[HoustonHam] Not just copper thieves anymore

[Chris Boone]

>From the Radio Broadcast mail list:

Chris WB5ITT
(Frequency Coordinator, SBE Chapter 134---PG-9-5322
Former Sr Telecom Tech: GSU/Entergy--now IT Business Analyst, CenterPoint
Energy)
Part 15 on 100.3 w/ 100.3 JACK FM out of DFW and 890 AM continuous reply of
the Memorial Day 2007 and 2008 BIG 89 Rewind from 890 WLS Chicago..in CQUAM
Stereo!
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>From today's inbox...

http://www.radioworld.com/pages/s.0101/t.15260.html

It's not just copper anymore.

Radio Engineer Paul Sagi in Kuala Lumpur sends word that steel thieves
caused a massive blackout across eastern Malaysia recently. As reported in
the International Herald Tribune, Paul says, the thieves removed 20 iron
beams from an electricity pylon, causing it to collapse. The beams were
likely to net the equivalent of about $13, but the utility said the repairs
will cost over $300,000.

Sobering are some of the theft pictures on the Internet showing burned and
charred bodies of would-be thieves.

Because the problem is so widespread, put together a plan. Topics to be
addressed are whether you have a backup site, a backup generator, a tower
rigger on call to help string replacement coax and the numbers of your local
police, sheriff and FBI as a start. Let your General Manager know youve
taken these preparatory steps.

Several engineers have told me that because of EAS, Homeland Security looks
upon radio station vandalism as a threat and has called in the FBI to
investigate copper thefts. At the very least, dropping by your local police
station or sheriff s office to make them aware of the theft potential is
time well spent. Perhaps they can patrol the transmitter site on the
weekends.

Don t forget to take along some station T-shirts or ball caps to pass
around.

[endquote]

So, maybe by making it a Homeland Security issue, rather than a
Communications Act issue, the Feds are more likely to get involved? Hmm...

--
Tom Spencer
PG-18-25453 (nee' P1-18-48841)
http://radioxtz.com/
Part 15 transmitters on AM 640 and FM 100.1

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