All posts by Gary Stigall

National

Required FCC ETRS Form One Filing Deadline Delayed

The Federal Communications Commission announced the extension of the deadline for all EAS Participants to submit their ETRS Form One for calendar year 2024 in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) Test Reporting System (ETRS) to October 18, 2024.

The FCC said it was extending the filing deadline, which was previously October 4, 2024, to reduce burdens on EAS participants recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. EAS Participants that have already submitted their ETRS Form One for calendar year 2024 need not take any further action.

Filers can access ETRS by visiting the ETRS page of the Commission’s website. Filers must use their registered FCC Username that is associated with the FCC Registration Numbers (FRNs) for which they will file. Filers that have already created a Username for use with another FCC system may access the ETRS with that Username. Filers that do not remember the password that corresponds with their Username may reset it here.

Meetings, Seminars

Learn About Spectrum Analyzers at Our September 17th SBE Chapter 36 Meeting

It’s quite possible that in the 21st century, you came to your broadcast engineering job through the IT portal, responding to workstation issues, configuring routers, and setting up streaming devices. That’s okay, but you could be missing out on all the radio frequency fun and opportunity for career growth.

We’re offering a free introduction to the spectrum analyzer, that device that gives you a graphical window into the world of radio frequency transmission. I first learned spectrum analysis on a Tektronix 7L12 in 1979 (variable persistence—ooh!) and will demonstrate the principles of setting up bandwidth and amplitude to measure real-world signals. We’ll have on-hand several makes and models of spectrum analyzers to play with—hobbyist-level TinySA, pro field RF Explorer, and lab-grade Rigol and HP—and their owners to help you navigate the controls. No excuse to miss this opportunity to learn!

Regardless of whether you’re an SBE member or have experience with RF, please join us on Tuesday, September 17, at 6:00 PM at iHeartMedia, 9660 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego. We’ll have pizza to share. This is a perfect opportunity to dip your toes into the RF world. 

We have a TinySA to give away as a door prize for a lucky participant.

Local News

XEPRS Reverts to Spanish Language

On August 1, 2024, at midnight, XEPRS 1090 at Rosarito, BCN, Mexico, began its Spanish-language Catholic “Monte Maria” religious programming, apparently ending a contract with BCA. 

The station had operated as “The Mightier 1090” with ESPN radio sports programming that included play-by-play NFL, MLB, and NBA games, local sports talk on the Jim Rome Show, SportsGrid, The Rich Eisen Show, Scott Kaplan, and SportsMap programming.

According to Wikipedia, this ends a run of “border blasting” mostly English programming that began with the Wolfman Jack Show in 1965 using the callsign XERB. Mexican broadcasting of US-originated content is increasingly challenging since the Mexican government requires carrying a substantial load of public service announcements that supersede commercials.

The station was built with a 3-tower array that maximized their 50,000 watt (transmitter output) signal up the Pacific Coast. The station could readily be heard daytime in Los Angeles and at night as far as Oregon.