Scanner Discovery

♠SARKID♠ · March 10, 2008, 06:32:15 AM

Okay, I found these stations a while back when I playing with my scanner during a power outage. They are both playing commercial free music and seem to be of the waiting room persuasion.

956.26250Mhz (Mix/alternative)
956.33750Mhz (Smooth Jazz

)

What I'm trying to figure out is who is broadcasting the stations, and where from (sheer personal curiosity). The band that the stations are in is an narrow section of frequencies auctioned out by area 956.2625 - 956.4375 Private Fixed Service Signaling and Control

I've tried running the FCC license search but didn't turn anything up in the area. All the licenses are addressed to the licensee location, not the transmit location so they could very well be in NY and be broadcasting in WI.

Can anyone offer any help in finding out who these guys are?
My info, if it helps - Sussex, WI 53089

-UPDATE-

I found this listing on the search
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=1023735

It fits the description, but the license is expired.

SarDragon · March 10, 2008, 07:34:28 AM

I'm guessing Muzak, or something similar.

jimmydeanno · March 10, 2008, 12:36:25 PM

I thought it was a requirement for them to identify their station every so many minutes...

Cecil DP · March 10, 2008, 01:58:03 PM

I saw a Twilight Zone episode about this same phenomenon about 40 years ago!

pixelwonk · March 10, 2008, 02:01:24 PM

Muzak and other easy listening dealios never identify.
My guess is that since they broadcast on a subcarrier, they might not be subject to the same laws "regular" commercial broadcasters are.
...or at least subject to them in a different way.

♠SARKID♠ · March 10, 2008, 08:15:56 PM

It can't be muzak, they work by satellite nowadays.

SarDragon · March 10, 2008, 08:59:37 PM

Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 10, 2008, 08:15:56 PM
It can't be muzak, they work by satellite nowadays.

OK, it's by satellite now. Please 'splain to me how the signal gets from the satellite to the end user.

♠SARKID♠ · March 10, 2008, 09:22:41 PM

Quote from: SarDragon on March 10, 2008, 08:59:37 PM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 10, 2008, 08:15:56 PM
It can't be muzak, they work by satellite nowadays.

OK, it's by satellite now. Please 'splain to me how the signal gets from the satellite to the end user.

'Scuse me if I'm wrong, but arent those signals encrypted?

SarDragon · March 10, 2008, 10:08:45 PM

Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 10, 2008, 09:22:41 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on March 10, 2008, 08:59:37 PM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 10, 2008, 08:15:56 PM
It can't be muzak, they work by satellite nowadays.

OK, it's by satellite now. Please 'splain to me how the signal gets from the satellite to the end user.

'Scuse me if I'm wrong, but arent those signals encrypted?

Maybe; maybe not. What's that got to do with a satellite signal?

♠SARKID♠ · March 10, 2008, 10:40:30 PM

Quote from: SarDragon on March 10, 2008, 10:08:45 PM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 10, 2008, 09:22:41 PM
Quote from: SarDragon on March 10, 2008, 08:59:37 PM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 10, 2008, 08:15:56 PM
It can't be muzak, they work by satellite nowadays.

OK, it's by satellite now. Please 'splain to me how the signal gets from the satellite to the end user.

'Scuse me if I'm wrong, but arent those signals encrypted?

Maybe; maybe not. What's that got to do with a satellite signal?

I'm listening on a scanner - no decryption programming

SarDragon · March 10, 2008, 11:36:23 PM

You are skating around the issue.

I said that it could be Muzak. You countered with something about a satellite, and then started talking about encryption. The two issues are independent.

You could be listening to an unencrypted satellite signal. True?

As for an anti-theft provision in the signal, it is more likely that there is encoding, rather than encryption. Yes, they are different, and I will leave distinguishing the difference(s) as a learning exercise for you. If you get really stumped, PM me.

pixelwonk · March 11, 2008, 01:20:26 AM

Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 10, 2008, 09:22:41 PM
'Scuse me if I'm wrong, but arent those signals encrypted?

Encrypted Muzak... because everyone will try to steal elevator-quality Engelbert Humperdink hits if offered the chance!

W3ZR · March 11, 2008, 01:26:13 AM

Is this close ?

956.2625 and 956.3375 operating mode. 16K0F3E (FM)

Licensee
FRN 0013649389
THP CAPSTAR ACQUISITION CORP.
600 Congress Avenue, Suite 1400
Austin, TX 78701
ATTN John D. Cullen, President
P:(503)340-7833
F:(503)340-7840
E:jcullen@capstarpartners.com

Transmit Location
S42 W22080 BEEHEIM RD
WAUKESHA, WI
WAUKESHA County
Coordinates 42-58-05.0 N, 088-11-24.3 W

♠SARKID♠ · March 11, 2008, 03:15:11 AM

Aha! Thats about 12 miles from my house, that must be it. How did you find that?

SarDragon · March 11, 2008, 04:00:38 AM

More here.

W3ZR · March 11, 2008, 10:33:45 AM

I went to www.fcc.gov then clicked on search then used the
General Menu Reports (GENMEN) and plugged in the Freqencies.

Johnny Yuma · March 12, 2008, 02:35:36 AM

Quote from: tedda on March 11, 2008, 01:20:26 AM
Quote from: ♠SARKID♠ on March 10, 2008, 09:22:41 PM
'Scuse me if I'm wrong, but arent those signals encrypted?
Encrypted Muzak... because everyone will try to steal elevator-quality Engelbert Humperdink hits if offered the chance!

Actually, Muzak offers a wide range of music choices.

We use them at work for music on hold on our phone switches. I get to change the music for the season... My ex-boss is from Louisiana and we had Dixieland up 24/7 with a speaker piped into his office.

pixelwonk · March 12, 2008, 04:19:20 AM

Well of course they do, but that kinda ruins my shtick, see?