Updated June 5, 2009
Updated FAQs and Answers for the DTV Transition June 5, 2009
SBE member, Gary Sgrignoli, of the consulting firm, Meintel, Sgrignoli, & Wallace, LLC, (MSW) has updated his exhaustive list of frequently asked questions and answers dealing with the DTV transition. Gary has graciously provided the FAQ list to the SBE for posting on our website. The material in the FAQ is a combination of original MSW information and existing on-line material from various sources. The on-line material comes from the following websites:
www.dtv2009.gov (NTIA website)
www.dtv.gov (FCC website)
www.dtvanswers.com (NAB website)
www.digitaltips.org (CEA website)
www.antennaweb.org (CEA & NTIA shared website)
Whenever possible, the existing DTV-related material from these websites was used, and just combined with the original MSW material for best organization.
Gary tells us that there were times that the on-line material was edited for enhanced descriptions and easier flow of reading. Readers are urged to use all of the above web sites, plus the specific web site URLs listed in the FAQ list, along with the glossary at the end of this document.
This FAQ list is written for the broadcast engineer and technician who will be dealing with the DTV transition first hand. The information that follows tries to provide simple questions that a DTV viewer might have, and some straightforward answers for those questions. However, the answers are not necessarily written in the simplest of terms for the laymen, but need further “translation” (simplification) by the television station engineers if it is to be used directly with viewers or with television station public relations personnel who will deal with viewers.
The table of contents of the FAQ document includes the following sections (with page #s):
GENERAL DTV INFORMATION …………………………………………………………. . 3
DTV TRANSITION INFORMATION ……………………………………………………… 10
COUPON ELIGIBLE CONVERTER BOX (CECB) PROGRAM ……………………….. 18
DTV SPECTRUM ALLOCATION …………………………………………………………. 24
PROPAGATION FUNDAMENTALS ………………………………………………………. 27
ANTENNAS …………………………………………………………………………………. 31
PREAMPS, CABLE, AND SPLITTERS ………………………………………………….. 36
DTV RECEIVERS ………………………………………………………………………… 39
DTV RECEPTION TECHNIQUES …………………………………………………….…. 46
MORE INFORMATION …………………………………………………………………….. 61
GLOSSARY …………………………………………………………………………………. 62 Scherer and Heimerl elected SBE Fellows (May 20, 2009)
Two members of SBE were recently elected to the membership grade of Fellow by the SBE Board of Directors. At their April 19 meeting in Las Vegas, the Board acted on the nominations of Christopher H. Scherer, CPBE, CBNT and John J. Heimerl, CPBE for SBE Fellows. Fellow membership is the highest recognition bestowed by the SBE to one of its members and recognizes conspicuous service and contributions to the Society and the broadcast engineering industry.
Christopher H. Scherer, CPBE, CBNT, is the editor of Radio magazine. Scherer serves on the SBE Board of Directors as Immediate Past President. He served as SBE president from 2005 to 2007. He is also a past chairman of the SBE national Certification Committee and a past chairman of Chapter 59 in Kansas City.
John J. Heimerl, CPBE is the Chief Enterprise Officer of the Hampton Roads Education Telecommunications Association, Inc. in Norfolk, Va. Heimerl is a charter member of SBE Chapter 54 (Tidewater, Va.) and has served on its board numerous times including various officer positions and as a past chairman.
"Both of these men represent the finest qualities we have come to expect from SBE members and broadcast engineers. Their commitment to the Society demonstrates a desire to support and develop our profession,” SBE President Barry Thomas, CPBE, CBNT said.
Both men will be recognized during the SBE National Awards Dinner, held as a part of the SBE National Meeting, October 7, in Verona, New York. The National Meeting is being held in conjunction with the Broadcast & Technology Expo, sponsored by Chapter 22 of Central New York.
FCC Issues Nationwide Analog Shutoff Lists (Feb. 19, 2009)
The Federal Communications Commission has issued a Public Notice that provides lists of full-power television broadcast stations that have terminated their analog operations prior to February 17, 2009, and those that have notified the Commission that they intended to terminate analog operations on February 17, 2009. Click the link below to read the Public Notice, which explains the lists.
Public Notice
There are two lists. Appendix A to the Public Notice contains a list of 190 stations that notified the FCC they would terminate their analog operations before February 17, 2009. It also lists the 491 stations that notified the Commission on February 9 of their intent to terminate their analog operations on February 17, 2009.
Appendix A
Appendix B contains a list of all full-power television stations, grouped by Nielsen Designated Market Area (DMA), and indicates in bold the 681 stations terminating analog service on or before February 17, 2009.
Appendix B
Dealing With an Unexpected Layoff, by The Dolans (Feb. 18, 2009)
Introduction by Tom Ray, CPBE, SBE Marketing & PR Committee Chairman
If you’ve been living under a rock recently (and with this economy, unfortunately, you may very well be), you know that things are bad out there. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched in some way by all of the layoff activity that has been going on. If you’ve been laid off, or are thinking you may very well be next on the chopping block, you may need some assistance. Or, you may know someone who has been recently laid off and may need some assistance.
My good friends, Ken and Daria Dolan (aka, The Dolans), of the WOR Radio Network have put together a special article for SBE, “You’ve Been Laid Off…Now What?” The article contains valuable information on some things you may not consider if the layoff ax swings in your direction, along with links to valuable resources that you can use. In reviewing the article before publication, I learned several things and found it very enlightening.
The Dolans are very straight forward, progressive people with a lot of common sense, and have been involved in all things financial for a very long time, including stints with The CBS Morning Show, CNN, and hosting their own program on the former NBC Talknet before coming to The WOR Radio Network. I’m sure you’ll find the article enlightening and extremely helpful, whether you have been touched personally by a layoff or know of someone who has been. And if you know of someone who has been laid off, please forward the link to them so they can also benefit from the wisdom imparted by The Dolans.
Don’t forget also that SBE is a valuable resource in your job search. SBE maintains a job listing service (SBE JobsOnline), can assist you with your resume (SBE Resume Service), and offers such programs as our SBE Program of Certification to help make you more valuable to a potential employer. You should also know that, with SBE Membership renewal time upon us, if you are in an employment situation where the membership fee will be a hardship for you, you can apply to have the fee waived so that you can maintain your SBE membership and take advantage of the services SBE has to offer you.
Here’s hoping that you are in good shape employment-wise. If you’re not, I hope that this information will be a help. In either case, good luck, and know that you’re not alone.
Awards Nominations extended to June 18 (May 27,. 2009)
The deadline for nominations for the annual SBE National Awards has been extended to June 18.
Take a look around you ... what do you see? Do you see a fellow engineer going above and beyond? How about your local SBE Chapter? Do you think it deserves recognition? Many times, we are too busy in our daily activities to recognize the hard work that is going on around us. We all would like to be thought of as “team players." Sometimes, people that go above and beyond go unnoticed simply because they always work that way and we get used to it but never do anything to give the person the recognition they deserve.
Wouldn’t it be nice to recognize the achievements of those around us? Well, you can! You can fill out an Annual Awards Nomination form for a variety of Awards. The National Awards Committee was created to recognize those who go above and beyond. We need your help. We need you to tell us who you feel deserves to be recognized. Please fill out an Awards Nomination form before the upcoming deadline. The Awards forms are available in the Signal or download them below:
Individual Awards
Chapter Awards
We are changing the way the Annual Awards Nomination process works this year. From this point forward, we will be accepting nominations to cover the period from January 1, 2008- May 31, 2009 and the awards will be recognized in October 2009. This will be an extended period of time to allow us to get in sync with the SBE National meeting and be able to present the awards on a timelier basis. The next Awards Nomination period will be from June 1, 2009 – May 31, 2010 and the awards will be recognized in October 2010. The nomination period will remain from June 1 – May 31 every year after that.
If you have any questions and/or comments, feel free to contact Awards chairman Mark Simpson mark.simpson@citcomm.com or Megan Clappe mclappe@sbe.org
SBE University Offers 8-VSB Course (Feb. 6, 2009)
The SBE has introduced the fourth course in its SBE University series of on-line, on-demand courses for broadcast engineers . The SBE 8-VSB Course is written by Douglas W. Garlinger, CPBE, 8VSB, CBNT, a Fellow in the Society of Broadcast Engineers and Senior Broadcast Engineer for Qualcomm Media FLO.
The purpose of the SBE 8-VSB course is to give the student an overview of the 8-VSB system from end to end, providing all of the basic information he or she will need to understand the nature of 8-VSB modulation and to recognize deficiencies in the transmitted signal. This information will be invaluable in installing, maintaining and operating a digital television transmitter facility. Much of the material contained in this course will aid the student in his or her efforts to obtain the SBE 8-VSB Specialist Certification.
The primary focus of the SBE 8-VSB Course is RF transmission and the process employed to transform the 19.39 Mbit/s transport signal into a signal suitable to modulate the transmitter. The course will also touch briefly on some of the important elements in the transport stream, such as video compression, picture formats, Active Format Description, PSIP and Dolby AC-3 audio.
A more thorough description of the SBE 8-VSB Course, including a course syllabus, and enrollment information, can be found at the SBE web site.
AM Directional Antenna Rules Effective February 5 Feb. 6, 2009
The FCC has published the new AM Directional Antenna Performance Verification order in the Federal Register. The order was published on February 5 and was effective immediately. A copy of the published statement can be found at the SBE website, Legislation Issues and Positions page. A copy of the AM Directional Antenna Performance Verification rules can also be found on that page.
SBE Television Operator’s Certification Handbook, 7th Ed.
NEW for 2009! Jan. 2, 2009
The new 7th edition of the SBE Television Operator's Certification Handbook is now available. The 7th edition has been totally rewritten and updated to include the latest developments in digital television. It is designed for the entry level, non-technical pool of applicants that fill master control positions in today's television marketplace.
The SBE Television Operator's Certification Handbook is written by three experts in television broadcast engineering including, Dane E. Ericksen, P.E., CSRTE, 8-VSB, CBNT,
senior engineer with Hammett & Edison, Inc., Consulting Engineers and is a member of the SBE national board of directors. Douglas W. Garlinger, CPBE, 8-VSB, CBNT, of MediaFlo-USA, has been in television engineering management for more than 35 years. He earlier served as director of engineering for LeSea Broadcasting for 23 years. Joe Snelson, Jr., CPBE, 8-VSB, is vice president and director of engineering for the Meredith Broadcasting Group, a position he has held since 1998. All three men are members of the national SBE Certification Committee.
The 7th edition includes practical information on the Emergency Alert System, FAA tower lighting, remote control operation, FCC power levels, program sources, ingesting, Children's Television time restrictions and more. It contains new and updated information on how TV facilities work, operating the station, the duties of master control operators and maintaining the station logs. It explains the digital signal path as programming passes through typical equipment found in a modern digital master control.
The last chapter provides a basic introduction to the principles of 8-VSB transmission, video compression, PSIP and the DTV formats used to display the video picture on the home receiver.
Purchase of the handbook includes an optional exam that leads to certification by the SBE as a Certified Television Operator (CTO).
The price for one copy is just $49.00, plus $3 for shipping and handling, and includes the cost of the certification exam. Educational institutions will receive a 10% discount on the purchase price when ordering five or more copies. All others will receive a 5% discount on orders of five to nine copies and 10% on orders of ten or more copies. For more information, please contact the SBE National Office.
by the AM Directional Antenna Performance Verification Coalition
In a long-awaited and much publicized action, the FCC recently enacted new rules that will allow AM broadcasters to use computer modeling for performance verification of many directional antenna systems. The new rules give broadcasters some new options and provide for a much lower cost means of tuning and proofing an AM antenna. This represents a new paradigm in AM antenna work. To borrow a popular advertising phrase, “This is going to change everything.”
However, since the proposed rules first hit the radar screen of the trade press and message boards, there has been a good bit of misinformation floating around. Even the release of the 2nd Report & Order back in September did not clear most of this up. As a result, there is much confusion and unnecessary worry throughout the AM broadcast community. The AM Directional Antenna Verification Coalition, which proposed the new rule, wishes to put these worries to rest by clarifying what the new rules and procedures mean for broadcast station owners, operators and engineers.
First off, antenna modeling represents an option for broadcasters. It is not mandatory for station owners to have their arrays modeled. Stations can continue operating under the terms of their existing licenses as before. But if there exists a condition, such as an out-of-tolerance monitor point or tower work above the base insulator that would otherwise require adjustment and either a full or partial proof of the array, the option now exists to instead construct a model of the array, calibrate the sample system and adjust the array to the model-indicated parameters. In these days of high gas prices, that sure beats driving a bunch of radials! But if a traditional proof is a more comfortable route, that remains an option as well.
Only series-fed (i.e. insulated-base) towers are eligible for the modeling option. This rules out skirt-fed (“folded unipole”) elements and shunt-fed towers using a slant wire. Arrays using other than insulated base series-fed towers will have to stick with the old proof method.
Unequal height towers are eligible for the modeling option, provided that they are series fed.
Top-loaded towers are also eligible for the modeling option, again provided that they are series fed.
Monitor points will be a thing of the past for stations licensed pursuant to the modeling option. Instead, some reference field strength measurements are made with the modeling option. These measurements are filed along with the model, but they do not have licensed maximum values as monitor points do.
Recertification of the sample system is required every 24 months for stations employing the modeling option. This consists of the same measurements and tests made initially during the array tune-up, namely checking the current/voltage/phase linearity of the base sample devices (TCTs) or checking of the consistency of the impedance of the sample loops, and checking the sample lines for electrical length and loss. Also once every 24 months, the reference field strength measurements must be repeated. Again, these aren’t monitor points, so a higher field strength at a point than one filed with the license application does not constitute a “violation.”
Finally, it is not necessary to file an FCC Form 301 to employ the modeling option in most cases. The station license can be modified for eligible stations with a Form 302-AM.
AM station owners and engineers should recognize the cost savings that the modeling option represents. Most if not all the variables associated with the old way of doing things can be eliminated, leaving a fast, fixed-cost means of tuning up and “proofing” a directional array. Rather than days, weeks or even months of trial and error adjustments and measurements, the modeling and adjustment process can be completed in a couple of days. Instead of days or weeks of walking and driving radials and making field measurements, and instead of countless hours documenting the measurements, with the modeling option as soon as the array is adjusted to the model parameters and three field measurements are made on each pattern minima and maxima radial, you’re done. You can file the 302-AM and go home.
With this new option, gone are most of the excuses for having an out-of-adjustment array. For a fixed sum, most arrays can be retuned using a model, eliminating the likelihood of a big fine and clearing up interference caused by the out-of-adjustment directional pattern. That, we believe, will make the AM band a decidedly friendlier place.
The AM Directional Antenna Performance Verification Coalition consists of representatives from broadcast stations, groups, networks and consultants. Ray Benedict, CPBE of CBS and a past SBE national president, chairs the group.
SBE Introduces The SBE University Jan. 9, 2009
The Society of Broadcast Engineers has announced the opening of the SBE University; a series of on-line, on-demand courses designed to bring expert instruction on a variety of technical radio and television topics to broadcast engineers at an affordable price.
Beat the recession with these all-new, affordable "nuts and bolts" courses available to take anytime at your convienence. No travel, hotel or other costs to eat up your limited training budget, these courses are developed by experts for the SBE. The first three courses offered by the SBE University are now available for enrollment.
AM Antenna Modeling
FM Transmission Systems
Matching Networks and Phasing
Courses on technical televison topics and additional radio courses will be announced soon.
Society of Broadcast Engineers Statement of Policy regarding Wireless Microphones used at 944-952 MHz
The reallocation of television channels 52-69 (698-806 MHz, commonly known as the “700 MHz band”) for public safety and commercial broadband use has resulted in a severe reduction in available spectrum for Part 74, Subpart H Low Power Auxiliary (LPA) operation. This in turn has created a scramble for spectrum on which licensed wireless microphones (WMs) and other LPA facilities can operate.
SBE is aware that manufacturers are producing and selling WMs that operate in the 944-952 MHz Aural Broadcast Auxiliary Services (BAS) band. This is permitted pursuant to Section 74.802 of the Commission’s rules, which permits broadcast licensees and broadcast networks to operate LPA devices including WMs in the 950 MHz Aural BAS band. However, it is only broadcast licensees and broadcast network entities that can use this band. Cable television operators, motion picture producers and television program producers are not eligible to use any BAS band for LPA operation except unoccupied television channels. Retailers and dealers of equipment have actively marketed these products to ineligible entities, and their marketing has been accompanied by misrepresentations and lack of candor regarding the obligations of users of the devices.
SBE advocates the interests of licensed users of BAS spectrum and provides volunteer BAS spectrum frequency coordination. The active marketing, sale, or leasing to ineligible or unlicensed persons, or the operation by those persons of LPA WMs is wrong and unlawful, and endangers reliable broadcast and BAS operation.
WMs are mobile, itinerant and utilize variable polarization. STLs and ICRs require high reliability which is threatened by any uncoordinated operation of LPAs at 944-952 MHz.
SBE-affiliated frequency coordinators should continue to work with all eligible entities that wish to obtain LPA licenses, or to operate licensed stations, in the 950 MHz Aural BAS band where possible without disruption of aural STLs and ICRs. However, SBE will provide assistance and serve as a resource to the FCC Enforcement Bureau in locating entities who illegally operate Part 74 wireless microphones without benefit of the required FCC license, especially where interference is caused.
Wireless microphones with powers of 100 to 250 mW (20 to 24 dBm) have field strengths far too high to operate as unlicensed, Part 15 devices; these are certified by FCC for use under Part 74, not Part 15. They must be operated only by a Part 74 licensee.
Those eligible for Part 74, Subpart H Low Power Auxiliary (LPA) licenses for wireless microphones are broadcast station licensees, broadcast network entities, cable television operators, motion picture producers or television program producers. The latter three groups can operate only on TV channel frequencies, however. The 26 MHz, 162 MHz, 450/455 MHz, and 944-952 MHz Aural BAS band frequencies can be licensed to and legally used only by broadcast licensees and networks. The rest must use unoccupied television broadcast channels exclusively for LPA operation.
All LPA licensees must coordinate their use of these frequencies in advance with local SBE coordinators. Coordinators will not coordinate LPA devices for eligible, licensed users on 944-952 MHz channels where there are existing fixed Studio-to-Transmitter (STL) or Inter-City Relay (ICR) links already using these frequencies in close geographic proximity, if interference will predictably result.
Contrary to false and misleading allegations by some vendors of wireless microphones, the 944-952 MHz Aural BAS band is heavily occupied in most areas of the United States. The band offers very little capacity for the operation of wireless microphones by eligible LPA licensees, and there are normally no options for unlicensed or ineligible licensees to use this spectrum at all.
SBE will actively monitor this situation and will continue to pursue equivalent replacement spectrum for that lost in the 698-806 MHz band due to relocation, in bands other than 944-952 MHz, to facilitate licensed LPA operation.
SBE Files Comments on 700 MHz D Block Spectrum Regarding EAS
On June 18, the Society of Broadcast Engineers submitted comments to the FCC relating to the Commission's pending proceeding regarding the re-auction and licensing of the 700 MHz D Block spectrum and creation of a nationwide, broadband, interoperable public safety network. The interest of SBE in this proceeding is with respect to the improvement and enhancement of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) in the United States.
SBE’s comments were written by members of the Society’s FCC Liaison and EAS committees and the positions reflected in the comments were approved by the Society’s board of directors. If you have questions or comments regarding SBE comments, please direct them to Chris Imlay, SBE General Counsel and interim chairperson of the FCC Liaison Committee, or to Clay Freinwald, chairperson of the SBE EAS Committee.
National SBE Board of Director Election Results
On Thursday evening, August 28 members of Chapter 25, serving as the official Board of Tellers, tabulated the votes for the 2008/2009 Board of Directors. All four officer positions and six of the 12 director seats were being contested, though the four incumbent officers were running unopposed. There were eight candidates for the six available director seats.
The results of the election were as follows:
President: Barry Thomas, CPBE CBNT*, Vice President of Engineering – Radio, Lincoln Financial Media, Atlanta, Ga.
Vice President: Vinny Lopez, CEV CBNT*, Director of Engineering, WSYT-TV, WNYS-TV – Sinclair Broadcast Group, Syracuse, N.Y.
Secretary: Ted Hand, CPBE AMD 8-VSB*, Chief Engineer, WSOC-TV, WAXN-TV, Charlotte, N.C.
Treasurer: Ralph Hogan, CPBE CBNT DRB*, Director of Engineering, KJZZ-FM/KBAQ-FM, Tempe, Ariz.
Elected to two-year terms on the Board of Directors were:
Ralph Beaver, CBT*, President, CEO, Media Alert, LLC, Tampa, Fla.
Jim Bernier, CPBE CBNT*, Director, Maintenance, Design & Engineering, Turner Entertainment Networks, TBS, Inc., Atlanta, Ga.
Gary Liebisch, CPBE, Regional Sales Manager, Nautel, Milford, Ohio
Scott Mason, CPBE, Regional Director of Engineering, CBS Radio, Los Angeles, Calif.
Mark T. Simpson, CPBE CBNT AMD, Director of Engineering/MIS, Citadel Broadcasting – Tucson, Marana, Ariz.
Jeff Smith, CEA CBNT, Supervisor Broadcast Systems, Clear Channel Radio – NYC, New York, N.Y.
* - denotes incumbent
The national Board of Directors of SBE is responsible for the development of policy and determines the programs and services the Society provides its members. Those elected will begin their terms on October 15 during the Annual SBE Membership Meeting. They will join the other six directors who have another year remaining in their terms as well as Immediate Past President, Chriss Scherer, CPBE, CBNT.
The National Meeting will be held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Clinic, a three-day event that features broadcast technical presentations for radio and television engineers and a broadcast equipment expo. Hosts for the SBE National Meeting will be SBE Chapter 24 of Madison and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA). The event will take place at the Madison Marriott West Hotel, located in Middleton, Wisc. on Madison's west side.
Short Circuits is the online newsletter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers. We hope you find this communication helpful and an added benefit of your SBE membership.
John L. Poray, CAE
Executive Director
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SBE Offers Strategy for Implementing CAP EAS
The Society of Broadcast Engineers, in an effort to aid the implementation of the “Common Alerting Protocol” (CAP) technology for a revised Emergency Alert System, has prepared and released a document titled, “A Strategy for Implementing CAP EAS.” The document has been shared with representatives of the FCC, FEMA, NAB and the National Alliance of State Broadcast Associations (NASBA). The FCC and FEMA have the ultimate responsibility for developing the next generation of EAS.
Commonly referred to as SBE’s CAP EAS “roadmap,” a key element of the strategy is the recommendation to create six working groups which would address specific portions of the task. The SBE offered its volunteer member services as appropriate to work on relevant working groups that relate to the interests of our members.
The “roadmap” was prepared by members if the SBE EAS Committee, which is chaired by national board member, Clay Freinwald, CPBE and was approved by the SBE Board of Directors.
FCC Extends 2 GHz BAS/LTTS Transition Date to March 5, 2009
By Chris Imlay, FCC Liaison Committee Chair and SBE General Counsel
SBE is well-aware that broadcast engineers are typically responsible for broadcast auxiliary operations (BAS), and that 2 GHz TV BAS service is at the heart of local news, sports, and weather coverage that are the essence of broadcast localism. Last week, SBE and its strategic partners, Sprint Nextel, NAB and MSTV achieved a major victory for BAS licensees across the country by convincing the FCC to recognize the inordinate complexity of reconfiguring BAS systems and extend the deadline for Sprint Nextel to relocate BAS licensees to spectrum between 2025 and 2110 MHz until March 5, 2009. The FCC also stated that it might extend the deadline until August 2009 so long as all parties continue to work in good faith to move BAS above 2025 MHz as expeditiously as possible.
This decision is extremely good news. The BAS transition has not proceeded as quickly as we would like, despite good faith by licensees, Sprint Nextel, manufacturers and systems integrators. The short extension will give broadcasters, manufacturers, and Sprint Nextel the time they need to produce, integrate, and install new equipment in local markets across the country.
But neither the BAS licensees, nor Sprint Nextel can take the additional time for granted. The FCC has sought comment on whether and how to allow MSS and MSS ATC operations to commence nationwide regardless of whether the transition is complete beginning January 1, 2009. To allow mobile-satellite service licensees to enter the 2000-2020 MHz band this year, moreover, the FCC has required Sprint Nextel to transition four additional market clusters – Salt Lake City, Utah; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Washington, DC; and Houston, Texas – no later than September 30, 2008. In addition, the FCC required Sprint Nextel to file station-specific reports every other month on BAS relocation progress beginning April 1, 2008. The reports must identify each station’s progress in obtaining price quotes for BAS equipment, finalizing frequency relocation agreements with Sprint Nextel, submitting purchase orders, and other areas. The existing schedule also includes several important benchmarks for BAS performance, including:
- March 18, 2008 – Quote Packages for Replacement BAS Equipment Due
- July 1, 2008 – Signed Frequency Relocation Agreements Due
With MSS market entry looming, nationwide MSS-BAS sharing on the horizon, and detailed reporting requirements beginning in April, every day counts.
The FCC now knows, thanks to the joint parties’ ongoing and extensive lobbying efforts at the FCC, how challenging the BAS relocation is. The FCC has acknowledged the unanticipated complexity of the relocation effort, the highly specialized equipment, and the limited number of qualified manufacturers and installers. While the FCC has done the right thing in granting additional time, the agency’s patience will not last forever. Therefore, we urge you to pay close attention to the cut-over schedule and make every effort to meet the interim benchmarks for relocation performance leading up to the anticipated relocation weekend in your market. If problems arise, contact your market’s frequency coordinator, SBE, and/or the local market’s Sprint Nextel representative, before issues can contribute to delay. Working together, we will complete a smooth BAS relocation.
HD Radio Implementation First Offering in SBE/Focal Press Joint Effort
SBE and Focal Press will introduce their first co-produced book during the 2008 NAB Show in Las Vegas. HD Radio Implementation is written by Thomas R. Ray, III.
HD Radio is the FCC-approved standard for high-definition digital radio. Since its official approval in 2005, stations around the world have started converting their analog stations to also contain a digital signal. So far, 1,216 stations have converted, and there is currently a 50% yearly conversion growth trend. This growth is driven by radio audience market share depletion from podcasting and satellite radio. HD Radio is the only way stations can compete commercially. Currently, the only place individuals can become trained for an HD Radio conversion is through Harris Corporation's five-day course for $995 plus travel/lodging. The new SBE/Focal Press book provides the same in-depth information for a fraction of the cost--an excellent value for any station budgeting a conversion. It covers the installation process, uses examples from real-life implementations and information not found in manufacturer's manuals.
The book is available through the SBE Bookstore and other retail outlets. SBE members can purchase the book at a member discount, but only through the SBE Bookstore.
224 Pages
Non-Member $89.95, Member: $71.96, Shipping $6.00
Category: Radio
SBE Members recognized in Radio Ink's 2008 Most Admired Engineers
Radio Ink recognized many members of the Society of Broadcast as the 2008’s most admired engineers.
The Society of Broadcast Engineers would like to congratulate our members on their inclusion in the 2008 Radio Ink list of most admired engineers that were published earlier this spring. It’s an honor to be included in such an elite group of engineers. Having so many of our members selected is a positive reflection on the Society.
These members’ outstanding performances and professionalism in our field is something all members of the society look towards and should strive for.
Thank you for setting such a great example. Congratulations to the following members:
President
Albert Broadcast Services, Inc.
- Cris Alexander, CPBE, AMD, DRB
Director of Engineering
Crawford Broadcasting Company
VP Engineering, Bonneville Broadcasting
Bonneville International Corporation
Director of Engineering
WKQX WLUP Emmis Chicago
Director of Engineering
Emmis - St. Louis
Senior Vice President Engineering
Clear Channel Radio
VP/Engineering
Cox Radio
Senior Vice President, Engineering & Capital Management
Clear Channel Radio
Director of Engineering
Cox Radio Orlando
Chief Engineer
CBS Radio – St. Louis
Vice President of Engineering, Central/Northeast Region
Clear Channel Radio
Vice President/Corporate Director of Engineering
Buckley Broadcasting Corporation/WOR Radio
WOR Radio
VP Engineering
Regent Communications
Director of Technical Operations
Greater Media Boston
Chief Engineer
Cox Radio Orlando
Vice President of Radio Engineering
Greater Media, Inc.
Director of Corporate Engineering
Citadel Broadcasting Company
Vice President of Engineering - Radio
Lincoln Financial Media
SVP Engineering and Technology
Westwood One
North Carolinian Wins Membership Drive Grand Prize
May 31 closed the 2008 annual SBE Membership Drive. This was again a very successful effort with more than 100 new members joining the Society as a direct result of the Drive.
All current SBE Members who sponsored a new member during this year’s drive will receive $5 off their 2008 Membership Renewal for each new Regular, Associate or Sustaining member that was sponsored (up to $25). Prize winners were drawn on June 21st. This year’s grand prize trip to the 2008 SBE National Meeting in Madison, WI and a 40-inch Sony HDTV was won by Don Moore of Greesboro, North Carolina.
Thank you to the following organizations who, through the donation of prizes, helped make the 2008 Membership Drive possible: Westwood One; ADC; McGraw-Hill; Elsevier, Jack Layton, National Association of Broadcasters; Telos Systems/Omnia/Axia; Broadcast Supply Worldwide; Neural Audio; Shively Labs; Dielectric; du Treil, Lundin and Rackley, Inc.; Superior Electric; Kathrein Scala; Continental Electronics; Broadcast Electronics; Sony and the SBE.
FCC¹s PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY BUREAU RELEASES 2007 EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM (EAS) HANDBOOKS
Washington, DC The Federal Communications Commission¹s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) released on December 3rd, the 2007 Emergency Alert System (EAS) Handbooks for EAS participants. This year¹s handbooks include newly developed guidance for satellite digital audio radio, direct broadcast satellite and wireline video service providers. In addition, the existing handbooks have been updated for analog and digital television and radio stations, as well as cable systems.
The handbooks provide procedures. The materials also include sample scripts that may be used by broadcasters and other participants during EAS activations and tests.
The Commission¹s rules require that copies of the handbooks be located at ³normal duty positions or EAS equipment locations when an operator is required to be on duty and be immediately available to staff responsible for authenticating messages and initiating actions² (47 CFR §11.15).
The EAS is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, cable television systems, wireless cable systems, as well as wireline video, satellite digital audio radio and direct broadcast satellite service providers to make their communications facilities available to the President during a National emergency. The system also may be used by state and local authorities to deliver important emergency information such as AMBER alerts and severe weather warnings targeted to specific geographical areas or regions.
To access the 2007 EAS Handbooks online, please visit the FCC web site at: www.fcc.gov/pshs/eas/Welcome.html.
For additional information concerning the new handbooks, please contact Bonnie Gay at (202) 418-1228.
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