Radio station for Astrodome Katrina Survivors has been blocked!

[benburch]

http://www.livejournal.com/users/contentlove/680839.html

Want to read some outrageous bullshit? I know you do, 'cause hey, we haven't seen much of that this week.

Folks from Austin Airwaves went down to Houston to set up a low power FM radio station for the Astrodome, for the people in the shelter, so they could receive updates on what's going on at home, services they can apply for, what's going on in Houston, etc. They've been actively and ridiculous thrwarted. Lots of this going around.

More at the link!

[KamaAina]

1. Could they try a Travelers Information Station (low power AM)

usually 530 or 1610 kHz? As in "For latest traffic conditions tune to 530 AM"?

edit: tuine?! Also looks like 530 would work best as the lowest full-power station appears to be 610.

[benburch]

4. The issue isn't whether they have the license to do it.

The issue is the permission to do it within the Astrodome.

They do not want those people getting information.

[KamaAina]

5. I thought they were getting crap about LPFMs.

The issue is the permission to do it within the Astrodome.

Why can't they do it from across the street, and maybe have people call in the info to them on cell? I used to live about a half mile down the road from the Hawai'i Convention Center, and I could still pick up their TIS on 1610.

edit: half mile

[benburch]

6. Wouldn't carry into the building.

LPFM is not robust enough to get through that much concrete.

[KamaAina]

7. Another argument in favor of AM?

Also some sports facilities (Stan Sheriff Center at U. of Hawai'i) do have internal FMs. I guess it's just part of the overall media blackout. :grr:

[benburch]

10. I'm betting the lighting inside makes AM useless. nt

[htuttle]

8. The license would be tied to a specific location

So in essence, they are denying them the license after it had already been approved.

They said on Democracy Now today that the FCC approved the license very quickly -- surprisingly so. It will be telling to see if the FCC will be so quick to reauthorize it if they manage to find another location outside, but within broadcast range of the Astrodome.

[Rex]

2. Do we have military units in the Astrodome?

Homeland security? They really must be afraid of the overall death toll and live accounts slipping out of NO by ham radio.

[benburch]

3. This isn't HAM radio, though.

This is licensed Low Power Community FM.

[DemoTex]

9. If they have the proper FCC licensing, they should just begin broadcasting

It doesn't sound to me like they are being "jammed." They are just up against bureaucratic "blocking." If Austin Airwaves has the proper FCC documents and suitable equipment (they probably need a generator rather than back-up batteries), then they should get on the air. Fuck the insignificant officials trying to stop them.
They need the FCC in the picture, and the ACLU. The sooner the better.
Where are the pirate stations when we really need them?