then what the hell are they? I doubt many even live near there. There has been more speculation of their own misguided interpretation of the reality of this issue and so much 'fake news' generated by inflation of the actual impact and fuzzy 'science' that proves nothing except these folks just like to complain about any CHANGE AT ALL.
Just like the folks that are complaining about the new drug store on the corner. Or the stupid smart meters issues. Give me a break. Complaining just because they love to complain.
Yes and it was clear in the KOWS mission and previous statements to the city that KOWS too would be on this list. It was in the plan. And as far as TV is concerned, the SF TV and radio stations in no way can cover the West county like locals can. They really don't have the resources or even care.
I would defer to one of Somoma County's authorized and published emergency channels: If KOWS gets added to these, that's great, but for now, here's what's listed:
KZST 100.1 FM
KSRO AM 1350
KCBS AM 740
KBBF 89.1 FM (Spanish)
There is also KTVY - Channel 2
NBC11 - Channnel 3
KRON Channel 4
KGO Channel 7
TV isn't a valid medium at all for serious emergencies - reception in this area requires cable and that requires power. Both of which would cut out a lot of people. Many people don't even have a TV around here. 'the internet' is most vulnerable - without cable or power, there is no internet. Cell phones require a lot more energy than a cheap transistor radio anyone can get for practically nothing. And if you are in a car, it can be a lifesaver.
Radio is the only medium to distribute information to people equally across all strata of society, but don't trust the Santa Rosa stations to meet the needs of West County - many are corporately run, programing beamed in via satellite, and in many cases there is no one but a transmitter operator . I thought you folks around here 'bought local'. You'd be horrified at who actually owns and runs the local commercial stations.
Really? You would trust the National Weather Service (most likely about to be trashed by incoming morons of the Trump administration) to give you data about your own neighborhood?During an emergency National Weather Service interrupts programming for all types of weather hazards including earthquakes and man made disasters. NWR is an "all hazards radio network, making it the single source for the most comprehensive weather and emergency information."
It is also my understanding that KOWS has continuously broadcast via radio from Occidental and via the internet which reaches anyone with a cell phone or computer.
The cell phone and internet 'solution' was already commented on and should not be considered relevant to this 'emergency' thread.
And although the KOWS transmitter is still pitifully broadcasting from a tree in Occidental, the signal is useless in the city limits of Sebastopol, overwhelmed by a commercial station in the south bay and the background noise of all the computers and fluorescent lights around receivers. The KOWS offices, control room and all programming originate from downtown Sebastopol, in anticipation of a transmitter the citizens refuse to allow in their town. This should give you an indication of there dedication to their idea of a people's radio station.
This is why they need a new transmitter location and frequency other than the Occidental assignment. The spectrum is filled with a lot of competition and although putting the KOWS rig on the city hall communications tower would be perfect, the FCC says it would interfere with another commercial station in Sacramento. Every request for a clear frequency is a painstaking, drawn out and expensive proposition.
Everywhere they go, they're going to get a 'NOT IN MY BACK YARD' backlash.
A pretty deplorable situation, I would say for a town that is reputed to be 'progressive'.
Not real. Delusional.And as an aside, don't you think that if any entity branded themselves as being all about the local community, that they should mean it? Shouldn't they at least to pretend to care just a little about the 200+ local community families that didn't want a tower in their neighborhood? Particularly when there were other options that would bother absolutely no-one and give KOWS equal broadcast range? It works both ways.
No anger or hate here. Just trying to keep it real. Thanks.
Very wrong and disingenuous... false equivalency. And the hate and blame is still there.
My statements are true and I stand behind them. I'm not going away.