Right now am listening to a station on 1650 kHz that was never heard before, a YL computer voice is conveying information to members of a military base regarding covid virus. No station id though but it directs personnel to visit the base website for up to date information. My QTH is central NJ so not sure what base it is, perhaps Dix. There are other stations being heard from 1610 - 1710 from other Emergency Alert Stations so there's definitely an uptick in activity. Wonder if others are listening to these stations in their areas?
MW Logs Unknown Emergency Alert Station - 1650 kHz
- Thread starter spongella
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N7MSD
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Unless you find an entry in the FCC ULS this is probably a Part 15 power line carrier station like you see on some college campuses. I can't remember if Travellers' Information Stations (TIS) need a license or are also under Part 15 below some power level; hopefully someone else can nail that.
Then again you mention it's at a base, which would put it under NTIA jurisdiction but AFAIK NTIA doesn't regulate the AM BCB at all. This is more of a deal with Weather Radio which are all NTIA licensed as they are Federal stations.
It's interesting that you were not able to ID the base or their web site from the message.
Then again you mention it's at a base, which would put it under NTIA jurisdiction but AFAIK NTIA doesn't regulate the AM BCB at all. This is more of a deal with Weather Radio which are all NTIA licensed as they are Federal stations.
It's interesting that you were not able to ID the base or their web site from the message.
mmckenna
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Non-federal government Traveler information stations are under Part 90 and they do require a license.
If it's located at a military base, they would be under the NTIA system, and would not appear in the FCC database. Unfortunately the NTIA does not have a publicly searchable database. NTIA does have specs for TIS stations on the AM broadcast band. They also have a "Part 15" like service, but it limits AM stations to 100mw and a 3 meter long antenna, and that is definitely not what he was hearing.
I think it's actually Part 73.
Low Power FM (LPFM) Service
In January 2000, the FCC created a low power FM radio service. These stations are available to noncommercial educational entities and public safety/travelers' information entities, but not individuals or commercial operations. A construction permit or license is required before construction or operation of an LPFM station can begin. LPFM stations may be authorized to operate with effective radiated powers (ERP) between 1 watt and 100 watts, depending on several factors.
mmckenna
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That's Low Power FM.
We're talking about the Travelers Information Service AM broadcasts. Those are covered under Part 90.242
You're right. Yeah, I was thinking FM. I have seen traveler info on both...just depends on the location. We are talking about the signs on the side of the road that say to tune in when flashing, or for info and such, right? I wonder why they don't just put them under the same Part? Don't want to derail the thread at all, it just seems strange to me.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Because F.C.C.
Pardon the delay in getting back to you and thanks so much for the comments. This station was coming in much stronger the past weekend and though the audio was muffled I was able to hear the word Wrightstown. This tells me it may be Ft. Dix or McGuire AFB. I was assigned to Ft. Dix in the 70's and Wrightstown was close by.
For those interested in these low power stations, check out: Information Station Specialists website
For those interested in these low power stations, check out: Information Station Specialists website
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FWIW, Dix, McGuire, and Lakehurst have combined into a Joint Base.
n2nov
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