[HCDX]: WQO767

["Bill Harms" <wharms@xxxxxxxxx>]

Update 19 January 1998

	I just spoke with Mr. Joe Blair of Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) 
International Airport. His office is responsible for operating the 
two TIS's on 1640 and 1680 at the airport. He is very DXing aware. He 
said that he has a stack of reception reports "two-feet high" and he 
answers them on his own time. But he is busy and it may take a while 
to get to them all. Without my asking, he mentioned receiving my own 
reception report. By the way he spoke about this, I would suggest 
that DXers hold off sending reports for a while. He also told me 
something interesting about their operation. The station is operated 
by DFW and all airlines could use its services. However, only 
American Airlines have chosen to do so. The system is 100 percent 
automatic. A computer gets the flight and gate information from a 
"federal" (I assume FAA) computer and translates the information into 
voice. As a result, if there is a gate or flight change, the 
information is automatically updated without human intervention. He 
also noted that the stations are operating with a waiver to operate 
with 60 watts because it would require upwards of 30 transmitters to 
cover the same area properly using 10 watt transmitters. Finally, the 
current set of call letters WQO767 are for a temporary permit, and 
the FCC WTB listed call letters of WPLR660 will be used when they 
receive official authorization and his office updates the appropriate 
.WAV file.

Bill Harms
Elkridge, MD
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