receiver
optimized for SSBSC reception.  We don't know from the write up.
Nevertheless, the results of the test are most impressive.

  http://tinyurl.com/FM-SSBSC-vs-DSBSC

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  ABOUT THE SALE OF KCEO(AM)

  The following newspaper article is entitled, "Catholic station
to begin broadcasting March 7."  The article says that Immaculate
Heart Radio (IHR) purchased KCEO(AM), 1000 kHz, Vista (FCC
Facility ID 67666) "last year from Carlsbad-based North County
Broadcasting Corp. for $3.75 million."  That sounds straight-
forward.

  There is a little catch, however.  FCC's AM Query page shows
that the station has not been sold.  North County Broadcasting
still owns it.  So, it will be interesting to see what programming
changes (if any) occur on March 7.

  http://tinyurl.com/Sale-Of-KCEO

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                       LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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  TECH LETTERS

  Letters to the Editor of the CGC Communicator should be
posted on the Tech Letters Website.  Use the URL below to see
the most recent postings and to make new postings (all letters
and comments are moderated and are posted after review).

  Please contact the moderator, Steve Blodgett, if you are
having trouble viewing or posting: sblodgett (at) earthsignals.com

  http://www.earthsignals.com/press/

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                            OFF TOPIC
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  HIGH STANDARD OFF TOPIC MATERIAL

  Educational:

  o  Water droplets orbiting a knitting needle in space.
  This is simple and elegant:
  http://www.wimp.com/dropletsspace/

  o  Learn about the Lytro camera that has the ability to
  refocus a picture after the photo has been taken.  (We'll
  wait for the mod that puts everything in focus at the
  touch of a button):
  http://vimeo.com/37336723

  o  The Tokyo Skytree is claimed to be the world's tallest
  free-standing broadcast tower.  It is 2,080 feet tall and
  breathtaking to behold:
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17234847

  Totally Off-the-Wall:

  o  Another action-packed Internet video best viewed in HD:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=EEu42L0ufBY

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