Northern California radio stations got something extra Monday with the monthly emergency alert system test transmitted by fellow station KFBK -- and at least one of them was none too happy about it.
The test, complete with raspy alarm and tone, didn't end with the familiar words, "This concludes the test of the Emergency Alert System ... "
Instead, it segued into a political advertisement by Republican Dick Mountjoy, who is running for U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Dianne Feinstein, and another spot for a mortgage company.
"In layperson's terms, it's called operator error," said Jeff Holden, station manager for KFBK (1530 AM).
The problem, Holden said, is that the signal that ends the test "didn't fire properly."
As a result, KFBK's regular programming -- in this case, the ads -- took over the airwaves at radio stations in 17 Northern California counties, and perhaps even the audio of some television stations.
Holden said he doesn't know how many stations were affected. Workers monitor feeds at some of the stations and would have cut off the transmission from KFBK before the ads came across, he said.
KFBK realized its mistake when one of the other radio stations that shares its building noticed it, Holden said.
(snip)
. . . Holden said no one intended to broadcast the political ad, which blasted Feinstein on the issue of illegal immigration.
KFBK handles the emergency alert system, including the monthly test, as part of its federal license.