[IRCA] Re Tracking 1610 & Co.

[saulamdx <saulamdx@xxxxxxxxx>]

I'm about to send the following brief synopsis to a
group of journalists:

"I've a potential story: In the last week or so,
someone has started testing radio stations on the AM
band, using tone signals. The signals are being heard
widely, as far away as Europe and the west coast. At
least one of the tests may be causing some
interference to a station in Pittsburgh. A group of
people I know -- DXers whose hobby it is to monitor
the radio bands for long-distance signals (Google 'DX'
for more info) - have done some very rudimentary
direction finding and suspect the Virginia-Maryland
area, and also strongly suspect military tests. The
time frame of these tests appears to be limited. They
have come on the air suddenly, and then disappeared,
one frequency at a time, first on 1610, then 1020, and
there is talk of the next station being on 590. I
don't mean to engender discussion here. But if any of
you want to pursue this, feel free to contact me
offlist and I will get you started."

OK, DXers! Before I post this to my list of
journalists, I am asking if any of you might be
interested in a call from an enterprising reporter
should one contact me? Volunteers?

Saul

--- saulamdx <saulamdx@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I can only wonder if these broadcasts are the result
> of too much discussion about Polonium 210 on the
> IRCA
> list. If you don't hear from me in a week...
> 
> Anyhow, for those who really want to know...
> 
> Why not call a reporter or editor at the New York
> Times, or local papers of affected stations, eg.,
> Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Also worth approaching the
> broadcast trade magazines.
> 
> I think it would also very much be worth more than
> one
> call to the FCC, to get something on the record. If
> they tell you 'no comment' or 'we don't know', that
> can be substantial, especially if or when it turns
> out
> they do know. FOIA info access requests would be
> worthwhile.
> 
> There's a group called Investigative Reporters and
> Editors. Their members know how to access FOIA
> requests, and maybe a staffer there can point you to
> a
> couple good investigative journalists (at NY Times,
> etc... but there are some good, dogged people at
> smaller papers) who specialize in this sort of
> thing.
> 
> It is also worth contacting any stations that are or
> might be significantly affected. Think of daytimers
> close enough to the signal, or nightimers that might
> experience hampered coverage. Talk with their NEWS
> staff (if they have any).
> 
> This is also a good one for Coast to Coast, though I
> see this lower on the order of priorities.
> 
> I'm kicking myself for assuming 1610 tone would be
> with us a bit longer. Am in a work binge here, and
> never got to the car radio. Tried 1020 last night
> downtown and had a possible tone. Will try this
> evening. 590 is blocked by a local.
> 
> I will post some basic info on one e-mail list where
> some good U.S. reporters lurk. 



 
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