It's currently 3:30AM in Macomb, IL and WTND-LP just recently finished live coverage from the return of a battery of the Illinois National Guard into Macomb. It was a very emotional event for both those at the event and those listening on the radio. This coverage was also being carried on the W0KIE Satellite Radio Network/RFD, WQNA a NCE-FM in Springfield and on the American Council of the Blind's music network.

This LPFM station was the only media that was carrying this very emotional event live. This is a prime example why we supported the creation of the LPFM service back in 1999 and we will continue to support it today. It's coverage like this that defines true community radio.

We have completed our CDBS broadcast database application upgrades for now.

LPFM CHANNEL SEARCH TOOL (ADVANCED TOOL)
- The curves program that is accessible from the Channel Report now uses Google Maps. This allows for circles that look like real circles and not 360 dots drawn in a circle.
- Zooming up on maps in the looks much more defined than before.
- Each station/facility is represented by a different color on the map. A legend will appear at the bottom of the map to show which color is associated with each facility.
- An option has been added from the Channel Search that allows you to show the curves in black instead of the multi color. This allows for easier printing however you lose the ability to see which curve belongs to which facility.

REC Networks has made a major release of the Broadcast Query Tool (FMQ). The new version has significant improvements in the mapping functionality. Based on how the mapping functionality works, we may use look at expanding it into our other tools.

Summary of changes:
- A majority of the mapping has been moved from the US Census Bureau's TIGER service to Google Maps Open API. We note that the Census Bureau's TIGER system has been extremely unreliable, especially during the week.
- The Google maps give us much more detail on street names and locations than the Census Bureau did.
- You still have the ability to zoom (and unlike the Census maps, you will see street name details at the wider zooms).
- You can now pan within the window.

REC has had a chance to review the applications that were filed in the second round of the Digital TV (DTV) Channel Elections. The Channel Election is an FCC process in the transition to DTV where stations, many of which were given a second "transition" channel are asked which channel they would like to have their final operations on at the conclusion of the transition to digital. REC has an interest in the Channel 6 aspect of the Channel Election as many have proposed the reallocation of the TV Channel 6 spectrum (82-88 MHz) from television broadcasting to lower power primary non-commercial stations as well as a (potentially primary) low power broadcast service in this spectrum. In the second round, WEDY in New Haven, CT who had Channel 6 as a transition channel has elected to stay on 6.

In his reply comments, William C Walker gives the impression that REC is trying to do away with Part 15.

''In addition, REC Networks wish that the Commission should not take into Part 15 AM broadcasters into consideration is foolish. Displacing these legal unlicensed broadcasters is likely to anger many and lead to a greater problem with pirate activity on the FM band. Part 15 AM is an honest outlet for people bitten by the broadcasting bug but don't have the financial means or otherwise to build or buy a licensed radio station. Please do not do anything to take Part 15 AM away from these people or hamper their ability to broadcast.''