Sheriff’s Dept. Is Allocated New UHF Channel by FCC
UHF-TV Channel 16 was allocated Tuesday by the Federal Communications Commission to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department so that it can modernize an “outmoded and inadequate” emergency communications system.
Sheriff Sherman Block called the FCC order a “landmark decision” giving his department the frequencies required to build a high-speed mobile digital system, provide sufficient portable radios for patrol officers and a comprehensive mutual aid communications system for all county law enforcement agencies.
Ultrahigh frequency channels can carry both audio and video signals. The FCC initially authorized Los Angeles County the use of UHF-TV Channel 19, but found that it interfered with KCSI-TV, Channel 18, in San Bernardino.
Channel 16 previously was assigned to Ventura, which will be given either Channel 25 or 51. Two private corporations that have applied for Channel 16 in Ventura will be allowed to change their applications, the FCC said.
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