Wrightwood to begin testing AM radio "Travelers Information Station"

[Wrightwood]

The use of Emergency Advisory Radio Stations has been the topic of many discussions during the past few years. There are two types of FCC licenses available for Low Power Radio Stations.

The low power AM radio stations are known as "Travelers Information Station". These stations are licensed between 530 kHz to 1700 kHz AM. The low-wattage radio transmitter is 50 watts or less and used to alert motorists of upcoming events, road detours, public notices, abnormal traffic conditions, visitor information (noncommercial content). In an emergency or disaster the message can be amended to provide new information such as evacuation routes, mud/debris flow or wildfire updates. Fixed AM stations covers a 3-5 mile radius or about 28-78 square miles.

The 2nd type of Low Power radio stations liscensed by the FCC is called LPFM. This FM radio service was created by the FCC in January 2000. These stations are authorized for noncommercial educational broadcasting only (no commercial operation) and operate with an effective radiated power of 100 watts or less. The approximate service range of a 100 watt LPFM station is 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles radius). These stations are designed as broadcast stations and require a minimum number of programmed hours of operation per day.

The Wrightwood Communications Group will begin testing for a AM "Travelers Information Station" the week of March 17. A temporary FCC testing license and rental of testing equipment has been ordered.

Low Power radio stations are not a cure all for disaster communications. They add more depth to the available tools we have in the toolbox.

[D5]

Fantastic! Should be a great tool for the community.

[love_walnuts]

Will you let us know what station to tune to to hear the testing? Or will it simply be tone testing?

[Surfer_Dude]

Can this eventually be used to warn motorists of traffic during snowplay days? And even possible other routes of travel such as Largo Vista rd?

[Wrightwood]

The frequency being tested will be 1620 on AM.

You should hear something like this when the test equipment is transmitting:

The Wrightwood Communications Group and San Bernardino County ECS is currently testing this frequency for a Travelers Information Radio Station at 1620 AM.  (temporary FCC call sign)

[Wrightwood]

Warning motorists about traffic conditions is definitely one of the goals in establishing an Emergency Advisory Radio Station.

Coverage is why the testing will take place. We would like to have as much coverage as possible within Swarthout Valley and  possibly along Hwy 2 towards Hwy 138.  Largo Vista will most likely not be within the initial scope of this project.

Can this eventually be used to warn motorists of traffic during snowplay days? And even possible other routes of travel such as Largo Vista rd?

[love_walnuts]

Warning motorists about traffic conditions is definitely one of the goals in establishing an Emergency Advisory Radio Station.

Coverage is why the testing will take place. We would like to have as much coverage as possible within Swarthout Valley and  possibly along Hwy 2 towards Hwy 138.  Largo Vista will most likely not be within the initial scope of this project.

Can this eventually be used to warn motorists of traffic during snowplay days? And even possible other routes of travel such as Largo Vista rd?

Largo Vista @ 138 has a sign board that is controlled (by caltrans?). The same message being transmitted on the air can also be sent to the sign board at Largo Vista and 138.

[Toolman]

Can this eventually be used to warn motorists of traffic during snowplay days?

 Absolutely  The call in capable DVR message would announce estimated time of travel from 138-Wrightwood expect delays as well as announcing road conditions.

Temp call sign is WQIK758

[gus]

Testing is now underway.  PLEASE tune your am radio's to 1620 to listen. Then post if you are getting the transmission. Thanks!

[Bob C]

The radio station will probably only be online for another hour, so when replying with signal reports, let us know your general location, and whether you heard the broadcast on a car radio, or a portable radio in your house. so far, we have excellent results

[Chuck]

I get it loud and clear here in town, but why is it in Spanish?

[Tomas]

how far is the station supposed to reach? I'm not getting the transmission near Jackson Lake.

[Bob C]

you at  your office Chuck?

[Bob C]

Honestly, we did not expect the signal to be strong at Jackson Lake. We have one person who drove down there and did report some signal from a car radio

[Tomas]

That's good to know.
I'm actually a little past the lake and didn't get it on a car radio or a portable.

[Bob C]

the station is now off the air. we will post more info later

[ForestGal]

I left WW for an appt. in VV about 1:10, and I heard the message loud and clear on my car radio.  By the time I got to 138, the message had repeated itself several times, so I put in my new Alan Jackson CD.    The message was still strong, and according to Bob C's post above, that's about when it went off the air anyway.

[Wrightwood]

Testing in Wrightwood has resumed on 1620 on the AM dial and will continue through the night.

The site where the signal is being broadcast today is different than yesterdays spot and might not be as good as yesterday.

[thehallmarks]

I didn't get a chance to listen yesterday but today the station is coming in @ Cedar & Oriole loud and clear!     

[Wrightwood]

Thanks Hank!

[ForestGal]

Loud & clear near Edna & Mill.  It's a boom box radio, so it took me a minute to point the thing in the proper direction, but it works fine!

[Goldie]

Lots of static near top of Cardinal, although I could understand what was being said. 

[Wrightwood]

Thanks Goldie.
The signal being broadcast today is not as good as yesterday and dusk & dawn make it a little worse.

This afternoon I drove to the end of the paved section of Desert Front Road and the signal was just fine with a little static in some areas.

[YoMama]

Just received a usable signal on the east side of Sheep creek wash, behind the hill on Orchard . My emergency portable is now set to 1620. Tanks Mate

[Wrightwood]

Mate don't go and use Gorilla Glue on that dial yet as the frequency will probably change on a permanent installation.

Now that testing has been completed the next steps in establishing an Emergency Advisory Radio Station for Wrightwood, Desert Front Road, Table Mountain, Horse Canyon and Mountain High Ski areas will be:

1) Get a firm quote on needed equipment ($30k-$33k)
2) Arrange agreement with SB County for use of county yard, 120v electric source  & 1 normal phone line (pots line)
3) Acquire steel 20ft roll off storage container
4) Establish funding source(s) such as: grant money, private, corporate or agency donations, cooperative partnerships or other funding sources.