February 14, 2008

I use the FM transmitter in my car to rebroadcast my iPod and various audio devices over low power 93.5 MHz FM to my car stereo. This morning I turned it on to find a 5x9 signal of a repeating informational loop about IBOC (aka HD Radio) and a callsign of WD2XAB Catonsville. A lookup in the FCC ULS database today doesn't show a valid registration for that callsign, although I don't know if experimental calls are listed in the ULS. I'm wondering if I should file a complaint with the FCC for this operation.

At 9:35 this morning a garbage can in the boys room at Parkville Middle School was set on fire. The school was evacuated and it was put out quickly.

Later in the afternoon Cockeysville precinct had a handful of officers and the police helicopter chasing down three kids who were riding mopeds out on Jarretsville Pike. A very amusing chase to listen to.

Comments

Fred K3CSX wrote:

Rob, WD2XAB is indeed a valid experimental broadcast station (WD2XAB - U.S.A. DIGITAL RADIO, L.P. - 93.5 MHZ - COLUMBIA, MD). Apparently they aren't listed in the ULS database, but I used Google and found information about it in an FCC report. But you may have already discovered that.

It is strange that experimental stations are issued callsigns that are in the amateur 2x3 format. However, it turns out that the FCC's rules for amateur callsigns states "The following call signs are not available for assignment: Any 2-by-3 format call sign having the letter X as the first letter of the suffix".

Maybe I'll run into you on the BTN or at the GBHC.

73, Fred.

Posted on 2008-02-24 19:03:47

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