Radio Conflict with FCC Knocks Gulls Off the Air

The Gulls threatened legal action Thursday against XEK-AM, a Los Angeles-based radio station that halted its live broadcasts of the International Hockey League team’s games on Feb. 4.

“I’m turning the whole thing over to our attorneys,” said Gulls assistant general manager Jeff Quinn, adding that the club had invested $20,000 for future broadcasts. “I can’t wait any longer. I want my money back.”

XEK (950 AM), an 18,000-watt station that transmits from near Rosarito Beach, Mexico, was ordered to cease its U.S.-based programming by the Federal Communications Commission. The station failed to inform Western Sports Productions, the free-lance broadcasting team employed by the Gulls.

Gulls announcer Ron Oakes said he dialed the telephone number to plug into the station’s transmitter before the Feb. 4 game at the San Diego Sports Arena only to get a recording that it had been disconnected. Oakes said he went to his car, turned on the radio and discovered “dead air” on XEK.

Quinn said he subsequently spoke several times with station owner Luis Alvarado but never got a clear explanation. Alvarado promised to work quickly at restoring Gulls broadcasts, but Quinn said he stopped returning phone calls Feb. 6. Alvarado did not return a call by the Times Thursday.

The Gulls have played five games since their broadcasts were taken off the air. XEK was told by the FCC that it failed to comply with federal regulations governing stations that originate their programming in the U.S. but broadcast it from a transmitter in another country.

XEK was producing its programs in a Hollywood studio. However, they were being broadcast to Southern California from the transmitter near Rosarito Beach. The station had filed to get an FCC permit to operate that way.

WSP President Paul Mendes said he spoke to Alvarado Thursday and said hope remains with XEK, but he is also considering a new carrier.