Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
City of Rockport obtains emergency radio frequency
 |
| Aransas County residents and visitors can now tune their radios to AM 1610 for pertinent messages during emergencies. The station was obtained by the City of Rockport. |
The City of Rockport has a new radio station, but residents won't hear country, rock or news talk when they tune in.
The new low-watt (10-watt maximum) Alert AM Emergency Advisory radio station, also referred to as a travelers information station, is licensed through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It carries enough power to reach listeners in a three- to five-mile radius of the station site at the Peninsula Oaks water station.
Installation of the station was completed on Aug. 26.
When listeners tune in to 1610 AM, they will hear a short introductory statement, along with NOAA weather broadcasts.
The new station may transmit only non-commercial information. Its primary purpose is to broadcast a variety of public interest information, in particular, emergency- and public safety- related messages.
Through emergency advisory radio listeners can receive up-to-the-minute reports, alerts and instructions with the level of timeliness and detail which makes these types of broadcasts invaluable.
During non-emergency periods the station can provide information about subjects such as street repairs, upcoming local events, public notices and topics of interest to tourists.
Rockport City Manager Tom Blazek said, "We are in the process of getting state approval for signs at all entrances to the city publicizing the radio station."
He also noted the station will be a companion to the Reverse 911(r) system which will not be in place until after this hurricane season.
"We are currently rebroadcasting NOAA weather radio from 40 miles away (Corpus Christi airport)," said Blazek.
Rockport Mayor Todd Pearson said, "We are very pleased to have another method of communicating with our residents, especially in times of emergencies. As we've seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, communication is critical."
The new low-watt (10-watt maximum) Alert AM Emergency Advisory radio station, also referred to as a travelers information station, is licensed through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It carries enough power to reach listeners in a three- to five-mile radius of the station site at the Peninsula Oaks water station.
Installation of the station was completed on Aug. 26.
When listeners tune in to 1610 AM, they will hear a short introductory statement, along with NOAA weather broadcasts.
The new station may transmit only non-commercial information. Its primary purpose is to broadcast a variety of public interest information, in particular, emergency- and public safety- related messages.
Through emergency advisory radio listeners can receive up-to-the-minute reports, alerts and instructions with the level of timeliness and detail which makes these types of broadcasts invaluable.
During non-emergency periods the station can provide information about subjects such as street repairs, upcoming local events, public notices and topics of interest to tourists.
Rockport City Manager Tom Blazek said, "We are in the process of getting state approval for signs at all entrances to the city publicizing the radio station."
He also noted the station will be a companion to the Reverse 911(r) system which will not be in place until after this hurricane season.
"We are currently rebroadcasting NOAA weather radio from 40 miles away (Corpus Christi airport)," said Blazek.
Rockport Mayor Todd Pearson said, "We are very pleased to have another method of communicating with our residents, especially in times of emergencies. As we've seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, communication is critical."
 |
||
| Voters overwhelmingly defeat ACND bonds; send incumbents home |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of rockportpilot.com.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
cheri palmer wrote on Mar 15, 2009 10:38 PM: