REC operational status (updated July 19, 2024 2:10 PM EDT) - Normal operations expected for the week of July 21, 2024.
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FCC Denies Informal Objection for Programming Issue

In a letter released today, the FCC Audio Bureau Chief Peter Doyle denies several informal objections over the grant of the license of KAPU-LP of Watsonville, CA. The objectors allege that the LPFM operated by Ohana de Watsonville "breached oral agreements" with the local community and is programming KAPU-LP only with Hawaiian music and contrary to the statement of purpose that Ohana provided in their original construction permit application. Watsonville is, according to the objectors, 80% Spanish speaking.

The FCC responded that because of the 1981 Radio Deregulation Order, as well as the First Amendment and other statutes, the FCC can not regulate a broadcaster's choice of entertainment format.

So when will the next LPFM window be?

Every so often, we continue to get the question, "so when is the next LPFM filing window?". Honestly, we do not know. All most can do is speculate. Currently, the FCC is busy with other actions. While construction permits grants in the Great Translator Invasion (GTI) were frozen for a period of time, the FCC is continuing to work assignments of permits. These assignments are coming from Radio Assist/Edgewater and others.

Rademaker sentenced to life without parole

David Rademaker, who was known for the operation of telephone conference lines and other money making phone related ventures was sentenced on Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of 20-year old Kimberly Pandelios back in 1993.

In 1991, Rademaker ran "The 501 Conference", a free multi-line telephone conference (party line) system and their callers were also a part of the REC community. Combined events were held such as the infamous "REC Summer In The Park", one of our most successful "park parties" we ever had. REC at the time ran a voice mail system with limited conferencing capability.

Full story of the sentencing and some background in the case is available at the LA Times

Is using 87.9 MHz for consumer electronics legal?

Many of the car adaptors for XM/Sirius radios and MP3 players appear to be capable of going down to 87.5 MHz. While there are FM broadcast stations as low as 87.5 MHz in other parts of the world, in the United States, the spectrum for TV channel 6 is 82-88 MHz. FCC Part 15 rules specifically prohibit any fundemental emmission in the TV spectrum.

This article in TV Technology discusses the issue.

A very small number of class D FM stations that are extremely distant to TV channel 6 stations are permitted to operate on 87.9 (also known as Channel 200). REC Network's website FMFIND.info does not consider 87.9 MHz as a possible frequency for consumer electronic devices.

Video Professor spends $15K for dummy on eBay

Being up here in Denver, you see some interesting things on the news. This is a situation where someone was caught in the HOV lane with a newspaper stuffed dummy to look like a second passenger in the car. As punishment, the person who did this had to stand along the side of the road with a sign that said that the HOV lane is not for dummies. They also had to sell the dummy in a charity auction. Well, it's was sold... to the Video Professor!

New REC Website: FMFIND.info

Not every open spot on the FM radio dial is created equal. Just a simple move of the receiver or a quick drive around town and your chosen FM channel for your device is suddenly wiped out by a radio station. FMFIND.info searches a professional broadcast radio database to determine the best FM channel that you can use at and around your home for your Sirius(R) or XM(R) satellite radio as well as for MP3 players or an iPod(TM) connected to a device such as the Belkin TuneCast(TM) II Mobile FM transmitter. FMFIND.info is a free resource that you can use any time to find one or more potential FM channels. In most areas, we will give you a choice of many channels to try as well as rank them based on how far away they are from other radio stations. FMFIND.info can be used in all 50 states.

Canada Broadcast Database added

REC Networks has added the engineering database from Industry Canada. We will be adding full Canada coverage to our Broadcast Query (FMQ) Tool. As of tonight, you can now enter a Canadian community and be able to get the Dialscape report (all of the stations within the area). For border areas, you will get Dialscape reports from both the FCC (USA) and Industry Canada. We also have the FM broadcast detail in and working. We do not have directional antenna contour maps yet but we will get that in eventually.

Good job WTND-LP

It's currently 3:30AM in Macomb, IL and WTND-LP just recently finished live coverage from the return of a battery of the Illinois National Guard into Macomb. It was a very emotional event for both those at the event and those listening on the radio. This coverage was also being carried on the W0KIE Satellite Radio Network/RFD, WQNA a NCE-FM in Springfield and on the American Council of the Blind's music network.

This LPFM station was the only media that was carrying this very emotional event live. This is a prime example why we supported the creation of the LPFM service back in 1999 and we will continue to support it today. It's coverage like this that defines true community radio.

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