GFQ Network audio podcasts

The guys start out talking about the AEW tribute show to PAC and how emotional it was not only for the fans but for everyone involved in the show. Also, thoughts on Worlds Collide airing opposite the PAC tribute show and what the viewership for that show ended up being. Monday Night Raw saw a show-long angle between The Bloodline and the 946 that ended with Jaida Parker being revealed as part of 946. The guys talk about if this will be a rejuvenation of the Bloodline saga and if it's leading to WarGames. Plus, Roman Reigns talks about his mentors, NXT drama, the Money in the Bank lineup, and more!

What can a recording engineer teach a radio engineer—and what can radio teach someone behind the recording console? On episode 820 of This Week in Radio Tech, Bruce Roberts joins Kirk Harnack to explore how working in both worlds sharpens his ears, strengthens his technical skills, and helps him make better audio. Bruce owns and engineers ARP Studio in Charleston, South Carolina, and is the co-founder and engineer at Home Grown Radio. His passion began before age eight, running sound for his church’s radio broadcasts, and grew into a 50-year career recording artists, building audio equipment, and keeping radio stations on the air. Along the way, his work has included projects for NPR and the BBC, plus dialogue recording for Bill Murray and Army Wives—and an attempted retirement in 2021 that led to a new adventure with Homegrown Radio. Join us for a conversation about recording, broadcasting, and the lessons that travel both ways between the studio and the transmitter!

Bill Eaton has long been the sort of broadcast engineer who puts new technology to work early—going all the way back to one of the first DOCSIS cable modems bringing Internet service into the home. Today, as Chief Engineer at Oyster Radio, Bill is especially excited about practical uses for AI in broadcast engineering. He uses ChatGPT to take copious notes during transmitter-site visits, documenting maintenance already performed, work still needed, and even clues that another tenant may have changed something at the site. Bill also uses Google Gemini to analyze raw data from test equipment such as the PIRA P175 FM modulation analyzer. And he’s still building, too, recently putting together an FM audio processor using StereoTool software running on a Raspberry Pi. Join us for TWiRT Episode 819 as Bill shows how AI, affordable computing, and an engineer’s curiosity can make everyday broadcast work smarter and more productive.

For more than 40 years, C-band satellite distribution has been a workhorse for radio and television broadcasters — but another big chunk of that spectrum is going away - leaving almost nothing for program distributors to use. On TWiRT Episode 818, Mark Johnson, President of LinkUp Communications, and Marcos O’Rourke, Engineering Manager at LinkUp, join Kirk Harnack to explain what FCC 26-46 means for broadcasters still depending on C-band delivery. Mark gives us some history, explains how the FCC’s latest plans would eventually leave broadcasters with only about 40 MHz of C-band downlink spectrum, and walks us through the proposed transition timeline. We also look at alternatives already being developed, including increased Ku-band satellite distribution and terrestrial IP delivery using capabilities built into XDS receivers. The transition won’t happen overnight, but the direction is becoming clear: broadcasters using C-band need to start thinking about what comes next. Join us for TWiRT Episode 818 as we sort through the FCC’s plans and what engineers should be watching in the months ahead.

This Week in Radio Tech comes to you from IBC 2026 in Amsterdam, where the broadcast world is gathering to show us what comes next. In Episode 817, we get early access to some of the industry’s technical innovators and discover how they’re responding to a broadcasting landscape that seems to change almost by the day. Adam Robinson of MaxxKonnect joins us alongside Hans van Zutphen of Thimeo Audio Technology B.V. and Jay Tyler of Sales Call. We’ll also hear from Dan McQuillin of Broadcast Bionics and Dan Martin of Derby ONE and Aiir. Together, they offer a revealing look at the technologies, business ideas, and practical solutions shaping the future of radio and broadcasting. Join us in Amsterdam for TWiRT Episode 817—This Week in Radio Tech!

This week, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the guys open the show by reminiscing for a few minutes about where they were and how things have changed since that event. They also talk about Andy Williams, also known as "The Butcher," who tragically passed away last weekend. AEW paid an emotional tribute to Rebel on this week's Dynamite, raising awareness for ALS, which she is battling. The guys praise them for doing that and discuss the highlights from Dynamite as well. They also discuss WWE’s big weekend in Mexico, featuring two nights of Triplemanía and Monday Night Raw in Mexico City. Plus, they cover Liv Morgan’s new movie role, WWE starting more Spanish content, and Andrew wanting to create a cult! All your questions and more!

The guys start out talking about The New Level's debut at AEW All In this weekend and how much WWE offered to pay them on a new contract. They also discuss Bayley's situation, as it looks like she's staying in WWE. NXT Heatwave did poor ratings going up against All In, and the guys question why WWE would run against that show. Finally, the guys give an in-depth review of All In, including one of the best main events of all time between Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega. Plus, speculation on locations of upcoming shows, Meltzer’s ratings, your questions, and more!

The FCC has adopted new cybersecurity requirements for Emergency Alert System equipment—but turning the language of a Report and Order into practical procedures at a real broadcast facility isn’t always straightforward. What equipment is covered? What constitutes adequate protection? And how can broadcasters comply without making their systems needlessly difficult to operate and maintain?

This week, Kirk Harnack welcomes Shane Toven, the new West Coast Regional Engineer for Cumulus Media. Together, they examine the FCC’s EAS cybersecurity rules and discuss what sensible, real-world compliance might look like inside today’s increasingly networked broadcast facilities.

Shane’s new position also leads to a larger conversation about the changing role of the broadcast engineer. As companies consolidate technical responsibilities across more stations, markets, and transmitter sites, experienced engineers are being asked to oversee far more territory—and a much wider range of technologies—than ever before.

Then we move from the equipment room to the sound console. Shane shares lessons from mixing live worship services, including some of the challenges a broadcast engineer may encounter when everyone assumes that knowing audio technology automatically means knowing how to mix a live performance.

Add in a couple of excellent Tips of the Week, and you have a wide-ranging conversation covering cybersecurity, broadcast engineering’s evolving responsibilities, and the art of making live sound work.

Guest

Shane Toven - Regional Chief Engineer, West Coast at Cumulus Media

Host

Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, South Seas, & Akamai Broadcasting

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Sponsored by

Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at BGS.cc.Broadcast Bionics - making radio smarter with Bionic Studio, visual radio, and social media tools at Bionic.radio.Aiir, providing PlayoutONE radio automation, and other advanced solutions for audience engagement.Angry Audio and the new USB Phone Gizmo - Put VoIP callers on-the-airThe new MaxxKonnect RMT416 Multi Tuner - 4 to 16 AM/FM/WB/HD web-connected tuners in 1 RU

ow can a modern FM transmitter produce 10,000 watts of RF power from such a surprisingly compact package? On episode 815 of This Week in Radio Tech, GatesAir’s Paul Barzizza joins Kirk Harnack for a close look inside the company’s new GX Series of FM transmitters. Paul draws on his extensive radio and television engineering background to explain the GX amplifier layout and the powerful LDMOS field-effect transistors at the heart of the design. Because these devices spread heat across a larger area, they can handle substantially more power than earlier generations of transistors—giving transmitter designers a way to produce impressive RF output from a comparatively small cabinet. This isn’t merely a discussion of specifications and theory. Paul and Kirk recently installed a GatesAir GX10K—a combined FM exciter and 10,000-watt RF amplifier—at WIQQ-FM in Leland, Mississippi. They share photos from the project, examine how the transmitter is assembled, and talk through the technology that makes it work.

Ilja Dragunov is done with WWE, and the guys talk about why it didn't work out and where he might end up. Do pure wrestlers still appeal to a mainstream audience? They discuss ROH Death Before Dishonor and talk about what ROH should be within the AEW landscape. A report came out this week stating that AEW took a massive financial hit on their video game Fight Forever. Will we see another AEW video game in the future, or is that it? Also, the guys share their thoughts on CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens on SmackDown and discuss whether that is the most appealing story in WWE right now. Plus, Batista’s new role, ALL IN ticket sales, Babyface Solo Sikoa, your questions and more!