[IP] Public radio seeks recall of FM devices used in cars

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Bob Drzyzgula <bob@drzyzgula.org>
Date: October 27, 2006 8:02:44 PM EDT
To: David Farber <dave@farber.net>
Subject: Public radio seeks recall of FM devices used in cars

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal- 
te.radio26oct26,1,1438693,print.story

| Public radio seeks recall of FM devices used in cars
| By Frank D. Roylance
| sun reporter
|
| October 26, 2006
|
| Citing widespread interference on broadcast frequencies
| used by its member stations, National Public Radio has
| asked the Federal Communications Commission to order
| recalls of millions of FM modulators that drivers use to
| play satellite radios and iPods through their car stereos.
|
| A field study by NPR Labs found that nearly 40 percent of
| those devices have signal strengths that exceed FCC limits,
| enabling them to break into FM broadcasts in nearby cars
| with unwanted programming. A separate investigation by
| the National Association of Broadcasters found that more
| than 75 percent of the devices it tested violated the
| power limits.
|
| In a filing this summer with the Securities and Exchange
| Commission, Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. acknowledged FCC
| findings that some of its modulators were too powerful. It
| also admitted that some of its employees had asked
| suppliers to ignore FCC rules in building the devices.
|
| The interference has spurred complaints from listeners
| whose favorite public radio and Christian broadcasts have
| been briefly interrupted by satellite radio shock-jock
| Howard Stern and other offensive fare.
|
| The illegal FM modulators "have contributed to
| ... unacceptable degradation of the audio quality of
| public radio stations," NPR's chief executive officer,
| Ken Stern, said in an Oct. 12 letter to FCC Chairman Kevin
| J. Martin. A copy of the letter was obtained by The Sun.
|
| "Left unaddressed," he continued, "these modulators pose a
| significant threat to the provision of public radio's free,
| over-the-air public and community service."
|
| He urged the FCC to look beyond satellite radio sets and
| conduct a "thorough technical review" of the most popular
| FM modulators on the market, and to pursue a recall of
| all those found in violation of FCC rules.
|
| The violations are so widespread, he said, that they raise
| "fundamental issues of misrepresentation" in the paperwork
| that manufacturers submit to the FCC to gain certification
| for their "low-power" products, he said.
|
| FM modulators, either built-in or add-on, take the
| original digital signal from the satellite radio receiver,
| or MP3 music player, convert it to an analog FM signal,
| and send it into the car's stereo. Some are wired directly
| to the FM receiver; others act as mini broadcast stations,
| transmitting to the car's radio antenna.
|
| FCC spokesman Clyde Ensslin would say only that NPR's
| request "is under review, just as this matter [of
| over-powered modulators] is under review."
|
| SEC filings by XM Radio - Sirius' chief competitor - also
| admit some of its modulators are out of compliance. Both
| companies said they have ordered suppliers to suspend
| production and shipment until their products comply with
| FCC rules. Both said they were working with the FCC and
| hoped to avoid supply interruptions to retailers.
|
| ...


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