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Is a CW-ID a legal ID?

radiorob2.0 said:
Here is a question, if you do use CW as an ID for a translator is there a standard regarding the rate of words per minute?
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For a TV translator, the regulations require the speed not exceed 20wpm. Somewhat strangely, there is no mention of code speed in the regulations for FM translators.
 
As to code id schematics, there are a bunch out there. Just Google for them.

The ID for Spanish language stations that I am familiar with, are always in English. May be accented, but it's in English. It may be proceeded and followed by Spanish ID's but, the calls and the city of license are in English.

Not sure what the rules are on this, but common sense says that an ID in Spanish and English is the best way to stay out of trouble.
 
stacker said:
As to code id schematics, there are a bunch out there. Just Google for them.

The ID for Spanish language stations that I am familiar with, are always in English. May be accented, but it's in English. It may be proceeded and followed by Spanish ID's but, the calls and the city of license are in English.

Not sure what the rules are on this, but common sense says that an ID in Spanish and English is the best way to stay out of trouble.
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On the other side of the concept there are English language stations south of the border. Reelradio has several exhibits of XEROK Juarez. Under the comment section of one of the exhibits the CE talked about the agreement with the Mexican version of the FCC. Among the stipulations was the legal ID had to be given in perfect Spanish. One version was voiced by the station's traffic director who could speak Spanish to the satisfaction of authorities. The other version was done by a women from Juarez. She was an "acquaintance" (read: lady of the evening) of one of the transmitter engineers. He brought her to the offices in El Paso and she read the copy in one take in a very sexy voice; that too past approval.
 
There are several on the ARRL website. Some are in kit form already constructed, and cheap. Ham calls are usually up to a 2 x 3 KX9XXX for example, but have room for city.

The language issue is interesting as some Mexican formats acknowledge Spanglish and have no Spanish replacement. Radio Regional Mexican here uses "Indianapoleese" as the pronunciation of Indianapolis. WXXX could just as easily be in Spanish and English at varying levels at the same time. One would understand the ID in both languages and acknowledge the city as a dialect pronunciation.

We run a legal advice show for Spanish here in Indiana. I have become very familiar with Buenos Diaz which is usually followed by a spattering of comments for the radio host I can't even comprehend at which point I rudely announce: Un Momento and place them on hold. Depending on the day and my poor language skills it can be followed by a Spanish or English response from people who normally do not speak English.

After research I found that FSK ID was legal for our translators and that we did not have to also announce the ID's 3 times a day. (8am,1pm, 4pm) While we use FSK we also use a 1 minute legal ID as we have several translators as a promo of sorts. Here's who we are and where you can find us...wrapping up with the tunein app (also a location they can find us) and the full powers.
 
I asked the FCC for more input on this question and finally received a reply that wasn't 'generic' in nature; but still a bureaucratic dodge....

Hello,

The FCC is not resourced or required to provide legal interpretations. We provide the FCC rules; but we cannot give legal interpretations or legal advice. You may wish to seek the advice of legal counsel in the private sector.

Granted the rules state "Hourly, as close to the hour as feasible, at a natural break in program offerings. Television and Class A television broadcast stations may make these announcements visually or aurally."

You may be questioning the use of aurally; which is for the benefit of the general public as well as a FCC requirement. The majority of the general public does not know morse code; it is not clear why a station would offer an identification that the majority of its viewers/listeners would not understand.

Please note that the above is not an interpretation of the rules and again if you want the legal interpretation please seek legal counsel in the private sector.

Best Regards.




Representative Number : TSR15
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One question.
How can the FCC enforce a Regulation that they can't even interpret? Oh well .... it's the Government. Our tax dollars at work.
 
.. a Fine is not fine.....

From everything I've read, the FCC's interpretation will always lean towards the largest "Liability" they can tack to their "Notice of Apparent Liability"

It is kind'a funny that it's not called a 'fine' but only courts can issue a fine.
 
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