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Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
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470766542
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Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
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Records of the National Security Council (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Latin American Affairs Directorate Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2005-0995-F
2005-0995-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin: National Security Council
Series:
Latin American Affairs Directorate Files
Subseries:
Subject Files 1989
OA/ID Number:
CF00194
Folder ID Number:
CF00194-005
Folder Title:
Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
V
7
1
2
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Doc. No. / Type
Subject/Title
Date
Restriction
Classification
01. Minutes
Memorandum of Conversation Re: TV Marti (5 pp.)
12/23/88
(b)(I)
02. Letter
From Charles Z. Wick to Ernest F. Hollings Re: a test of TV
12/19/88
(b)(1)
Marti (1 pp.)
03a. Agenda
Re: TV Marti Task Force Meeting (1 pp.)
12/14/88
03b. Memo
From Jerry L. Hodges Re: TV Marti Support (1 pp.)
12/05/88
(b)(1)
03c. Report
Re: TV Marti EMC Support; Response to Questions on TV Marti
12/05/88
(b)(1)
e
Transmitter Requirements (12 pp.)
04. Minutes
Memorandum of Conversation Re: TV Marti (3 pp.)
12/05/88
(b)(1)
05. Agenda
Re: TV Marti Task Force Meeting (1 pp.)
11/30/88
(b)(1)
06a. Memo
From Jeremy Curtin to Paul Schott Stevens Re: USIA Requests
11/29/88
Guidance re TV Marti (1 pp.)
06b. Memo
From Paul Schott Stevens to Larry R. Taylor Re: TV Marti
12/02/88
(b)(1)
Guidance (1 pp.)
06c. Memo
From Larry R. Taylor to Paul Schott Stevens Re: TV Marti
12/25/88
(b)(1)
Progress Report and Request for Guidance (2 pp.)
Page 1 of 3
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
National Security Council
Series:
Latin American Affairs Directorate Files
Subseries:
Subject Files 1989
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
Pinksheet Number:
SS256
OA/ID Number:
CF00194-005
Date Closed:
6/10/2010
FOIA/Sys Case #:
2005-0995-F
Re-review Case #:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Doc. No. / Type
Subject/Title
Date
Restriction
Classification
07. Cable
[Partial cable] From U.S. Interests Section in Havana Re: [Codel
11/29/88
(b)(1)
&
Pell] (2 pp.)
08a. Letter
From William C. King, Jr. to Julio Rumbaut Re: ECAC Report
11/29/88
(b)(1)
entitled "TV Marti EMC Support" (3 pp.)
08b. Memo
From George P. Shultz to President Reagan Re: [Cuba] (1 pp.)
11/29/88
(b)(1)
S
09. Minutes
Memorandum of Conversation Re: TV Marti (4 pp.)
11/17/88
(b)(1)
10. Talking Points Re: TV Marti; Notes for Meeting with John Negroponte (2 pp.)
11/08/88
(b)(1)
11. Minutes
Memorandum of Conversation Re: TV Marti (3 pp.)
11/01/88
(b)(1)
12. Letter
From William C. King, Jr. to Julio Rumbaut Re: TV Marti
11/01/88
(b)(1)
Project (1 pp.)
13. Note
Re: Pre + VP both (1 pp.)
n.d.
(b)(1)
14. Report
Re: TV Marti EMC Support (17 pp.)
11/88
(b)(1)
15a. Memo
From Don Tice to Jeremy Curtin, Tyrus Cobb Re: TV Marti
10/27/88
(b)(1)
Meeting (3 pp.)
15b. Memo
From Craig Alderman to Deputy Director, United States
10/25/88
(b)(1)
Information Agency Re: TV Marti Support (1 pp.)
Page 2 of 3
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
National Security Council
Series:
Latin American Affairs Directorate Files
Subseries:
Subject Files 1989
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
Pinksheet Number:
SS256
OA/ID Number:
CF00194-005
Date Closed:
6/10/2010
FOIA/Sys Case #:
2005-0995-F
Re-review Case #:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Doc. No. / Type
Subject/Title
Date
Restriction
Classification
15c. Report
Re: TV Marti EMC Support (20 pp.)
10/88
(b)(1)
16a. Memo
From Jeremy Curtin to Paul Schott Stevens Re: USIA Report re
10/07/88
(b)(1)
TV Marti (1 pp.)
16b. Memo
From Larry R. Taylor to Paul Schott Stevens Re: Progress Report
10/05/88
(b)(1)
on TV Marti (2 pp.)
17. Memo
From Larry R. Taylor to Paul Schott Stevens Re: Progress Report
10/05/88
(b)(1)
on TV Marti (2 pp.)
18. Memo
From David A. Pacelli through Everett Ellis Briggs to Robert M.
09/28/89
(b)(1)
Gates Re: Cuban-American National Foundation Request for a
Meeting with You to Discuss TV Marti (2 pp.)
19. Memo
From Don Tice to Ty Cobb Re: Congressional Staff Briefing on
09/20/88
(b)(1)
S
TV Marti (3 pp.)
Page 3 of 3
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
National Security Council
Series:
Latin American Affairs Directorate Files
Subseries:
Subject Files 1989
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
Pinksheet Number:
SS256
OA/ID Number:
CF00194-005
Date Closed:
6/10/2010
FOIA/Sys Case #:
2005-0995-F
Re-review Case #:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
TV
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
Marti
December 23, 1988
PARTICIPANTS:
Mr. Robert Barry
-Chair, USIA/VOA/
Mr. George Berzins
-USIA/VOA
Mr. Joseph Bruns
-VOA
Mr. Wilson LaFollette
-FCC
Mr. Julio Rumbaut
-Rumbaut & Associates
Mr. Stanley Silverman
-USIA/M/C
Mr. Stephen Chaplin
-USIA/DD
Mr. Jeremy Curtin
-NSC
Mr. Gary Marrie
-USIA/TV/NE
Mr. Richard Parlow
-NTIA
Mr. Kalle R. Konston
-ECAC/IITRI
Mr. Joseph T. Herishen
-ECAC/CN
Mr. Norbert Schroeder
-VOA/EOFR
Mr. Michael Schoenfeld
-VOA/X
Mr. Herman A. Shaw
-USIA/VOA/M/KC
Lt. Col. Michael Flynt
-OJCS/J34-POD
Mr. Edmond Abood
-OSD/SAS
Ms. Kathy Litwak
-VOA/M
Mr. Bruce Boyd
-VOA/M
Mr. William Jahn
-STATE/CIP
Lt. Col. William Lucyshyn
-USAF/XOXW
Maj. Janice Dailey
-USAF/XOXW
Mr. Yale Newman
-USIA/VOA (Notetaker)
DATE AND PLACE:
December 14, 1988 - VOA DIRECTOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM
SUBJECT:
TV Marti
DISTRIBUTION:
USIA/D, USIA/DD, VOA, VOA/A, VOA/M, VOA/MP, VOA/EOFR,
USIA/GC, USIA/M/C, USIA/M/K, VOA/M/KC, VOA/X, USIA/TV,
USIA/TV/N, USIA/TV/NE, Mr. Rumbaut, NSC, FCC, NTIA,
OSD/SAS, ECAC/IITRI, ECAC/CN, ECAC/XM, STATE/CIP/RSP,
STATE/ARA/CCA, OJCS/J34-POD, USAF/XOXXW, USAF/XOORC
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION:
Mr. Barry chaired the meeting. He noted that the the TVM Task Force has
received approval from the NSC to expand its terms of reference to include
antenna designs for aircraft and tower systems as well as for an aerostat
system if in the judgment of USIA such systems may prove feasible for
broadcasting television programs to Cuba. The NSC also urged USIA to consult
with appropriate Congressional committees to secure their concurrence to
expand the terms of reference.
In its written reply, the NSC suggested that the TVM Task Force should
continue to seek to identify the most feasible frequency for operating
-2-
from the various platforms under consideration. The question of interference
with other TV stations (domestic and foreign) should be considered using
generally accepted NTIA and FCC standards as working guidelines.
The NSC suggests that the Task Force consult with the DOD to take advantage of
the various studies, research and testing it has carried out on aerostats and
other platforms for both radio and radar transmissions. Specifically, it
recommended that we talk to Dr. Thomas Quinn at DOD.
The meeting next turned to the question of selecting a consultant who would
act as a technical adviser to the Task Force. Mr. Berzins noted that four
engineer firms have been contacted and that a consultant may be selected
within two weeks to provide engineering services to the Task Force on a
tasking basis. The contract is not to exceed $25,000.
The next agenda item, the GE proposal for the design of an aerostat system,
was discussed in great detail. Copies of the GE specs were passed out to
participants for their examination and comments.
Mr. Berzins reported that GE has also been asked to look into the
possibilities of adapting the antenna for use aboard aircraft and to consider
the aircraft option by itself. He noted, however, that GE has limited itself
at this time to submitting specs to six contractors (three each) for the
antenna and the transmitter designs. They, the subcontractors, have not been
asked to consider adaptation to aircraft. GE's explanation: because this is a
very complex project it wished to obtain the antenna proposals from the
sub-contractors before approaching them on the possibility of adapting the
system to the aircraft option.
The GE preliminary specs call for a 1,000 watt transmitter and an antenna to
produce an ERP of 32.4 kw.
Mr. Barry said that this brings into focus the differences of opinion between
the studies carried out by ECAC and the engineer consulting firm of Cohen &
Associates, i.e. whether it is desirable and possible to deliver a Class A or
a Class B signal into the Havana area.
Mr. Barry proposed that because of the technical nature of the issue, it would
be preferable for Task Force experts or the Advisory Board to decide what the
goal of the service to Cuba ought to be. If the Advisory Board decides that
less than Class A service is adequate for the proposed TV Marti service, then
it becomes incumbent upon the Task Force to try to provide that type of
service.
Mr. Abood said that ECAC has examined the Cohen & Associates letter carefully.
He pointed out that Cohen used a different set of standards and different
assumptions than ECAC and got different results. DOD stands by the ECAC
report. He noted that they were given to understand that a Grade A signal was
desired for Havana. He went on to note that ECAC and Defense would not
guarantee that a less than Class A signal would be a quality signal in Havana
-3-
and would reach only 50 percent of the households there, something he said he
didn't think was desirable.
Mr. Rumbaut commented that the ECAC report was well done, but that it will be
difficult to know really what the situation will be like until tests have been
actually carried out. He then discussed various technical details relating to
both proposals.
Mr. Barry suggested what might be an acceptable consensus about what kind of
system is desired: to get the best feasible signal into the target area, and
that would be a Grade A service. If it turns out that a Grade A service is
not desireable, then we ought to examine the possibility of delivering lower
grades of service until we find something that is feasible. He said that
approach would seem to meet everyone's desire since we all agree that what we
want is to develop the most competitive signal possible for the Havana area.
In the meantime, Mr. Barry said that the guidelines for seeking Class A
service remain in effect. He asked participants to study the GE preliminary
specs and give any comments they may have to Mr. Marrie who will relay them to
GE.
Extensive discussion of the airplane option followed. Mr. Barry pointed out a
problem he perceived in obtaining design proposals for an antenna adaptable to
aircraft. Since GE, DOD and others who have considered the problem, feel it
will be extremely difficult to develop an aircraft mounted antenna, Mr. Barry
questioned the readiness of antenna firms to devote sufficient time and
resources to such development. He suggested that we may wish to examine other
ways to pursue the airplane option.
At this point, Mr. Berzins was invited to report on his meeting with
Dr. Quinn at the Pentagon. Mr. Berzins said that Dr. Quinn made a few
suggestions that might be useful to the Task Force. First, Dr. Quinn pointed
out that technology is available now, above and beyond what we have been
considering, to mount an appropriate antenna aboard an aircraft if we are
willing to spend substantial amounts of money. Mr. Abood, who also attended
the meeting with Dr. Quinn, estimated the cost to be about $50 million.
Dr. Quinn, suggested that if the Task Force wished to pursue the aircraft
option, it should consider leasing, rather than buying an aircraft and that
his office would be pleased to suggest companies and aircraft that would be
appropriate to TV Marti's mission.
Mr. Barry wondered if there were any existing aircraft studies that could be
made available to the Task Force. He was advised that the USAF has a study,
but it would have to be "sanitized" before it could be made available to the
Task Force. The USAF and DOD representatives said that they would look into
the matter and report back to the Task Force at it next meeting.
Mr. Parlow observed that if the aircraft option were to be employed, it would
have to be on a long-term stable basis that protects domestic interests and is
economically reasonable. When all of the technical, political and economic
-4-
constraints are considered, he said, you will quickly see what has to be done
in terms of power, antennas, stability, coverage and costs.
Mr. Barry reminded the group that the Advisory Board has not ruled out the
possibility that, because of cost considerations, it may be necessary to
settle for TV Marti coverage from an aerostat during eight good weather months
of the year without any back-up system from another platform. The Task Force
is asked to look into the aircraft and fixed tower options to establish their
cost and feasibility. The cost of a back-up system is of prime importance to
Congress and OMB.
Mr. Rumbaut expressed concern that the present process of awaiting design of
the aircraft option through GE will prove to be too slow. He suggested that
the Consultant engineer, (soon to be hired) prepare the specifications for the
TVM aircraft option.
After thorough discussion of how to best proceed with design of the airplane
option, Mr. Barry said he notes no overriding objections and is prepared to go
along with Mr. Rumbaut's proposal, i.e. that the aircraft option not be
pursued further until the Consultant has been hired. The Consultant will be
asked to prepare the specs for the airplane option. At the same time, the
Chairman said that he wished to stress the point that no one on the Task Force
desired to delay the study of the aircraft option. In fact, he noted, various
Task Force discussions made it clear that the opposite was the case, that
there was a desire to accelerate the process.
The meeting turned next to frequency selection. Mr. Berzins reported that
information had been received that Channel 8 in Havana is in use with a strong
signal. At the same time, he noted that we have been told in a circumspect
telephone conversation with Havana today that Channels 11, 12 and 13 may offer
reasonable possibilities for TVM. More precise data will be made available
within two weeks when the U.S. Interest Section hopes to complete its survey.
Mr. Newman reported that USIA PAO in Havana, Jerry Scott, has advised he will
be in Washington during the week of January 1 and will make himself available
to attend the next Task Force meeting. Mr. Scott asserts he has some
observations and comments that the group may wish to consider.
The Task Force next discussed in great detail highly technical aspects
connected with the transmitting power suggested by ECAC and Cohen &
Associates. Mr. Parlow felt that considering geographic distances and power
ratio, only Channel 13 remained as a feasible frequency for TVM. It was
agreed that more study of the performance standard was required in choosing a
frequency for reaching Havana while, at the same time, protecting domestic
U.S. broadcasters. Meanwhile, it was also agreed that Channels 11, 12 and 13
remain under consideration by the Task Force.
Mr. LaFollette presented copies of a number of CCIR documents that he
recommended the Task Force use in developing standards on interference. He
said that among the documents of particular importance was the CCIR Study
-5-
Group 11 that deals with television. He urged that the Task Force examine
CCRI recommendation 655 that establishes recommendations on radio frequencies
protection ratios, including co-channel and adjacent channel ratios.
Mr. LaFollette also drew attention in the CCIR to Recommendation 4017-3 that
deals with minimum field strengths. Discussion on standards of interference
followed. In answer to a question about whether Cuba had a right to open a
transmission on Channel 13 after TVM began its programming on this Channel, it
was accepted that Cuba could prevail if its signal did not interfere with
broadcasts in the U.S.
The Task Force agreed that USIA should notify the appropriate subcommittee
chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Appropriations
Committees that it is proceeding to investigate aircraft and fixed tower
options, and continuing work on development of the aerostat platform.
Mr. Barry proposed, without objection, that the Committee meet next on
January 4, 1989. In the meantime, he said that the Committee would continue
to pursue the appointment of a Consultant and if the Consultant were engaged
before January 4, the Task Force should discuss with him the development of
specifications for the aircraft option. It is expected that GE will
continue its effort to deliver its preliminary spec proposal on or before
January 13, 1989.
FOLLOW-UP ACTION ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Mr. Berzins to oversee the draft of a letter to the House and Senate
Appropriations Subcommittees notifying them that the Task Force is proceeding
to develop options for TV Marti in addition to the aerostat, i.e. aircraft and
fixed tower.
2. Mr. Newman to invite USIA Havana PAO to attend the January 4, 1989 Task
Force meeting.
3. Messrs. Berzins and Marrie to seek to engage a Consultant for the Task
Force.
4. Messrs. Berzins and Marrie to maintain contact with GE officials to
expedite delivery of aerostat antenna and transmitter designs.
5. Appropriate Committee Members to study GE preliminary specs and be prepared
to offer considered options at the January 4th meeting.
6. Mr. Marrie to arrange a technical party meeting to review the GE design
specs.
REVIEWING OFFICER: VOA - Joseph Bruns 12/23/88
United States
Office of the Latentor
Information
Agency
Washington D.C 20547
DEC I 9 1988
USIA
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The United States Information Agency is presently engaged in a multiagency
effort to initiate a test of TV Marti pursuant to PL 100-459, the Departments
of Commerce, Justice and State, the Judiciary, and related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1989. The Act directed that we use up to $7,500,000 of
the funds appropriated for Voice of America radio construction to conduct
start-up operations, including a test, of television broadcasting to Cuba.
The Act further directed that in conducting such start-up operations the
United States Information Agency shall use a tethered aerostat operated and
located at Cudjoe Key Air Force Base in Key West, Florida, if possible and
subject to reimbursement, for both the United States Customs Service's drug
interdiction efforts and the United States Information Agency's test of
television broadcasting to Cuba
Pursuant to guidelines issued by the National Security Council staff, USIA
convened an interagency task force to prepare for the operational test called
for in the law. In looking into the question of broadcasting from an aerostat
operating over the Florida Keys, we discovered that, because of weather
conditions, there would be substantial periods of time during the summer
months when broadcasting would not be possible because the aerostat would have
to be grounded or lowered to an altitude which would not permit the signal to
reach Havana. During June, July, August and September, this "down time" could
exceed 50 per cent. On the other hand, during good weather months the
reliability factor should be quite high - about 90 percent.
Because of this factor, the National Security Council has urged us to consider
the feasibility of broadcasting from an aircraft or a tower platform as well
as from an aerostat. While we do not yet have a present estimate of the cost
of consultants' work on the aircraft and tower options, we are told that less
than $100,000 is probably involved. We agree that this is an appropriate and
prudent approach and we propose to proceed on this basis. Of course, the sum
needed would be taken from the $7.5 million specified for these purposes.
We would be pleased to provide further status information on TV Marti, should
you desire.
Best regards.
Sincerely,
Charles Z. Wick
Director
The Honorable
Ernest F. Hollings
Chairman
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and State,
the Judiciary, and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Same letter was also sent to:
The Honorable
Neal Smith
Chairman
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and State, the Judiciary,
and Related Agencies
The Honorable
Harold Rogerts
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and State, the
Judiciary, and Related Agencies
The Honorable
Warren B. Rudman
8810165 sf
circular
TV MARTI TASK FORCE MEETING
DECEMBER 14, 1988
TVMati
2:00PM
VOA DIRECTOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM
AGENDA
I.
Status of consultant selection. - in progress
class A on II.
650wats 32.4FW
GE proposal/antenna & transmitter specs.
Koodkw 1000 Watts
Class B
airmfor A
III. Meeting with Dr. Quinn of DoD.
Mr. Berzins/Mr. Abood. - tell Grimes
-exfensive
Ch8-ont
IV. Frequency selection.
A. Preliminary Havana channel information.
compatemented
B. Grade A or Grade B service preference.
11,12,13 maybe available 1. ECAC
Report. - Mr. Abood.
V.
Interference Standards.
A. FCC Report - Mr. LaFollette.
VI. Information to Congressional Committees.
What will carrultant do? Re airplance
Class A finer aerostat Nacksca Hep)
Julio may not he feasible ( bee to get
ECAC Thinks ur 32 KW A is fearite.
be proposal due Jan 13.
Standards-
implications of plane problems
Coord Hame/alio: Could he aero
alme Tho not perfect
DEPARTMENT OF DELIVERY
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY ANALYSIS CENTER
UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN
North Severn, Annapolis, Maryland 21402-1187
REPLY TO
XM-5062
ATTN OF:
5 December 1988
SUBJECT: TV MARTI Support
TO: 0JCS/J34-POD
1. Attached are ECAC comments on the Jules Cohen &
Associates, P.C., letter, 29 Nov 88, as requested after
the VOA meeting, 30 Nov 88.
2. With regard to the use of channel 11, ECAC has
explained our sources and it seems that the only re-
maining discussion should involve verification of the
use or, the lack thereof, by some agency/department
other than ECAC. The issue involving the quality of
picture in Havana can only be resolved by VOA/USIA. On
the issue of propagation loss, ECAC feels strongly that
the propagation loss will be than "free space" as
contended by Cohen Associates by approximately 5.4
decibels. These issues are discussed in detail in the
attachment.
3. ECAC has expended $52.5K on this task to date.
Should you have any questions regarding this effort,
the points of contact are Mr Joe Herishen, AUTOVON
281-2556, Mr Jerry Hodges, AUTOVON 281-2353 or
Washington line 261-1189, or Mr Bruce Hall, 301-224-2295.
JERRY L. HODGES
1 Atch
Chief, Plans & Technical Resources
ECAC comments;
Cohen & Asso.
cc: OSD/DUSD (P) /SAS
(Mr Abood)
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center
Annapolis, Maryland 21402
TV MARTI EMC SUPPORT
RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON TV MARTI TRANSMITTER REQUIREMENTS
DEPARTMENT DEPART OF DEFENSE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
5 DECEMBER 1988
IIT Research Institute
Under Contract to
Department of Defense
TV MARTI EMC SUPPORT
RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ON TV MARTI TRANSMITTER REQUIREMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DoD ECAC was requested by OSD to prepare this response to a 29 November
letter prepared by Jules Cohen and Associates (JCA) addressing differences of
opinion regarding the design requirements for the TV Marti transmitter
facility. Specifically, the salient issues in the JCA letter are as follows:
JCA questions the existence of a Cuban TV broadcast station on
channel 11 near Havana. The presence of such a station would
preclude the use of channel 11 by TV Marti for interference
mitigation reasons.
JCA disputes the requirement for 32.4 kw of transmitter power for
TV Marti. JCA submits that a required ERP of 631 watts would be
adequate.
On the issue of the existence of a channel 11 transmitter near Havana,
ECAC remains convinced that the Cuban TV transmitter located at Lomas el Salon
(approximately 35 miles Southwest of Havana) does operate on channel 11 and
that the existence of that station would preclude the effective use of channel
11 for TV Marti.
On the issue of the required power, the differences in the ECAC
recommendation (32.4 kw) and the JCA recommendation (631 watts) are
attributable to two factors. First, the JCA analysis assumed that a signal
level significantly less than the Grade A Service level (used by ECAC as a
performance criterion) would provide acceptable service to the Cuban
audience. On this point ECAC strongly cautions against any significant
relaxation of the performance criterion below the Grade A Service level. The
Grade A Service level should not be misconstrued to be equivalent to "local"
1
service levels provided by Cuban stations in Havana, but instead represents a
minimum signal strength necessary to provide "acceptable" TV reception in an
urban environment in accordance with FCC standards. ECAC's recommended power
level of 32.4 kw would provide that minimal signal strength and no more.
The second factor that contributes to the difference in recommended ERP
relates to the different propagation loss prediction algorithms used by JCA
and ECAC. While JCA applied the free space equation for loss prediction, ECAC
applied a generally accepted terrain dependent model that included the effects
of radio wave interactions with the surface of the earth. ECAC maintains that
such effects must be considered in any radio frequency coverage prediction.
As a result, any analysis of the required ERP for TV Marti would necessarily
result in a power requirement approximately 3.5 times that calculated using
simple free space algorithms, regardless of the criteria established for
audience reception quality.
ECAC agrees that there are a number of benefits that could be realized if
TV Marti could achieve its objective using a transmitter with an ERP of 631
watts. Among these are:
simplified transmitter design
reduced payload
considerably less impact on the broadcast services of
southern Florida television stations
lower cost
perhaps even greater operational flexibility, considering that
the use of alternative transmitter platforms (e.g., fixed-wing
aircraft) are precluded for any design requiring the use of
highly directive transmitting antennas.
However, ECAC perceives that the objective of TV Marti is to gain a
continuing audience that comprises a substantial portion of the residents of
the city of Havana and its provincial suburbs
not merely occasional
viewers. To achieve this objective, it is imperative that TV Marti deliver a
2
signal of sufficient strength to provide a picture of "acceptable" quality in
the presence of existing levels of co-channel interference and man-made noise
inherent to urban areas. Significant reduction of the TV Marti transmitter
power below the recommended 32.4 kw might jeopardize the ability to meet this
requirement.
The remaining portion of this report provides a technical discussion
supporting the ECAC position of the salient issues.
3
Cuban Use of Channel 11
It is ECAC's position that the Cubans have a television broadcast station
operating on Channel 11 located on (or in the vicinity of) Lomas el Salon, a
mountain peak northeast of the town of San Christobal. This position is
supported by the following:
A 32-kw television station, broadcasting on Channel 7, was
registered with the ITU by Cuba at a site identified as Salon
(22°49'N 82°58'W) in 1953. This station continues in operation
today as a satellite of the Television Cubana (Canal 6) network.
In 1977, the Cubans registered a terminal of the (then) newly
installed 4-GHz microwave radio relay system on Lomas el Salon at
22°50'N 82°57'W in the immediate vicinity of the television
broadcast station identified above. In addition to providing
long-distance telephone service throughout the island, the avowed
purpose of this radio relay network was the distribution of
television programming for the two government-operated networks in
Cuba.
The Joint Operations Graphic map (JOG Series 1501, Sheet 17-5,
Edition 3, 1980) indicates the presence of "towers" of unspecified
height (presumably below 200') at 22°50'N 82°57'W.
All current Cuban television broadcast stations are operated as
dual satellites of both the Television Cubana and TeleRebelde
networks. Both unclassified directories of Cuban television
broadcast facilities identify collocated stations at Salon
operating on Channels 7 and 11. (The World Radio-Television
Handbook has carried this listing since its revision in 1980. The
Television and Cable Factbook has carried this listing since its
revision in 1984.)
4
Shipborne monitoring of Cuban broadcast facilities conducted by
the FCC during the mid-1980's confirmed the existence of
television broadcast stations operating on Channels 7 and 11 at a
location southwest of Havana.
Recent monitoring activities (1988) conducted by the 193rd Special
Operations Group of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in direct
support of the TV Marti program confirmed the existence of
television broadcast transmitters operating on Channels 7 and 11
from a location southwest of Havana.
5
Signal Level Required for Acceptable Reception in Urban Havana
The major factor influencing the required ERP of TV Marti is the field
strength of the signal that must be delivered to the Havana area to provide a
picture of acceptable quality to the majority of viewers in that area. For
the upper VHF channels, ECAC recommends a level of 71 dBu...a level equal to
that defined by the FCC as Grade A Service. JCA recommended a level of 59.3
dBu a level 3.3 dB above that defined by the FCC as Grade B Service. In his
letter defending JCA's position, William C. King, Jr. clearly implies that
ECAC's recommendation is based upon an "impossible" attempt "to achieve in
Cuba a level of performance comparable to that of a local Cuban station."
This simply is not the case.
Perhaps a clarification of just what is meant by Grade A and Grade B
Service is in order. Excellent definitions are presented by O'Connor. 1
Grade A represents a specific value of ambient
considered to be typical of outlying or near-fringe areas.
median field strength existing 30 feet above ground
This signal level is sufficiently strong to provide such
which is deemed to be sufficiently strong, in the absence
a picture at least 90 percent of the time, at the best
of interference from other stations, but with due con-
50 percent of receiving locations. The Grade B contour
sideration given to man-made noise typical of urban
represents the outer geographic limits within which the
areas, to provide a picture which the median observer
median field strength equals or exceeds the Grade B
would classify as of "acceptable" quality, assuming a
value. The specific values for Grade B are 47 dBu
receiving installation (antenna, transmission line, and
(0.22 mV/m) for Channels 2 to 6, 56 dBu (0.63 mV/m)
receiver) considered to be typical of suburban or not
for Channels 7 to 13, and 64 dBu (1.6 mV/m) for
too distant areas. This signal level is sufficiently strong
Channels 14 to 83.
to provide such a picture at least 90 percent of the time,
Although "acceptable" quality is not further defined
at the best 70 percent of receiving locations. The Grade
in the background material leading to these standards,
A contour represents the outer geographic limits within
the assumed signal-to-noise ratio (Snr) of 30 dB would
which the median field strength equals or exceeds the
indicate a quality similar to that described by the
Grade A value. The specific values for Grade A are
Television Allocation Study Organization (TASO) as
68 dBu (2.5 mV/m) for Channels 2 to 6, 71 dBu (3.5
Grade 3 or "passable," which is described as follows:
mV 'm) for Channels 7 to 13, and 74 dBu (5.0 mV/m)
"The picture is of acceptable quality. Interference is
for Channels 14 to 83.
not objectionable."
( rade B represents a specific value of ambient
With respect to "city grade. service." no comparable
median field strength existing 30 feet above ground
statistics are included in the aforementioned reference,
which is deemed to be sufficiently strong, in the absence
but presumably this would entail the same quality of
of man-made noise or interference from other stations,
picture, which would be available to a higher per-
to provide a picture which the median observer would
centage of locations and/or a higher percentage of the
lassify as of "acceptable" quality. assuming a receiving
time. in the face of an even poorer receiving antenna
installation (antenna, transmission line, and receiver)
and/or more severe man-made noise limitation. "
1 Connor, Robert A., "Understanding Television's Grade A and Grade B Service
Contours," IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting, Vol. BC-14, No. 4, DEC 1968.
6
There are two aspects of these definitions that are the keys to understanding
their applicability to the current issue the consideration given to external
noise and the receiving antenna installation assumed.
A Grade A signal is intended to contend with man-made noise
typical of urban areas and to be received by antennas typical of
suburban or not too distant areas.
In contrast, a Grade B signal is defined as being adequate in the
absence of man-made noise when received by antennas typical of
those employed in outlying or fringe areas.
It is important also to note that while Grade A Service provides an acceptable
picture at more locations than does Grade B Service (i.e., 70% versus 50%), it
does not mean that a better quality picture is provided. In fact, the 15 dB
difference is accounted for in large measure by the higher ambient noise
levels encountered in urban areas (7 dB above kTB) and the higher gain of the
antennas used in outlying areas (6 dB is typical). (The other 2 dB accounts
for the statistical variation in field strength in a given area to provide an
acceptable picture at a greater fraction of locations).
ECAC's analysis of required ERP is based on the contention that, to be
successful in reaching the population of the Havana area, TV Marti must
deliver a Grade A signal level to that area. The recommendation of 32.4 kw
ERP is clearly not based on an attempt to provide performance equivalent to
that provided by local Cuban stations. Rather it is based on the fact that
Havana is an urban area with high levels of man-made noise and the intent that
the population be reached via the receiving antennas currently in use.
7
To put this issue in proper perspective for those familiar with the
Washington, DC area, consider the service contours of the three Baltimore VHF
television stations illustrated in Figure 1. Note that Washington, D.C.,
falls near the Grade A Service Contours of all three of these stations. Is
the quality of reception of signals in Washington from those Baltimore
stations comparable to that from their local Washington counterparts? Our
day-to-day experience tells us that it is not. In fact, there are parts of
the Washington metropolitan area where adequate reception of Baltimore
stations is not possible, notwithstanding the fact that those areas may be
within the Grade A Service contour.
One other factor that must be considered in specifying the signal level
necessary to provide acceptable reception in the Havana area is co-channel
interference from nearby Cuban stations. Specifically, if TV Marti broadcasts
on Channel 13, the signal delivered must be sufficiently strong to overcome
co-channel interference from the station located on Loma el Jacan (near
Matanzas) broadcasting on that frequency. Field strength calculations at two
sites selected at random within the Havana area (one near Marti International
Airport, the other near the former US Embassy in Vedado) indicate that signal
levels on the order of 44-46 dBu will be experienced in the area from the
station at Jacan. Clearly, signals from TV Marti delivered at a level of 59.3
dBu will suffer severe co-channel interference from the station at Jacan,
whereas signals delivered at the Grade A Service level of 71 dBu would
experience minimal interference.
While ECAC agrees that a relaxation of the criterion for required level
of service can significantly reduce the complexity of the design of the TV
Marti transmission facility, any such alterations in criteria must be weighed
against the effect on meeting the needs of the Cuban viewers. Based on the
foregoing considerations ECAC cautions against any appreciable relaxation of
TV Marti signal level requirements below the Grade A Service level.
8
WBAL-TV
Maryland-Baltimore
WJZ-TV
Ch. 11
Ch. 13
WMAR-TV
Network Service: CBS
Natwork Service: ABC
Ch. 2
Licensee: Hearst Corp Radio & TV Division, Maryland's Broadcast Center.
Licensee: Group W Television Inc.. Television Hill Battimore. MO 212':
Baltimore. MD 21211
Studio: Television Hill, Baltimore, MD 21211
Network Service: NBC.
Licensee: Gillett Bcstg. of Maryland Inc., Box 1957, Baltimore, MD 21203
Studio: Maryland's Broadcast Center. Baltimore. MD 21211.
Telephone: 301-466-0013 TWX: 301-955-1178
Studio: Television Park, 6400 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212.
Telephone: 301-467-3000 TWX: 710-234-1086
Technical Facilities: Channel No. 13 1210-216 MHz) Authorized power
316-kw visual, 31.6.kw aural. Antenna 990-1: above av terrain, 998 II
Telephone: 301-377-2222. TWX: 710-232-1804.
Technical Facilities: Channel No. 11 (198-204 MHz). Authorized power:
above ground. 1318.1t above sea level
Technical Facilities: Channel No. 2 (54-60 MH2). Authorized power: 100kw
316kw visual. 31.6.kw aural Antenna: 1000-It. above av. terrain. 998-It.
Latitude
39
20'
04 3
visual, 10-kw aural. Antenna: 1000-It. above av. terrain. 999-ft. above ground.
above ground, 1318-fi..above sea level
Longitude
76
39'
02 8'
1319-ft. above sea level.
Latitude
39'
20'
05"
Transmitter: Television Hill.
Latitude
39°
20'
04.3"
Longitude
76"
39'
03"
Multichannel TV Sound: Stereo only.
Longitude
76'
39'
02.8-
Transmitter: 3800 Hooper Ave.
Satetite Earth Station: Transmit:receive Scientific-Atiants. 10-meter Scientific
Transmitter: Television Hill, 3724 Parkdale Ave.
Atlanta receivers.
Satetite Earth Stations: 2 Scientific-Atlanta, 7-meter C-band: Microdyne,
Multichannel TV Sound: Stereo only.
7-meter C-band: Satcom Technologies. 5.5-meter Ku-band: M/A-Com. Micro-
News Services: AP, UPI.
Satellite Earth Stations: Scientific-Atlanta. 7-meter.
dyne, Scientific-Attanta receivers.
News Services: AP. NBC. UPI
AM Affiliate: WBAL, 50-kw, 1090 kHz (NBC).
FM Affiliate: WIYY, 20-kw. 97.9 MHZ (No, 250). 960-ft.
News Services: AP. UPI. CBS. CNN
field CLAIMS
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WEAR-TV RPCT-3219 Granted
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AMELIA
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WEAL-TV BPCT-510 Granted 8/5/58
© Amera on Mar Carp., 11731
WIT-TV RPCT-2218 Chanted 23
American Mir Leg. 11241
Figure 1. Service Contours of Baltimore's VHF Television Stations.
Propagation Loss Predictions
As stated in an earlier ECAC report (dated November, 1988), the
propagation path loss in the upper-VHF television band (i.e., Channels 7-13),
between the proposed TV Marti aerostat transmitters and home receivers in the
Havana area, predicted by ECAC is some 5.4 dB higher than that predicted by
JCA in the feasibility study conducted by that firm.
JCA's critique of ECAC's findings confirms that JCA based its path-loss
predictions on free-space, line-of-sight conditions. ECAC based its
predictions on a widely accepted terrain-dependent propagation model known as
TIREM.
The Terrain Integrated Rough Earth Model (TIREM) was developed by ECAC in
the early 1960's and is based on work by NBS (ITS). Since that time it has
been validated and upgraded several times as measured loss data became
available for various path geometries. Today, TIREM is recognized as DoD's
standard terrain-dependent propagation path loss model. (The model also shows
excellent agreement with FCC propagation curves used for TV service area
definitions.)
To predict the loss along a given path, TIREM uses a digitized terrain
profile that is supplied by the analyst or extracted from a grid of elevations
derived from data supplied by the Defense Mapping Agency. Using the terrain
profile, TIREM classifies the propagation mode along a given path as either
line-of-sight (LOS), diffraction, or tropospheric scatter. A special mixed
land-water mode is also incorporated into TIREM to improve the accuracy of the
loss prediction for LOS and diffraction paths when a significant portion of
the terrain underlying the path consists of sea water or a lake.
If the receiving antenna is within the radio horizon of the transmitting
antenna, TIREM selects the LOS prediction mode. In this mode the loss is
computed as a combination of the basic free-space loss and additional losses
due to the proximity of the ray path between antennas to the Earth's
10
surface. Whenever the terrain profile involved indicates that a reflected ray
passes through the first Fresnel clearance zone, the path loss calculated for
such a "partially obstructed" LOS path is based on geometric-optics ray theory
which takes into account both the direct and ground-reflected paths between
the two antennas.
For air-ground paths, even over smooth terrain, the effect of the ground-
reflected wave can be significant, particularly when the ground antenna is
short (i.e., electrically low), thereby causing the surface of the Earth in
the immediate vicinity of the antenna to fall within the first Fresnel zone.
This is the case for reception of TV Marti signals emanating from an aerostat-
mounted transmitter. The additional losses anticipated from this propagation
path geometry account for the additional 5.4 dB of loss predicted by ECAC.
ECAC stands behind its prior position that the propagation path losses
predicted by TIREM are more representative of the actual losses anticipated
than those indicated by free-space LOS predictions. ECAC has found through
numerous validation exercises and comparison with measured data that the
predictions for propagation loss between airborne and ground-based geometries
must account for the aforementioned effects and that use of free-space
calculations alone is inadequate. Based on this assertion ECAC cautions
against any significant reduction of required ERP for TV Marti below 32.4 kw.
11
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
December 5, 1988
PARTICIPANTS:
Mr. George Berzins
-Chair, USIA/VOA
Mr. Joseph Bruns
-VOA
Mr. Wilson LaFollette
-FCC
Mr. Julio Rumbaut
-Rumbaut & Associates
Mr. Richard S. Werksman
-USIA/GC
Mr. Stanley Silverman
-USIA/M/C
Mr. Stephen Chaplin
-USIA/DD
Mr. Jeremy Curtin
-NSC
Mr. Gary Marrie
-USIA/TV/NE
Mr. Ted Kuligowski
-USIA/TV/NE
Mr. James Vorhies
-NTIA
Mr. Richard Parlow
-NTIA
Mr. Kalle R. Konston
-ECAC/IITRI
Mr. Michael Schoenfeld
-VOA/X
Mr. Edward Muller
-USIA/M/K
Lt. Col. Michael Flynt
-OJCS/J34-POD
Mr. Edmond Abood
-OSD/SAS
Ms. Kathy Litwak
-VOA/M
Mr. Bruce Boyd
-VOA/M
Mr. William Jahn
-STATE/CIP
Mr. David F. Rogus
-STATE/ARA/CCA
Lt. Col. John Borum
-USAF/XOXXW
Mr. Yale Newman
-USIA/VOA (Notetaker)
DATE AND PLACE:
November 30, 1988 - VOA DIRECTOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM
SUBJECT:
TV Marti
DISTRIBUTION:
USIA/D, USIA/DD, VOA, VOA/A, VOA/M, VOA/MP, VOA/EOFR,
USIA/GC, USIA/M/C, USIA/M/K, USIA/M/KC, USIA/TV,
USIA/TV/N, USIA/TV/NE, Mr. Rumbaut, NSC, FCC, NTIA,
OSD/SAS, ECAC/IITRI, ECAC/CN, ECAC/XM, STATE/CIP/RSP,
STATE/ARA/CCA, OJCS/J34-POD, USAF/XOXXW, USAF/XOORC
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION:
George Berzins, in the absence of Mr. Barry, chaired the meeting.
Referring to the USIA memorandum requesting NSC guidance on the expansion
of the terms of reference and permission to proceed with contracts,
Mr. Berzins called on Mr. Curtin for NSC's reaction. Mr. Curtin reported
that the NSC has received and reviewed the memo and will issue further
written guidance soon. The NSC, he said, does not see a problem in
expanding the terms of reference for TV Marti and will grant permission
to contract, with the understanding that the Task Force will explore all
three platform options if the Task Force concludes it is useful to do SO.
Mr. Curtin said that a second point discussed at the NSC was the question
of cost, not design, of the various systems. He asked that if we go
ahead with the aerostat and aircraft systems what does that do to our
cost estimates? He said this was of some importance to the NSC in view
of the current budget constraints.
-2-
Discussion of the frequency selection question followed. Mr. Berzins
noted that channels 8, 11 and 13 are all still under consideration for
use by TV Marti. The Task Force is still awaiting a frequency survey to
be obtained from Havana by the State Department to determine use of these
channels in the Havana area. In the meantime, the licensee of Channel 8
in Key West has contacted the Task Force and offered TV Marti use of that
frequency.
Mr. LaFollette commented that the FCC would not object to the Channel 8
offer even if the licensee has not constructed a broadcasting facility.
He submitted a memorandum outlining the legal basis for the
determination. In addition, the FCC believes that USIA would also be
permitted to buy broadcast time from the educational noncommercial
Channel 13 in Key West, and an FCC memo to that effect was also submitted.
Mr. Curtin emphasized that in reviewing the TVM guidance request, the NSC
found the issues of frequency selection and interference of particular
interest. The NSC believes we should be trying to form some standards
for interference as we proceed with contracting for antennas. The NSC
would like to know what the international community considers acceptable
levels of interference, realizing that some interference may always be
unavoidable.
It was noted that if Cuba should go to the International Tele-
communications Union (ITU) with an interference complaint, the ITU would
be likely to use the CCRI standards for channel protection/interference,
suggesting that this standard be used as a guide for TV Marti.
Mr. Berzins informed the group that the Jules Cohen & Associates
consulting electronics engineer group has written a letter to Mr. Rumbaut
questioning the ECAC conclusions on the use of Channel 11.
Mr. Abood said that he would reserve comment on the letter until he and
his colleagues have had time to study it. He offered to provide a full
response to the Cohen & Associates letter at next week's Task Force
meeting.
At Mr. Rumbaut's suggestion and following some discussion, the Task Force
agreed to contract a consulting engineering firm to oversee, on our
behalf, the antenna design for TV Marti and to ensure that the antenna
will meet the performance specifications.
The Task Force examined in some detail possible frequencies for TV
Marti. Mr. Rumbaut stressed that TV Marti should have the option for use
of two and even three frequencies as a response to any interference to
its signal from Cuba.
-3-
In a discussion of the testing of frequencies during the 90-day period,
it was agreed that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to know in
advance what interference will be caused until the actual tests have been
conducted. The Task Force agreed that there will be a certain amount of
risk involved, but that the tests should go forward with the best
possible system design minimizing interference.
During a brief discussion on the aircraft option, the question was
raised whether an aircraft would be able to fly within the coastal
waters of the United States and still deliver an acceptable signal to
Cuba. Mr. Berzins noted that GE has been asked, through the Air Force,
to explore the viability of the aircraft option.
In turning to the Fixed Tower Option on the Agenda, Task Force members
were divided on its feasibility. Nevertheless, it was agreed that
empirical data should be obtained before rejecting the option out of
hand. Mr. LaFollette noted that there are 2,000 foot towers within the
continental U.S., mentioning one, specifically, in New Mexico of that
approximate height which could serve the purpose for a test of this
option. The option will be explored further by Mr. Parlow of the NTIA.
The Air Force has asked GE to provide a detailed proposal for the
operation of a TV Marti platform by December 23, 1988.
The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for December 14, 1988 at
2 p.m. at the VOA.
FOLLOW-UP ACTION ASSIGNMENTS:
1. ECAC will respond to the Cohen & Associates letter at the next Task
Force meeting.
2. Messrs. Werksman and Silverman will provide the appropriate
Congressional channel and communication to expand the TV Marti terms of
reference.
3. Mr. Jahn of the State Department to provide guidelines governing the
standards of interference to be incorporated into the specifications.
4. Messrs. Rumbaut and Marrie to provide a Statement of Work for the Task
Force consulting engineer.
5. Messrs. Berzins and Marrie to provide cost estimates of all three
platform options.
Reviewing Officer: VOA - J. Bruns go
DRAFT:
VOA - Y. Newman YV
TV MARTI TASK FORCE MEETING
NOVEMBER 30, 1988
2:00PM
VOA CONFERENCE ROOM, 3300
AGENDA
I. Status of Task Force request to expand terms of
reference.
II. Update on frequency possibilities.
III. Developments in Aerostat study/test.
IV. Aircraft option. -
V. Fixed tower test.
TV marte
CONFIDENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
CONFIDENTIAL
8279
November 29, 1988
ACTION
MEMORANDUM FOR PAUL SCHOTT STEVENS
FROM:
JEREMY CURTIN
SUBJECT:
USIA Requests Guidance re TV Marti
Attached at Tab I is a memorandum replying to USIA's latest
progress report on TV Marti (Tab II). USIA requests guidance on
whether to expand their terms of reference to include study of
antenna design for aircraft and tower antenna systems, in
addition to the current NSC instruction to develop a design for
an aerostat antenna system. Although the aerostat remains the
system of choice, reliability problems caused by weather may
require a back-up system or even lead to a final choice of
another system entirely.
Your reply instructs USIA to proceed with aerostat, tower and
aircraft designs. This will increase costs but will also give us
a better basis for final judgment on feasibility of TV Marti.
Design costs should run about $75,000 instead of $25,000 for
aerostat antenna alone.
Antenna design may take six to nine months. Once design
questions are settled, the issues of jamming and frequency will
have to be addressed before antennas are built and operational
testing begins.
AfCob Grimes concur.
Cobb, Bob Pastorino, Nick Rostow, Mike Andricos and John
A
RECOMMENDATION
That you sign the attached memorandum to USIA.
Approve 7Pm
Disapprove
Attachments
Tab I Memo for signature
Tab II Incoming from USIA
DECLASSIFIED
PER NSC WAIVER, 1500 2021-02
CONFIDENTIAL
By 55 NARA, Date 6/11/25
Declassify on: OADR
CONFIDENTIAL
CURTIN
CONFIDENTIAL
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
CONFIDENTIAL
8279
December 2, 1988
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. LARRY R. TAYLOR
Executive Secretary
U.S. Information Agency
SUBJECT:
TV Marti Guidance (U)
In response to your memorandum of November 25, 1988, USIA may
proceed with a contract to design antennas for operational
testing of TV Marti. The contract may include designs for
aircraft and tower antenna systems, as well as for an aerostat
system, if, in the judgment of USIA, such systems may prove
feasible for television broadcasting to Cuba. (d)
We understand that USIA will consult with appropriate
Congressional Committees to secure their concurrence in this
course. (U)
In view of technical issues identified in your memorandum,
the TV Marti task force should continue to seek to identify the
most feasible frequency for operating from the various platforms
under consideration. The question of interference with other
stations, domestic and foreign, should be considered using
generally accepted NTIA and FCC standards as working guidelines.
(C)
In addition to the Air Force aerostat operations in Florida, DoD
has done considerable research, development, testing and
evaluation of aerostats and other platforms for both radio and
radar transmissions. To take advantage of these DoD efforts,
which may have application to TV Marti, we recommend that USIA
discuss the project with Dr. Thomas Quinn, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense for C'I. (f)
DECLASSIFIED
PER NSC WAIVER, 1500 2021-02
Paul Achott Atwen
By 55 NARA, Date 6/11/25
Paul Schott Stevens
Executive Secretary
CONPIDENTIAL
Declassify on: OADR
CONFIDENTIAL
United States
Information
Office of the Director
Agency
Washington, D.C. 20547
VP
8279
USIA
November 25, 1988
MEMORANDUM FOR:
Mr. Paul Schott Stevens
Executive Secretary
National Security Council
FROM
:
Larry R. Taylor
Executive Secretary
SUBJECT
:
TV Marti Progress Report and Request for Guidance
REFERENCE
:
September 2, 1988 NSC Memorandum on TV Marti Feasibility
The interagency task force on TV Marti is proceeding on many fronts with
the cooperation of the Air Force, DoD, the FCC, NTIA and State. Several
members of the group recently visited GE Aerostat Systems, the prime
contractor for the Air Force's aerostat operations, and the Air Force aerostat
facility at Cudjoe Key. While there is no doubt that the operational test of
TV Marti using an aerostat is feasible, several issues have been identified
that will require further guidance.
1. Frequency. Selection of a VHF frequency for TV Marti has proven
difficult. While a final frequency selection has not been made, there is no
frequency which meets all the requirements set out in the NSC memorandum of
September 2. The best candidate right now looks like channel 13. Cuba,
however, operates a high power television station in Matanzas on channel 13.
Operation of TV Marti on the same frequency is likely to cause some
interference with the Cuban broadcast there. The degree of interference and
the affected geographical area can be fully determined only from the results
of the operational test.
2. Aerostat Operational Reliability. The aerostat is a relatively inexpensive
and inherently reliable platform that would probably work for our purposes.
The aerostat's operational time, however, is subject to weather conditions
that can be extreme in southern Florida, and the average life of the aerostat
is only 2 to 3 years. Air Force data indicate that an aerostat used for
broadcasting to Cuba would be operational approximately 65% of the time over
the course of a year, but less than 50% of the time during the severe weather
between June and September. Since television broadcasting relies on building
and holding habitual viewers, some question the effectiveness of a broadcast
with this much downtime. The consultant to the task force, Julio Rumbaut,
favors a backup system mounted on an aircraft that could fly above or around
costs. adverse weather. This, though, would add to the development and operating
-2-
The original TV Marti consultant reports examined fixed tower antenna and
aircraft mounted systems as alternatives. A fixed tower system would require
a 2,000 foot tower, and would take up almost one square mile of real estate.
The up front costs would likely be high, but once constructed the tower would
have a long useable life. The transmitter for operation on a 2,000 foot tower
would have to be much more powerful than one using an aerostat or aircraft;
consequently the risk of interference with nearby U.S. stations would be
greater. It may be possible to test the tower design through extrapolation of
data from similar towers, or by testing the transmitter on an aerostat or
aircraft at 2,000 feet. An aircraft mounted system, either alone or as a
backup to the aerostat, may be possible, but there are major engineering
solutions which must be worked out, particularly in the design of an antenna
that can be directionally stabilized. Operational cost will also be a
factor. Even as a backup system, a crew must be ready to fly on short
notice. Design of amaircraft mounted system will require considerable time,
on the order of nine months. If we are to pursue this as an option, we should
begin soon so that it can be tested in a timely manner.
3. Antenna Design. Regardless of the platform eventually used, designing an
antenna with the necessary specifications will require the longest lead time
in the project -- six to nine months. An aerostat antenna must have the
appropriate gain, front to back ratio, directional stability, and fit into the
aerostat windscreen. It does, though, appear to be feasible. An aircraft
mounted antenna, however, requires more complex engineering, and there is some
question among engineers whether such a design is practical. Because of the
long lead times required, we should begin preliminary design work on the
antenna(s) immediately if we are to keep the project on track.
4. Jamming and Deliberate Interference. Finally, it should be pointed out
that there is a consensus within the task force that no matter what frequency
or broadcast platform TV Marti settles on, there are simple low-cost means for
Cuba to obliterate our signal. If the Cubans wish to take a
non-confrontational approach, they have merely to place a low power repeater
of an existing Cuban station in downtown Havana on the same frequency. A
transmission of only a few hundred watts will wipe out the TV Marti signal. A
more confrontational option would be the expansion of their current practice
of broadcasting interfering AM radio signals into the U.S.
Given the above issues, we request NSC guidance on proceeding with a contract
to design an antenna for the aerostat test and on expanding our terms of
reference to include further study and/or antenna design for aircraft and
tower systems.
Should the NSC agree to expand the terms of reference to include aircraft and
tower possibilities, we will consult with the appropriate Congressional
Committees to secure their concurrence in such a broadening of the study.
<PREC> IMMEDIATE<CLAS> CONFIDENTIAL<DTG> 2920322 NOV 88
<ORIG>FM USINT HAVANA
<SUBJ>SUBJECT: CODEL PELL: TALK WITH CASTRO; OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
<TEXT>
*** INCOMPLETE CABLE ***
<TEXT>
CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 02 HAVANA 06695
CORRECTED COPY (TEXT)
E.O. 12356: DECL: OADR
TAGS: PREL, CU
SUBJECT: CODEL PELL: TALK WITH CASTRO; OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
1. (d) ENTIRE TEXT.
-
2. SENATOR PELL ON NOVEMBER 26 BRIEFED ME ON HIS FOUR
HOUR NOVEMBER 25 SESSION WITH CASTRO THAT ENDED AT
MIDNIGHT. THE SENATOR SAID THAT FOLLOWING PLEASANTRIES,
CASTRO BEGAN BY CRITICIZING ME FOR TRYING TO CONTROL
AND INFLUENCE VISITING CODELS IN A NEGATIVE WAY. HE MADE
SOME REMARK ABOUT MY RUNNING A "HOTEL" FOR VISITORS AND
CHARGED THAT I WAS WORKING AGAINST THE RELATIONSHIP.
THE SENATOR SAID HE REBUTTED CASTRO ON THIS, SAYING I WAS
A STERLING CHARACTER, ETC. ACCORDING TO THE SENATOR,
CASTRO DID NOT CRITICIZE ME OR USINT FOR OUR ACTIVITIES
DECLASSIFIED
IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS. INSTEAD, HE SEEMED UPSET BY MY
PER DOS WAIVER, November 6, 2015
NARA, Date 6/11/25
WITH HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS OR IN OTHER WAY INTERFERRING
HANDLING OF CODELS.
55
-
3. AFTER THIS UNUSUAL OUTBURST, THEY DISCUSSED CENTRAL
By
AMERICA. THE SENATOR SUGGESTED TO CASTRO THAT PEACE
IN THE REGION REQUIRED A STRICT APPLICATION OF THE NON-
INTERFERENCE PRINCIPLE TO ALL THE COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.
THIS WOULD MEAN IF THE U.S. STOPPED SUPPORTING THE
CONTRAS, CUBA AND NICARAGUA WOULD HAVE TO CEASE ALL AID
TO THE FMLN AND OTHER LEFTIST GUERRILLAS. CASTRO SEEMED
INTERESTED IN THIS CONCEPT AT FIRST, BUT THEN APPEARED TO
REJECT ANY LINKING OF NICARAGUA AND EL SALVADOR. HE
CLAIMED CUBAN AID TO THE FMLN WAS MOSTLY "SYMBOLIC"
AND A QUESTION OF MORALITY AND HONOR. CASTRO ALSO IN
THIS CONNECTION SAID THE U.S. WAS STILL SUPPORTING THE
AFGHAN GUERRILLAS AND INTENDED TO CONTINUE AID TO UNITA
AFTER THE ANGOLAN ACCORD.
-
4. THE SENATOR SUGGESTED TO CASTRO THAT IT MIGHT BE A
USEFUL GESTURE FOR CUBA TO ADHERE TO THE 1977 U.S.-
PANAMA TREATY, AS THE SOVIET UNION HAS RECENTLY DONE.
CASTRO SEEMED TO THINK THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA AND MORE OR
LESS SAID HE APPROVED OF IT. THE SENATOR HAD EARLIER
RAISED THE SUGGESTION WITH VICE MINISTER VIERA.
-
5. CASTRO BECAME MOST DISTURBED, ALMOST VIOLENTLY so,
WHEN DISCUSSING TV MARTI, ACCORDING TO THE SENATOR.
HE TERMED TV MARTI AN "ACT OF AGGRESSION" AND WARNED
THAT REPRISALS, EVEN IF THIS RESULTED IN MILITARY ACTION
(PRESUMABLY BY THE U.S.). CASTRO SUGGESTED IT COULD
AFFECT U.S.-SOVIET RELATIONS.
-
6. THE SENATOR RAISED THE SUBJECT OF COOPERATION ON DRUG
INTERDICTION. CASTRO RESPONSED WITH A POSITIVE STATEMENT
REGARDING BILATERAL COOPERATION BUT DID NOT GIVE
SPECIFICS. HE CALLED FOR HEMISPHERIC COOPERATION AS WELL.
THE SENATOR ASKED FOR THE RELEASE OF THE FOUR PLANTADOS
AND USINT ACCESS TO DUAL NATIONAL PRISONERS; CASTRO WAS
NON-COMMITTAL. CASTRO RAISED THE ISSUE OF THE TWO CUBANS
IN U.S. PRISONS WHO WISHED TO SERVE OUT THEIR TERMS IN
CUBA. HE SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO RESPONSE TO HIS
INITIATIVE ON THIS SUBJECT.
1
7. ON NOVEMBER 26, THE SENATOR AND HIS PARTY VISITED
COMBINADO DEL ESTE AND MET WITH ALL NINE REMAINING
PLANTADOS. THE PRISONERS SEEMED IN GOOD SPIRITS AND
GAVE VARIOUS MESSAGE TO THE SENATOR, INCLUDING ONE FOR
VICE PRESIDENT BUSH. THE SENATOR ASKED ABOUT PERSONS
HELD FOR ILLEGAL EXIT. HE WAS SHOWN TWO HOLDING AREAS
OF ABOUT 40 PRISONERS IN ONE GROUP AND ABOUT 60 IN THE
OTHER. THE PARTY UNDERSTOOD THAT ALL OF THESE PERSONS
HAD BEEN ARRESTED WHEN TRYING TO FLEE EARLIER THIS
YEAR. THE PARTY'S IMPRESSION WAS THAT ALL HAD BEEN
INVOLVED IN THE SAME INCIDENT, PRESUMABLY TRYING TO FLEE
ON A BOAT. THE PRISONERS CHEERED THE SENATOR.
-
8. THE SENATOR VISITED THE BIOTECH CENTER, AN AGRICUL-
TURAL COOPERATIVE, A TROPICAL MEDICINE INSTITUTE, AND
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST. HE MET WITH VICE FOREIGN
MINISTER VIERA, THE MINISTER OF HEALTH, THE MINISTER OF
EDUCATION, THE VICE MINISTER OF TRADE, THE PARTY'S
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS DIRECTOR, AND VICE PRESIDENT RAFAEL
RODRIQUEZ. ACCORDING TO THE SENATOR, HE ASKED RAFAEL
IF CUBA LIKE THE SOVIET UNION BELIEVED INTERNATIONAL
CLASS STRUGGLE WAS OUTDATED AS THE BASIS OF ITS FOREIGN
POLICY. RAFAEL GAVE A LONG CONVOLUTED ANSWER, THE GIST
OF WHICH WAS TO DENY THAT THE SOVIETS HAD CHANGED THE
IDEOLOGICAL BASIS OF THEIR FOREIGN POLICY AND TO REAF-
FIRM CUBA'S INTERNATIONLIST ROLE. ASKED IF CUBA WOULD
FORESWEAR ANY INTERVENTION IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF
LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES IF THE U.S. DID THE SAME, RAFAEL
02
11/29/88 16:04
202 659 0360 JULES COHEN&ASSO
TV Marti
JULES COHEN & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
CONSULTING ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS
SUITE 400
1730 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
N
Telephone: (202) 659-3707
Telecopiers (202) 659.0360
Bernord R Segal, P.F.
William P. Suffa, P.F.
President
Robert W. Denny, Jr., P.F.
William C. King, Jr., P.E.
Vice President
Charles N. Miller, P.E.
Alan E. Gearing, P.E.
Alon R. Rosner
Secretary-Treasiver
Jules Cohen, P.E.
November 29, 1988
Consultant to the Nom
VIA TELECOPIER
Mr. Julio Rumbaut
President
Rumbaut & Associates
1427 West 22nd Street
Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Re: TV Marti Project
Dear Julio:
This letter is being written pursuant to your request to review and
comment with respect to the November 1988 ECAC Report entitled: "TV MARTI
EMC SUPPORT".
The ECAC Report evaluated proposed operations of TV Marti on
VHF television channels 11, 12 and 13, particularly with regard to international
registration of Cuban cochannel assignments and their interference impact upon
reception of TV Marti signals in Havana, and the potential for harmful
interference caused by TV Marti to Cuban and domestic TV stations.
Additionally, the ECAC Report dealt with differences in performance
predictions for the TV Marti operation as proposed by this firm, and as
proposed by ECAC.
Although the ECAC Report cites limitations with respect to all
three of the channels considered, channel 13 appears to be the least
objectionable, provided that time is purchased from WETV, permittee for
channel 13 at Key West, to enable WETV to remain off the air during TV
Marti transmissions. Even so, ECAC predicts interference to the western
portion of the coverage zone of an unregistered cochannel Cuban station at
Matanzas, in Jacan. Channel 12 would be precluded by ECAC because of
severe interference to portions of the service area of station WPEC, channel
12, at West Palm Beach. ECAC alleges that channel 11 would cause
interference to a cochannel station registered in Havana, but operating from
Salon, would cause severe interference to cochannel station WINK-TV, at Fort
Myers, and would itself be susceptible to severe cochannel interference from
the station at Salon.
P.03
11/29/88 16:05
202 659 0360 JULES COHEN&ASSO
- 2
Mr. Julio Rumbaut
November 29, 1988
In reviewing Cuban assignments in preparation for the study which
our firm conducted for TV Marti, we became aware of at listing for channel 11
at Salon, but were unable to identify the location or to determine its
geographic coordinates, despite a lengthy search of maps and atlases. The
geographic coordinates specified for Salon in the ECAC study define a location
approximately 40 miles west-southwest of downtown Havana along a mountain
ridge near Soroa.
If a channel 11 transmitter does in fact operate with an effective
radiated power of approximately 32 kilowatts from a site near the coordinates
specified by ECAC, it is likely that interference to TV Marti would occur in
portions of Havana, and that interference to the Salon station could occur
along portions of the north coast of Cuha, west of Havana. Obviously, the
existence of the Salon station is crucial to a decision as to whether or not
channel 11 can be employed by TV Marti. If it does exist and operates as
reported, then channel 11 is not a viable option. If the Salon station does not
exist, then interference in Cuba will neither be caused nor received.
The ECAC study reproduces a series of maps purporting to show
interference within the Grade B contours of U.S. domestic stations which
would be caused by ECAC's assumed operations of TV Marti. These zones of
interference would exist for 100 percent of the time that TV Marti would
operate, unlike zones of interference calculated by FCC procedures which
would exist for only 10 percent of the time. The interference to domestic TV
stations calculated by ECAC would be totally unacceptable to these stations
and would generate such a storm of protest that the TV Marti tests could
never be authorized. What the ECAC interference studies do show is that
ECAC's choice of operating parameters is simply unrealistic and unworkable.
At the very least, U.S. TV stations must be protected from interference within
their Grade B contours, calculated on a free space basis, an important
implica time
underlying consideration of this firm's feasibility study for TV Marti.
When the constraints of domestic TV station protection, practical
antenna design considerations and aerostat payload restrictions are fully
considered and understood, it will become apparent that the 32.4 kilowatt
maximum ERP assumed by ECAC cannot be achieved. This firm's analysis is
criticized by ECAC for its choice of low ERP (631 watts) and level of service
predicted at Havana (59.3 dBu free space). In defense of that position, which
was based upon more than 35 years of professional experience in television
broadcasting and consulting engineering, this firm recognized two fundamental
facts at the outset of its study.
First, given the conflicting restrictions cited above, it simply is
impossible to achieve in Cuba a level of performance comparable to that of 8
local Cuban station when the transmitter is located on or tethered above U.S.
territory. Some compromises in performance are essential if the system is in
11/29/88 16:07
P.04
't' 202 859 0360 JULES COMEN&ASSO
- 3 -
Mr. Julio Rumbaut
November 29, 1988
work at all. Secondly, in TV Marti, we are dealing with a television delivery
concept different from that upon which domestic and international propagation
standards are based. Hence, it is necessary to understand that customary
notions concerning levels of service and interference may not apply. and that
it may be necessary to develop new criteria upon which to judge performance.
IN.
This firm attempted to do that in its March 31, 1988, report.
Domestic and international TV standards are based upon a
recognition that the field strength of television broadcast signals delivered
from conventional tower supported antennas varies substantially with time and
location. For example, both the FCC definitions of service grades and the
propagation curves used to predict their locations are frequency allocation
tools which incorporate statistical time and location factors to ensure that, on
Have
the average, the requisite level of television service will be provided to the "we"
public. The FCC definitions of television service were adopted in 1952, and
Grade A service is so specified that "...a quality acceptable to the median
observer is expected to be available for at least 90% of the time at the best
wfined
70% of receiver locations at the outer limits of this service. In the case of
Grade B service the figures are 90% of the time and 50% of the locations."
To meet the criterion for Grade A service for high band VHF
level service? requisite d
(channels 7-13), the FCC established a median, or F(50,50), field strength
requirement of 71 dBu, the value used by ECAC in its studies. However, by
definition, median field strength is that which exists for only 50 percent of
the time at 50 percent of the locations. Median values are appropriate to
consider when applied to a wide variety of terrain and propagation conditions.
However, in the unique circumstances applicable to the TV Marti operation,
where propagation will be on a free space basis and where Fresnel clearance
may be expected over most of the path except in the immediate vicinity of the
receiving antenna, ECAC's use of a 71 dBu free space field strength criterion
imposes an unrealistic and impractical requirement which will not be feasible
interference to domestic stations.
to achieve in practice, or alternatively, if achieved will cause unacceptable
Kindest personal regards.
So need to redefine
Sincerely,
standards? How Cuban Atandard?
William C. King, Jr., P,E,
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
08b. Memo
From George P. Shultz to President Reagan Re: [Cuba] (1
11/29/88
(b)(1)
S
pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
National Security Council
Series:
Latin American Affairs Directorate Files
Subseries:
Subject Files 1989
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
Date Closed:
6/10/2010
OA/ID Number:
CF00194-005
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0995-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRAJ
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
TV Mara TV
November 17, 1988
PARTICIPANTS:
Amb. Robert Barry
-Chair, USIA/VOA
Mr. Julio Rumbaut
-Rumbaut & Associates
Mr. Richard E. Shrum
-STATE/CIP/RSP
Mr. Edmond Abood
-OSD/SAS
Lt. Col. Jeff Donadson
-JCS
Mr. Jerry Hodges
-ECAC/XM
Mr. Joseph T. Herishen
-ECAC/CN
Mr. Kalle R. Konston
-ECAC/IITRI
Lt. Col. John Borum
-USAF/XOXXW
Mr. Wilson LaFollette
-FCC
Mr. Jeremy Curtin
-NSC
Mr. James Vorhies
-NTIA
Mr. Joseph Bruns
-VOA
Mr. George D. Berzins
-USIA/VOA
Mr. Norbert Schroeder
-VOA/EOFR
Mr. Michael Schoenfeld
-VOA/B
Mr. Bruce Boyd
-VOA/MP
Ms. Kathy Litwak
-VOA/M
Mr. Richard Worksman
-USIA/GC
Mr. Carl Moravitz
-VOA/A
Mr. Philip Rogers
-USIA/M/K
Mr. Stanley Silverman
-USIA/M/C
Mr. Stephen Chaplin
-DD
Mr. Ted Kuligowski
-USIA/TV/NE
Mr. Gary A. Marrie
-USIA/TV/NE
Mr. Herman A Shaw
-USIA/VOA/M/KC
Mr. Edward Muller
-USIA/M/K
Mr. Yale Newman
-USIA/VOA (Notetaker)
DATE AND PLACE: November 16, 1988 - VOA Conference Room
SUBJECT:
TV Marti
DISTRIBUTION:
D, DD, VOA, VOA/A, VOA/M, VOA/MP, VOA/EOFR,
USIA/GC, USIA/M/C, USIA/M/K, USIA/M/KC, USIA/TV,
USIA/TV/N, USIA/TV/NE, Mr. Rumbaut, NSC, FCC, NTIA,
OSD/SAS, OJCS/J34-POD, USAF/XOXXW, USAF/XOORC,
ECAC/IITRI, ECAC/CN, ECAC/XM, STATE/CIP/RSP
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION:
The Chairman opened the meeting by offering a thumbnail sketch of the Task
Force Delegation's trip to Florida last week for a briefing in Melbourne by GE
Aerostat Systems and Air Force Officials on GE contracting capabilities,
followed by a visit to Cudjoe Key Air Force facility for a demonstration of
its operational aerostat system.
-2-
Mr. Barry said the delegation was impressed by the high degree of Air Force
and contractor professionalism evident in the management of the aerostat
operation at Cudjoe Key. If the desired transmission system is designed,
fabricated and integrated, there is reason to be confident that the Air Force
and the on-site contractor (GE) could provide reliable operations for a TV
Marti platform.
Aerostat "downtime," caused by severe weather in southern Florida, continues
to be a concern. The Melbourne briefing and inspection of the Cudjoe Key
facility revealed that the aerostat may be operational only 50% of the time
during the storm weather months of June, July, August and September, causing
serious interruptions to the proposed programming schedule of TV Marti. Mr.
Barry noted, however, that the operational history of AF aerostats, covering a
three-year period, is to be provided soon by the Air Force and should yield
more precise data, al though it is unlikely that it will add an element of
predictability to the picture.
While the aerostat remains the most feasible platform, observation during the
Florida visits (and post-trip discussion) has yielded suggestions to explore
the employment of other methods or a combination of platforms to deliver the
TV Marti signal. Mr. Barry outlined consideration of:
1. A combination of aerostat and aircraft use, with an airplane serving
as a backup system during aerostat downtime, presuming that the aircraft could
fly around or above the storm areas. It is not clear if a directionally
stabilized antenna can be fitted into an aircraft, but there is no doubt that
if it is possible, development and operating costs would go up considerably.
2. Aircraft as the sole platform. Design will require up to nine
months. If this option is pursued, quick action is necessary.
3. A fixed tower antenna. It may be possible to test a tower design
through extrapolation of data from similar towers, or by testing the
transmitter on an aerostat or aircraft at 2,000 feet.
Mr. Barry recalled that the original TV Marti consultant reports examined
fixed tower antenna and aircraft mounted systems as alternatives. If the Task
Force is to pursue these options, work should begin soon, so that each may be
tested in a timely manner. He noted that it is now clear that it will take
longer than first anticipated to proceed with an aerostat test, due in part to
the normal contractual process required to begin the design.
Mr. Barry then invited comments and/or further observations on the Florida
trip. Discussion centered on the advantages and disadvantages of the aircraft
and fixed tower option. Mr. Abood expressed doubt that an acceptable signal
could reach the Havana area from an aircraft or tower. Messrs. Marrie and
Kuligowski recommended that the tower option be given further analysis since
it could offer the highest reliability for continuity of broadcast operations
and minimize annual operational costs. Additional testing should be conducted
to determine what level of transmitter power is needed to deliver an
acceptable signal to Havana. It was pointed out that the fixed tower may be a
high-risk option should the signal be blocked after construction of the tower.
-3-
Mr. Rumbaut continues to feel that the best option is the aerostat/aircraft
combination.
It was agreed that the Task Force should seek guidance from the NSC on
expanding the terms of reference, i.e. pursuing exploration of the aircraft
and fixed tower options as well as initiating a contract for aerostat antenna
system design.
Mr. Barry said he will brief the Advisory Board on the status of the various
broadcast options and enlist its support for broadening the Task Force's
search for the most appropriate and effective system. He noted that House and
Senate Appropriations Committee staff members are planning a trip to Florida
the first week of December and may take time to visit the Cudjoe Key Air Force
station.
The question of frequency selection was discussed. Mr. Abood submitted a
follow-up ECAC report reassessing frequency options. He noted that studies of
Channels 11, 12 and 13 indicate that there will be interference to U.S.
stations on Channels 11 and 12 if those frequencies are selected. At the same
time, he asserted that Channel 13 would offer only marginal interference to a
Cuban station in Matanzas, near Havana.
Moving to the next intem on the agenda, Mr. Rumbaut said that he had received
a letter from Price Waterhouse in Miami offering to lease up to six hours
daily on Channel 13. He said it wasn't a firm offer, but he was confident
that one could be negotiated easily. He added that he had informed the
Advisory Board of the Task Force discussion on leasing time and found no
opposition to the concept.
The Task Force held a wide-ranging discussion on the possibility of
interference as a result of a TV Marti signal. There was general agreement
that the degree of interference and the actual affected geographical areas
could be fully determined only from the results of the operational test of the
agreed system.
The Task Force approved a draft memorandum seeking NSC guidance on proceeding
with a contract to design an antenna for the aerostat test and on expanding
the terms of reference to include further study and/or antenna design for
aircraft and tower systems.
The next meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for November 30, 1988 at
2 p.m. at the VOA.
FOLLOW-UP ACTION ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Mr. Barry to brief the Advisory Board on Broadcasting to Cuba on where the
Task Force stands on the various broadcast options.
2. Mr. Barry, pending NSC approval to expand terms of reference, will contact
appropriate Congressional Committees to secure their concurrence.
-4-
3. Mr. Rumbaut to investigate and report on when construction of Channel 13
facility will be completed and the station ready for operation.
Draft:
VOA - YNewman you
Reviewing Officer: VOA - R. Barry DB
.
Fill
TV MARTI
Notes for Meeting With John Negroponte
11/8/88
-- We're nearing a decision point on TV Marti; need to fill you in
just in case of negative feedback.
-- As you know, there has been controversy over use of the $7.5
million appropriated for start-up costs:
-- The Cuban community (and initially USIA) maintained that
these funds are for building a support infrastructure for TV
Marti, and that the testing and procurement costs should be
provided by DoD.
-- DoD has maintained, and we agree, that the funds were
appropriated for precisely the kinds of costs now being
incurred in the feasibility phase.
-- This now appears to be resolved -- senior staff of the House
Appropriations Committee (Osthaus) and the Senate Commerce
committee (Caine) now agree that the $7.5 should be used for
the kinds of costs being incurred in the feasibility and test
phase.
-- We now plan to inform VOA (Barry) that this is the NSC decision
so USIA can begin reimbursing DOD.
-- The costs involved to date are approximately $150 for work
performed by DoD's Electronmagnetic Compatibility Analysis
Center (ECAC).
-- Further costs should the decision be to go forward with the
next phase -- procurement of a transmitter and antenna, and
launching of a aerostat as a test bed -- would involve:
-- approximately $1.2 million for transmitter purchase and
antenna design/fabrication;
-- $30-50 thousand for relaunch of the shelved aerostat; and
possibly
-- up to $2 million for rehab of the phased-out Air Force
aerostat to be used for the test, if that is necessary to
relaunch it.
-- It is because of these looming major costs that the decision
point is near.
-- There are several unresolved problems with this project, any
one of which could make it unwise to continue.
-- To date, the experts have not been able to find an
appropriate frequency.
-- Because of weather characteristics at Cudjoe Key, it appears
that down-time during half of each year will include the
evening periods when TV Marti would have to broadcast.
-- The foreign policy implications of going forward with
broadcasting from an Aerostat have not been fully set forth,
but they are formidable.
-- Finally, everyone agrees that TV Marti can be easily jammed
at a fraction of the cost of broadcasting.
-- In this latter regard, the Cuban Community will maintain that
the Cubans will not, in fact, jam. Others disagree.
TV Mate
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
November 7, 1988
TO:
JOHN OSTHAUS
FROM:
MIKE ANDRICOS
SUBJECT:
T.V Marti
Attached is a fact sheet on T.V. Marti
per our earlier conversation. It
represents the current status, as we
know it, of funding requirements the
Air Force anticipates in support of the
project. As we define these estimates,
we will keep you informed.
bcc: Alison B. Fortier
Don Tice
TV TV Mati Mati
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
November 1, 1988
PARTICIPANTS:
Mr. Robert L. Barry
- Chair, USIA/VOA
Mr. Richard W. Carlson
- VOA
Mr. Ernesto F. Betancourt
- VOA/M
Lt. Col. Michael M. Flynt
- OJCS/SAS
Lt. Col. John Borum
- USAF/XOXXW
Mr. Edmond Abood
- OSD/SAS
Mr. Michael Schoenfeld
- VOA/X
Mr. James Vorhies
- NTIA
Mr. Wilson LaFollette
- FCC
Mr. Yale Newman
- USIA (notetaker)
Mr. Norbert Schroeder
- VOA/EOF
Mr. George Berzins
- VOA
Mr. Edward Muller
- USIA:M/K
Mr. Carl Moravitz
- VOA/A
Mr. Joseph Bruns
- VOA
Mr. Richard Werksman
- USIA:GC
Mr. Ted Kuligowski
- USIA:TV/NE
Mr. Bruce W. Boyd
- VOA/MP
Mr. Richard E. Shrum
- STATE
Mr. Lee Harper
- USIA:TV/NE
Ms. Janet Irwin
- OMB
Mr. Donald Tice
- NSC
DATE AND PLACE: October 26, 1988 - VOA Conference Room
SUBJECT:
TV Marti
DISTRIBUTION:
D, VOA, VOA/M, VOA/MP, VOA/EOF, USIA, USIA:M/K, USIA:TV/NE,
USIA:GC, STATE, NTIA, FCC, OMB, USAF/XOXXW, OSD/SAS, OJCS/SAS,
Mr. Rumbaut
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION:
Mr. Barry announced that the assembled group, representing several agencies,
including the NSC, DOD, FCC and NTIA, OMB and various elements of the USIA, is
designated the TV Marti Task Force. Referring to a letter addressed to USIA
Director Wick from Mr. Jorge Mas, Chairman of the Advisory Board for Radio
Broadcasting to Cuba, Mr. Barry introduced Mr. Ernesto Betancourt, who will
serve as Executive Director of the Task Force. Mr. Betancourt will be responsible
for all operational aspects connected with the TV Marti test for which money
has been authorized. Mr. Julio Rumbaut, a consultant, will provide advice on
various aspects of programming and technical feasibility of proposals received.
Mr. George Berzins, USIA/VOA, is the project coordinator.
-2-
It was agreed that the Task Force shall meet on a weekly basis and that the
meetings will take place at VOA each Wednesday at 2PM.
Unless otherwise classified for specific materials, all TV Marti documents and
correspondence shall be unclassified.
Mr. Barry reviewed the tasks regarding TV Marti outlined in the NSC memo of
September 2, 1988 and noted that some passive monitoring has already been carried
out from an aircraft flying above the Florida Keys by the Air Force and the results
analyzed by ECAC. The indications are that no further passive monitoring will be
necessary.
We are prepared to move to the next phase, the identification of a frequency
suitable for TV Marti broadcasts. The ECAC report concludes that Channels 3 and 8
are the most likely candidates, with 3 the primary candidate. The consultant to
the Advisory Board is of the opinion that the best channels would be 11 and 12.
Mr. Edmond Abood of DOD suggested that preliminary testing should be conducted at
Cudjoe Key with Aerostat payload. He noted that Aerostat availability was expected
to exist through March/April of 1989 with the possibility of overhauling the
existing Aerostat to provide an additional year of use at an undetermined cost. He
also indicated that the Aerostat is operational for approximately 65 percent of the
time because of weather conditions. The payload capacity of the Aerostat is
approximately 1500 pounds.
Mr. Barry said that he had been in touch with the likely contractor. Mr. Ed Muller
noted that we would need a statement from the Air Force for "sole source"
justification. The Air Force indicated this could be provided.
It was agreed that a TV Marti Task Force trip be made to Melbourne, Florida for a
briefing by General Electric on the Aerostat capabilities. The date is tentatively
set for November 9-10, 1988.
The discussion turned to the question of frequency authorization. A member of the
Task Force noted that applications have been filed with the FCC for licenses to
operate Channels 3 and 8 in Key West, Florida. Mr. Barry asked if the FCC could
forestall granting such licenses until a determination is made as to which
frequency is best for TV Marti. It was noted that Mr. Mas had meetings with three
FCC Commissioners but no specific assurances emerged to protect TV Marti on
frequencies. It was agreed that informal contacts should be made with the FCC to
keep options open on frequencies.
Mr. Barry asked whether the Task Force should return to the NSC for a "go, no go"
before the test broadens toward the actual 90-day demonstration telecast. It was
agreed that all agencies concerned would be kept informed through the Task Force
meetings and that issues could be elevated to the NSC level when appropriate.
TV Marti is obliged by the FCC not to interfere with "legitimate" Cuban TV
stations. It was observed that testing is one way to know which frequencies may be
used without interfering and now that Channels 3 and 8 were under consideration,
the task would be easier for the ongoing analysis.
-3-
The issue of cost effectiveness and ease of jamming was discussed. Mr. Barry
suggested that this was a question to be discussed at the political level.
Mr. Tice asked that the detailed ECAC study should consider the jamming issue.
Mr. Barry said that the Senate Appropriations Committee raised questions of the use
of congressionally appropriated funds ($7.5 million) for anything other than what
is provided by the legislation. Mr. Abood noted the donated use of training
flights for the frequency signals collection, but that the ECAC expenses were not
"donatable". He also mentioned that DOD has no spare or free Aerostats to donate.
He noted also that the NSC is not sure about reimbursement of DOD now, but the ECAC
should now be reimbursed. Mr. Betancourt said that certain things need to be
settled before further money is spent on Aerostat.
FOLLOW-UP ACTION ASSIGNMENTS:
1. AF/DOD to provide statement outlining the need for a single contractor for the
design, manufacture, integration and operational test.
2. Wilson LaFollette to check into delaying FCC permission on pending applications
for Channels 3 and 8.
3. Don Tice to report on NSC's review of TV Marti Legislation as to what expenses
are funded.
4. ECAC to provide an assessment of the ease of jamming the TV Marti signal and the
associated cost.
5. USIA to meet with appropriate agencies to determine if there is a low power TV
transmitter on Channel 8 in Havana.
REVIEWING OFFICER: VOA - R. L. Barry OB
TV Mark
JULES COHEN & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
CONSULTING ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS
SUITE 400
1730 M STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
Telephone (202) 659-3707
Telecopier: (202) 659-0360
Bernard President R. Segal, P.E.
William P. Suffa, P.E.
William C. King, Jr., P.E.
Vice President
Robert W. Denny, Jr., P.E.
Alon F. Gearing, P.E.
Charles N. Miller, P.E.
Secretary-Treasurer
Alan R. Rosner
Jules Cohen, P.E.
Consultant to the Firm
November 1, 1988
VIA TELECOPIER
Julio Rumbaut, President
Rumbaut & Associates
Communications Consultants
1427 West 22nd Street
Miami Beach, Florida 33140
Re: TV Marti Project
Dear Julio:
Thank you for briefing me concerning the rather substantial
downtime estimates reported to exist for aerostat operations similar to that at
Cudjoe Key. As you know, the feasibility study report which we prepared for
TV Marti expressed a strong preference for an aerostat based delivery system
system. over that of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft, or other form of delivery
The opinions of the other three consulting engineering firms which
also conducted feasibility studies for TV Marti were divided with respect to
this issue. Cohen & Dippell expressed a preference similar to our own.
Hammett & Edison discussed advantages and disadvantages of both aircraft and
aerostat delivery, based upon the firm's own experience with each type of
aircraft. system. A.D. Ring and Associates voiced a strong preference for fixed-wing
Although we continue to favor an aerostat for reasons stated in our
report, we recognize that reliability of service is a matter of serious concern,
to TV Marti, and we agree that it would be prudent, under the circumstances,
to investigate further the employment of fixed wing aircraft delivery systems.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
William @.King.).
William C. King, Jr., P.E.
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
13. Note
Re: Pre + VP both (1 pp.)
n.d.
(b)(1)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
National Security Council
Series:
Latin American Affairs Directorate Files
Subseries:
Subject Files 1989
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
Date Closed:
6/10/2010
OA/ID Number:
CF00194-005
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0995-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such-advisors [a)(5) of the PRAJ
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
TV
Mati
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center
Annapolis, Maryland 21402
TV MARTI EMC SUPPORT
DIPARTMENT 2 OF DEFENSE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
NOVEMBER 1988
IIT Research Institute
Under Contract to
Department of Defense
Prepared for:
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
(OJCS/J34-POD)
Washington, DC
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has tasked DoD ECAC to assess the
electromagnetic aspects of operating the proposed aerostat-based TV Marti
transmitter at Cudjoe Key, Florida, on television channels 11, 12, and 13.
This assessment consisted of evaluating each of the three channels on the
basis of the following:
International registration status.
Impact of Cuban use of the channel on the TV Marti service
provided to the Havana area.
Impact of TV Marti on Cuban domestic service.
Impact of TV Marti on US service.
Channel 11
A Cuban station, operating on channel 11, is registered with the ITU at a
location in downtown Havana (La Habana). Although transmitter facilities are
no longer located there, apparently having been moved 35 miles southwest to
Salon, this registration must still be considered valid.
Even if a Grade A signal level is provided in the Havana metropolitan
area, considerable degradation of service to TV Marti will be experienced due
to cochannel interference from the high-power Cuban station at Salon. The
severity of the degradation will increase southwest of the city.
If TV Marti broadcasts on channel 11, degradation of service will be
experienced throughout the eastern portions of the Cuban (Salon) station's
coverage area which includes the Havana area.
Operation of TV Marti on channel 11 will impact the coverage provided by
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers. The use of a highly directive antenna will limit the
1
degradation to the southern portions of the Grade B contour of this station,
however, this degradation area includes the city of Naples.
Channel 12
A Cuban station, operating on channel 12, is registered with the ITU
located 30 miles southeast of Havana near the town of Guines. The current
issue of the Television and Cable Factbook lists a low-power station operating
on channel 12 in Guines in its directory of Cuban television broadcast
facilities. Whether or not this station currently exists, the registration
must still be considered valid.
Recent directories of Cuban television facilities have indicated the
presence of low-power broadcast stations at Guines and/or Artemisa (a town
located 25 miles southwest of Havana). If these stations exist, they would
block reception of the TV Marti signal in the immediate vicinity of their
transmission towers. However, because of their reported low power, they would
not be expected to degrade the TV Marti service provided by a Grade A signal
level in the city of Havana.
Operation of TV Marti on channel 12 will cause degradation of Cuban
service in the areas presumably served by the low-power stations at Guines and
Artemisa except in the regions immediately adjacent to their broadcast
facilities.
The service area of WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, Florida, includes the
cities of Fort Lauderdale (Grade A) and Miami (Grade B). Operation of TV
Marti on channel 12, even if a highly directive antenna is employed, will
cause degradation of the service provided to these cities by WPEC-TV.
Channel 13
No Cuban television stations, operating on channel 13, are registered
with the ITU. However, a high-power station on channel 13 has been
2
broadcasting from Lomas el Jacan, a mountaintop southeast of Matanzas, since
about 1959.
Mountain ridges south and east of Havana block reception of the station
broadcasting from Jacan within the metropolitan area of the city. A Grade A
signal delivered to the Havana area from TV Marti should suffer no appreciable
degradation due to cochannel interference from this station.
If TV Marti broadcasts on channel 13, some degradation of service will be
experienced in the western portions of the coverage area of the Cuban station
at Jacan, even if a highly directional antenna is employed.
Operation of TV Marti on channel 13 will cause severe interference within
the service area of WETV, Key West, Florida, which is scheduled to begin
broadcasting on or about January 1, 1989. The owners of WETV have offered to
sell broadcast airtime to TV Marti. However, a highly directive antenna will
still be required to avoid interference within the southern portion of the
service area of WTVT, Tampa, Florida.
3
PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
Introduction
This section presents detailed results of the analysis performed to
assess the electromagnetic aspects of operating the proposed aerostat-based TV
Marti transmitter at Cudjoe Key, Florida, on television channels 11, 12, and
13. This assessment is based on the ITU registration status, the impact of
Cuban use on TV Marti service, the impact of TV Marti on Cuban service, and
the impact of TV Marti on US service. Each of these topics is addressed
qualitatively regarding the candidate channels. This section is concluded
with a discussion of the differences in ERP requirements predicted by Jules
Cohen and Associates and by ECAC.
Cuban Environment
The Cuban television environment was derived from several sources.
Stations registered internationally with the International Telecommunications
Union (ITU) are shown in TABLE 1. No significant changes have been made to
this list since the late 1950's. Numerous additional stations have been
reported in other sources (the World Television Handbook and the Television
and Cable Factbook) and were also considered herein.
Channel 11
Operation of TV Marti on channel 11 will be subject to possible cochannel
interference from a 31.7 kilowatt television station operating out of Salon,
located approximately 35 miles west-southwest of Havana. Figure 1 is a plot
of the predicted Grade B service contour for channel 11 in Salon, based on the
best available information on the transmitter's location. This figure
indicates that channel 11 should be providing better than a Grade B signal to
the Havana metropolitan area. This level of signal would interfere with the
TV Marti signal in the Havana area. Even if the Salon station is not located
at the exact location used in this analysis, the signal from the station will
4
TABLE 1
ITU REGISTRATIONS-CUBAN TELEVISION BROADCAST STATIONS
Reg. Coords
Ch.
Yr. Reg.
ERP
Location
Lat
Long
2
1951
132 kw
Habana (Televilla)
23°02'N
82°27'W
1952
5 kw
Santiago
20°06'N
75°50'W
1956
5.6 kw
Ciego de Avila
21°50'N
78°43'W
3
1953
60 kw
Santa Clara
22°22'N
79°56'W
4
1952
50 kw
Camaguey
21°21'N
77°52'W
5
1956
60 kw
Santa Clara
22°22'N
79°56'W
6
1951
129 kw
La Habana
23°07'N
82°21'W
1953
50 kw
Camaguey
21°21'N
79°50'W
7
1951
5 kw
San Luis - Oriente
20°12'N
79°53'W
1951
12 kw
Baracoa
20°19'N
74°35'W
1953
32 kw
Salon
22°49'N
82°58'W
50 kw
Ciego de Avila
8
1956
45 kw
Holguin
20°56'N
76°17'W
9
1953
120 kw
Mantanzas (Jacan)
22°52'N
81°21'W
11
1953
5 kw
La Habana
23°08'N
82°22'W
12
1953
6 kw
Habana (Guines)
22°53'N
82°03'W
5
16
04
14
450
226
540
(340) (200)
310
60)
(500)
480
A
LA HABANA
(410
Smokestack
383
300
385
440
(270)
150
(252)
(390) 660
(HAVANA)
(260)
490
(250)
A
VOR NOB
(250)
SANTA FE/34
NOT USABLE
A
CIUDAD MURI
(400)
VARDER
15
(680)
CARDENAS
LIBERTAD
SANTA CRUZ DEL NORTE
VARADERO
10
Smokestack
945
98
AMPO HORED
360
(1220)
213
(670)
83
(310)
NABACOA
SmokeDecker
Combie
2001
GJ
PLAYA BARACOA
MAVANA
H
TANILL
23
MARIEL CHASVE
(200)
ARDENAS
23
AGUALATE
440
MIDLE
1260
073
AGUACATE
MATANZAS/35
MIELES
3201
318
990
190
30/SAN PEDRO
326
HAVERS
(240)A
2053,
(200)
MARTI
CALTURAS/33
GU
SAN ANTONIO
HIGHWAY
CREATING
Coliseor
SAFEA
God
49,
NONDA
NDB
DELOS BANOS
AN
COMEZ
$80
San
VIGINES JARAGD
Above
110
164
UNION DE REYES/90
T1
122
3
JOYELLANOS
Coyo this de Solor''
Has
150
20
Smokestach
2701
NICOME
2223
1040
450
MURO
6109
EMETENA DEL SUR
DIOSPALOS
DEPEYES
434
250 (200)
RA DE MELENA
THE
MUPS
V470)
NUEVA
ALACRANES
ROLONDRON
(3)9
1830
PARTEM
(120)
SAN NICOLAS
COLON
NOT USABLE
23
PEDRO BETANCOURT
$
EDMAY
(150
DISANTA LUCIA
Tools
MDB
10
PEDRO BETANCOURI/32 AGRAMONTE
FRANCES
LA CRUZ
BATAMO
33
30
"
FULL
BRANAS
Torrients
LEL PINAR
Coverio los Coyamas
FRANCIA
23C
ENTINADA DE LA BROA
JAGUEY GRAND
69"
Column
(430)
es
MURIO
ny)
MAGUEY GRANDE/38
CASERIO
COCUMA
NORTH
VERIO/DEL CHAFTIERO/37
33
1939
CUBANA
16
BATEY SOUTH OLOS AGALES
22
AMARILLAS SOUTHWEST
6
33
to
184
28
Poste Gorda
ABATA
AMARICAS
13:
33
EL
CARIBER
per?
ENINSULA DE ZAPATA
DOVADONGA
COLOMA NEW
35
13,
24
Coyes del Hombre
;
GOLFO
1257
39)
CRUCES
Buenoventura
Cover
Agual Cloras
19
DE
20
BATABANO
DI
R3
ENSENADA DE COMES
Islan de Mongles
MONE
GIRON/65
(hese)
"23
#08
GH
HH
Coyes Alacrances
JH
GIRON
K
22°
Cayes Son Felipe
370
22°
84°
73351
NUEVA GERON
82°
"Cuyo Traviess
NDI
SIRE /
Coyes los Indica
NDS
SANTA HISHWAY STRIP/36
S
GERONA
C
A
z
R
E
$
SIGUANEA (08TM/3
FE,
Cayos Boco de Alono
as
Caro a
ENSENAD
570
CAYO LARGO
Caros de Dios
F1
OF (A SIGUANEA
Cayo Contiles
o
18
SIGUANEA/50
101
Care Rosorto
or
33
30
CISTA DE JUVENTOR
0⁵
21
14
04
.
Figure 1. Predicted Grade B service contour for channel 11 in Salon.
likely be strong enough to degrade the TV Marti signal. Operation of TV Marti
on channel 11 will also result in cochannel interference to the eastern
portion of the coverage area of channel 11 in Salon, a station registered with
the ITU.
Operation of TV Marti on channel 11 at an ERP of 32.4 kilowatts will
require a directive antenna with a front-to-back antenna gain ratio of 52.1 dB
in order to avoid cochannel interference to the southern service area of WINK-
TV in Fort Myers, Florida. Figures 2 and 3 show the portions of the service
contour of WINK-TV, indicated by the crosshatched area, where the desired
signal-to-interference power ratio (S/I) will not exceed 28 dB and 20 dB
respectively, assuming a front-to-back ratio of 25 dB (30 dB is considered to
be the maximum achieveable). The 28 dB S/I corresponds to the CCIR standard
for cochannel interference with a frequency offset of 10 kHz. The 20 dB S/I
corresponds to the level at which the signal is significantly degraded and
would be deemed unwatchable.
Channel 12
Operation of TV Marti on channel 12 will be subject to possible
interference from low-power stations reported to be operating at Guines and/or
Artemisa. This interference would be limited to the area in the immediate
vicinity of their transmission towers. Similarly, operation of TV Marti on
channel 12 would degrade operation of these low-power stations except for the
area immediately surrounding their broadcast towers.
TV Marti operation on channel 12 at an ERP of 32.4 kilowatts will require
a directive antenna with a front-to-back ratio of 49.5 dB in order to avoid
interference to WPEC in West Palm Beach, Florida. Figures 4 and 5 show the
portions of the service contour of WPEC, indicated by the crosshatched area,
where the desired S/I will not exceed 28 and 20 dB, respectively.
7
POLK
Okissimmee
Aubumdaleines
City
ORCEOLA
Tarpon Sprio
HILLS-
o
PINELLAS
Melbourne
dEau O Gallie
Dunedino
BORDUGH
WinterHaven
Clearwater
0
Tampa
W.Winter Haven
BREYARD
Largo
O
Pinellas CO
Bartow
Lake Wales
Petersburg
INDIAN REVER
St. Gullpol
Beach
VeroBeach
MANATER
MARDEE
Palmetto
DAVORPK
o
OKEECHOBER
ST. LUCK
Brodenton
Sebring
Sarasoto
Fort Pierce 8
DE SOTO
Haydend
PArcadia
HIGHLANDS
MARTIN
ARASOTA
La
CHARLOTTE
GLADES
Okers
!
1
GRADE
$
LEE
HENDRY
Palm Beach,
Bells Glade
e Fort Myers
Lake
Boyr
PALM BEACH
Pompane Beach
BROWARD
-
Fort Lauderdale
GRADE B
Hollywood
DADE
Hialeah
MONROE
Coral Gables
Perrinec
CutterRidge
Gou
Homestead
SCALE OF MILES
0
50
100
WINK-TV BPCT-3691 Granted 5/24/66
©
American Map Corp., 14244
Total Households: c MSI Consumer Market Data as of 1/1/87. TV Homes, TV% and
Circulation c 1987 Arbitron. County coverage based on Arbitron study.
Figure 2. Portion of WINK-TV's service contour where the S/I will
not exceed 28 dB. (Based on a TV Marti ERP of 32.4
kilowatts with a front-to-back antenna gain ratio of 25 dB.)
8
POLR
Okissimmee
Auburndale ORCEOLA City
Tarpon Spriso
dEau Gallie
PINELLAS
HILLS
Lakeland
Melbourne
Dunedino
BOROUGH
Georwater
o
city
©
©WinterHaven
Tampa
W. Winter Haven
BREYAND
Largo
o
Bartow
Lake Wales
Pinellas Pk
St. Petersburg
St
Petersburg
INDIAN RIVER
Beach Gulfpor
VeroBeach
MANATES
MARDEE
Palmetto
a
o
DILECHOBEE
ST. LUCE
Brodenton
Sebring
Sarasold
Fort Pierce
DE SOTO
Hayden?
*Arcadia
MICHLANDS
MARTIN
MASOTA
Lc
CHARLOTTE
CLADES
Okse:
GRADE
A
W
LEE
HENDRY
Palm Beach,
Belle Glade
@Fort Myers
1
Lake
Boyn
PALM BEACH
Pompane Beach
BROWARD
"
Fort Lauderdoler
GRADE B
Hollywood
DADE
Hialeah
MONROE
CoraiGables@
Perrineo
CutlerRidge Goul
Homestead
SCALE OF MILES
0
50
100
WINK-TV BPCT-3691 Granted 5/24/66
© American Map Corp., 14244
Total Households: © MSI Consumer Market Data as of 1/1/87. TV Homes, TV% and
Circulation © 1987 Arbitron. County coverage based on Arbitron study.
Figure 3. Portion of WINK-TV's service contour where the S/I will not
exceed 20 dB. (Based on a TV Marti ERP of 32.4 kilowatts
with a front-to-back ántena gain ratio of 25 dB.)
9
POLICY Unitamine
Auburndales ORCEOLA City
dEau Gallie
and
Melbourne
0
WinterHaven
W. Winter Haven
BREVARD
artow
Lake Wales
-
PICKAN RIVER
VeroBeach
ANDEE
*AvonPk
o
OKEECHOBER
ST. LUCIE
Sebring
O
GRADE B
E BOTO
PArcadia
MIGHLANDS
MARTIN
Lake
GRADE A
CHARLOTTE
CLADER
Oksechobes
W.
Riviers Beach
LEE
HENDRY
Poin-Boach
Bells Glode
Pain Beach
ofort Myers
Loke Worth
antana
Boynton Beaches
REACH
Boca Raton
Delray Beach
COLLIER
Pempano Beach
DaklandPs Beach
For
Willon Manar
Hally
DADE
Hidlech
Miami
MONROE
Coral Gabin 0.€
Beach
Perrineo MICH
Cutler Ridge Goulds
Homestead
SCALE OF MILES
0
50
100
WPEC BPCT-2916 Granted 2/21/62
C
American Map Corp., 14244
Total Households: © MSI Consumer Market Data as of 1/1/87. TV Homes, TV% and
Circulation © 1967 Arbitron. County coverage based on Arbitron study.
Figure 4. Portion of WPEC-TV's service contour where the S/I will
not exceed 28 dB. (Based on TV Marti ERP of 32.4 kilowatts
with a front-to-back antenna gain ratio of 25 dB.)
10
POLK Auburndale OSCEOLA City
UNITED
¿Eau Gallie
and
o
Malbourne
©
Winter Haven
W.Winter Haven
BREVARD
artow
Lake Wales
INDIAN RIVER
'g
VeroBeach
WIDES
*AronPk
O
ORZECHOBEE
ST. LUCE
Sebring
EartPience
GRADE B
€ aoto
Arcadia
HIGHLANDS
MARTEN
GRADE A
Lake
CHARLOTTE
CLADES
Oksechobes
W.
Riviers Beach
Paim Beach
LEE
MEMORY
Pain Beach
Belle Glode
e Fort Myers
Lake Worth
5
and and
Soynton Beacher
Delray Beach
PAM BEACH
Boca Ratono
Pompano Beacher
COLLIER
BECOMARD Beach
Fax Lauderdale
Whom Manor
Mally woode
DADE
dicledh
Beach
MONROE
Coral Gobies
Perrineo MICHA
Cutler Ridge & Goulds
Homestead
SCALE OF MILES
0
50
100
WPEC BPCT-2916 Granted 2/21/62
© American Map Corp., 14244
Total Households: © MSI Consumer Market Data as of 1/1/87. TV Homes, TV% and
Circulation c 1987 Arbitron. County coverage based on Arbitron study.
Figure 5. Portion of WPEC-TV's service countour where the S/I will not
exceed 20 dB. (Based on TV Marti ERP of 32.4 kilowatts with
a front-to-back antenna gain ratio of 25 dB.)
11
Channel 13
Operation of TV Marti on channel 13 at an ERP of 32.4 kilowatts will not
likely be subject to interference from channel 13 in Matanzas. Figure 6
indicates the Grade B service contour for channel 13 in Matanzas. Operation
of TV Marti on channel 13 at 32.4 kilowatts will interfere with reception of
Cuban channel 13 in the northwest portion of the service contour.
Operation of TV Marti on channel 13 at an ERP of 32.4 kilowatts will
require a directive antenna with a front-to-back ratio of 29.5 dB in order to
avoid cochannel interference to the southern portion of the service area of
WTVT in Tampa, Florida. TV Marti operation on channel 13 would severly
degrade the coverage of planned station WETV in Key West, however, WETV has
offered to sell air time to TV Marti.
Differences In Performance Predictions
The required ERP proposed by Jules Cohen & Associates (JCA) for the upper
VHF TV band was 631 watts. The ERP predicted by ECAC was 32.4 kilowatts.
This represents a 17.1 dB discrepancy which is primarily due to the differing
desired signal levels used for acceptable TV reception. ECAC calculations
were based on the FCC standard field strength required for Grade A service (71
duV/m), while JCA independently derived a minimum required field strength for
acceptable reception based upon their best estimate of the technical
parameters involved. Their field strength level was calculated to be 59.3
dBuV/m and represents an 11.7 dB discrepancy from the FCC standard. The
remaining 5.4 dB difference can be attributed to propagation calculations.
Both the loss algorithms used and the sites selected to represent the Havana
metropolitan area may have contributed. The propagation model used by ECAC
included a loss factor above free space loss that is based on the ratio of the
height of the ray path above the terrain to the width of the first fresnel
zone. JCA is believed to have only included free space losses. The site
selected by ECAC as the point from which all propagation calculations were
12
16
04
14
450
226
540
(340)
(200)
A
310
(400)
1500)
A
480
LA HABANA
(410)
Smokestack
383
385
(270)
300
440
350
(252)
A
(250)
(390) 860
(HAVANA)
(20)
490
(250)
VOR NDB
NOT USABLE
SANTA FE/34
N
CIUDAD
(400)
VARDER
15
(680)
MUR1
CARDENAS
LIBERTAD
CRUZ DEL NORTE
VARADERO
10
Smokestack
943
98
CAMPOTICATED
o
360
213
83°
(670)
ANABACOA
Combo
(310)
(200)
8
PLAYA BARACOA
HAV
GJ
23
H MARIEL CNASSED
TANZAS
PHOSE MART
914
(200)
RDENAS
23
AGUACATE
300
440
12101
107
MATANZAS/36
MILES
(260)
AGUACATE
MAR
990
SANACOA
328
33/SAN PEDRO
TOTAL
1053
(EDO)
MARIL
E
CALTURAS/33
HR
CU
SAN ANTONIO
MICHWAY STRIPS
for
Collect
DAN GUALBERTOR
God
48,
SAMIA MONDA
M08
42 LOS BANDS
COME
ADMIN
AN
E
NES
$80
UNION DE REYES/30
210
NOVELLANOS
484
TEMI
122
SAN
230 1040
Cays Solo
the
Und
20
9(270)
NICOTAL
450
MURO
TA
610 92
RACIENA DEL SUR
DILOS PALOS
DEFEXES
434
1250/ (200)
BIRA DE MELENA
NUEVA
ALACRANES
ACIONDION
(470)
(319)
PERIOD
TE
TARTEMISA
MUPS
PAZ
COLON
1830
(220)
TRATABANO
2201
SAN NICOLAS
23
yangrave
PEDRO BETANCOUR
23
I
RDMAY
150
NOT USABLE
protock
$
Claimar
30
PEDRO BETANCOURT/32 AGRAMONT
DISANTA LUCIA
NOB
1147
ANOUISALES
EL
FRANCES
JUAN DE LA CRUZ
33
PALACDS/40
30
BATANO
010
16
13
BRANAS
Torriente
856
2700
as
CEL PINAR
resia los Coyomes
atp
FRANCIA
23C
INSENADA DE 1A HXOA
MAGUEY GRANDS
60"
DEI
46
SAGUEY GRANDE/38
PUERTO/DEL GUAFTIERO/37
33
13
LAUDCOMA MORTH
A
CURANA
BATEY SOUTH O10 AGALES
2²
AMARILLAS SOUTHWEST
S
16
33
ELRIQ
K
164
(430)
28
"
Punta Garde
AMARILLAS
15:
33
EL CARIBER
paid
COVADONGA
A COLOMA NEW
PENINSULA DE ZAPATA
13,
33
O
24
Cayos del Homixe
GOLLO
Coved
12575
39,
LACENSES
Agual/Clares.
DF
20
BATABANO
7
GIRON/66
his de Mongles
ENSENADA at comes
43
there
RDS
"
GH
HH
Coyor Alactrones
JH
GIRON
72
22°
22°
Coyor & Son Pelipe
370
CANAL (n)
(735)
a
NUEVA GERON
< oro Travieso
ID
AM
NDD
-
X
GERONA
o
721
D
Coyos los Indio
NOB
15
SANTA HIGHWAY STRIP/36
S
GERONA
C
A
N
R
R
E
o
5
SIGUANEA ORTM732
1017
SANTA FE SOUTH/35
i
Coyes Boco de Alonta
Cayo torgo
CAYO LARGO
H
INSERIAL
570
SANTA #
Cayos de Dios
Coro Contiles
of 14 SIGNANE
0
18
SIGUANEA/50
101
Care Roserved
33
CISIA DELA JUVENTOD
as
05
lociensible
14
04
Figure 6. Predicted Grade B service contour for channel 13 in Matanzas.
based was at 23°00'00"N, 082°22'00"W, which is approximately 10 miles
inland. It is believed that JCA used the northern coast line of Cuba to
represent the Havana metropolitan area and thus minimized the path distance
used in the propagation calculations.
When the ERP proposed by JCA is used with ECAC propagation models and the
FCC standard for Grade A service, the area covered is far less than
required. In fact, the Grade B coverage contour barely impinges the northern
coast line of Cuba and does not include any of the Havana metropolitan area.
14
CHANNEL SELECTION ASSESSMENT FOR TV MARTI
CONSIDERATIONS:
INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION STATUS
IMPACT OF CUBAN TV TO TV MARTI RECEPTION
IMPACT OF TV MARTI TO RECEPTION OF CUBAN TV
IMPACT OF TV MARTI ON FLORIDA TV SERVICE
IMPACT OF TV MARTI OPERATION ON SUGGESTED CHANNELS
CHANNEL 11
CHANNEL 12
CHANNEL 13
INTERNATIONAL
CHANNEL 11 IN
STATION REGISTERED IN
UNREGISTERED STATION
REGISTRATION
SALON IS REGISTERED
GUINES. LOW POWER STATIONS
IN JACAN (MATANZAS)
STATUS
(REGISTERED IN HAVANA)
REPORTED IN GUINES AND
ARTEMISA
CUBAN TV IMPACT
SEVERE CO-CHANNEL
NO INTERFERENCE IN
NO APPARENT INTERFERENCE
TO TV MARTI
INTERFERENCE
METROPOLITAN HAVANA
IN METROPOLITAN HAVANA
RECEPTION
AREA
AREA
INTERFERENCE
CO-CHANNEL INTERFERENCE
MINIMUM INTERFERENCE TO
INTERFERENCE TO
TO CUBAN TV
TO EASTERN COVERAGE
TO LOW POWER STATIONS
WESTERN COVERAGE
RECEPTION
FROM SALON
FROM JACAN (MATANZAS)
INTERFERENCE
SEVERE INTERFERENCE
SEVERE INTERFERENCE TO
SEVERE INTERFERENCE TO
TO FLORIDA
TO SOUTHERN COVERAGE
SOUTHERN COVERAGE OF
WETV IN KEY WEST.
TV RECEPTION
OF WINK (INCLUDES
WPEC (INCLUDES FORT
HOWEVER, WETV HAS
NAPLES)
LAUDERDALE AND MIAMI)
OFFERED TO SELL AIR
TIME. MANAGEABLE
INTERFERENCE TO WTVT,
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG.
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
15a. Memo
From Don Tice to Jeremy Curtin, Tyrus Cobb Re: TV Marti
10/27/88
(b)(1)
Meeting (3 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
National Security Council
Series:
Latin American Affairs Directorate Files
Subseries:
Subject Files 1989
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
Date Closed:
6/10/2010
OA/ID Number:
CF00194-005
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0995-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRAJ
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
STATEMENT OF DEFENST.
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-2000
LIMITED STATES OF AMERICA
25 OCT 1988
POLICY
MEMORANDUM FOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
SUBJECT: TV Marti Support (U)
References: (a.) Memorandum from the National Security Council (NSC) dated
2 September 1988 to multiple addresses, subject: Next Steps on
TV Marti Feasibility (U)
(b.) Your memorandum to me dated 23 September, requesting
USAF assistance in feasibility testing for TV Marti.
As previously agreed, this is an interim response to your 23 September request
for assistance for feasibility testing for TV Marti. Follow on test plan for airborne
collection and measurement of TV signals over Cudjoe Key, Florida will be
completed early in November 1988.
At Tab A are the preliminary results of an Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis
Center (ECAC) engineering analysis to determine a frequency for TV Marti. A
summary of the results are that:
- channel 3 be considered as a primary candidate for TV Marti;
- 9,000 feet is the optimum altitude for the desired level of service to reach
Havana;
- a transmitter with an ERP of 31 Kw is sufficient to provide Grade A quality TV
reception to Havana; and
- a directive antenna with a minimum front-to-back gain ratio of 26db must be
employed to minimize interference.
The ECAC costs for services provided through 31 October 1988 are: $25,000
labor, $100 travel, and $2,000 for special equipment lease/purchase for a total of
$27,100. Because of the uncertainty of required ECAC follow-on support after 31
October 1988, a total cost figure is not possible. However, based on previous but
similar efforts ECAC estimates the follow-on support costs at about $118,450 (see
Tab B). The USAF recorded U.S. and Cuban TV Signals during two navigation
training flights at no expense to this program to confirm their ability to perform
testing.
It must be clearly understood that Cuba could jam TV Marti broadcast on any
channel by using a relatively low powered transmitter.
C.W Cralg Alderman
Deputy
Attachments
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY ANALYSIS CENTER
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21402
STATEMENT OF DEFENSE
UNITED STATES of AMERICA
FY89
JCS/OSD
PROJECT PLAN
P 0983
TV MARTI EMC SUPPORT
PREPARED BY
Kalle R. Kontson
OF THE
IIT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
UNDER CONTRACT F19628-85-C-0071
PREPARED FOR
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
(OJCS/J34-POD)
Washington, D.C.
CONTRACTOR COORDINATION
DATE
GOVERNMENT COORDINATION/APPROVAL
DATE
SECTION MGR. (D ce. D. Love 18/4/88
DEP. DIR.
XM
Tab DEPT. GTH DIR. (D (DC C for Kontson 10/6/88 10/6/88
PLANS & RES. MGT. (XM) 10/12/88
DIR. OF QA (DO)
CR huntr
DEP. DIR. ECAC (CD) 10/12/88
DIR. OF ENG. SPT. SVS. (DO/DO-1) EBail
10-6-88
DIR. APPROVED ECAC Jone (CC) SUBJECTIVO FUNDING LIMITATION: 10/12/88
DISTRIBUTION: XMF (original), Dep. Dir. XM (2), CN, DO DR, DQ, DQL, DQT, DIO, DIT, DNA / DC, DCC (4)
AFSC
FORM
APR85
468
CONTRACTOR VENTURE NO.
PROJECT ABSTRACT
PROJECT TITLE: TV MARTI EMC SUPPORT
PROPOSAL NO.
SPONSOR CONTACT(S)/PHONE NO(S):
LTC. Flynt AV 225-5080
DEPUTY: XM
DEPUTY ENGINEER:
Jerry Hodges AV 281-2353
Joseph Peebles
Bruce Hall
PROPOSED CONTRACTOR PROJECT MANAGER: AV 281-2722
ADVISOR: (301) 224-2295
PROPOSED CONTRACTOR PROJECT TEAM: Jim Dwyer, Jim Linehan, Bill Thompson
COST: MHRS 1,636 LABOR $ 91,273
COMPUTER USAGE $ 15,625
FEE $ 8,552
PM&S $ 2,000
TDY $ 1,000
TOTAL $
118,450
BACKGROUND/SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & FUNCTION (UNCLASSIFIED):
The TV MARTI program has been initiated by the U.S. Government to provide
information and entertainment to an international audience via selected television
broadcasts. The broadcast system is currently in the design and development
stages. The Department of Defense Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) has
requested that the Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center (ECAC) provide
analysis support to the development and deployment of the TV MARTI broadcast system.
OBJECTIVES SUMMARY:
The objective of this project is to provide analysis support to the design and
development of the TV MARTI broadcast system.
MAJOR OUTPUTS:
14 OCT 88 - Summary documenting preliminary results of the performance
assessment and EMC analysis.
31 OCT 88 - Test plan for collection of data on TV broadcast band.
POTENTIAL IMPACT ON OTHER PROGRAMS: None.
INTERNAL MEASUREMENT SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS: YES
X
NO
EXTERNAL SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS:
YES
X
NO
OTHER REMARKS:
AFSC Form 472
May 86
FY89 PROJECT PLAN
TV MARTI EMC SUPPORT
BACKGROUND
The TV MARTI program has been initiated by the U.S. Government to provide
information and entertainment to an international audience via selected
television broadcasts. The broadcast system is currently in the design and
development stages. The Department of Defense Office of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff (JCS) has requested that the Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis
Center (ECAC) provide analysis support to the development and deployment of
the TV MARTI broadcast system.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this project is to provide analysis support to the
design and development of the TV MARTI broadcast system.
APPROACH
The TV MARTI broadcast system development is divided into three phases.
A preliminary design and testing phase has already begun. This will be
followed by a prototype development, test and evaluation, and a final
operational test and deployment phase. ECAC will provide EMC analysis and
test support during each of these phases. The ECAC support will be provided
in three primary areas: system performance analysis, EMC analysis and test
plan development.
ECAC will apply propagation models and area coverage analysis models to
determine the signal strengths that would be achieved at the target areas for
various broadcast system parameter combinations. Through variations of
parameters such as transmitter power, antenna beamwidth and antenna height the
optimum design configuration will be identified. Outputs from this effort
1
will consist of signal coverage diagrams for the target area and a summary of
the potential effectiveness of various parameter combinations.
The EMC analysis will consist of two efforts. First, a data base of all
known television transmitters in both the target area and the surrounding
environment will be assembled. Second, through the use of propagation models
and interference analysis methods, the effect of TV MARTI transmissions on the
reception of existing stations will be identified, and the effect of existing
stations on the reception of the TV MARTI signal within the target area will
be identified. This analysis will be conducted as a function of channel and
other design parameters. The output of this task will be an assessment of the
EMC posture for each candidate channel and an optimum channel
recommendation. Possible interference mitigation techniques, such as backlobe
suppression in specific directions, will also be identified.
Among the tests anticipated during the system development will be a
series of tests directed at collecting data describing the TV broadcast
environment. ECAC will provide support to the test efforts through the
preparation of a test plan and the analysis of test results. The output of
this effort will be an environment monitoring test plan. Throughout the
conduct of the tests ECAC will be available for consultation.
During the course of the project ECAC will provide consultation and
support to the broadcast system design teams as directed by JCS.
OUTPUTS
Currently, two milestones have been identified as follows:
14 OCT 88 - a summary documenting preliminary results of the
performance assessment and EMC analysis.
31 OCT 88 - a test plan for environment and EMC analysis.
2
The outputs above are to be in an informal format initially. Additional
outputs and milestones will be identified as the project progresses.
INTERNAL MEASUREMENT SUPPORT
ECAC lab personnel will support the TV MARTI system testing in all three
phases of development. Specific requirements will be identified through
coordination with the sponsor.
EXTERNAL SUPPORT
Additional information on the proposed TV MARTI system design parameters
must be provided by the sponsor to ECAC on an as required basis.
PURCHASED MATERIALS & SERVICES
The $2,000 in PM&S funding is to cover the rental of test equipment and
purchase of supplies necessary to support the TV broadcast environment tests.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS
The funding requirements for this project are as follows:
FY89
Labor
91,273
Computer Usage
15,625
PM&S
2,000
Travel
1,000
Award Fee
8,552
TOTAL
118,450
3
DESCRIPTION OF MILESTONE(S)/DELIVERABLE ITEMS(S)
P NO: 0983
TITLE: TV MARTI EMC
DATE:
CHANGE NO:
SUPPORT
MONTH/DUE DATE OF MILESTONE COMPLETION OR DISTRIBUTION OF DELIVERABLE ITEM
1988
1989
19
19
DESCRIPTION
0 NDJ FMAMJ JAS ONDJF MAMJ JAS OND JFMA
1. Summary Report
14
2. Test Plan
31
AFSC
FORM
APR 85
479
FY89
TASK COST DATA SHEET
P:NO: 0983 TITLE: TV MARTI
DATE: Oct 10, 1988
AMEND NO: 1) CHNG NO: 0
TASK
TASK TITLE
MANHOURS
LABOR $
FM&S
TDY
TOTAL
001
TV MARTI EMC Support
1636
91273
2000
1000
94273
SUB TOTAL
1636
91273
2000
1000
94273
COMPUTER USAGE
15625
AWARD FEE
8552
TOTAL
118450
AFSC FORM 481 (Mav 86)
COST AND MILESTONE (5) / DELIVERABLE ITEM(S) DATA SHEET
P, 0983 TITLE TV MARTI
AMEND. NO. 0
CHANGE NO. 0
FISCAL YEAR 88
FISCAL YEAR 89
PERIOD
MILESTONE /
PERIOD
MILESTONE /
MANHOURS
LABOR $'5
DELIVERABLE
MANHOURS
LABOR $'5
DELIVERABLE
NO.
DATE
NO.:
NO.
DATE
NO.:
1
10ct- 6Nov
1
10ct-280ct
400
21381
1
2
7Nev- 4Dec
2
290ct-25Nov
560
30623
2
3
5Dec-31Dec
3
26Nov-23Dec
480
27421
4
1Jan-29Jan
4
24Dec-20-Jan
122
7418
5
30Jan-26Feb
5
21Jan-!7Feb
74
4430
6
27Feb-25Mar
6
18Feb-!7Mar
0
0
7
26Mar-22Apr
7
18Mar-14Apr
0
0
8
23Apr-20May
8
15Apr-!2May
0
0
9
21May-17Jun
9
13May- 9Jun
0
0
10
18Jun-15Jul
10
!0Jun- 7Jul
0
0
11
16Jul-12Aug
11
83ul- 4Aug
0
0
12
13Aug- 9Sep
12
5Aug- 1Sep
0
0
13
105ep-30Sep
13
2Sep-30Sep
0
0
TOTAL
TOTAL
1636
91273
DIRECT COMPUTER USAGE
DIRECT COMPUTER USAGE
15625
CONTINSENT LIABILITY
CONTINGENT LIABILITY
8552
PURCHASED MAT'L/SVS.
PURCHASED MAT'L/SVS.
2000
TRAVEL
TRAVEL
1000
TOTAL PROJECT COST
TOTAL PROJECT COST
118450
COMPUTER TIME SUAS
COMPUTER TIME SUAS
50
1. See AFSC Form 479 for Description of Milestone(s)/Deliverable Item(s).
Contractor Coordination
Date
Government Approval
Date
Section Mgr. DCC) D. Love
Dep. Dir. ( XM)
teb
Dept. Dir. 1 DC) K. Kontson
Fin. Mgr. (XMF)
Dir. of 9A (DQ)
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AFSC FORM 482 (May 86)
PREVIOUS EDITIONS ARE OBSOLETE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center
Annapolis, Maryland 21402
TV MARTI EMC SUPPORT
UNITED UNITED OF FAMERICK DEFENSE
STATES
of
OCTOBER 1988
IIT Research Institute
Under Contract to
Department of Defense
Prepared for:
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
(OJCS/J34-POD)
Washington, DC
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The DoD Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center (ECAC) has been
tasked by the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to provide analytic
and test support to the design, development, and deployment of TV Marti, a
television transmitter to be mounted aboard an aerostat tethered at Cudjoe
Key, Florida, that will broadcast Spanish language programs into Havana, Cuba.
Specifically, ECAC has been tasked to define the technical
characteristics of a transmitter capable of providing high-quality video
reception (i.e., Grade A television service) throughout the Havana
metropolitan area from its position above Cudjoe Key; provide a preliminary
assessment of the potential interference from TV Marti to US, Cuban, and other
foreign VHF television services; and to identify candidate operating
frequencies (i.e., channel assignments) for TV Marti, along with any
restrictions on the use of these frequencies that may be necessary to preclude
interference.
Since the service areas of television broadcast stations are highly
dependent on the height of the transmitter antenna, a parametric analysis was
conducted to determine the effect of antenna height on the effective radiated
power (ERP) required to provide the electric field strength needed for Grade A
service in Havana. This analysis indicated that at an altitude of 9,000 feet,
line-of-sight propagation conditions to the Havana area are achieved and the
necessary field strength can be achieved with an ERP of 31 kw on the lower VHF
channels (2 thru 6) and an ERP of 33 kw on the upper VHF channels (7 thru
13). These ERPs are achievable within the payload constraints of existing
aerostats. No significant reduction in the required ERP is achieved at
altitudes above 9,000 feet.
All twelve VHF channels are used by television stations located in
southern Florida. An interference assessment of TV Marti, operating at the
ERP required to provide the desired signal strength in Havana, was conducted
for the closest Florida station (s) operating on each channel. This analysis
indicated that if an omnidirectional radiation pattern is employed by TV
Marti, significant service degradation is suffered by one or more stations on
each of the twelve available channels. However, if a directive antenna with a
front-to-back gain ratio of 26 dB is employed, and the aerostat altitude is
limited to 9,000-10,000 feet, interference from TV Marti can be reduced to
acceptable levels on channels 3, 8, 9, and 13. At higher altitudes, higher
levels of interference are radiated into a larger geographic area. Analysis
indicates that at higher altitudes it may not be technically feasible to
fabricate antennas with the higher front-to-back gain ratios required to
mitigate interference from TV Marti on the four channels identified above,
given the payload constraints of existing aerostats.
A similar analysis of the interference impact of TV Marti on services
provided by existing Cuban stations was conducted for the four candidate
channels identified above. Operation of TV Marti on channels 9 or 13 will
cause significant interference within the service areas of stations located in
Matanzas, some 50 miles east of Havana, known to be operating on those
channels. A low-power station operating on channel 8 has been reported to be
located somewhere in the Havana area although its existence is unconfirmed and
its location is unknown. Analysis indicates that despite the low-power of
this station, if it exists and is located anywhere within the principal urban
area of Havana, it will prohibit TV Marti from achieving an acceptable quality
picture throughout virtually the entire targeted area on channel 8.
No Cuban station in the Havana area is known or suspected to operate on
channel 3. Concerns have been expressed, however, that lower adjacent-channel
interference from the high-power TeleRebelde transmitter located at Arroyo
Arenas (southwest of the city) and operating on channel 2 would prevent TV
Marti on channel 3 from delivering a picture of acceptable quality in the
Havana area. Measurements were performed in ECAC's laboratory to develop a
definitive criterion for evaluating the degradation of TV Marti signals that
will occur as a consequence of this type of interference. Based on this
criterion, it is predicted that interference from the Havana channel 2
transmitter will degrade the picture quality of TV Marti signals to
unacceptable levels only in the area within approximately 4 miles of the
Arroyo Arenas tower. Thus, if TV Marti is operated on channel 3, Grade A
service can be achieved throughout most of the Havana metropolitan area.
Summarizing the results of the analysis performed in support of the
development of TV Marti:
It is recommended that channel 3 be considered as the primary
candidate for use by TV Marti. (If it can be confirmed that no
station operating on channel 8 exists in the Havana area, channel
8 would be a superior choice for TV Marti. However, if such a
station exists, channel 8 is an unacceptable choice for TV Marti.)
At an altitude sufficient to achieve line-of-sight propagation
conditions, a transmitter with an ERP of 31 kw (Ch 3) or 32 kw
(Ch 8) is sufficient to provide Grade A quality TV reception in
Havana.
An altitude of 9,000 feet is the optimum altitude for the TV Marti
aerostat considering both the desired level of service in Havana
and the impact of interference to US stations in southern Florida.
A directive antenna with a minimum front-to-back gain ratio of 26
dB must be employed to minimize interference to the stations
located in the Tampa - St. Petersburg area operating on the
recommended frequencies.
It must be recognized that Cuba could counter TV Marti broadcasts
by operating a relatively low-power (400 watt) transmitter from a
tower of moderate height (300 feet) on any channel employed that
would render the TV Marti picture unwatchable in most of target
area.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Subsection
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION
1
INTRODUCTION
1
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
5
INTERFERENCE ANALYSIS
14
SUMMARY
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE
1
ERP (IN KW) REQUIRED FOR GRADE A SERVICE
3
2
ERP (IN W) REQUIRED FOR GRADE B SERVICE
4
3
COMBINATIONS OF TRANSMITTER POWER AND ANTENNA GAIN
THAT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED ERP
4
4
VHF TELEVISION STATIONS OPERATING OR PLANNED FOR
OPERATION IN SOUTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA
9
5
VHF TELEVISION STATIONS IN USE IN THE VICNIITY
10
OF HAVANA, CUBA
6
CANDIDATE VHF STATIONS FOR USE BY TV MARTI THAT WILL
NOT RESULT IN COCHANNEL INTERFERENCE TO EXISTING
12
US STATIONS
7
EXISTING APPLICATIONS FOR VHF TV STATIONS IN
12
THE FLORIDA KEYS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure
1
Grade A Contour for Low Band
6
7
2
Grade A Contour for High Band
3
Area Degraded By Adjacent Channel Interference From
14
Channel 2
TECHNICAL DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION
The TV Marti program is a US Government initiative to provide Spanish
language television programming to Cuba. The current transmitter site design
is based on an aerostat-borne VHF TV transmitter located at Cudjoe Key,
Florida. The Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
(JCS) has requested that the DoD Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center
(ECAC) provide analysis and test support to the program. throughout the
development and deployment phases of TV Marti.
JCS has identified immediate requirements for ECAC support. First, ECAC
was requested to provide a preliminary analysis to define the transmitter
performance characteristics necessary to provide VHF TV coverage to the Havana
area. Second, ECAC was requested to provide a preliminary assessment of the
potential interference from TV Marti to US, Cuban, and other foreign TV
services for each VHF TV channel (channels 2-13) and to identify candidate VHF
TV channels for use by TV Marti along with any restrictions on the use of
those channels that may be necessary to preclude interference. The results of
these analysis efforts will be used to support design of the TV Marti
transmitter, to identify a candidate VHF TV channel and to identify additional
analysis and test requirements.
This Technical Discussion documents the approach and results of these
efforts to date. ECAC analysis efforts will continue throughout the
development of the TV Marti system.
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
In the US, it is common practice to define the primary and secondary
service areas of a television station by its "Grade A" and "Grade B" service
countours, respectively. These contours are defined by electrical field
1
strengths that will, in layman's terms, provide high quality interference and
noise-free service in terms of picture quality to most of the viewers located
in the primary service area most of the time, and acceptable picture quality
to the majority of the viewers in the secondary service area the majority of
the time. While the rationale for providing a station "protection" from
interference or infringement by another station carrying the same programming
is based on economic considerations (i.e., advertising rates are determined by
viewing audience), psychological studies have indicated conclusively that the
long-term viewing habits of television audiences are influenced to a greater
extent by picture quality than by program preference when one station provides
a significantly better picture then another. Thus, if TV Marti is to develop
a lasting audience, it is mandatory that the quality of service provided must
be comparable to that provided by local Cuban stations.
The first step in determining the feasibility of operating TV Marti using
an aerostat tethered at Cudjoe Key, then, is to establish the effective
radiated power (ERP) required to provide a signal throughout the Havana
metropolitan area comparable to that defined by a Grade A service contour. At
extended distances over a curved Earth, the strength of an electric field is
significantly influenced by the height of the radiating antenna. Accordingly,
the ERP required to achieve a Grade A service contour that encompasses the
Havana area was determined for assumed antenna heights ranging from 8,000 to
14,000 feet above sea level. Since the amount of interference caused to the
service provided to viewers of US stations in southern Florida is similarly a
function of the height of the TV Marti antenna, the purpose of this parametric
analysis was to determine an optimum height for the aerostat
i.e.,
one
that
achieves the desired result with the least potential for disrupting/degrading
US television services. The results of this analysis are presented in the
following paragraphs along with suggested transmitter power/antenna gain
trade-offs that could be used to meet the calculated ERP requirements. Sample
constant-amplitude contour plots, showing area coverage within Cuba, are also
presented.
2
TABLES 1 and 2 show the ERP required for Grade A and Grade B service,
respectively, assuming that such coverage is desired to the southern edge of
the Havana metropolitan area (23°00 00"N, 082°22'00"W). For altitudes between
8,000 feet and 14,000 feet in 1,000 feet increments, frequencies corresponding
to the centers of the TV channel bands 2-6 and 7-13. The data indicates that
radio line-of-sight (LOS) from the Cudjoe Key transmitter site is achieved at
an altitude of 9,000 feet. The terrain-integrated rough-earth model (TIREM)
was used to calculate propagation loss. This model incorporates a loss factor
above free space loss that is based on the ratio of the height of the ray path
above the terrain to the width of the first Fresnel zone. 1,2 The ERP values
in the tables include the combined effects of the transmitter output power and
the transmitting antenna gain in the direction of Havana. As indicated by the
data, minimal advantage is gained by increasing the'altitude above 9,000
feet. TABLE 3 shows combinations of transmitter power and antenna gain that
could be used to achieve the required ERPs of 31.0 kw in the low band and 32.4
kw in the high band.
TABLE 1
ERP (IN KW) REQUIRED FOR GRADE A SERVICE
Cudjoe Key Antenna Height (ft)
Channel
8,000 9,000 10,000 11,000 12,000 13,000 14,000
2-6 (69 MHz)
7,600
31.0
27.6
25.2
23.4
22.0
20.4
7-13 (194 MHz)
3,300
32.4
32.4
31.6
31.6
31.6
31.6
1 Reference Data For Radio Engineers, 5th Ed., ITT Howard W. Sams and Co.,
Inc., 1973, P 26-15.
2 Benoit, G., Terrain-Integrated Rough-Earth Model (TIREM) Handbook, ECAC-HDBK-
86-076, DoD ECAC, Annapolis, MD, September 1986.
3
TABLE 2
ERP (IN W) REQUIRED FOR GRADE B SERVICE
Cudjoe Key Antenna Height (ft)
Channel
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
12,000
13,000
14,000
30,196
123
110
100
93
87
81
2-6 (69 MHz)
7-13 (194 MHz)
104,713
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
TABLE 3
COMBINATIONS OF TRANSMITTER POWER AND ANTENNA GAIN
THAT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED ERP
Transmitter Power
Antenna Gain
(watts)
(dBi)
Chs 2-6
Chs 7-13
31,000
32,400
0
20,443
2
19,560
12,342
12,899
4
8,138
6
7,786
4,914
5,135
8
3,100
3,240
10
1,956
2,044
12
1,290
14
1,234
814
16
778
514
18
492
310
324
20
4
To illustrate the coverage predicted at an altitude of 9,000 feet and at
ERPs of 31.0 and 32.4 kw in the low and high band, respectively; constant
amplitude contours of the Grade A service levels were plotted. Figures 1 and
2 show the Grade A contours for the low band and high band, respectively. The
shaded areas in the Figures represent locations that are expected to be
capable of receiving Grade A or better signals. All other areas shown on the
map can receive Grade B or better signals.
INTERFERENCE ANALYSIS
The second issue to be resolved is selection of the operating frequency
(i.e., channel) of the TV Marti transmitter. The optimum frequency is the one
that will achieve the performance goal of delivering a high-quality signal
across the entire Havana metropolitan area while, at the same time, causing
the least interference to existing US and foreign television services in the
area. In order to achieve the desired. performance goal, it is necessary to
select a frequency that will suffer the least interference from Cuban stations
located in and around Havana. At the same time, the frequency used must have
minimal interference impact on existing television services in southern
Florida, Cuba, and other foreign countries in the area.
At present, eight of the twelve available VHF television operating
frequencies are used by stations located in the southern tip of Florida. The
level of protection that must be afforded these stations in compliance with
FCC standards virtually eliminates the use of any of these frequencies by TV
Marti. If the altitude of the aerostat is restricted to the defined optimum
altitude, any of the four remaining frequencies can be used without causing
interference to foreign television services in countries other than Cuba.
Considerable uncertainty exists in assessing the interference impact on
or from TV Marti with regard to existing Cuban television services. To
intentionally interfere with another countries broadcast services is
considered an act of agression. To assert their right to use specific
broadcast frequencies, nations "register" their frequency assignments with the
5
-
X
Figure 1. Grade A Contour for Low Band.
6
1-1AC
LA HABANA
4774
now :
x
7
40
(
Figure 2. Grade A Contour for High Band.
7
ITU. These registered assignments must be respected by other member nations
of the ITU. Prior to the Revolution that brought Castro to power, Cuba had
registered fifteen television broadcast stations across the length of the
island. Today, Cuba is estimated to have some thirty stations on each of the
two government operated networks. Yet, Cuba's television station registry
with the ITU has remained unchanged since 1959! Of particular concern are the
large number of low-power stations, twelve on each network, whose locations
are not precisely known. Various reports have placed six such transmitters in
the vicinity of Havana, two others at Matanzas some 50 miles to the east. Two
of these stations reportedly operate on one of the candidate channel
assignments for TV Marti.
To assist in selecting the optimum television channel for use by the
Cudjoe Key facility by evaluating the potential for interference from the
proposed Cudjoe Key transmitter to television reception in the US and in
foreign countries in the vicinity of the Cudjoe Key site, VHF television
stations operating in the US and in foreign countries near Cudjoe Key were
identified from a variety of sources including broadcasting industry
publications and the International Frequency List (IFL) file in the ECAC data
base. 3,4,5,6 The VHF television stations operating in Central and Southern
Florida are shown in TABLE 4, while those operating in the vicinity of Havana,
Cuba are shown in TABLE 5.
The criterion used to evaluate co-channel television interference was the
FCC standard desired signal-to-interference power ratio (S/I) of 30 dB.
Protection was desired to the limits of the Grade B service contour of the
television stations. Because the intended reception area of the TV Marti
3 Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1988, Broadcasting Publications, Inc.
4 Television and Cable Factbook, 1988 Edition/No. 56, Television Digest, Inc.
5 World Radio TV Handbook (WRTH), 1988 Edition, Vol. 42, Billboard Limited.
6 International Frequency List (IFL), provided by the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU).
8
TABLE 4
VHF TELEVISION STATIONS OPERATING OR PLANNED FOR
OPERATION IN SOUTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA
Channel
Location
2
Miami-Fort Lauderdale
2
Daytona Beach
3
Tampa-St. Petersburg
3ª
Key West
4
Miami
5
Palm Beach
6
Miami
6
Orlando
7
Miami
8
Tampa-St. Petersburg
8ª
Key West
9
Orlando-Daytona-Melbourne
9b
Islamorada
10
Miami
10
Tampa-St. Petersburg
11
Fort Myers
12
West Palm Beach
13
Tampa-St. Petersburg
13ᵃ
Key West
a Application filed for use of this channel.
b
Construction permit granted for this permit.
9
TABLE 5
VHF TELEVISION STATIONS IN USE IN THE VICINITY
OF HAVANA, CUBA
Channel
ERP (kW)
Sourceᵃ
Location
2
Havana
132
1,2,3
3
Cajalbana
7.9
1,2
Artemisa
0.6C
1
4
5
Cajalbana
7.9
2
6
Havana
129
1,2,3
7
Salon
31.7
1,2,3
7
Matanzas
0.6
1
8
Havana
0.4
2
8
Nueva Gerona
100
2
63.1
1,2
9
Pinar del Rio
9
Matanzas (Jacan)
120
1,3
10
Nueva Gerona
100
1,2
10
Guines
0.6
2
10
Havana
0.4
2
11
Salon
31.7
1,2,3
11
Matanzas
0.6
2,3
12
Artemisab
0.6°
12
Guines
0.6
2,3
13
Pinar del Rio
63.1
1,2
13
Matanzas (Jacan)
120
1
a 1 = WRTH, 2 = Television and Cable Factbook, 3 = IFL.
b Existence unconfirmed.
C Estimated.
10
programming is Havana, Cuba and the surrounding area, it was assumed that a
directive antenna would be used at the Cudjoe Key site to reduce the required
transmitter power and to reduce the TV Marti power radiated in undesired
directions. The potential for interference to television stations in Florida
was evaluated by calculating the attenuation required relative to the mainbeam
of the proposed TV Marti antenna in order to achieve a 30 dB S/I at the edge
of the Grade B service contour closest to the Cudjoe Key facility. If no
attenuation was required, or if the attenuation required was within the limits
expected for reasonable antennas likely to be used for the TV Marti facility,
then interference was not predicted.
Each of the twelve VHF television channels was first evaluated based on
both currently operating and planned stations in southern Florida. Under
these guidelines, no VHF channel was found that could be used for TV Marti
without requiring unreasonable antenna directivity to avoid potential
interference. However, if the list is restricted to those television stations
that are currently operating, four channels become candidates for use by TV
Marti. These channels are shown in TABLE 6 along with the ratio of front-to-
back antenna gain ratio required to avoid interference to the "existing"
stations. The locations of the planned stations, all of which are located in
the Florida Keys, are provided in TABLE 7, along with the name of the
liscensee. Use of one of these channels will likely have to be negotiated
with the liscensee. Additionally, each of the four candidate channels has an
adjacent channel in use either in Miami or West Palm Beach, Florida.
The potential for interference from the proposed TV Marti facility to
television reception in foreign countries other than Cuba was also examined.
Assuming an antenna height of 9,000 feet and transmitter ERP levels specified
in TABLE 1; the TV Marti signal in other foreign countries other than Cuba was
not predicted to be strong enough to pose a potential interference threat.
The suitability of each of the channels listed in TABLE 6 for use by TV
Marti was also evaluated based on the potential for interference from TV Marti
11
TABLE 6
Havana and for
TIONS FOR USE BY TV MARTI THAT WILL
=y of Havana to the
EL INTERFERENCE TO EXISTING US STATIONS
Required Front-to-Back
isting Station
Ratio (dB)
an interference threat to
egistered station in
Melbourne
7.0
equire a highly directive
burg
17.9 (23.0)a
t the Cudjoe Key facility.
burg
26.8
burg
31.5
: an interference threat to
on channel 13 in Matanzas.
itenna gain ratio will increase to 23.0 dB
:s existence has been
ing from their new tower.
re in the Havana area
S channel would be subject
gh power station located on
TABLE 7
on channel 2. To determine
CATIONS FOR VHF TV STATIONS IN
THE FLORIDA KEYS
ments were performed in the
:ecorder (VCR) was used to
Liscensee
ower local station was
enuator, added to the VCR
Islamorada Educators Broadcasting, Inc.
ite television set. The
Hispanic Keys Broadcasting Corp.
1 interference effect was
Delmar Communications, Inc.
d on the television set until
Constance J. Wodlinger
0 dB above the desired signal
Hispanic Keys Broadcasting Corp.
V Marti on channel 3 would be
Palmetto Broadcasters Association for
iate vicinity of the channel
Communities, Inc.
olitan Havana area would
m in Figure 3.
be subject to interference
I on channel 8 in or near
nknown and the existence of
12
LA HABANA
60
Figure 3. Area Degraded By Adjacent Channel Interference
From Channel 2.
14
this station is not confirmed by all data sources. For the purposes of this
analysis, a 400-watt transmitter with a 300-ft antenna was assumed to be
located in southern Havana. Calculations indicate that such a station would
prohibit providing Grade A service to virtually all of the Havana area.
SUMMARY
In order to provide Grade A (or better) signal coverage in Havana from an
aerostat-based TV transmitter at Cudjoe Key, the transmitter antenna must be
positioned at a minimum altitude of 9,000 feet and must produce a minimum ERP
of approximately 31 kw for the low-band (2-6) and 33 kw for the high-band (7-
13) VHF TV channels.
For the mimimum altitude and power requirements defined above the
potential for severe interference to existing VHF TV operations in the US
precludes the use of channels 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12. Among the
remaining channels (channels 3, 8, 9, and 13) some interference potential
still exists between the proposed TV Marti operation and the surrounding
environment, thus dictating the use of a highly directional antenna.
Operation of channel 9 or 13 will cause degradation within the service
areas of stations known to be operating near Matanzas, Cuba, on those
channels. Because of the relative proximity of Matanzas to Havana, it is
unlikely that antenna directivity can be used to prevent interference to these
stations. Uncertainty concerning the use of channel 8 by a low-power station
reportedly operating in the Havana area makes selection of this channel for TV
Marti a high-risk option. If this station exists, co-channel interference
would make it impossible to provide a high quality picture in the Havana area
despite the high level of the signal delivered to the area. If no such
station exists, channel 8 is a viable option for TV Marti. The situation
posed by this low-power station, however, illustrates the ease with which Cuba
could counter TV Marti on any channel on which it may operate.
15
No Cuban station using channel 3 is known or suspected to exist in the
Havana area. Signals delivered on this channel, however, will be subject to
some degradation due to adjacent channel interference from the channel 2
transmitter operating at Arroyo Arenas. Measurements conducted in ECAC's
laboratory indicate that degraded service due to this type of interference
will be limited to the immediate area (i.e., within approximately 4 miles) of
the Arroyo Arenas transmitter site.
16
CONFIDENTIAL
7217
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
TV Marti
INFORMATION
October 7, 1988
MEMORANDUM FOR PAUL SCHOTT STEVENS
PER NSC DECLASSIFIED WAIVER, 1500 2021-02
JEREMY CURTIN A
By 55 NARA, Date 6/12/25
FROM:
SUBJECT:
USIA Report re TV Marti
With the cooperation of DoD, USIA has begun to implement the
NSC directive of September 2, 1988, to determine the feasibility
of TV Marti broadcasting to Cuba (Tab A). Passive monitoring of
current broadcasting and other electronic transmissions in the
Florida Keys area is now underway. After DoD's Electromagnetic
Compatibility Analysis Center analyzes the results, USIA will
contract to have TV transmission equipment designed and built
and will seek an appropriate frequency for operational testing
and broadcasting. Completion of passive monitoring will take
about thirty days more. The rest of the time-frame will be
clearer when DoD's initial analysis is complete on or about
October 14.
The TV Marti appropriations legislation (Tab B) says that the
$7.5 million will be used for "purchase, rent, construction
improvement and equipping of facilities for and startup
operations including a test of television broadcasting to Cuba."
USIA reports that "TV Marti supporters" will seek to spend most
of the $7.5 million on personnel and infrastructure construction
and may seek to change the current legislation to permit this.
USIA believes it cannot obligate funds for permanent staff or
installations without further legislation.
USIA also reports that Congressional conferees expect that no
more funds will be appropriated for TV Marti without further
Congressional and Presidential action. Conferees directed USIA
to provide Congress with a report on TV Marti startup operations,
including information on any interference caused by TV Marti
broadcasts.
Uncertainty exists over the interpretation of the TV Marti
legislation, specifically over whether USIA is to reimburse DoD
for its support in monitoring and analysis. USIA may seek
guidance from NSC on this question.
We are staying in close touch with USIA, DoD and OMB as
implementation of this project continues.
TV M Cobb. Robert Pastorino and Dan Levin concur.
Attachment
Tab A
USIA Memo
Tab B
Copy of Appropriation Bill
CONF IDENTIAL
United States
Office of the Director
Information
Agency
Washington, D C. 20547
USIA
CONFIDENTIAL
October 5, 1988
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Paul Schott Stevens
Executive Secretary
FROM:
National Larry R. Taylor Security Council
Executive Secretary
SUBJECT:
Progress Report on TV Marti
REFERENCE:
September 2, 1988 NSC Memorandum on the Same Subject
As requested, USIA has begun preparations to initiate passive monitoring and
signal strength measurements of Cuban and U.S. TV signals. An Air National
Guard aircraft did some trial monitoring in southern Florida on
October 1, 1988. The Department of Defense's Electromagnetic Compatibility
Analysis Center has undertaken to provide analytical and engineering support.
However, it will take several weeks to gather and analyze data and design and
manufacture necessary transmission equipment before the operational testing
phase can begin. DoD has also requested reimbursement for its support
activities, including flight operations, which could use a substantial portion
of the $7.5 million appropriation earmarked by the Congress within VOA's
FY 1989 construction account for testing and operations of TV Marti.
On receipt of the referenced memorandum, USIA established a Project Office to
deal with TV Marti. The Project Office is headed by George Berzins
(tel.: 485-7050) and draws on the resources of our radio and television
services.
An organizational meeting was held on September 22, 1988 involving USIA, DoD,
FCC and NTIA. At that meeting, USIA presented a draft description of the data
to be gathered during the passive monitoring phase and requested that DoD
provide an aircraft and personnel to carry out that monitoring and analyze the
data so as to be able to recommend a broadcast frequency which would not
interfere with Cuban or US broadcasts.
The DoD Electronic Compatibility Analysis Center has agreed to assist with
data analysis and follow-on engineering support, including the development of
equipment specifications, but also on a reimbursable basis. USIA
representatives said that they would need policy-level guidance before
agreeing to reimburse DoD for these operations, but that plans should proceed.
DECLASSIFIED
PER DOS WAIVER, November 6, 2015
CONFIDENTIAL
By SS NARA, Date 6/12/25
OADR
CONF IDENTIAI
- 2 -
In the interim, the Air National Guard agreed to use its specially configured
C-130 for a trial monitoring operation over the Oct 1-2 weekend without
reimbursement. It may be possible to use this aircraft further over weekends
or other periods when the unit is on active duty.
The Appropriations Bill passed on September 30 provides that $7.5 million of
VOA's Radio Construction Funds for FY 1989 "may be available for the purchase,
rent, construction, improvement and equipping of facilities for and startup
operations including a test of television broadcasting to Cuba." The House
and Senate conferees directed USIA to provide the Congress with a report "on
the startup operations of TV Marti," such report to include information on any
interference created by TV Marti. The conferees expect that no further funds
will be appropriated for TV Marti prior to the enactment by the Congress
through the regular legislative process and the signing into law by the
President of a separate law authorizing TV Marti.
The Bill also specifies that TV Marti startup operations be carried out using
a tethered aerostat operated and located at Cudjoe Key "if feasible and
subject to reimbursement" and that DoD provide "the necessary military support
required to support this effort to the maximum extent possible."
Next Steps
--USIA and OMB will have to agree on the apportionment of the $7.5 million
earmarked by Congress. TV Marti supporters will want most of this money spent
on the hiring of personnel, acquisition of facilities and other items required
for actual operations. Unless DoD is prepared to provide support on a
non-reimbursable basis, USIA will be required to obligate up to $2 million for
monitoring and testing operations to be carried out by the Air Force. USIA
would not intend to obligate money for permanent staff or installations until
legislation is passed authorizing TV Marti.
1)
--After apportionment, USIA will oversee the monitoring and analysis phase
with DoD support. It will probably be necessary to engage a private
contractor to design a TV antenna suitable for mounting in the Air Force's
aerostat. This monitoring and design phase could take up to 60 days.
--While the monitoring phase is proceeding, USIA will work with State, NTIA,
FCC, FAA and others to consider the legal, regulatory, national security and
flight safety issues raised in the NSC memorandum.
--We anticipate that the actual operational testing phase will proceed using
pre-recorded tapes, and that there will be careful checking of interference
with US domestic stations as well as effectiveness of signal transmission to
Cuba.
CONFIDENTIAL
988
September 27, 1988
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD HOUSE
H 8419
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
question is on the motion offered by
The
there objection to the request of the
Clerk will designate the next amend-
the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. SMITH).
-nd-
gentleman from Kentucky?
ment in disagreement.
The motion was agreed to.
There was no objection.
The text of the amendment is as fol-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
fol-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
lows:
Clerk will designate the next amend-
question is on the motion offered by
ment in disagreement.
Senate amendment No. 164: Page 21. line
the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. SMITH].
The text of the amendment is as fol-
26. strike out all after "$20,000,000" over to
The motion was agreed to.
lows:
and including "amended" in line 5 on page
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
22.
Senate amendment No. 158: Page 20, line
Clerk will designate the next amend-
21, after "amended" insert ": Provided fur-
MOTION OFFERED BY MR. SMITH OF IOWA
ment in disagreement.
ther, That the funds appropriated by this
paragraph shall be available notwithstand-
The text of the amendment is as fol-
Mr. SMITH of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I
Jus.
offer a motion.
Law
ing section 201(2) of Public Law 100-204 and
lows:
The Clerk read as follows:
able
notwithstanding section 701 of the United
Senate amendment No. 163: Page 21. line
ties
States Information and Educational Ex-
11, after "1477b(a)" insert ": Provided, That
Mr. SMITH of Iowa moves that the House
tate
change Act of 1948, as amended".
not to exceed $7,500,000 of these funds may
recede from its disagreement to the amend-
a in
be available for the purchase, rent. con-
ment of the Senate numbered 164 and
MOTION OFFERED BY MR. SMITH OF IOWA
Act
tice
Mr. SMITH of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I
struction. improvement and equipping of fa-
concur therein with an amendment. as fol-
offer a motion.
cilities for and startup operations of televi-
lows: Restore the matter stricken by said
is
The Clerk read as follows:
sion broadcasting to Cuba: Provided further.
amendment. amended to read as follows: **:
That all such television broadcasting activi-
Provided That none of the funds appropri-
Mr. SMITH of Iowa moves that the House
ties shall be conducted for the same pur-
ated herein shall be used to pay any salary.
recede from its disagreement to the amend-
poses and to the extent feasible. under the
or to enter into any contract providing for
I
ment of the Senate numbered 158 and
same conditions. direction and controls as
the payment thereof. in excess of the rate
concur therein with an amendment, as fol-
the radio broadcasting activities authorized
authorized for GS-18 of the Classification
lows: In lieu of the matter proposed by said
by the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act:
Act of 1949. as amended. exclusive of any
use
amendment, Insert the following: Provid-
Provided further. That notwithstanding the
cap on such rate".
nd-
ed further, That the funds appropriated by
preceding proviso, section 7 of the Radio
and
this paragraph shall be available notwith-
Mr ROGERS (during the reading).
standing section 201(2) and 301(a)(6) of
Broadcasting to Cuba Act shall not apply to
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
fo}-
Public Law 100-204 and notwithstanding
television broadcasting station licensees".
that the motion be considered as read
aid
section 701 of the United States Informa-
MOTION OFFERED BY MR. SMITH OF IOWA
and printed in the RECORD.
ing:
tion and Educational Exchange Act of 1948,
Mr. SMITH of Iowa. Mr. Speaker. I
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is
as amended: Provided further, That the
offer a motion
1g).
there objection to the request of the
funds appropriated In this paragraph shall
The Clerk read as follows:
ent
be available as authorized by Reorganiza-
gentleman from Kentucky?
:ad
tion Plan No. 2 of 1977 (91 Stat. 1636)".
Mr. SMITH of Iowa moves that the House
There was no objection.
recede from its disagreement to the amend-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
Mr. ROGERS [during the reading].
ment of the Senate numbered 163 and
Is
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
question is on the motion offered by
concur therein with an amendment, as fol-
he
that the motion be considered as read
the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. SMITH).
lows:
and printed in the RECORD.
The motion was agreed to.
In lieu of the matter proposed by said
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is
amendment. insert the following:
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
he
there objection to the request of the
": Provided, That not to exceed $7,500,000
Clerk will designate the next amend-
by
gentleman from Kentucky?
of these funds may be available for the pur-
ment in disagreement.
1).
There was no objection.
chase, rent. construction, Improvement and
The text of the amendment is as fol-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
equipping of facilities for and startup oper-
lows:
ations including a test of television broad-
he
question is on the motion offered by
Senate amendment No. 168: Page 23. after
casting to Cuba: Provided further, That in
d-
the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. SMITH).
line 9. insert:
conducting such startup operations the
The motion was agreed to.
United States Information Agency shall use
Sec. 605. Funds appropriated to the Legal
Services Corporation and distributed to
ol-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
a tethered aerostat operated and located at
Clerk will designate the next amend-
Cudjoe Key Air Force Base in Key West.
each grantee funded in fiscal year 1989 pur-
Florida. if feasible and subject to reimburse-
suant to the number of poor people deter-
ne
ment in disagreement.
The text of the amendment is as fol-
ment. for both the United States Customs
mined by the Bureau of the Census to be
Service's drug interdiction efforts and the
within its geographical area shall be distrib-
lows:
U.S. Information Agency's test of television
uted in the following order:
Senate amendment No. 160: Page 21.
all
broadcasting to Cuba: Provided further,
(1) grants from the Legal Services Corpo-
strike out lines 1 to 4 and insert
That the Department of Defense shall pro-
ration and contracts entered into with the
m
"$150,040,000. of which $10,290,000 is for
vide the necessary military support required
Legal Services Corporation under section
Private Sector programs including
to support this effort to the maximum
1006(a)(1) shall be maintained in fiscal year
$3,000,000. to remain available until expend-
extent possible: Provided further, That all
1989 at not less than $8.75 per poor person
ed. for the Elsenhower Exchange Fellow-
such television broadcasting activities shall
within the geographical area of such grant-
I
ship Program.".
be conducted for the same purposes and. to
ee or contractor under the 1980 census or 2
MOTION OFFERED BY MR. SMITH OF IOWA
the extent feasible. under the same condi-
cents per poor person more than the annual
Mr. SMITH of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I
tions. direction and controls as the radio
per-poor-person level at which each grantee
broadcasting activities authorized by the
and contractor was funded in fiscal year
offer 2 motion.
d
The Clerk read as follows:
Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act: Provided
1988, whichever is greater. and
further. That notwithstanding the preceding
(2) each such grantee shall be increased
1.
Mr. SMITH of Iowa moves that the House
proviso. section 7 of the Radio Broadcasting
by an equal percentage of the amount by
recede from its disagreement to the amend-
to Cuba Act shall not apply to television
which such grantee's funding. including the
ment of the Senate numbered 160 and
broadcasting station licensees
increase under (1) above. falls below $15.75
concur therein with an amendment, as fol-
lows: In lieu of the matter stricken and in-
Mr. ROGERS (during the reading).
per poor person within its geographical area
under the 1980 census: Provided, That none
0
serted by said amendment insert the follow-
Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent
of the funds appropriated in this Act for the
di
ing: "Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1977 (91
that the motion be considered as read
Legal Services Corporation shall be used to
Stat. 1638) $150.040,000. of which $9,290,000
and printed in the RECORD.
bring a class action suit against the Federal
is for Private Sector programs including up
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is
Government or any State or local govern-
to $1,500.000, to remain available until ex-
there objection to the request of the
ment unless-
pended. for the Eisenhower Exchange Fel-
gentleman from Kentucky?
(1) the project director of a recipient has
lowship Program".
There was no objection.
expressly approved the filing of such an
Mr. ROGERS (during the reading).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The
action in accordance with policies estab-
Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent
question is on the motion offered by
lished by the governing body of such recipi-
that the motion be considered as read
ent;
the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. SMITHL
and printed in the RECORD.
(2) the class relief which is the subject of
The motion was agreed to.
such an action is sought for the primary
September 27, 1988
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
13361
aid
and concur therein with an amendment as
In lieu of the matter inserted by said
"BUSINESS LOAN AND INVESTMENT FUND
ns
follows:
amendment. insert: "and not to exceed
the
In lieu of the sum "$100.660.000" named
"For additional capital for the "Business
$3.000 for official reception and representa-
in said amendment, insert: "$99,613,000".
Loan and Investment Fund". $85,500,000. to
bill.
tion expenses. $142,640,000. of which not to
and following the phrase "Code of Federal
remain available without fiscal year limita-
as
exceed $10,000 may be used toward funding
Regulations" at the end of said amendment,
tion: and for additional capital for new
a permanent secretariat for the Internation-
aid
insert: Provided further, That the author-
al Association of Securities Commissioners".
direct loan obligations to be incurred by the
ity under the Supplemental Appropriations
Resolved That the House recede from its
"Business Loan and Investment Fund".
its
Act, 1985 (Public Law 99-88) with respect to
disagreement to the amendment of the
$82,000,000, to remain available without
the relocation of the Fort Lauderdale Moni-
fiscal year limitation: Provided That no
the
nate/numbered 149 to the aforesaid bill.
all.
toring Station shall extend through fiscal
and concur therein with an amendment as
funds appropriated under this Act may be
as
year 1989 and under the same terms and
follows
used to sell direct loans which are held by
conditions of Public Law 99-88".
In lieu of the matter Inserted by said
the Small Business Administration or any
aid
Resolved. That the House recede from its
amendment, insert:
loan guaranty or debenture guaranty made
disagreement to the amendment of the
by the Small Business Administration under
"SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Senate numbered 141 to the aforesaid bill.
the authority contained in the Small Busi-
its
("Including Transfer of Funds)
the
and concur therein with an amendment as
ness Investment Act of 1958. and which was
follows:
"For necessary expenses. not otherwise
held by the Federal Financing Bank on Sep-
all,
as
In lieu of the matter Inserted by said
provided for. of the Small Business Adminis-
tember 30, 1987: Provided further, That up
amendment, insert: "$13,585,000: Provided.
tration. including hire of passenger motor
to $5,000,000 of the unobligated balances
That not to exceed $1,500 shall be available
vehicles and not to exceed $2,500 for official
available in the "Business Loan and Invest-
nd-
for official reception and representation ex-
reception and representation expenses.
ment Fund" may be transferred to "Salaries
$228,490,000. of which $45,000,000 shall be
its
penses".
and Expenses", Small Business Administra-
the
Resolved. That the House recede from its
available for grants for performance in
tion upon notification by the Administra-
disagreement to the amendment of the
fiscal year 1989 or fiscal year 1990 for Small
tion to the Committees on Appropriations
nil,
as
Senate numbered 142 to the aforesaid bill.
Business Development Centers as author-
of the House and Senate in compliance with
and concur therein with an amendment as
ized by section 21(a) of the Small Business
provisions set forth in section 606 of this
follows:
Act. as amended: Provided, That not more
Act.".
and
ole
In lieu of the matter inserted by said
than $350.000 of this amount shall be made
Resolved, That the House recede from its
amendment. Insert:
available to pay the expenses of the Nation-
disagreement to the amendment of the
be
al Small Business Development Center Ad-
Senate numbered 154 to the aforesaid bill.
de
"FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
visory Board and to reimburse centers for
and concur therein with an amendment as
ap-
"SALARIES AND EXPENSES
participating in evaluations-as provided in
follows:
0".
section 20(a) of such Act. and to maintain a
"For necessary expenses of the Federal
In lieu of the sum named by said amend-
its
clearinghouse as provided in section 21(g)(2)
Trade Commission, Including uniforms or
ment. Insert: $10,980,000
the
of such Act: Provided further, That none of
Resolved, That the House recede from its
111.
allowances therefor. as authorized by 5
the funds appropriated or made available by
U.S.C. 5901-5902; services as authorized by 5
disagreement to the amendment of the
as
this Act or otherwise appropriated or made
U.S.C. 3109: hire of passenger motor vehi-
Senate numbered 156 to the aforesaid bill.
available to the Small Business Administra-
aid
cles; and not to exceed $2,000 for official re-
and concur therein with an amendment as
tion shall be used to adopt, implement, or
follows:
ception and representation expenses:
enforce any rule or regulation with respect
115-
$66,243,000: Provided That the funds ap-
In lieu of the matter Inserted by said
to the Small Business Development Center
as-
propriated In this paragraph are subject to
amendment. insert: "$620,347,000. none of
program authorized by section 21 of the
ch
the limitations and provisions of sections
which shall be restricted from use for the
Small Business Act. as amended (15 U.S.C.
nd
10(a) and 10(c) (notwithstanding section
purposes appropriated herein and of which
648) nor may any of such funds be used to
V1-
10(e)). 11(b). 18. and 20 of the Federal Trade
$38,500,000 shall be available for the Televi-
impose any restrictions. conditions or limita-
Commission Improvements Act of 1980
sion and Film Service:".
,00
tions on such program whether by standard
id-
(Public Law 96-252: 94 Stat. 374).".
Resolved, That the House recede from its
operating procedure, audit guidelines or
Resolved. That the House recede from its
disagreement to the amendment of the
ay
otherwise. unless such restrictions. condi-
at
disagreement to the amendment of the
Senate numbered 158 to the aforesaid bill.
tions or limitations were in effect on Octo-
nt
Senate numbered 143 to the aforesaid bill.
and concur therein with an amendment as
ber 1. 1987. unless specifically approved by
follows:
in
and concur therein with an amendment as
1er
follows:
the Committees on Appropriations under re-
In lieu of the matter inserted by said
In lieu of the sum "$37,069,000" named in
programming procedures except that this
amendment, insert: ": Provided further,
lu-
provision shall not apply to uniform
m.
said amendment. insert: 35,958,000
That the funds appropriated by this para-
Resolved. That the House recede from its
common rules applicable to multiple Feder-
graph shall be available notwithstanding
ot
disagreement to the amendment of the
al departments and agencies including the
section 201(2) and 301(a)(6) of Public Law
at
Senate numbered 145 to the aforesaid bill.
Small Business Administration: nor may
100-204 and notwithstanding section 701 of
ne
at
and concur therein with an amendment as
any of such funds be used to restrict In any
the United States Information and Educa-
follows:
way the right of association of participants
tional Exchange Act of 1948. as amended:
or
in such program: Provided further. That
In lieu of the matter Inserted by said
Provided further. That the funds appropri-
in-
none of the funds appropriated for the
amendment. Insert: $953,000
ated in this paragraph shall be available as
ed
Small Business Administration under this
Resolved That the House recede from its
authorized by Reorganization Plan No. 2 of
at
disagreement to the amendment of the
Act may be used to Impose any new or in-
1977 (91 Stat. 1636)".
se
Senate numbered 146 to the aforesaid bill,
creased loan guaranty fee or debenture
Resolved That the House recede from its
le
guaranty fee unless specifically permitted
in
and concur therein with an amendment as
disagreement to the amendment of the
by subsequently enacted authorizing legisla-
ed
follows:
Senate numbered 160 to the aforesaid bill.
tion: Provided further. That none of the
In lieu of the matter inserted by said
and concur therein with an amendment as
18
funds appropriated for the Small Business
follows:
of
amendment. insert:
Administration under this Act may be used
In lieu of the matter Inserted by said
id
"OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE
to Impose any new or increased user fee or
amendment, insert:
:e
REPRESENTATIVE
management assistance fee unless the Ad-
"Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1977 (91
is
es
"SALARIES AND EXPENSES
ministration notifies the Appropriations
Stat. 1636) $150,040,000. of which $9,290,000
Committees of the Senate and the House of
"For necessary expenses of the Office of
is for Private Sector programs including up
1-
Representatives and the Committees on
the United States Trade Representive. In-
to $1,500.000, to remain available until ex-
Small Business of the Senate and the House
LS
cluding the hire of pasenger motor vehicles
pended. for the Eisenhower Exchange Fel-
of Representatives at least 30 days prior to
lowship Program".
1e
and the employment of experts and consult-
the imposition of such fee. In addition. such
Resolved. That the House recede from its
!1.
ants as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109.
sums as may be necessary for disaster loan-
$15,229,000. of which $1,000,000 shall
disagreement to the amendment of the
3S
making activities. Including loan servicing,
Senate numbered 163 to the aforesaid bill.
remain available until expended: Provided
shall be transferred to this appropriation
d
That not to exceed $69,000 shall be avail-
and concur therein with an amendment as
from the "Disaster Loan Fund'.".
follows:
able for official reception and representa-
Resolved That the House recede from Its
P.
tive expenses.".
In lieu of the matter inserted by said
disagreement to the amendment of the
Resolved, That the House recede from Its
amendment. insert: *: Provided That not to
Senate numbered 151 to the aforesaid bill.
disagreement to the amendment of the
exceed $7,500,000 of these funds may be
is
and concur therein with an amendment as
e
Senate numbered 147 to the aforesaid bill.
available for the purchase. rent. construc-
follows:
!.
and concur therein with an amendment as
tion. improvement and equipping of facili-
follows:
In lieu of the matter inserted by said
ties for and startup operations including a
amendment, insert:
test of television broadcasting to Cuba: Pro-
S 13362
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - SENATE
September 27. 1988
rided further, That in conducting such
In lieu of the section designation in said
Mr. BYRD. What was the Senator's
startup operations the United States Infor.
amendment. insert: 608
request?
mation Agency shall use a tethered aerostat
Resolved. That the House recede from its
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Simply that
operated and located at Cudjoe Key Air
disagreement to the amendment of the
Force Base in Key West. Florida. If feasible
Senate numbered 176 to the aforesaid bill,
the junior Senator from West Virginia
and subject to reimbursement, for both the
and concur therein with an amendment as
was necessarily absent during the pre-
United States Customs Service's drug inter-
follows:
vious vote. Had I been present. the
diction efforts and the U.S. Information
In lieu of the section designation in said
Senator would have voted aye.
Agency's test of television broadcasting to
amendment. insert: 609
Mr. BYRD. Yes.
Cuba: Provided further, That the Depart-
Resolved, That the House recede from its
Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President. has
ment of Defense shall provide ncessary mill-
disagreement to the amendment of the
the Chair ruled?
tary support required to support this effort
Senate numbered 177 to the aforesaid bill.
Mr. BYRD. Did the Chair rule on
to the maximum extent possible: Provided
and concur therein with an amendment as
further, That all such television broadcast-
follows:
my request?
ing activities shall be conducted for the
In lieu of the section designation in said
The PRESIDING OFFICER. With.
same purposes and, to the extent feasible.
amendment, insert: 610
out objection, the majority leader's re-
under the same conditions, direction and
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President. I move
quest is agreed to.
controls as the radio broadcasting activities
that a motion to reconsider be laid on
authorized by the Radio Broadcasting to
the table.
Cuba Act: Provided further, That notwith-
MESSAGES FROM THE
standing the preceding proviso. section 7 of
The motion was agreed to.
PRESIDENT
the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act shall
Messages from the President of the
not apply to television broadcasting station
licensees".
United States were communicated to
PARENTAL AND TEMPORARY
Resolved, That the House recede from its
the Senate by Mr. Kalbaugh. one of
disagreement to the amendment of the
MEDICAL LEAVE
his secretaries.
Senate numbered 164 to the aforesaid bill,
The Senate continued with the con-
and concur therein with an amendment as
sideration of the bill.
follows:
Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, in order
EXECUTIVE MESSAGES
Strike out the matter stricken, and insert:
that Senators may go home without
REFERRED
Provided, That none of the funds appro-
having to wait on another rollcall vote,
As in executive session, the Presid-
priated herein shall be used to pay any
salary, or to enter into any contract provid-
I would like to put that vote over until
ing Officer laid before the Senate mes-
ing for the payment thereof, in excess of
the morning.
sages from the President of the United
the rate authorized for GS-18 of the Classi-
Mr. President, Senator THURMOND
States submitting sundry nominations
fication Act of 1949. as amended, exclusive
and Senator BIDEN have agreed on
and a withdrawal, which were referred
of any cap on such rate".
some modifications to the pending
to the appropriate committees.
Resolved. That the House recede from its
amendment by Mr. THURMOND.
(The nominations and withdrawal
disagreement to the amendment of the
I ask unanimous consent that on to-
received today are printed at the end
Senate numbered 168 to the aforesaid bill,
morrow. Mr. THURMOND have for not
of the Senate proceedings.)
and concur therein with an amendment as
follows:
to exceed 1 hour to offer modifications
In lieu of the sum. "$8.75" named in said
to his amendment, notwithstanding
that the yeas and nays may have al-
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE
amendment. insert: "$8.58".
ready been ordered provided the modi-
RECEIVED DURING RECESS
And in lieu of the section number "607"
named in said amendment, insert: "606".
fication or modifications are agreed
ENROLLED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION SIGNED
And at the end of the amendment after
upon by Mr. BIDEN.
Under the authority of the order of
the phrase "fiscal year 1988". insert: ": Pro-
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is
vided further, That the fourteenth and fif-
the Senate of February 3. 1987. the
there objection?
teenth provisos of this section (relating to
Secretary of the Senate, on September
Mr. THURMOND addressed the
Parts 1607 and 1612 of the Corporation's reg-
26, 1988, during the recess of the
ulations) shall expire upon action by the
Chair.
Senate, received a message from the
United States Senate confirming a Board of
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
House of Representatives announcing
Directors of the Legal Services Corporation
Senator from South Carolina.
that the Speaker had signed the fol-
composed of Individuals who are nominated
Mr. THURMOND. I offer this not as
lowing enrolled bills and joint resolu-
by the President after January 20, 1989: Pro-
an amendment today, but Senator
tion:
tided further, That a Board of Directors of
BIDEN had some questions about some
the Legal Services Corporation. composed of
S. 425. An act for the relief of Sukhjit
portions of it. so we have gotten to-
individuals nominated by the President after
Kuldip Singh Saund:
gether. We have been working for sev-
January 20. 1989 and subsequently con-
S. 1583. An act for the relief of Maria An-
firmed by the United States Senate, shall
eral hours. and we have reached an
tonieta Heird:
develop and implement a system for the com-
agreement on a few changes in it.
S. 1945. An act to amend the Second Sup-
r
petitive award of all grants and contracts,
They are being drafted now, but there
plemental Appropriation Act. 1961. relating
C
inlcuding support centers. to take effect
is no use holding up the Senate. We
to the lease of certain lands from the Isleta
after September 30. 1989".
will vote on it first thing in the morn-
Indian Tribe for a seismological laboratory:
Resolved, That the House recede from its
S. 1972. An act for the relief of Irma Pur-
ing if that suits the majority leader. I
a
disagreement to the amendment of the
isch and Daniel Purisch: and
suggest we do that, and we will be
Senate numbered 170 to the aforesaid bill.
S.J. Res. 322. Joint resolution to designate
ready to present it in the morning.
f
and concur therein with an amendment as
the week of September 23-30, 1988. as "Na-
follows:
Mr. BYRD. Very well. This will pro-
tional American Indian Heritage Week."
3
In lieu of the section designation in said
tect the rights of the Senator from
C
The enrolled bills and joint resolu-
South Carolina. It would also protect
a
amendment. insert: 606
tion were subsequently signed on
Resolved, That the House recede from its
the rights of Mr. BIDEN and all Sena-
2
today, September 27. 1988, by the
disagreement to the amendment of the
tors, and it would allow the Senate to
a
Acting President pro tempore [Mr.
Senate numbered 171 to the aforesaid bill,
go home early.
a
BREAUX].
and concur therein with an amendment as
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Will the ma-
follows:
jority leader yield?
7
In lieu of the section designation in said
Mr. BYRD. Yes, I yield.
1
amendment, insert: 607
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President,
MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE
1
Resolved, That the House recede from its
disagreement to the amendment of the
the Junior Senator from West Virginia
At 11:29 a.m., a message from the
1
Senate numbered 174 to the aforesaid bill,
was necessarily absent for the last
House of Representatives, delivered by
a
and concur therein with an amendment as
vote. If I had been here. I would have
Mr. Hays, one of its reading clerks, an-
a
follows:
voted aye.
nounced that the House has passed
C
II
Calendar No. 738
100TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4782
[Report No. 100-388]
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
JUNE 20, 1988
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations
JUNE 20, 1988
Reported by Mr. HOLLINGS, with amendments
[Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic]
AN ACT
Making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Jus-
tice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 1989, and for other
purposes.
1
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money
4 in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Depart-
5 ments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and
6 related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30,
7 1989, and for other purposes, namely:
81
1
SURETY BOND GUARANTEES REVOLVING FUND
2
For additional capital for the "Surety Bond Guaran-
3 tees Revolving Fund", authorized by the Small Business In-
4 vestment Act, as amended, $9,497,000, to remain available
5 without fiscal year limitation.
6
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT CONTRACT
7
GUARANTEE REVOLVING FUND
8
For additional capital for the "Pollution control equip-
9 ment contract guarantee revolving fund" authorized by the
10 Small Business Investment Act, as amended, $13,656,000,
11 to remain available without fiscal year limitation.
12
STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE
13
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
14
For necessary expenses of the State Justice Institute, as
15 authorized by Public Law 98-620, $11,130,000, to remain
16 available until expended: Provided, That authorities con-
17 tained in Public Law 98-620, The State Justice Institute
18 Act of 1984, shall remain in effect until the termination date
19 of this Act or until the effective date of a State Justice Insti-
20 tute Authorization Act, whichever is earlier.
21
UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
22
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
23
For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary to
24 enable the United States Information Agency, as authorized
25 by the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of
HR 4782 RS
84
1 able until expended, for the Eisenhower Exchange Fellow-
2 ship Program.
3
RADIO CONSTRUCTION
4
For an additional amount for the purchase, rent, con-
5 struction, and improvement of facilities for radio transmission
6 and reception and purchase and installation of necessary
7 equipment for radio transmission and reception as authorized
8 by 22 U.S.C. 1471, $65,000,000, to remain available until
9 expended as authorized by 22 U.S.C. 1477b(a): Provided,
10 That not to exceed $7,500,000 of these funds may be avail-
11 able for the purchase, rent, construction, improvement and
12 equipping of facilities for and startup operations of television
13 broadcasting to Cuba: Provided further, That all such televi-
14 sion broadcasting activities shall be conducted for the same
15 purposes and, to the extent feasible, under the same condi-
16 tions, direction and controls as the radio broadcasting activi-
17 ties authorized by the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act: Pro-
18 vided further, That notwithstanding the preceding proviso,
19 section 7 of the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act shall not
20 apply to television broadcasting station licensees.
21
RADIO BROADCASTING TO CUBA
22
For an additional amount, necessary to enable the
23 United States Information Agency to carry out the Radio
24 Broadcasting to Cuba Act (providing for the Radio Marti
25 Program or Cuba Service of the Voice of America), including
26 the purchase, rent, construction, and improvement of facili-
85
1 ties for radio transmission and reception and purchase and
2 installation of necessary equipment for radio transmission and
3 reception as authorized by 22 U.S.C. 1471, $11,175,000.
4
EAST-WEST CENTER
5
To enable the Director of the United States Information
6 Agency to provide for carrying out the provisions of the
7 Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East
8 and West Act of 1960, by grant to any appropriate recipient
9 in the State of Hawaii, $20,000,000:-Provided, That none of
10 the funds appropriated herein shall be used to pay any salary,
11 or to enter into any contract providing for the payment there
12 of, in excess of the rate authorized for Executive Level V in
13 the General Schedule of the Classification Act of 1949, as
14 amended.
15
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY
16
For grants made by the United States Information
17 Agency to the National Endowment for Democracy as au-
18 thorized by the National Endowment for Democracy Act,
19 $16,875,000 $15,800,000.
20
TITLE VI-GENERAL PROVISIONS
21
SEC. 601. No part of any appropriation contained in this
22 Act shall be used for publicity or propaganda purposes not
23 authorized by the Congress.
24
SEC. 602. No part of any appropriation contained in this
25 Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current
26 fiscal year unless expressly SO provided herein.
HR 4782 RS
United States
Information
Office of the Director
Agency
Washington, DC 20547
CONF IDENT TAL
TVMan
USIA
October 5, 1988
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Paul Schott Stevens
Executive Secretary
FROM:
National Larry R. Taylor Security Council
Executive Secretary
SUBJECT:
Progress Report on TV Marti
REFERENCE:
September 2, 1988 NSC Memorandum on the Same Subject
As requested, USIA has begun preparations to initiate passive monitoring and
signal strength measurements of Cuban and U.S. TV signals. An Air National
Guard aircraft did some trial monitoring in southern Florida on
October 1, 1988. The Department of Defense's Electromagnetic Compatibility
Analysis Center has undertaken to provide analytical and engineering support.
However, it will take several weeks to gather and analyze data and design and
manufacture necessary transmission equipment before the operational testing
phase can begin. DoD has also requested reimbursement for its support
activities, including flight operations, which could use a substantial portion
of the $7.5 million appropriation earmarked by the Congress within VOA's
FY 1989 construction account for testing and operations of TV Marti.
On receipt of the referenced memorandum, USIA established a Project Office to
deal with TV Marti. The Project Office is headed by George Berzins
(tel.: 485-7050) and draws on the resources of our radio and television
services.
An organizational meeting was held on September 22, 1988 involving USIA, DoD,
FCC and NTIA. At that meeting, USIA presented a draft description of the data
to be gathered during the passive monitoring phase and requested that DoD
provide an aircraft and personnel to carry out that monitoring and analyze the
data so as to be able to recommend a broadcast frequency which would not
interfere with Cuban or US broadcasts.
The DoD Electronic Compatibility Analysis Center has agreed to assist with
data analysis and follow-on engineering support, including the development of
equipment specifications, but also on a reimbursable basis. USIA
representatives said that they would need policy-level guidance before
agreeing to reimburse DoD for these operations, but that plans should proceed.
DECLASSIFIED
PER DOS WAIVER, November 6, 2015
CONF IDENTIAL
By 55 NARA, Date 6/12/25
OADR
CONF IDENTIAL
- 2 -
In the interim, the Air National Guard agreed to use its specially configured
C-130 for a trial monitoring operation over the Oct 1-2 weekend without
reimbursement. It may be possible to use this aircraft further over weekends
or other periods when the unit is on active duty.
The Appropriations Bill passed on September 30 provides that $7.5 million of
VOA's Radio Construction Funds for FY 1989 "may be available for the purchase,
rent, construction, improvement and equipping of facilities for and startup
operations including a test of television broadcasting to Cuba." The House
and Senate conferees directed USIA to provide the Congress with a report "on
the startup operations of TV Marti," such report to include information on any
interference created by TV Marti. The conferees expect that no further funds
will be appropriated for TV Marti prior to the enactment by the Congress
through the regular legislative process and the signing into law by the
President of a separate law authorizing TV Marti.
The Bill also specifies that TV Marti startup operations be carried out using
a tethered aerostat operated and located at Cudjoe Key "if feasible and
subject to reimbursement" and that DoD provide "the necessary military support
required to support this effort to the maximum extent possible."
Next Steps
--USIA and OMB will have to agree on the apportionment of the $7.5 million
earmarked by Congress. TV Marti supporters will want most of this money spent
on the hiring of personnel, acquisition of facilities and other items required
for actual operations. Unless DoD is prepared to provide support on a
non-reimbursable basis, USIA will be required to obligate up to $2 million for
monitoring and testing operations to be carried out by the Air Force. USIA
would not intend to obligate money for permanent staff or installations until
legislation is passed authorizing TV Marti.
--After apportionment, USIA will oversee the monitoring and analysis phase
with DoD support. It will probably be necessary to engage a private
contractor to design a TV antenna suitable for mounting in the Air Force's
aerostat. This monitoring and design phase could take up to 60 days.
--While the monitoring phase is proceeding, USIA will work with State, NTIA,
FCC, FAA and others to consider the legal, regulatory, national security and
flight safety issues raised in the NSC memorandum.
--We anticipate that the actual operational testing phase will proceed using
pre-recorded tapes, and that there will be careful checking of interference
with Cuba. US domestic stations as well as effectiveness of signal transmission to
CONFIDENTIAL
File:
CONFIDENTIAL
RECORD ID: 8907725 Cube
NSC/S PROFILE
RECEIVED: 28 SEP 89 17
TO: GATES
TV Marti
FROM: PACELLI
DOC DATE: 28 SEP 89
SOURCE REF:
KEYWORDS: CUBA
MEDIA
PERSONS:
SUBJECT: CUBAN AMER NATL FOUNDATION REQUEST FOR MTG W/ SCOWCROFT RE TV MARTI
ACTION: GATES APPROVED RECOM
DUE DATE: 02 OCT 89
STATUS: C
STAFF OFFICER: PACELLI
LOGREF:
FILES: PA
NSCIF:
CODES:
DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION
FOR ACTION
FOR CONCURRENCE
FOR INFO
BRIGGS
DYKE
PACELLI
UNCLASSIFIED UPON
REMOVAL OF CLASSIFIED
ATTACHMENTS
SCS 6/11/2010
COMMENTS:
DISPATCHED BY
DATE
BY HAND W/ATTCH
OPENED BY: NSMDC
CLOSED BY: NSJWD
DOC 1 OF 1
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
CONF
IDENTIAL
7725
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
September 28, 1989
Deputy Nati Sec Adviser
ACTION
has seen
MEMORANDUM FOR ROBERT M. GATES
Date
THROUGH:
EVERETT ELLIS BRIGGS
FROM:
DAVID A. PACELLI DAP
SUBJECT:
Cuban-American National Foundation Request for a
Meeting with You to Discuss TV Marti
Jackie Tillman of the Cuban-American National Foundation has
requested that you meet with her and Jorge Mas on Wednesday,
October 4, (anytime after 1:30 p.m.) to discuss TV Marti. Mas is
in town that day for a Hill reception in honor of Savimbi.
Jackie said she got an update about two weeks ago from you and
that this would enable you to talk to Jorge directly. I asked if
anything in particular was on her mind--since she just saw you--
and she replied that you had let her know that decisions were at
hand on this issue. She also said that an interview by someone
with USIA in the Miami Herald last week was "really annoying."
It laid out options for the project (which she did not identify)
that led her to conclude that it is not being "managed with
discretion."
I told her that nothing much had changed in the last two weeks
and disputed her impressions of bad management. Without getting
into discussion of the channel 13 issue, she did acknowledge that
it was a problem. She concluded by saying that whatever happens,
it would be good to keep Mas on board, because the Cuban-
Americans in Miami will go through the roof if they sense caving
in to Castro.
Should your schedule permit, a meeting with Jorge Mas, one of the
most influential leaders of the Cuba-American community, could
begin an education process on the technical (if not legal)
realities we face.
If you prefer, Nancy Bearg Dyke and I would be willing to meet
with them. (We are reasonably confident that we can stay out of
trouble.)
Not available
Concurrence by: Nancy Bearg Dyke
DECLASSIFIED
PER NSC WAIVER, 1500 2021-02
CONFIDENTIAL
By SS NARA, Date 6/12/25
Declassify on: OADR
CONFIDENTIAL
CONT CONFIDENTIAL IDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
2
RECOMMENDATION:
That you agree to a meeting.
Approve 8
Disapprove
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
19. Memo
From Don Tice to Ty Cobb Re: Congressional Staff Briefing
09/20/88
(b)(1)
S
on TV Marti (3 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
National Security Council
Series:
Latin American Affairs Directorate Files
Subseries:
Subject Files 1989
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
Cuba - TV Marti 1988 [1]
Date Closed:
6/10/2010
OA/ID Number:
CF00194-005
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0995-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRAJ
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRAJ
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM Removed as a personal record misfile
JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING NOTICE
Cryer to
Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Brt Bang VOA
- Dr The - NSC
H.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
- -1tame Charles D
- Heny M
September 16, 1988
F-TVMaili
REVISED MEETING NOTICE
Subcommittee on International
Subcommittee on Western
Operations
Hemisphere Affairs
Hon. Dan Mica
Hon. Geo. W. Crockett, Jr.
Chairman
Chairman
TO:
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
You are respectfully requested to attend the
following JOINT OPEN MEETING of the Subcommittees on International
Operations and Western Hemisphere Affairs:
DATE:
Thursday, September 22, 1988
*TIME:
10:30 A.M.
PLACE:
2255 Rayburn House Office Building
SUBJECT:
FOREIGN POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF TV-MARTI
WITNESSES:
Dr. John S. Nichols
Associate Professor of Communications
Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Philip J. Brenner
Associate Professor of International Relations
American University
Jorge Mas
Chairman, Advisory Board for Radio Broadcasting to
Cuba
*
*
*
John J. Brady, Jr.
Chief of Staff
*
Please note the change in time.
1
PREPARED STATEMENT OF JOHN SPICER NICHOLS.
Associate Professor of Communications
The Pennsylvania State University
before the
Subcommittees on Western Hemisphere Affairs
and International Operations
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
September 22, 1988
Mr. Chairman, members of the subcommittees, thank you for
the invitation to discuss with you the feasibility and
advisability of initiating U.S. government television broadcasts
to Cuba. The subcommittee's staff has asked me to focus my
comments on the intertwined legal and technical implications of
such broadcasts.
First, the legal and regulatory issues: The proposal to
authorize TV Marti is, in effect, an electronic Platt Amendment.
In the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, the United
States forced Cuba to incorporate the Platt Amendment into its
new constitution as a condition for the withdrawal of
U.S. troops. The amendment, attached to an army appropriations
bill by U.S. Senator Orville Platt, granted the United States the
right to intervene at will in the domestic affairs of Cuba.
Until it was negated in a 1934 treaty signed by the Roosevelt
Administration, the Platt Amendment was the symbol of
U.S. intervention in Latin America and the rallying cry for Cuban
nationalists and revolutionaries.
Decades later, Congress is poised to authorize TV Marti,
which would broadcast to Cuba on frequencies that have been
designated by international treaty for Cuban domestic use and
2
with the stated purpose of affecting the internal affairs of that
country. Ironically, the U.S. government station is named for
Jose Marti, the 19th-century Cuban patriot who fought for his
nation's independence from foreign control, including from the
United States.
However, there are important differences between the Platt
Amendment and its electronic sequel. As an economic and military
superpower, the United States was easily able to enforce the
Platt Amendment and its vestiges until the Cuban revolution in
1959. But in international broadcasting, there are no
superpowers. The transmitters of a small, poor country can be
equally disruptive as those of a neighboring giant. In the event
of a radio war, in which nearby nations blast each other with
unregulated, high-power broadcasts, a wealthy and powerful nation
stands to lose at least as much as its weaker combatant.
Consequently, the world community -- including nations with
conflicting economic and political interests -- has established
rules for the use of the electromagnetic spectrum and seeks
meticulous compliance with them.
Both the United States and Cuba are signatories to the 1982 $
International Telecommunication Convention, the basic legal
instrument governing the use of world airwaves. The convention,
on one hand, recognizes "the sovereign right of each country to
regulate its telecommunication" but, on the other hand,
encourages cross-national communication in the interest of "peace
and social and economic development of all countries." The
3
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations
body responsible for implementing the convention and coordinating
the use of the spectrum.
The convention attempts to balance the competing interests
of international communication and the right of each nation to
maintain sovereignty over its domestic broadcasting system by
allocating portions of the spectrum for different uses. The
Annexed Radio Regulations of the convention designate the
standard radio and television frequencies for domestic use only.
Section 1 (2), Article 30, Paragraph 2666 of the regulations says:
(B) roadcating stations using (these) frequencies
shall not
employ power exceeding that necessary to maintain economically an
effective national service of good quality within the frontiers
of the country concerned." Those wishing to broadcast to foreign
audiences must use short wave, the high-frequency band designated
by the ITU for international broadcasting.
These regulations notwithstanding, an increasing number of
government and private stations around the world use standard
medium-wave frequencies to sneak into the domestic broadcasting
services of foreign countries, where they can reach audiences
that are unwilling or unable to tune into short-wave
frequencies. According to the Congressional Research Service,
Radio Marti, which broadcasts on an AM radio channel from Florida
to Cuba, and Radio Taino, the Cuban station broadcasting to the
United States in response, are among those stations not in
compliance with the radio regulations. This troubling trend is
4
greatly contributing to the deterioration of the airwaves for all
listeners and nations.
Despite the legal analysis of the Congressional Research
Service and a substantial body of international
telecommunications law, the U.S. State Department argued that
Radio Marti would not violate the convention because the
established practice of cross-national broadcasting on
medium-wave frequencies outweighed the principle stated in the
??
regulations. Now, the legal consultants commissioned by the
U.S. Information Agency have concluded that TV Marti operating.
from U.S. territory might not be a violation of the international
agreement because Radio Marti and other such broadcasters have
established a precedent. That is akin to saying: Breaking and
entering is committed with great frequency in Washington;
therefore, the laws against that crime must not mean what they
say, and a burglar is not obligated to obey them.
The Radio Regulations, Section 1(1), Article 30, Paragraph
2665, also prohibit the establishment of broadcast stations on
ships, planes or other airborne objects outside national
territory This regulation was intended to stem the increase of
pirate radio stations which operated from international waters to
circumvent domestic licensing requirements and international
prohibitions on broadcasting across national boundaries on
standard frequencies. In 1987, the U.S. government used this
regulation as partial authority to board a Honduran ship in
international waters and close an unlicensed radio station
5
broadcasting from it to audiences in New York.
TV Marti, operating from a aerostat in U.S. airspace or from
any of the other modes evaluated in the feasibility studies,
would be in apparent violation of one of these regulations.
Article 44, Paragraphs 175 and 176, of the convention also
obligates signatories to enforce the regulations on all public
and private stations within their jurisdiction "which engage in
international services or which are capable of causing harmful
interference to radio services of other countries." The most
basic purpose of the convention is avoid harmful interference,
which is defined as any transmission that "seriously degrades,
obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service
operating in accordance with the Radio Regulations." In order to
reduce harmful interference, the International Frequency
Registration Board (IFRB) of the ITU maintains a master list of
broadcasters that are authorized to use certain frequencies at a
designated power, direction and time of day. In the event that
two stations operating on the same frequency interfere with one
another, the IFRB usually will assign priority to the station
that has been on the air longest and is operating in accordance
with the radio regulations.
All VHF television channels in Cuba (ie. channels 2 through
13) currently are occupied by at least one duly-registered Cuban
station. Therefore, TV Marti probably will cause at least some
harmful interference to Cuban boradcasters, no matter what
channel it selects. This problem was confirmed by an independent
6
??
engineering study commissioned by USIA. Therefore, even if the
aforementioned radio regulations do not apply to TV Marti (as
some have erroneously argued), the proposed U.S. station still
would not be in compliance with the ITU's most basic principle --
a member nation's obligation to avoid causing harmful
interference to neighboring stations.
The ITU has no enforcement authority and, therefore, cannot
prevent the U.S. government from launching TV Marti.
Nonetheless, it is in our national interest to comply with the
regulations that prohibit such activity The United States is
increasingly dependent on an increasingly vulnerable
telecommunications system. Huge amounts of essential information
are transmitted over our airwaves each day. Yet the
U.S. telecommunications system has no technological protection
from outside interference. The only real safeguard for what is,
in effect, our national nervous system is the international
convention that prohibits interference with the domestic
telecommunications systems of other nations. If the United
States insists on being an uninvited guest on Cuban airwaves,
Cuba will be tempted, at the very least, to similarly ignore ITU
regulations and operate its domestic broadcasting system without
protecting Florida stations from harmful interference. Or Cuba
could respond in kind by broadcasting with high power to
U.S. audiences thereby causing interference to numerous North
RECNO
03
American broadcasters. In the worst case scenario, Cuba could
purposely disrupt the fragile U.S. telecommunications system
7
escalating a broadcasting war that neither country can win. (I
have attached an article I recently wrote for Broadcasting
magazine elaborating on this issue.)
Let me turn briefly to some related engineering
issues. Probably the most efficient option for delivering a clear
TV signal to Havana would be from a ship just off Cuban shores.
27
However, the legal advisors to USIA have said unequivocally that
such an operation would not be in compliance with international
regulations, to say nothing of being vulnerable to the Cuban
navy. Therefore, a U.S.-based system was chosen. The problem is
that television is line-of-sight, short-distance broadcasting,
and the 90 miles of water between the Florida Keys and Havana is
an unusually long distance for a television transmitter to
deliver its signal. Consequently, in order for TV Marti to send
its signal over the horizon to Cuba, it must broadcast from
high-altitude and/or at high power. Such a system would not only
be expensive and cumbersome, it also might interfere with they
signals of licensed TV stations in Florida. The
USIA-commissioned engineering studies confirm that this is a
potential problem.
The engineering studies also note that because of the
abnormally long distance from transmitter to receiver, the TV
Marti signal would be highly vulnerable. By slightly increasing
the power of existing stations or adding new low-power repeaters,
Cuba could neutralize the U.S. TV signal for less than one-half
of one percent of the estimated costs (by conservative estiamtes)
8
of TV Marti. In this regard, the Cuban government might hope
that TV Marti is launched at considerable financial and technical
costs to the United States.
If the true goal is to deliver television news and
entertainment to the Cuban people rather than to provoke a
confrontation with the Castro government, there are at least two
other ways to achieve the goal without the expense and disruption
certain to accompany TV Marti. The United States recently has
entered into negotiations for broadcasting exchanges with both
the Soviet Union and France. If successful, these negotiations
would give the Soviet Union access to U.S. AM frequencies and the
Voice of America access to French FM frequencies Such bilateral
arrangement are permissible under ITU regulations. The United
States also agreed to similar negotiations with Cuba as a quid
pro quo for restoration of the immigration agreement that was
suspended by the Cuban government in retaliation for the start-up
of Radio Marti. Information on those negotiations has been
classified, but apparently they have faltered.
Recent statments by high Cuban officials indicate that their
government is not opposed to receiving U.S. television signals in
Cuba. They say that such broadcasts are inevitable because of
the advances in communication technologies and the proximity of
the two countries. However, they object to the unilateral
introduction of Radio and TV Marti and express concern over the
"political intention" of the stations.
If these statements
accurately describe the Cuban government position, the United
9
States might be able to negotiate the transmission of existing
USIA television programming to Cuba, if the sovereignty of Cuban
airwaves is respected.
Another possibility is to give U.S. television enterprises
the green light to sell U.S. programming to Cuba, where audiences
seem eager for higher-quality commercial programming. The Berman
Amendment to the trade bill signed by President Reagan last month
seemingly would permit commercial television transactions with
Cuba for the first time in nearly three decades. (CNN's Ted
Turner is reportedly a fishing buddy of Fidel Castro, and a
modicum of television traffic between his network and Cuba is
already under way.) Either approach could bring U.S. news and
entertainment to Cuban television screens while averting a
regional broadcasting war and reducing the hefty costs to the
U.S. taxpayers.
In summary, Mr. Chairman, this is more than a question of
whether the U.S. government should respect the sovereignty of
Cuban airwaves. It is also a matter of U.S. self-interest. The
airwaves are a scarce resource, and the laws of physics dictate
that two transmitters broadcasting with equal power on the same
portion of those airwaves will drown each other out. Therefore,
to avoid an indecipherable jumble of compéting signals,
ideological adversaries such as the United States and Cuba must
cooperate in the use of that resource. TV Marti would be
operating outside the bounds of the International
Telecommunication Convention and would cause harmful interference
10
to both Cuban and U.S. television stations, while accomplishing
nothing that could not be achieved more cheaply through other,
less-confrontational means. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Monday
Memo
A commentary on TV Marti from John Nichols, Pennsylvania State University
A word of caution
ness data and other information critical in
about TV Marti
the daily lives of the American people are
transmitted over the airwaves. During the
Morrow era, the United States was just
In the aftermath of the 1962 Cuban missile
beginning experimental television transmis-
crisis, Edward R. Murrow, the legendary
sions via communication satellites, but now
broadcast journalist and then-director of the
satellites routinely relay the bulk of cable
U.S. Information Agency, reported in a se-
and network television, news services,
cret memo to President Kennedy on a new
long-distance phone calls, stock quotations,
weapon in the U.S. propaganda arsenal
banking transactions, etc., throughout the
against Cuba. In. collaboration with the De-
country. In fact, TV Marti programing
fense Department, USIA had developed the
would be carried from Miami studios to its
capability to beam television programs into
balloon-transmitter via satellite.
Cuba from airborne transmitters.
Yet this complex U.S. telecommunica-
The previously unpublished memo, de-
tions system has no technological protection
classified and released by the Kennedy
from outside disruption. The only real safe-
Presidential Library, describes how taped
guard for what is, in effect, our national
television programs could be broadcast into
nervous system is the international code of
Cuba from two specially equipped DC-6
conduct that prohibits interference with do-
aircraft flying at a maximum of 18,000 feet
mestic communications systems of other na-
just outside Cuban airspace. USIA was re-
tions. But if the U.S. government insists on
sponsible for the programing, but the "stra-
being an uninvited guest on Cuban air-
tovision" planes were under the command of
waves, the Cuban government will probably
Gen. Edward G. Lansdale, America's prime
respond in kind, causing serious disruption
psychological warrior.
John Spicer Nichols is an associate professor
in the fragile U.S. broadcasting system.
Although the airborne transmitters were
of communications at The Pennsylvania State
University, University Park, Pa. He is the
"We cannot stand idle for these things,"
operational and Landsdale was eager to de-
broadcasting specialist on a team of U.S. and
said Ramon Sanchez-Parodi, Cuba's top dip-
ploy them, Murrow counseled Kennedy:
lomat in the United States, in an interview
"We should not use this equipment to place
Cuban scholars that has collaborated to
television in Cuba under other than the most
describe and explain major issues of
earlier this month. "There will be response."
However, he declined to elaborate on how
grave circumstances." Such circumstances,
disagreement between the two countries. The
team is headed by Wayne S. Smith, formerly
the Cuban government would respond.
according to Murrow, were U.S. retaliatory
the top U.S. State Department expert on
Last month, only days after the Senate
air strikes or a full-blown invasion of Cuba.
Murrow's reasons for caution were the ease
Cuba, and a summary of the team's work titled
Appropriations Committee approved start-
with which the Cubans could jam the U.S.
"Subject to Solution: Problems in Cuban-U.S.
up funding for TV Marti, Cuba turned up
transmitters and what he referred to as the
Relations" will be published next month.
the power of two of its largest transmitters as
an apparent warning. AM radio broadcast-
"general situation." Kennedy took Mur-
ers in five southern states suffered interfer-
row's advice and, despite hostile relations
eral situation," it is clear from other declas-
ence as a result.
with Cuba, never used the system.
sified memos that many Kennedy adminis-
More ominous, however, is Cuba's recent
Today, a quarter century later, Congress is
tration officials involved in planning the
introduction of satellite equipment. There is
poised to authorize Television Marti, a rein-
anti-Cuban propaganda campaign were con-
no technological impediment to Cuba over-
carnation of the Murrow-Landsdale stratovi-
cerned about U.S. violations of internation-
riding U.S. satellite circuits with its own
sion project. The proposed USIA station
al law and vulnerability to retaliation.
television programing in the same way that,
would transmit six hours of daily television
The U.S. government is party to numer-
in a highly publicized 1986 incident, a Flor-
programing, including soap operas, music
ous treaties and technical accords that clear-
ida man kown as Captain Midnight briefly
videos and a U.S. government version of the
ly prohibit cross-national propaganda broad-
wiped Home Box Office off U.S. television
news, to Cuban audiences from a balloon
casts. But lacking an international cop to
screens using only basic transmitting equip-
floating 14,000 feet over the Florida Keys.
enforce these regulations, the United States
ment. Although Cuba is unlikely to take
The project-backed by the Reagan ad-
and other nations, including Cuba, have
such an extreme measure, the possibility
ministration-will cost an estimated $40
routinely ignored them.
should make U.S. policymakers think twice
million through 1990, when the television
For example, in 1985 the United States
before escalating their propaganda war
station is scheduled to be fully operational,
inaugurated Radio Marti, which broadcasts
against Cuba to television.
and $15.5 million annually thereafter. Al-
propaganda to Cuba via an AM radio trans-
Launching TV Marti is not only wasteful
though modern TV technology is more so-
mitter in Florida. The start-up of this radio
of U.S. tax dollars and prohibited under
phisticated than in Murrow's day, Cuba still
forerunner of TV Marti-named for 19th-
international law, it also would be self-de-
can easily neutralize U.S. broadcasts with
century Cuban patriot Jose Marti-enraged
structive. The airwaves, like any scarce re-
only a few thousand dollars of expenditures.
the Cuban government. It immediately
source, must be protected from pollution.
Aside from this colossal waste of U.S. tax
lashed back by suspending an important
And, as in other environmental issues, the
dollars, there is a more important reason for
immigration agreement with the U.S. and
interests of all nations, even ideological
not implementing TV Marti.
briefly disrupting U.S. commercial radio
adversaries such as Cuba and the United
Murrow, whose televised denunciation of
broadcasts as a "test and demonstration" of
States, are best served by cooperation-
Senator Joseph McCarthy helped to stem the
its ability to respond on the airwaves.
rather than confrontation-in the use of that
anti-communist hysteria of the 1950's, ap-
Provoking a broadcasting war is not in the
resource. By further polluting the airwaves
preciated the political uses of the medium,
best interests of the United States. We are
with cross-national propaganda, TV Marti
but he also recognized its potential for
increasingly dependent on an increasingly
will hasten the deterioration of radio and
abuse. Although his memo to Kennedy does
vulnerable telecommunications system.
television service in both countries.
not elaborate on what he meant by the "gen-
Huge amounts of news, entertainment, busi-
Murrow's caution remains valid today.
Broadcasting Jul 25 1988
24
the hearing fee does not seem fair when it
is imposed on the "lead applicant" in an
AM or TV case. When an initial applica-
OpenaMike
tion is filed and placed on a cut-off list,
that applicant should be exempt from pay-
ing the hearing fee. The parties who file
competing applications should be charged
a fee. They are, after all, the ones who
Separatist movement
John G. Conomikes, Hearst Corp.; James C.
necessitate a hearing.
Dowdle, Tribune Broadcasting; George N.
Another FCC policy that befuddles me
EDITOR: As the board of directors of the
Gillett Jr., Gillett Holdings; David E. Hen-
is the "AM daytimer preference." While
Television Operators Caucus, we are writing
derson, Outlet Communications; Ward L.
there's nothing wrong with awarding a
to express concern that BROADCASTING'S
Huey, Belo Broadcasting; Stanley G.
preference for AM daytimers in compara-
recent editorials regarding television broad-
Mouse, Cox Enterprises; Burton B. Staniar,
tive hearings for a new FM, it seems ludi-
cast public interest regulation may be seen
Westinghouse Broadcasting; Dudley S. Taft,
crous to require the AM owner to pledge to
as the view of a majority of television opera-
Taft Broadcasting, and Cecil L. Walker,
divest the AM daytimer within three years
tors. We believe they do not reflect a major-
Gannett Broadcasting.
if awarded the FM. As a practical matter,
ity view.
he should be required to keep the AM for
We were glad to see recent public state-
Editor's note: BROADCASTING has never represented its
three years. By transferring the AM station
ments by Ted Snyder, former chairman of
editorial policy as being that of an industry majority,
to another party, you again have a stand-
the National Association of Broadcasters,
although it does seek to develop views that are in the
alone AM with little chance of success
industry's-and the public's-best interest. Such a
and by the board of the Association of
view, concerning the public interest standard and
(especially since the new FM will have
Independent Television Stations taking a dif-
associated issues, appears on page 114.
drained off a significant amount of busi-
ferent position from these editorials.
ness by then).
As operators of 70 affiliated and indepen-
And while I'm on my soap box, let's talk
dent television stations in markets that reach
Sound off
about the FCC's "first come, first served"
over 52 million households, we also want to
process for FM applications. The rules say
call your attention to our published policy
EDITOR: Pete Hons in his letter in the July 4
when no applications are filed during a
statement, first issued on Feb. 12, 1987,
issue of BROADCASTING brought up the
window filing period, the allotment be-
supporting public interest responsibilities
issue of the FCC's spectrum fees, which
comes available on a first come, first
for television broadcasters.
according to Mr. Hons are "outrageous."
served basis. The party filing first receives
BROADCASTING'S coverage of these issues
While I do not disagree entirely with
a CP. The problem is that it is impossible
has been excellent, but it seems to us that its
him, I do think it is a good idea to have a
to get reliable information from the FCC
editorial position lacks support among
filing fee of some sort for broadcast appli-
concerning what has been filed.
working broadcasters who believe that the
cations. This will help separate the "riff-
Isn't it time the broadcast community
public interest standard is a basis for the
raff" from the serious applicants.
and the NAB join together and pressure the
public and the industry being well-
The $6,000 hearing fee is another mat-
FCC to operate more like a business in-
served.-James T. Lynagh, Multimedia
ter. In these days when almost every appli-
stead of the bumbling bureaucracy it is?-
Broadcasting (TOC chairman); George E.
cation is subject to a hearing, it seems like
Larry G. Fuss, broadcast consultant, Con-
Castrucci, Great American Broadcasting;
the FCC is "double dipping." They want
temporary Communications Broadcast Con-
Joel Chaseman, Post-Newsweek Stations;
money when you file and more later. And
sultants, Opelika, Ala.
Meetings
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Broadcasting Jul 25 1988
23
National Council on United States-Cuban Relations
731 Eighth Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003 (202) 547-3800
Telex: 5106017738
Fax (202) 546-4784
if
STATEMENT
OF THE
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON U.S. - CUBAN RELATIONS
SUBMITTED TO THE
-
HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS
"TV MARTI"
SEPTEMBER 22, 1988
A project of The Commission on United States-Latin American Relations
for the International Center for Development Policy
President: Robert E. White
Executive Director: Lindsay Mattison
The National Council on U.S. - Cuban Relations, after careful
review of the issue, strongly opposes the creation by the U.S. Congress
of "TV Marti" a project to broadcast U.S. sanctioned news into
Havana by floating a balloon 10,000 feet above the Florida Keys.
This ill-conceived project will, without question, have serious
and harmful foreign policy implications while running counter to
current U.S. interests in regard to Cuba. It could cripple efforts by a
new administration to resolve the serious and far-reaching foreign
policy issues involved in normalizing relations with Cuba.
TV Marti could:
-- threaten the agreement just negotiated by the U.S. State
Department involving the withdrawal of some 40,000 Cuban troops from
Angola;
- - threaten the immigration agreement reached last November
between Cuba and the United States permitting the normal flow of
20,000 refugees from Cuba into the United States each year;
-- threaten the progress that is now being made toward improved
relations between our two countries which can lead to the reunification
of Cuban families.
During the past year, Cuba has made important progress in the area
of human rights and has sent signals to the United States indicating
its desire for rapprochement and for an end to the needless
hostilities between our two countries.
For example:
Cuba has invited the United Nations Human Rights Commission into
the country; has hosted numerous human rights delegations from the
United States; has permitted unscheduled and random inspection of its
prisons by a group of U.S. experts; has freed hundreds of political
prisoners and allowed them to come to the United States; has hosted
numerous high-level delegations of U.S. citizens; has won a seat on the
prestigious U.N. Human Rights Commission; has renewed the U.S. - Cuba
immigration accord; has agreed to withdraw 40,000 troops from Angola;
and has permitted the International Committee of the Red Cross access
to Cuban prisons.
Given this atmosphere in which the U.S. State Department, during
the past year, has made substantial progress in our relations with Cuba
through the renewal of the 1984 Immigration Accord, through the recent
Angolan agreement and through the on-going radio transmission talks,
would it not be totally illogical for the U.S. Congress to now
appropriate funds creating such an ill-conceived project as TV Marti
which the Cubans regard as a violation of their sovereignty and as a
hostile act? Does this not merely continue existing hostile policies
toward Cuba -- policies which have failed for 30 years?
The National Council on U.S. - Cuban Relations considers TV Marti
counter to U.S interests in our foreign policy with Latin America and
the Caribbean. Every country in South America has resumed diplomatic
relations with Cuba with the exceptions of Chile and Paraguay. Both
Canada and Mexico have always maintained full relations with Cuba.
Last November, the presidents of eight Latin American countries
representing 80 percent of the Latin American population, issued an
appeal that Cuba be reinstated in the Organization of American States.
The creation of TV Marti also runs counter to U.S. economic
interests. A trade study released in July by Johns Hopkins University
indicates that we are losing one and a half billion dollars each year
in trade with Cuba which is now. taking place through U.S. subsidiaries
and that we have lost a total of $30 billion over the past 28 years
resulting from the U.S. embargo.
Within the United States, U.S. policy toward Cuba has allowed
right-wing political extremists to manipulate successfully the Miami
Cuban-American community, turning a foreign policy issue of critical
national importance into a partisan vote-getting charade and causing
political tensions within the Hispanic community. The only benefit to
be gained from TV Marti is to appease those persons who, in reality,
seek only personal, political and economic gain.
One painful aspect of U.S. policy toward Cuba is the continued
separation of Cuban families. Studies have shown that up to 50 percent
of Cuban-Americans hope for improved U.S. - Cuban relations so that
their families may be reunited.
The 1988 National Hispanic Agenda - - a document drafted by a
bipartisan group of more than 100 Hispanic elected officials and
community leaders from 20 states representing 18 million Hispanics --
calls on a new U.S. president to "aggressively pursue a policy that
promotes the reunification of Cuban families."
The National Council was created in 1987 to work for normalization
of relations between Cuba and the United States. The Council provides
an opportunity for influential and prominent individuals across the
country to speak out with one voice in support of rapprochement between
the two countries -- including travel and trade.
The Council works for the restoration of full relations not out of
admiration for Cuba or Fidel Castro, but becuse an effective foreign
policy requires the United States to work with all nations in the
Western Hemisphere, not just with those we like. Only through improved
relations can we deal with the issues of human rights, reunification of
Cuban families, first amendment rights of Americans to travel and
exchange ideas, and the growing isolation of the United States from its
Latin American neighbors.
We urge the House Subcommittee on Western Hemispheric Affairs to
request House Conferees on HR 4782 to remove the provision added by
the Senate appropriating funds for TV Marti from HR 4782 based on its
foreign policy implications.
PREPARED STATEMENT OF DR. PHILIP BRENNER
Associate Professor, School of International Service
The American University, Washington, D.C.
Before the
Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs
Committee on Foreign Affairs
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
September 22, 1988
PREPARED STATEMENT OF PHILIP BRENNER, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SCHOOL
OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICE, THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, it is an honor for
me to appear before the subcommittee, because I have studied its work
for many years. I am an associate professor at The American
University, where I teach foreign policy in the School of
International Service and the Washington Semester Program, the
author of a recently published book on United States - Cuban
relations (From Confrontation to Negotiation: U.S. Relations with
Cuba, Westview Press), and a co-editor of a soon to be published
anthology about Cuba (The Cuba Reader, Grove Press).
It requires fortitude to take on the politically charged issue
of television transmission to Cuba at this late date in the
legislative cycle. I commend the subcommittee for doing so, because
Television Marti can do harm to significant U.S. interests.
The United States may have an interest in providing accurate
news to Cubans about their own country and about events throughout
the world. However, this is not an interest of high priority,
irrespective of how important it seems to be to the small segment
of our population that wants to tailor U.S. policy to its objectives.
Permit me to suggest that a list of far more important U.S.
interests related to Cuba would include the following:
-- diminution of the Soviet military presence in the hemisphere;
-- reduction of tension and potential conflicts in the hemisphere;
-- decrease in potential flashpoints with the Soviet Union;
-- peaceful resolution of conflicts in southern Africa;
-- promotion of human rights in Cuba;
-- regularization of family visits by Cubans to the United States
and Cuban-Americans to Cuba;
-- settlement of claims against Cuba by those corporations and
people whose property was nationalized without compensation;
-- control of drugs and apprehension of illegal drug traffickers;
-- coordination of matters affected by the proximity of the two
countries, such as coast guard patrols, fishing boundaries,
weather forecasts, and air traffic control;
- 2 -
-- adequate access to supplies by our diplomats in Cuba and
reasonable privacy and security for them;
-- permission for U.S. news agencies to station correspondents in
Cuba;
-- regulation of telecommunications.
Without question, the start-up of T.V. Marti would render moot
the last interest on the list. It is likely to undermine all of our
other interests as well. Some may view T.V. Marti merely as a
gesture to a powerful constituency, and symbolic politics are a
common and useful feature of our politics. But a symbolic reward
should not interfere with tangible interests as it does in this
case. The cost of T.V. Marti is greater than the anticipated $40
million to operate the project -- too much greater.
T.V. MARTI: A BAD BARGAIN AND BAD POLICY
Cuba has indicated a willingness to talk about virtually all
of the issues that affect our interests, even those related to the
Soviet presence in the hemisphere. Cuban officials have acknowledged
that the United States has legitimate security concerns in this
regard which they are prepared to discuss. This probably does not
mean that they would negotiate the total removal of the Soviets
from Cuba, or that they would uncouple Cuba from its extensive
Soviet ties. But their acknowledgement of our concern is a
significant movement on their part, because for many years they
treated U.S. security concerns as trivial. At the least, this new
attitude gives us a basis to discuss our differences.
On the other issues, there is greater likelihood that we could
achieve several of our goals through negotiation with Cuba. Recent
experience with the Cubans in talks on immigration -- in which we
gained a good agreement from them -- and on the conflicts in southern
Africa, indicates that we can benefit from negotiations far more
than from confrontation. Some may dismiss Cuba's readiness to
negotiate as a ploy intended to gain it international support. But
in the last year Cubans have addressed U.S. interests seriously.
They abandoned their insistence that restoration of the immigration
- 3 -
accord be coupled to an agreement over radio broadcasts, they
invited several international human rights organizations to inspect
Cuban prisons, and they have made concessions about their continued
presence in Angola. It would difficult to assert, therefore, that
talking to Cuba is a pointless exercise. On the contrary, we would
seem to have much to gain from continued discussions.
It would be inaccurate also to surmise that Cuba only negotiates
with the United States in response to U.S. threats or pressure.
This appears to be the least likely way to bring Cuba to a
negotiating table. Consider recent experience. Cuba's domestic
politics appears to have influenced its decision to seek resumption
of the immigration accord, which allows 20,000 Cubans to migrate
annually to the United States. The opening to human rights groups
has been a process developing over several years -- not a response
to U.S. demands at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, which were
rejected by the Commission members including our allies in Latin
America. It appears to have been influenced by a complex set of
factors, including Cuba's desire to work more closely with Latin
American democracies, the encouragement of the Catholic Church in
Cuba, Latin American countries and the United States, and internal
Cuban politics. Finally, it is notable that the Angola negotiations
began to bear fruit when the United States dropped its objection to
Cuban participation in the talks, and when military pressure against
Angola had subsided.
The Cubans suspended the 1984 immigration when Radio Marti
went on the air. They may react in a similar way to T.V. Marti.
What we potentially sacrifice, then, is progress we have made in
securing our interests, and the possibility of continuing to build
on past gains. T.V. Marti would be cold water on a warming trend
from which we benefit as much as the Cubans do. At its worst, T.V.
Marti could impel Cuba to respond in hostile ways that would worsen
our relationship, and set back gains we have achieved. If we in
turn respond to their hostile retaliation with additional
provocations, we invite unnecessary tension on our border and even
- 4 -
threaten the celebrated rapprochement with the Soviet Union that we
have been developing.
What we would obtain in return for establishing T.V. Marti
makes it a very bad bargain -- and consequently bad policy. We
might be able to provide some new entertainment for the Cuban
people. But certainly we have little interest in providing
entertainment for them -- especially of the sort that is on U.S.
television. Cubans already watch Hollywood films, which are popular,
listen to western rock music, and even receive some U.S. television
from Florida stations.
News might be another matter, but we are not even sure that
Cubans listen to Radio Marti news. We can tentatively conclude --
on the basis both of impressionistic evidence from visitors to Cuba
and of surveys conducted with Cuban exiles -- that Radio Marti is
popular in Cuba. But we do not have good data about Radio Marti
news. It is likely that Cubans enjoy no more than Radio Marti's
entertainment programs and features such as letters from home, and
tune out when the news comes on. Thus there is little certainty
that Cubans would pay any attention to T.V. Marti news and good
reason to think they would ignore it. Its controversial source
would make it suspect.
The bargain looks even worse when we consider the direct costs
of developing T.V. Marti. Beyond the expenditure by the government
of $40 million -- or $7.5 initially -- U.S. broadcasters may suffer
monetary damages. The most technically feasible means of
transmitting television signals to Cuba from the United States --
according to the studies commissioned by the Voice of America --
would be from a tethered aerostat or tower. Either is likely to
generate some interference with domestic U.S. broadcasts. Indeed,
the National Association of Broadcasters has raised important and
as yet unanswered questions about the way in which the transmissions
themselves would disrupt domestic U.S. television broadcasts.
There is also some probability that T.V. Marti would generate
complications for military communications -- especially if it is
located at the most feasible site, Cudjoe Key Air Force facility,
- 5 -
which would enable it to take advantage of the restricted airspace
zone that exists there.
Interference would be compounded if Cuba chooses to jam T.V.
Marti broadcasts or to retaliate with their own broadcasts. While
Cuba jams Radio Marti infrequently, and it has not threatened to
jam T.V. Marti on a continual basis, it has interfered with domestic
U.S. radio broadcasts from time to time by transmitting a powerful
signal to the United States. Notably it did so on the day when the
Senate Appropriations Committee approved T.V. Marti. At the least,
we could expect the same behavior if we establish T.V. Marti.
If T.V. Marti broadcasts regularly filter onto the U.S.
airwaves, this would appear to violate the law that governs United
States Information Agency broadcasts. The Congress might solve this
problem by changing the law, but that would be akin to fishing with
a bazooka. You would get the fish, but kill several other things
in the process. The law that restrains the U.S.I.A. from
transmitting to the United States was intended to prevent the
development of a ministry of information that would propagandize
the American people. In pursuit of opening up the Cuban system, we
could be opening up ourselves to the very sort of manipulation that
T.V. Marti proponents claim exists in Cuba.
The cost to Cuba of jamming T.V. Marti would not be significant.
Given the narrow band available to us for transmission, and the
weak signal that T.V. Marti would generate from a facility within
the United States, jamming T.V. Marti would be easier than jamming
Radio Marti. Thus T.V. Marti would not only be a bad bargain if it
were able to work. There is considerable doubt that we would be
able to send effective television transmissions to Cuba. Yet just
trying to do so entails costs, because of the antagonism that the
effort generates and the spiral of countermeasures the Cubans are
likely to take.
As the VOA feasibility studies explain, some of the
complications related to transmission from a U.S.-based facility
could be overcome if T.V. Marti were broadcast from international
waters. But the studies argue convincingly that of the five possible
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transmission modes, only those based in the United States would
comply with international regulations to which the United States is
a signatory. The United States could potentially nullify regulations
that benefit us significantly for the minor gain of a strengthened
signal and fewer domestic transmission complications. But the
cost-benefit calculation weighs heavily against transmission from
international waters.
BETTER WAYS TO TRANSMIT INFORMATION
There are far better ways, from the perspective of long-term
U.S. interests, to bring more information to the Cuban people than
pirate television broadcasts. The first way would be to use the
very same medium -- television -- but to establish transmission as
the result of a reciprocal broadcast agreement. The United States
has nothing to fear from Cuban television programs beamed at us,
though there would be difficulty in arranging a clear channel for the
Cuban broadcasts. Still, the Cubans are willing to discuss this
matter. Let me report to you what the head of the Cuban Interests
Section in Washington has stated about this. Ramon Sanchez-Parodi
said last week:
"Cuba's opposition to T.V. Marti is based on principle, not
content. We would be happy to allow reciprocal transmission.
We will oppose T.V. Marti not because of its transmission but
because of the way it is being pursued -- without regard to
our sovereignty."
Under a reciprocal broadcast agreement presumably there would not
be any jamming of our programs, which would increase the likelihood
that Cubans will actually be able to watch them.
Another way that might be as effective in bringing credible
information to Cubans would be to promote increased contact between
the people from each country, and to encourage regular cultural
exchanges. It is the United States that instigated the closure of
this avenue of communication. In 1985, President Reagan signed a
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proclamation (Proclamation 5377, October 4, 1985) that barred entry
to the United States by "officers or employees of the Government of
Cuba or the Communist Party of Cuba holding diplomatic or official
passports" and others who "are considered by the Secretary of State
or his designee to be officers or employees of the Government of
Cuba or the Communist Party of Cuba." In effect, because Cuba is a
socialist society in which most people work for the government,
this regulation closed off the United States to many kinds of
people who came here from Cuba before. The rationale for the
restriction was that Cuba had suspended the 1984 immigration
agreement with the United States. Yet this agreement was restored
late last year, and the President's proclamation remains in place,
though this year the State Department has made exceptions to the
rule.
Our action left the United States as the principal country in
the world that has little contact with Cuba. Cubans have significant
interaction with people from most other countries, including all the
democracies in this hemisphere and western Europe. Tourism from
these countries has accelerated, and tourists have not been confined
to limited areas on the island. They interact with Cubans in all
walks of life. Cuba also sends more than 1,000 students each year
to study in non-communist countries, and invites many thousands to
study in Cuba. On the Isle of Youth, alone, Cuban schools provide
instruction for 30,000 foreign students from Third World, mostly
non-communist, countries.
While Cuba's trade is limited by a lack of hard currency, and
total trade with non-communist countries is only 15 percent of its
international commerce, it has made a special effort to develop
commercial ties to Brazil and Argentina. These links provide
substantial contact between a broad spectrum of the Cuban population
and the people in these other countries.
The United States could act immediately to increase the flow
of information to Cuba by removing restrictions that prevent Cuban
scholars, artists, scientists and government officials from traveling
to the United States. One consequence of President Reagan's
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proclamation was that several exchange programs between U.S. and
Cuban universities were terminated, because our universities could
not reciprocate invitations to Cuban scholars and students. Those
Cubans thus were denied first hand information about the United
States, and our scholars and students have been denied the ability
to meet and talk with people in Cuba. Previous exchanges had not
only generated personal meetings, but also the transfer of printed
and video materials to Cuban universities.
The degree to which the Cuban government restricts information
'to its people has not been constant since 1959. It appears to vary
in tandem with the degree to which the government feels Cuba is
threatened from abroad. Certainly other factors affect the extent
to which internal controls are relaxed, and during its most open
periods information has been still quite restricted in Cuba. But
the fact that there has been variation, and that the variation is
related to Cuba's sense of being under attack, indicates that the
United States could expect to provide more information to Cubans if
we reduced Cuba's sense of external threat.
This could be done in relatively simple ways. First, U.S.
officials could help to reduce the level of tension between the two
countries by refraining from the use of bellicose language. In
June, for example, President Reagan scoffed at "rumors
that
there'll be a thaw or warming in our relations with Cuba," and
emphasized that "I've worked diligently to stop the spread of
Communism all over the world." To be sure, his remarks might be
dismissed as symbolic politics. But a small country such as Cuba
cannot dismiss such rhetoric so lightly, and Cuban leaders tend to
give hostile symbols the most malevolent interpretation possible.
Second, the United States might join with its neighbors in
trying to bring Cuba back into the Organization of American States.
The democracies of Latin America appear poised to invite Cuba to
rejoin the OAS, or at least to participate more fully in hemispheric
meetings. By supporting such a move, or by not resisting it, the
United States would send a signal that it is willing to live with a
revolutionary socialist Cuba in the hemisphere. In any case, the
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other countries are likely to pursue Cuban reintegration. U.S.
intransigence on this matter only serves to irritate our hemispheric
allies and thus to create a roadblock as we try to pursue our
interests with them.
CONCLUSION: NO COMPELLING NEED TO RUSH
It is ironic that those who would bring information to Cuba
have pursued T.V. Marti in a way that obscures it from the American
people. As Senator Claiborne Pell appropriately observed last June,
The entire authorization process is being bypassed
the
TV Marti proposal deserves the same indepth consideration
as the Congress devoted to the Radio Marti Program.
There is no compelling congressional or national interest that
leads to such a rush to broadcast. On the contrary, there is a
compelling logic to give the Congress an opportunity to review the
project carefully.
Such a review would enable members to evaluate the mounting
evidence that T.V. Marti may have serious feasibility problems. At
the same time you would be able to weigh the foreign policy costs
and benefits of the project, and ascertain the desirability of what
will certainly be a deleterious effect on U.S. interests vis-a-vis
Cuba.
T.V. Marti cannot be viewed in isolation from the thirty-year
telecommunications war between the United States and Cuba.
Especially in the 1960s, U.S. broadcasts to Cuba over Radio Swan
and Radio Americas were intended to de-stabilize the regime there.
Radio Swan's propaganda, for example, was designed to encourage
Cubans to participate in the anticipated popular uprising immediately
after the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. Even Radio Marti, which the
Cuban government seems to tolerate somewhat, was characterized by
early proponents as a propaganda tool in a "war of national
liberation against Cuba." Much as the United States might disavow
any hostile intention with the initiation of T.V. Marti, and however
much we may emphasize the benign nature of the broadcasts, the
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legacy of prior irregular broadcasting to Cuba hangs as a cloud
over this project.
This is a cloud we should stop seeding. The United States has
a fundamental interest in encouraging nations to resolve differences
through established and legal procedures. We have little moral
basis from which to demand responsible behavior from other countries
if we do not adhere to high standards of international conduct.
A House-Senate conference on appropriations for the Departments
of Commerce, Justice, and State, and the Judiciary and related
agencies will meet soon to consider the Senate's insertion of $7.5
million into the legislation for the purpose of starting up T.V.
Marti. Prudence would require that the conference delete the Senate
proposal, and that the Congress proceed with a full review of the
project next year.