Fergie's Tech Blog

Haywired: Some NPR, Christian Radio Listeners Hearing Stern

An AP newswire article, via The Globe and Mail, reports that:

Some commuters hoping to ease into their day with U.S. National Public Radio or Christian broadcasts are hearing shock jock Howard Stern instead.

Their favourite stations aren't broadcasting Stern's show, which has moved to satellite radio provider Sirius. Instead, poorly installed or defective satellite radio units, which act as mini-FM transmitters, are being blamed.

Some of the units use FM signals to broadcast the satellite signal to the car's audio system, using frequencies low on the FM band such as 88.1, often reserved for noncommercial, religious or educational stations. The signal from the satellite system can sometimes override broadcasts from those stations for listeners in nearby cars.

Anthony Brandon, president and general manager at 88.1 WYPR, a National Public Radio affiliate in Baltimore, said he has sent 60 complaint letters to the Federal Communications Commission, which says it is investigating.

posted by Fergie @ 4/28/2006 10:27:00 AM