[Elecraft] OT: The Colpitts mystery

[Phil Kane]

On 4/30/2020 12:58 PM, John Simmons wrote:

> All the broadcast inspections are now contracted out to private companies.

Not exactly.  The FCC started the  Alternate Broadcast Inspection
Program (ABIT)  about the time that I retired from the FCC. in the mid
1990s when there was a push to privatize Federal agency obligations  to
some extent.  The FCC did it for broadcast station inspections, ship
station safety inspections, and resolution of harmful interference.

ABIT is a voluntary program under the management of the various state
broadcasters' associations that contract with individuals to make
compliance inspections of broadcast stations.  The station pays the
association a fixed fee, and the association pays the inspector.  I
contracted with the California association from 1996 until 1999 and
traveled all over the state.

Notification of passing an ABIT inspection was sent to the FCC but
failures were not so reported.  I don't know if that is still done.
Such passing was regarded as "insulation" from FCC inspection for three
years but the FCC still has the obligation to inspect broadcast stations
both on a random basis for compliance with specific programs such as
tower lighting and EAS compliance or if a complaint has been filed that
bears on rule compliance, technical and otherwise.  --

73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
Elecraft K2/100   s/n 5402

>From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon