| Publisher: Information Station Specialists |
 |
| Interpretation Inspiration |
| Wildlife Refuge Uses Special Radio Stations to Tell Stories |
| HARDEEVILLE,
SC:
Talk
about
talking
non-stop!
Savannah
National
Wildlife
Refuge
is
telling
its
unique
story to
visitors
all day
long on
its
wildlife
drive’s
new
“Audio
Tour”
through
the use
of five
low-power
radio
stations.
Each
station
describes
for
visitors
what
they are
seeing –
and in
some
cases
what
they
can’t
see – as
they
look out
their
car
windows
at key
locations
in the
Refuge.
According to volunteer engineer Arnie Weisbrot, using radio for interpretation is not a new idea when considered against competing technologies that use smartphones or special audio players to perform similar tasks. But the staff at Savannah NWR chose to use the radio method because of the universal presence of radio receivers in automobiles and because of radio’s ability to “spread interpretive information to a wider audience.” States Weisbrot, “Potential users are familiar with this type of system…thus making public acceptability and experience levels very high.” Systems that provide aural interpretation are also popular because they allow visitors with impairments to experience historic sites and natural areas in a comfortable, convenient environment. What makes Savannah NWR’s System unique?
Read the full Savannah NWR case study, written and submitted by Arnie Weisbrot. |
| TIS Gets Boost from Broadcasting Association |
| National Association of Broadcasters Proposes TIS Filter Compromise |
| WASHINGTON, DC: In the recent “Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,” the FCC in July asked for comments on the American Association of Information Radio Operators’ (AAIRO’s) proposal to improve the quality of Information Radio (TIS) broadcasting through removal of the 3 kHz transmitter audio filter. Though most parties commented positively and a few negatively on the question, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), in a surprise move, said “maybe.” |
 |
| While
echoing
the
Society
of
Broadcast
Engineers’
(SBE)
position
that the
filters
should
not be
removed,
the NAB
also
opened
the door
a crack
by
proposing
an
“alternative
compromise
proposal”
that
would
permit
Information
Radio
operators
to
substitute
instead
“a wider
filter,
which
should
enable a
higher
quality
TIS
signal
without
impeding
AM radio
services.”
NAB
proposes
a 5 kHz
filter
in place
of the
present
3 kHz
design
mandated
by the
FCC. The constructive response by the NAB is the first – if tacit – acknowledgment of the value of the Information Radio (TIS) Service by the venerated Association. In reply comments, AAIRO restated its position that the filters may be removed without harming neighboring stations on the AM band, but conceded that the NAB’s 5 kHz proposal nonetheless has merit. AAIRO also requested of the FCC that any filter design changes be optional for existing operators and that recertification of modified transmitters not be required. AAIRO proposed that filters would be eliminated from future transmitter designs, suggesting that any future required filtering be accomplished by an independent device placed ahead of the transmitter’s audio input. The rationale behind the “outboard filter” suggestion is to make an upgrade to wider/non filtered operation simple and inexpensive for existing licensees. |
 |
| New Commercial Radio Station to Crowd AM 1700 near New York City |
| WASHINGTON,
DC: On
November
18 , the
FCC set
May 6,
2014,
for the
much
awaited
“Auction
84” that
will
offer
construction
permits
for 22
new
commercial
AM
stations
in
various
places
in the
United
States.
What the
announcement
does not
state is
that one
of the
new
stations,
if
licensed
and
constructed,
will
blast
Information
Radio
services
operating
on
frequency
1700 in
New York
City and
the
surrounding
region. Founders of the American Association of Information Radio Operators began a campaign of informing affected Information Station operators as early as 2007, when broadcast companies began applying to bid on the frequency. At that time, various communities met with congressional representatives in an attempt to head off the frequency impasse. See their letter to the FCC. Though it may be years away before the radio station is built and on the air, AM 1700 operators in southern NY and northern NJ are advised to begin considering a frequency change in advance of the station’s advent. In 2009, FCC engineers offered assistance in accommodating the new station by suggesting alternate frequencies available for affected licensees. Since then, Information Station Specialists has not licensed new services on AM 1700 in that vicinity. Information Station Specialists can advise if a station’s operation will be adversely affected and can recommend a course of action to maintain continuity of service. Ask Us. |
PO Box 51, Zeeland, Michigan, USA, 49464-0051, Phone 616.772.2300, Fax 616.772.2966, Email
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