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| AAIRO Newscast |
January 24, 2012
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Educational
Information for Operators and Licensees of Information Radio
Stations across America
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News |
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Emergency
'Hurricane Irene' Message Recording Service Offered Free to
AAIRO Members August 2011 – Emergency radio messages related to Hurricane Irene were provided to AAIRO members by Information Station Specialists at no charge. The first such messages was broadcast in a New Jersey community. Turnaround time was immediate. Messages were recorded as audio files and sent to requesters by email or via telephone. Download and listen to a sample recording at the link on the right. |
...Sample
recording ... Learn More about this Free Service for AAIRO Members |
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National EAS Test August 2011 – AAIRO received the below response from the National Weather Service with regard to NOAA Weather Radio not carrying the national EAS test on November 9, 2011. From: Herbert White [mailto:Herbert.White@noaa.gov] Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2011 11:13 AM To: Bill Baker Cc: Mike Gerber Subject: Re: National EAS Test not to include NOAA Bill, NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) stations will not carry the national EAS test in November 2011. NWS and FEMA are working on improvements that include NWS receiving the national audio message and broadcasting it over the NWR network. During the national EAS test, NWS will demonstrate the interfaces for receiving and capturing EAN live-code and audio messages. NWR Improvement Project Phase II will be installed in the NWS Telecommunications Operations Center and at NWS offices nationwide through 2012. After those improvements are complete, NWS will install updates which include capability to broadcast the EAN live code and audio over all NWR stations nationwide as provided by FEMA. I apologize for delay in responding. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Respectfully, Herb White Dissemination Services Manager NOAA National Weather Service |
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No News Is . . .? August 2011 – there is no action to report regarding an FCC response following their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Information Radio (TIS) Service. AAIRO will keep you in the loop when a ruling is received. Note that it is not too late for your congressman to write the FCC about the issue. See links (right) to a letter written by New Jersey Representative Albio Sires and the FCC's response. |
...Sires
Letter to FCC ... FCC Response |
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See What Others
Are Saying to the FCC August 2011 – As we await the FCC's action regarding the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, various licensees have responded to statements made by parties in the docket. See illustrative letters (linked right) from AAIRO members who have taken issue with the assertion that licensees are not prepared to deal with emergencies. |
...Fort Bend Texas Letter | ||
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Share by Example August 2011 – AAIRO.org has expanded to include a spot for case studies from members. Share your story to help other operators see how you use your Information Radio Station. Email your submission to the webmaster for assistance in posting to aairo.org. Be sure to include a photo or two if possible. See the submissions to date (right) from North Plainfield Borough and Los Alamos County. |
...Case Study Index | |
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Reinstating the
AAIRO Member List Online So you can see who else belongs to AAIRO, we have reinstated our online member list. It includes only agency and individual names and the states you reside in. Please let us know if you'd like to reach any of the members directly (email on the footer of each AAIRO webpage). We will be glad to help. |
...AAIRO Member List | |
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Change to New
'CAP' Protocols Will Not Affect NOAA Receiver Function March 2011 – It's been in the news recently that the FCC will soon mandate a change for EAS (Emergency Alert System) receivers, which standard radio and TV stations use to receive hazard alerts from the government. Because the NOAA National Weather Radio is part of that EAS network, AAIRO operators might wonder if and how NOAA Weather Radio Receivers will work after the changeover. The answer: quite well. New CAP regulations mandate backward-compliance with all devices functioning currently within the EAS network – including NOAA Weather Radio Receivers and Specific Area Message Encoding circuitry. When NOAA receives an alert from the government, it will be converted into a format currently sent to receivers. And, of course, watches and warnings NOAA sends will be in the same (current) format. As a result, there is nothing operators need do to bring systems up to compliance. |
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RadioWorld Reports on Efforts to Update TIS Rules March 2011 – In a lengthy, illustrated article entitled "FCC Eyes Expanding Role of TIS," RadioWorld offers an overview of all the FCC is considering for Part 90 rules changes. See the article in its entirety (linked left). |
...RadioWorld Article | |
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Michigan
Congressman
Writes FCC Chairman March 2011 – Congress is the Government's primary check-and-balance on the Federal Communications Commission, so it's meaningful whenever Congress people get involved in FCC matters. Linked right, Michigan Representative Bill Huizenga expresses concern regarding TIS rules now being decided, a good example to share with your Congress person(s). |
...Huizenga Letter | |
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FCC Progress on
TIS Rules February 2011 – AAIRO's attorneys recently filed a response to the FCC's newest Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Docket 09-19), regarding the Travelers Information Service. The purpose of the effort is to at long last clarify and update FCC Part 90.242 Rules that govern the service, as well as to reconcile the originating Report and Order with the rules and to clear up inconsistencies within both. This is the first time the 1977 rules have been updated. |
...FCC Call for Comment | |
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AAIRO Board
Re-Elected January 2011 -- Our December email to voting members achieved the needed quorum re-elect AAIRO's founding Board of Directors. Thanks to all who voted. |
...Board Members | ||
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Interference Advisories |
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KRKE AM 1600 Albuquerque Receives Green Light July 2009 – KRKE receives FCC approval to move from 10,000 to 50,000 watts. This will increase interference to 1610 operations in Central New Mexico. |
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Canadian Station
Asks to Move Down the Band May 2009 – In Montreal, Canadian CPAM on 1610 applies to move down the band to 1410. If this occurs, it will ease night interference in the Northeast on the frequency and open 1610 for US licensing in Northern Vermont and New York State. Stay tuned. |
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Central Kentucky
Frequency Change Could Cause Interference |
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AAIRO Welcomes TIS
Pioneer August 2010 – Dick Burden, one of the founding fathers of TIS, recently joined AAIRO to further serve his field. A Society of Broadcast Engineers "Fellow" and Life-Time Achievement Award recipient, Burden's professional experiences and affiliations cover the gamut – from Armed Forces and LAX Airport Radio to serving many field-related organizations. Dick has been honored by the Audio Engineering Society as one of only 25 engineers internationally, who during a 50-year period made significant contributions to the art and science of audio. AAIRO is pleased to welcome Dick Burden as a member, ally, advocate and educator. For knowledge shared multiplies. |
...See Lifetime Achievement Award Article | |
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The FCC
Moves on Petitions August 2010 – News from the halls of the FCC regarding content petitions: An internal source tell AAIRO that the FCC is circulating a NOPR (notice of proposed rulemaking) among the commissioners regarding new content guidelines for information radio stations (TIS) as well as a separate order regarding the same. The latter may be a direct result of AAIRO's petition and should be expected soon. Watch your email and this website for the latest. |
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Members'
Names Removed from AAIRO Website January 2010 – To preserve confidentiality, members' names and affiliations have been removed from AAIRO's website. Please contact the system administrator (right), if you wish to reach AAIRO members or if your member info should be updated. |
...Email the System Administrator | ||
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Members Re-Elect AAIRO's Board of Directors December 2009 – In a virtual (online) election held via email a quorum was reach, and AAIRO members re-elected the founding board of directors for another term. |
...See AAIRO Directors | ||
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Momentum
Builds for FCC Action on AAIRO's Petition November 2009 – The FCC has not yet acted on AAIRO's petition. Linked (right) is a recent example to use with your own Congress persons to motivate them to write the FCC about AAIRO's petition. Senator Tom Harkin is a heavy hitter. This type of Congressional pressure could help move the FCC forward. |
...See Senator Harkin's Letter | |
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Information
Radio Stations May Broadcast H1N1 Instructions October 2009 – President Obama on October 23 declared a national emergency due to the H1N1 virus. This is a reminder that FCC Rules Part 90.405 allow any station licensed under part 90 (TIS Information Radio Stations are licensed under FCC Part 90.242) to broadcast information intended to protect life and property when danger is imminent. See the rule section and reference below. *************************** "PART 90 PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES Subpart N Operating Requirements Sec. 90.405 Permissible Communications "(a) Stations licensed under this part may transmit only the following types of communication: "(1) ANY COMMUNICATION RELATED DIRECTLY TO THE IMMINENT SAFETY OF LIFE OR PROPERTY; "(2) Communications directly related and necessary to those activities which make the licensee eligible for the station license held under this part. In addition, when communication service is provided under the cooperative sharing provisions of Sec. 90.179, the licensee providing such service may transmit communications related to the activities for which the parties receiving the service would be eligible to be licensed. "(3) Communications for testing purposes required for proper station and system maintenance. However, each licensee shall keep such tests to a minimum and shall employ every measure to avoid harmful interference. "(b) The provisions contained in paragraph (a) of this section do not apply where a single base station licensee has been authorized to use a channel above 470 MHz on an exclusive basis, or to stations licensed under this part that are classified as CMRS providers under part 20 of this chapter." [50 FR 6182, Feb. 14, 1985, as amended at 59 FR 59965, Nov. 21, 1994] |
..See White House Press Release | |
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AAIRO Members
Can Share Information September 2009 – Value added to AAIRO membership could include sharing background about existing information radio stations. Has anything been published about your station? Is there a good description of how your station came to be and is now managed? If so, please share it by submitting an electronic copy via the email link (right) for archiving at AAIRO's website. |
...Email AAIRO | ||
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Free
Message-Recording Services Accessible to AAIRO Members September 2009 – AAIRO members can now obtain free professional message recording services, long term, for general "nonevent-related" broadcasts. Whether you are already an AAIRO member or just joining, check to see if your radio station vendor is participating in the deal. |
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Congressman and AAIRO Members Help Push AAIRO's Petition
Along July 2009 – Congressman Pete Hoekstra of Michigan (upper left) and Lieutenant Paul Haggerty (lower left) of the Lyndhurst, New Jersey, Fire Department this month sent letters to the FCC requesting a ruling on AAIRO's petition. Hoekstra's office mentioned being baffled at the uncontroversial nature of AAIRO's petition and why there has been no ruling to date. So are we. You can help. Read their letters (right) as examples of one you could send to represent your agency. Mail the letter to Bruce Liang Gottlieb, Chief Counsel and Senior Legal Advisor, FCC, Office of the Chairman, 445 12th Street SW Rm 8-B201, Washington, DC 20554 with the subject line: "AAIRO Petition for Ruling PS Docket 09-19." And please send a copy of your letter electronically to AAIRO so we can file it electronically in the FCC docket as well. Another idea from AAIRO Director Mike Williams is to download the letters (right) and pass them along to your local Congress people and community leaders for their follow up. |
...Congressman Hoekstra's Letter | |
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Flashing Sign Control Is "Called on the Carpet" July 2009 – Recently one of the larger Departments of Transportation in the US was advised by the FCC that broadcasting tones in their Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) messages to turn flashing signs on or off is not legal per FCC Part 90.242(a)(7) Rules, which state "HAR messages shall be voice-only." Alternative means of turning HAR signs on and off are via paging (flex or POCSAG), UHF/VHF two-way radio and low-band VHF radio. |
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New FCC Chairman Appoints Military Man to Head Public Safety
Bureau July 2009 – Chairman Genachowski selects retired Navy admiral Jamie Barnett to lead the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. "I am delighted that Admiral Barnett, with his broad and deep experience with public safety issues and familiarity with the concerns of state and local governments, will be joining the agency," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. This could bode well for getting AAIRO's petition approved; because the Navy uses TIS radios (licensed via NTIA) at many locations in the US, i.e., Oregon Coast, Great Lakes Base near Chicago, Indian Point Naval Surface Warfare Base near Washington DC. AAIRO attorneys will be in touch with Barnett. |
...to Email a request for specific Flash-ControlLER ideas | |
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FCC
Confirms Genachowski as Chairman Spring 2009 – Congress confirms Julius Genachowski as FCC chairman. In a statement last week, the incoming chairman said: "When disaster strikes, the ability to communicate is essential." Because AAIRO's petition synchs with that comment, AAIRO attorneys are now communicating with the Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to acquire the clarification requested in our petition. Stay tuned. |
...AAIRO Petition | |
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Ventura County,
California, Limits H1N1 Contagion with TIS and Signs during
Specimen Collection June 2009 – County health official Steve Johnston uses portable advisory radio and temporary roll-out signs to broadcast instructions to motorists entering the health department's parking lot for specimen collections prescribed by local doctors. Johnston herein recounts the County's innovative use of TIS: “We got a chance to deploy our portable advisory station during the swine flu event. The first couple of days, we had received requests from physicians to test patients for the swine flu. We were concerned about bringing them [inflected people] into our building to collect specimens. With a concern for social distancing and to keep potential cases from infecting others, we decided to have citizens drive into our parking lot. Specimens were taken from them, while they were in their cars. To facilitate the process, our portable AM radio station [in a case and carrying bags] was deployed along with the information signs. When patients drove into our lot, they were instructed to tune their radios to 850 AM. They received all the information on the process and how they were to interact with our [public health] staff. This eliminated personnel from talking to each driver and exposing him/herself to a potential swine flu virus.” In November, the County plans to use RadioSTAT for drive-through clinics and bilingual applications. |
...Email Johnston | |
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AAIRO
Rebuts NPR Comments June 2009 – AAIRO submits to the FCC a reply to comments National Public Radio (NPR) filed on AASHTO's petition (below). AAIRO board members want to allay misunderstanding and emphasize the need for expedient FCC resolution in the form of simple clarification that TIS operators may broadcast emergency messages, such as, AMBER Alerts. Additional rule-making, they remarked, is unnecessary, based on original TIS tenets in Part 90 Rules, and would likely slow FCC response time. |
...Rebuttal | |
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"Communications
Daily" Refers to Rules Requests before
the FCC May 2009 – The "Daily," a national newsletter, publishes an overview of TIS Rule changes/clarifications requested by several professional agencies for emergency broadcasts. AAIRO appears in a positive light, and the need for a hasty FCC response is mentioned – good news if FCC personnel regularly read the pub, as believed. |
...Overview | |
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AAIRO
Comments on AASHTO Petition April 2009 – FCC issues a public notice soliciting comments on a petition from the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials. Essentially, AASHTO's petition requests the FCC to change Part 90 TIS Rules to specify that Travelers Information Stations may broadcast AMBER alerts, along with a request, too, for broadcasting the availability of 511 telephone services. (In response, AAIRO's Board of Directors submitted a formal recommendation that "clarification" of about AMBER alerts is preferable to a (slower) "rule-change" procedure. The Board reminded the FCC that AMBER alerts were mentioned in AAIRO's own petition for clarification submitted last Fall. The Board implored the FCC to respond to that petition, because community-based operators across the country still are waiting.) |
...Public Notice | |
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KZSB
Santa Barbara, California, Interviews
AAIRO President Bill Baker about the
Evolution of 'Community Alert' Radio March 2009 – Hear an educational history (right) aired by KZSB Santa Barbara early in 2009 about Travelers Information Stations, with technical background and examples of how these specific-area radio stations are used today for emergency advisories. |
...broadcast MP3 File | |
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FCC
Issues Public Notice on
AAIRO Petition March 2009 – FCC publishes a Public Notice for public comment on AAIRO's petition. (The initial comment period ended March 16; and the reply/rebuttal period ended March 30, 2009.) Essentially, AAIRO's Petition asks the FCC to clarify Travelers Information Radio Stations Part 90 Rules to specify public safety use by officials licensed to operate the stations. |
...AAIRO Petition | |
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FCC Grant Acknowledges Emergency Use of
TIS November 2008 – FCC grants Hudson County, New Jersey, a waiver to broadcast on 1710 AM due to the importance of the station. The grant states, "We find persuasive Hudson's argument that granting its requested waiver relief would serve the public interest by promoting important public safety objectives." It's good to know the FCC acknowledges the value of Travelers Information Stations for emergency communication. (Hudson County requested permission to use 1710 AM due to interference [from commercial stations nearby] on regular TIS channels. Though a waiver is needed for anyone to operate on 1710 AM, the grant's language implies the emergency value of all TISs.) |
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AAIRO Submits to FCC a Petition for Ruling September 2008 – AAIRO submits to the FCC a "Petition for Ruling" of Part 90 TIS Rules, requesting clarification that relates to preventive emergency broadcasts. |
...AAIRO Petition | ||
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Communities
and IAEM Support AAIRO Petition September 2008 – Lynhurst, New Jersey, and Clearfield, Utah, (among other communities) write letters of support for AAIRO's petition (described above). Also, IAEM endorses AAIRO's petition, adding roughly 4,000 voices to the request to clarify the public safety role TIS stations play every day in communities across the United States. |
...NJ Support Letter | ||
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APCO Supports AAIRO
Petition August 2008 – Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International (APCO) submits a letter of support to the FCC for AAIRO's petition. APCO has more than 15,000 members. |
...APCo Support Letter | ||
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IAEM Tells Emergency Managers about AAIRO July 2008 – "IAEM Bulletin" introduces AAIRO to the International Association of Emergency Managers' membership. Their "The Power of 10 Watts to Protect Millions" article is linked by permission (right). |
...IAEM Article | |
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Information Radio Operators • All Rights Reserved |
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