Short Circuit - Archive

Senate Bill S. 2881 would add technical expertise to FCC Commissioners’ offices (December 16, 2009)

 A bill introduced on Monday in the U.S. Senate would potentially add one electrical engineer or computer scientist within each of the offices of the five FCC Commissioners.

Introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and co-sponsored by Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia), Senate Bill 2881 would authorize each FCC Commissioner to add one staff assistant position to the three that are currently authorized. The new position of “staff engineer” would require that the holder either have a degree in electrical engineering or be a computer scientist. If eventually passed, the new authorization would affectively undo a loosening of requirements for technical staff at the highest level of the FCC that began more than 25 years ago. 

Vinny Lopez, CEV, CBNT, president of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), remarked, “Ensuring the technical integrity of the FCC decision-making is perhaps our most important legislative goal.  This legislation will go a long way toward returning technical expertise to the FCC Commissioner's offices."  Lopez added, “We encourage other members of the Senate to support this well-crafted legislation. SBE will seek the introduction of a companion bill in the House and we will urge rapid passage of both Bills in the House and the Senate.”

The proposed legislation, which would amend Section 4(f)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 154(f)(2)), explains that the “staff engineer” would provide each commissioner with technical consultation when appropriate and interface with the Office of Engineering and Technology, Commission Bureaus and other technical staff of the Commission for additional technical input and resources. The staff engineer would need to hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution of higher education in their respective field of expertise.

The last serious attempt to increase the technical resources within the Commissioner’s offices was in October of 1991 when then Rep. Don Ritter introduced HR. 3501, which would have required that at least one member of the Commission be skilled in the engineering sciences. Senator Snowe’s bill would not seek to replace any of the existing staff assistants in each Commissioner’s office but rather authorize each Commissioner to add one assistant.                 Text of S.2881

Madison, Wis. selected for the 2010 SBE National Meeting (December 9, 2009)

The Society of Broadcast Engineers Board of Directors has accepted an invitation from SBE Chapter 24 in Madison, Wis., to host the SBE2010 National Meeting. The decision was made during the SBE Board of Directors conference call on Dec. 1, 2009.

The SBE National Meeting will be held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Clinic and the Upper Midwest Regional Meeting, hosted by SBE Chapter 24 and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) on Oct. 26-28, 2010.Chapter 24 Chairman Fred Sperry, CPBE, and Convention Chairman Leonard Charles, CPBE, are looking forward to hosting the SBE National Meeting again. This is the fourth time Chapter 24 has hosted the SBE National Meeting since 1997. The SBE National Meeting was last held in Madison in 2008.

The SBE National Meeting serves as an opportunity to spotlight SBE-sponsored regional conventions held in different areas of the country. SBE National Meeting events include the annual membership meeting and the SBE National Awards Dinner, honoring the 2008-09 chapter and individual award recipients.

SBE President Vinny Lopez, CEV CBNT, stated, "By holding the SBE National Meeting in conjunction with established, successful regional events, the SBE and the local host benefit. These partnerships allow the SBE to bring a national presence to these regional events."

Magic Valley is newest SBE Chapter   (December 9, 2009)

A group of broadcast engineers in Twin Falls, Idaho, have formed the newest chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers; SBE Chapter 145, Magic Valley.

SBE members in the Twin Falls area have been meeting regularly since 1997. Currently with 11 SBE members, the group applied to form their own chapter. Chapter Chairman Thomas Lowther, CSRTE CBNT, submitted the SBE chapter application in November 2009, and the chapter was approved during an SBE Board of Directors Meeting on Dec. 1, 2009. Upon the affirmative vote by the Board to approve the chapter’s charter, SBE President Vinny Lopez, CEV CBNT, said, “The strength of the SBE lies in the local chapters, and the efforts of our members in southern Idaho to form a new chapter provides a new opportunity for broadcast engineers to network and benefit from SBE membership.”

Though chartered by the national organization, SBE chapters operate as independent sub-groups, electing their own officers and planning their own monthly programs.

Learn more about chapters and find a chapter near you.

SBE Announces Next RF Safety Course – February 24, 2010(December 8, 2009)

The next SBE RF Safety Course, available as a webinar (live presentation on the Internet with audio heard via telephone), will take place February 24 from 2:30-5:45 p.m. EST. 

This three hour course, recently updated, provides an overview of RF radiation issues and practices for broadcasters, including the biological effects of RF radiation and the distinct differences between RF radiation and ionizing radiation, FCC and OSHA regulations, workplace hazards, transmitter sites and more.  Instructing the course will be noted RF safety expert Richard Strickland of RF Safety Solutions.

For more information on how to register one or more people, click here. 

Sprint Closes In on 2GHz Relocation Finish Line  (December 2, 2009)

Sprint Nextel filed this week its bi-monthly report to the FCC outlining progress to date in transitioning BAS licensees to frequencies above 2025 MHz.1. The BAS licensees and Sprint Nextel have now successfully relocated BAS operations in 161 markets  representing more than 83 percent of the United States population. The complete Sprint Nextel report is available on the SBE website.

SBE Releases Education Survey Results (November 24, 2009)

As part of the SBE Education Committee’s long range planning efforts a survey related to continuing education was sent to members via email on September 24.  The goal was to find out how members feel about the current services, better understand the topics they desire, and how and when it is convenient for members to take courses. Members had three weeks to complete the survey.  The results are in and the data has been compiled.  Immediate goals for using the information gleaned from this survey include identifying relevant topics and instructors to create SBE University self-study courses and webinars, especially as they relate to preparing members for certification or recertification.  Click here to review the detailed survey findings.  

Details on next Ennes Workshop - Englewood, CO - Nov 12 (October 20, 2009)

Click here to learn more about the next Ennes Workshop, New Media Bootcamp, presented by SBE, and hosted by SBE Chapter 48 of Denver and the SMPTE Rocky Mountain Section. This workshop takes place Thursday, November 12, 2009 at Starz Entertainment in Englewood.

Topics include: Placeshifting: Challenges and Opportunities, Mobile DTV Middleware, Content Management and Control of HD Radio^™Networks via HD Protocol, Content Management Systems: Moving VOD to the Next Level of Efficiency, Impacts of 3D Television on Video and Broadcasting and more.

The cost is just $25 for SBE and/or SMPTE members and $35 for non-members. 

SBE Agreement with U.S. Department of Defense on Spectrum Sharing (October 16, 2009)

The Society of Broadcast Engineers and the U.S. Department of Defense earlier this year signed an agreement regarding shared use of broadcast spectrum. The U.S. Air Force plans to construct new satellite tracking stations in a number of U.S. locations that would use spectrum in the 2025 -2110 MHz band. For details, see a copy of the agreement.

SBE Member Survey Focuses on Education Offerings(September 24, 2009)

In an effort to learn more about its members’ continuing education needs, SBE sent an electronic survey to its members. The survey was emailed today to all members who have their emails listed with SBE, and focuses on the following areas:

• About the Respondent
• General Education
• SBE University
• Ennes Workshops
• Leadership Development Course
• Webinars
• Your Ideas & Comments

Each person’s input will have a direct and immediate impact on the shape of future education programming. Members are asked to complete this 10-minute survey by October 15.  If you did not receive a copy of the survey, contact Kimberly Kissel.

SBE Announces National Award Winners (September 29, 2009)

The Society of Broadcast Engineers has announced the winners of its 2008 National Awards.  Winners will be recognized at the Society’s National Awards Dinner on October 7, 2009 in Verona, N.Y. The event is part of the annual SBE National Meeting, which is being held in conjunction with the Chapter 22 Regional Broadcast and Technology Expo in Verona, N.Y. held at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino.

The winner of the SBE Broadcast Engineer of the Year Award is Craig Strom. Strom has been a member of SBE since 1998. Strom was nominated for this prestigious award for the work he has done regarding how to mitigate 2,110-2,120 MHz Advanced Wireless Services (AWS)-into-TV BAS interference. Strom is the Assistant Director of Engineering WLS-TV in Chicago, and has been with the station since 2000. Strom has served as the Chicago area Above-1 GHz BAS frequency coordinator since 1996. He is well known for his report dated December 26, 2008, T-Mobile AWS Filter Implementation Progress Report. The report documents the custom filter designed by Commercial Microwave Technologies (CMT) for T-Mobile, a major Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) operator, does not degrade digital electronic news gathering (ENG) signals, even when high-level digital modulation is used. Strom has also actively participated in 2 GHz TV BAS issues, including ET Docket 95-18, ET Docket 00-258, ET-Docket 02-55, and ET Docket 04-356.

Recipients of the SBE Broadcast Engineer of the Year Award are recognized for making significant contributions to the field of broadcast engineering and for furthering the goals and objectives of the Society. They must be members of the Society and are nominated by their peers.

The 2008 SBE Educator of the Year Award will be presented to Fred Baumgartner, CPBE, CBNT. Baumgartner has served as the program organizer for more than 20 regional Ennes Workshops over the past seven years. He also served as the on-site moderator for most of the workshops. Baumgartner has continuously contributed his time, expertise and knowledge of the industry to organize quality programs as well as his own time to travel to the programs to serve as moderator. He has also rendered a long and valuable service to the SBE on both the local and national level and has written over 100 technical articles.

The award for Best Technical Article, Book or Program by an SBE Member goes to Tim Anderson, CSRE, DRB, CBNT, for his article, “Considerations of Elevated IBOC Sidebands, Insight to IBOC” which appeared in Radio magazine in its August 2008 issue.             

Local SBE chapters have also earned awards based on their own achievements. Some categories recognize two chapters, based on their size. Class A represents those chapters whose membership is less than the national median while Class B are those chapters that have membership greater than the national median.

Best Chapter Website: Chapter 59 – Kansas City, Kansas. Best Regional Conference: Chapter 22 – Syracuse, NY. Best Chapter Newsletter: Chapter 24 – Madison, Wis. Most Certified Chapter: A) Chapter 117, Moscow, ID; B) Chapter 131 Inland Empire. Greatest Percentage Growth: A) Chapter 139, Reno, NV; B) Chapter 17, Minneapolis, MN.Highest Member Attendance Percentage: A) Chapter 136, Rio Grande; B) Chapter 56, Tulsa, OK.

SBE Files Reply Comments on Medical Device Spectrum Use (September 14, 2009)

The Society of Broadcast Engineers submitted reply comments on September 10 to the Federal Communications Commission in ET Docket 09-36, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing an allocation for Medical Micro-Power Network (MMN) Devices at 413-457 MHz.  SBE Reply comments supported its stated position that the proposed use of these devices in this band, particularly in the 455-456 MHz RPU band, would endanger medical patients using MMN devices due to harmful interference from lawfully-operated RPU mobile stations that would be impossible to predict. 

In this respect, SBE articulated its agreement with concerns raised by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. (APCO), by the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) and by the Association for Maximum Service Television, Inc. (MSTV), in their previously-filed comments to the FCC. 

SBE noted that the MMN proponent, Alfred Mann Foundation, rejected the use of the UHF TV band, calling it "unsuitable" due to high power, but the proposed RPU band would be subject to similar circumstances, given the location of RPU antennas in potentially close proximity to MMN patients. SBE also noted that it is much more likely to be in closer proximity to a high-power RPU than to a UHF DTV transmitter, and therefore more likely to be exposed to dangerous RF fields in the RPU bands.

Complete text of the SBE’s Reply Comments, as well as its earlier-filed comments in this proceeding can be found at http://sbe.org/gov_fcc.php.

National SBE Board of Director Election Results  (August 28, 2009)  

The Society of Broadcast Engineers announces the results of the 2009/2010 election for its national Board of Directors. All four officer positions and six of the 12 director seats were being contested. 

The results of the election were as follows:

President: Vincent Lopez, CEV, CBNT, Director of Engineering, WSYT-TV, WNYS-TV – Sinclair Broadcast Group, Syracuse, N.Y.

Vice President: Ralph Hogan, CPBE DRB, CBNT, Director of Engineering, KJZZ-FM/KBAQ-FM, Tempe, Ariz.

Secretary: Ted Hand, CPBE AMD 8-VSB, Chief Engineer, WSOC-TV, WAXN-TV, Charlotte, N.C.

Treasurer: Andrea Cummis, CBT, CTO, Consultant and Project Manager, Media Project Partners, Roseland, N.J.

Elected to two-year terms on the Board of Directors were:

Mark Heller, CBRE, CTO, President, General Manager, and Chief Engineer, WTRW Incorporated/WGBW Radio Station, Two Rivers, Wis.

James E. Leifer, CPBE, Director of Engineering and IT, Clear Channel Communications South Florida, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Jerry Massey, CPBE, DRB, AMD, 8-VSB, CBNT, Corporate Regional Engineer, Southeast, Entercom Communications, Inc., Greenville, S.C.

David Priester, CPBE, Director of Technical Operations, Roy H. Park School of Communications, Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y.

Christopher H. Scherer, CPBE, CBNT, Editor, Radio magazine, Overland Park, Kan.

Joe Snelson, CPBE, Director of Engineering, Meredith Broadcasting Group, Henderson, Nev.

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 7 during the Annual SBE Membership Meeting. They will join the other six directors who have another year remaining in their terms as well as then Immediate Past President, Barry Thomas, CPBE, CBNT.

The National Meeting will be held in conjunction with the 37th annual Broadcast & Technology Expo, an event that features broadcast technical presentations for radio and television engineers and a the largest broadcast equipment expo of its kind in the northeast. Hosts for the SBE National Meeting will be SBE Chapter 22 of Central State New York. The event will take place at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, located in Verona, N.Y.

Two New Courses Added to SBE University - Voice Telco Networks & Studio Interface Systems and AM Antenna Systems  (July 30, 2009)  

SBE is pleased to announce two new courses that havebeen added to SBE University.

AM Antenna Systems Course

For many radio engineers, particularly those who have been more involved with FM facilities throughout their careers, AM antenna systems with their "singing" coils and big hardware are often mysterious and many times vexing. AM directional antennas can be intimidating to even the most experienced radio engineers, particularly when something goes wrong and the cause is not immediately apparent. This course is designed to provide the student with a good understanding of all facets of AM antenna systems, both directional and non-directional. With the material provided, the student will gain skills that will allow him to construct, troubleshoot and maintain just about any AM antenna system with confidence. This course was written by SBE member Cris Alexander, CPBE, AMD, DRB.

More Information                   Enroll Now

Voice Telco Networks and Studio Interface Systems

This course is of particular interest to those in both television and radio station facilities.  Telco lines and circuits are integral parts of most broadcast installations. Regular phone lines are used for talk shows and contests, while ISDN lines are used for remote broadcasts and STL backup, and T1 lines are used for STL applications and business telephone service. The broadcast engineer must have a good understanding of the various types of lines and protocols in order to deal with telephone companies. It is also helpful to understand telco terms and "lingo" so that he or she can "speak the same language" when talking with testers, installers and field repair people. The course provides a complete overview of all these topics, giving the student a working understanding of how the signal gets from end to end, how to troubleshoot telco problems and how to properly interface broadcast equipment to the telco world. This course is written for SBE by Steve Church of Telos Systems.

More Information                    Enroll Now

These new courses, offered through SBE University, are available at a special introductory price of $59 for SBE members and $79 for non-members. SBE University consists of 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. There are now six courses offered by the SBE University, with more to follow. 

Analog Shutdown Videos(June 2010)

Many stations throughout the country submitted videos of their analog television shutdown or their digital tv sign-on. You can watch the videos here.

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 fromSBE 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.

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.

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.

SBE Files Objection to Implanted Medical Devices Sharing Spectrum with RPU Frequencies   (August 12, 2009)

The Society of Broadcast Engineers filed timely comments on August 11, 2009 on FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ET Docket 09-36.  The FCC notice sought comments on a proposal to allocate 20 MHz of spectrum in the 413-457 MHz bands for implanted medical devices within patients.  The notice proposes allowing these devices as license-free medical micro-power networks (MMN) operating as secondary users of the spectrum.  That spectrum includes the radio Remote Pickup (RPU) bands of 450-451 MHz and 455-456 MHz.

The Society opposes the use of these frequencies for this purpose.  Although the risk of interference by the micro-power network with a licensed RPU is almost nonexistent, the potential for interference from an RPU to the micro-power network is significant and nearly impossible to predict.  Such interference to the micro-power device could cause significant unpredictable health risks to patients with these implanted devices.  Because of the random nature and potential high-duty-cycle of RPU operations, sufficient protection against what amounts to life safety interference is highly unlikely.

The Society's longstanding role in nationwide coordination of these frequencies provides a unique perspective on the issue and an understanding that the permission of such devices will seriously damage licensed operations in the RPU bands.  SBE members would undoubtedly be called upon to mitigate the significant problems resulting from the proposed shared use. 

Whitepaper that articulates the Society's position

The complete SBE filing on medical device use in RPU bands 

The text of the FCC News Release

Busting the Myths about AM Modeling     Dec. 15, 2008

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 convenience. 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

Short Circuits Archive

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:

• Stu Albert

          President
          Albert Broadcast Services, Inc.

• Cris Alexander, CPBE, AMD, DRB

          Director of Engineering

          Crawford Broadcasting Company

• Talmage Ball

          VP Engineering, Bonneville Broadcasting

          Bonneville International Corporation

• Patrick Berger, CBNT

          Director of Engineering
          WKQX WLUP Emmis Chicago

• Sam Caputa

          Director of Engineering

          Emmis - St. Louis

• Tom Cox, CSRE

          Senior Vice President Engineering

          Clear Channel Radio

• Sterling Davis 

          VP/Engineering

          Cox Radio

• Steve Davis, CPBE

          Senior Vice President, Engineering & Capital Management

          Clear Channel Radio

• Steve Fluker

          Director of Engineering

          Cox Radio Orlando

• Joe Geerling, CPBE, CBNT

          Chief Engineer

          CBS Radio – St. Louis

• Dan Mettler

          Vice President of Engineering, Central/Northeast Region
          Clear Channel Radio

• Tom Ray, CPBE

          Vice President/Corporate Director of Engineering
          Buckley Broadcasting Corporation/WOR Radio
          WOR Radio

• Dave Remund

          VP Engineering
          Regent Communications

• Paul Shulins, CBRE

          Director of Technical Operations

          Greater Media Boston

• Dennis Sloatman

          Chief Engineer

          Cox Radio Orlando

• Milford K. Smith Jr.

          Vice President of Radio Engineering
          Greater Media, Inc.

• Martin Stabbert, CPBE

          Director of Corporate Engineering
          Citadel Broadcasting Company

• Barry Thomas, CPBE, CBNT

          Vice President of Engineering - Radio

          Lincoln Financial Media

• Conrad Trautmann , CPBE

          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.