Howard Stern just reminded the world why he’s still the master of media. After months off the air, Stern’s return to SiriusXM started with a prank that had Andy Cohen taking over his channel, news outlets reporting he was gone, and fans convinced it was the end.

But it was all Stern’s idea, a perfectly timed stunt that exposed how fast rumors spread and how easily the press can be fooled. In this episode, we break down what happened, why the media fell for it, and how Stern turned a summer cold into one of his biggest bits in years.

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⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.

Tyler previews the upcoming Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin (September 15-17, 2025), highlighting the sessions he's most excited to attend in his professional capacity.

Topics Covered:

• Audio Processing: Finding That Elusive Signature Sound with Mike Erickson (Orban Labs)
• Workbench Tips to Improve Engineering Efficiency with Kirk Harnack
• Hardening the Transmitter Site for reliability and protection
• The Case For Broadcasting in 2025 and Beyond
• How Washington Changes Affect FCC Station Requirements
• RF Fundamentals and Electrical Safety for broadcasters
• Project Planning for Studio and Transmitter Projects
• Vendor floor highlights and networking opportunities

Learn why conferences like the Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic (put on by the Wisconsin and Minnesota Broadcasters Associations) matter for the future of broadcasting technology and engineering.

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⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.

Got pushback on my last episode calling HD Radio a complete failure? You were right to call me out. While HD Radio's original consumer vision crashed and burned spectacularly, the technology quietly found success in ways nobody predicted. 

In this follow-up episode, I break down where HD Radio actually succeeded after failing as a consumer product:

• FM Translator Revolution - How one radio station can become four different stations using HD Radio subchannels, creating better coverage and audio quality than traditional methods
• Invisible Data Highway - Why 110 million vehicles use HD Radio every day without drivers knowing it, powering traffic data and navigation systems
• Emergency Alerts That Work - How HD Radio transforms useless emergency broadcasts into detailed visual information with maps and safety instructions

HD Radio never became the "CD-quality revolution" marketers promised, but it accidentally built infrastructure that makes radio better in unexpected ways. Sometimes innovation finds success through the back door.

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If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow The Tyler Woodward Project and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.

Ever wondered why HD Radio never took off despite being technically superior to regular FM? This might be the most tragic story in broadcasting history - a technology that had everything going for it but still managed to fail spectacularly.

In this episode, we explore how HD Radio went from revolutionary promise to comprehensive disaster. We'll cover the brilliant engineering behind OFDM technology, why it cost stations up to $200,000 to upgrade, and how the "digital cliff effect" made listening unbearable. Plus, we'll talk about the perfect storm of competition from iPods, satellite radio, and streaming that killed HD Radio's chances.

From the early success of in-band on-channel broadcasting to Wisconsin Public Radio shutting down their HD operations, this is the story of how superior technology couldn't overcome bad timing, economic barriers, and devastating market forces.

Topics covered:

• The ingenious OFDM technology that made it possible
• Why the chicken-and-egg adoption problem doomed HD Radio
• Technical disasters: digital cliff effect and coverage problems
• The $3 billion investment that went nowhere
• How 58% of cars have HD Radio but nobody knows it
• Why major manufacturers abandoned the technology

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If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow The Tyler Woodward Project and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.

Ever wondered how rock and roll conquered British radio? It all started with rebellious DJs broadcasting from ships in the North Sea. In this episode, we dive into the wild world of pirate radio - from Radio Caroline's first broadcast in 1964 to the underground stations that introduced reggae, house music, and hip-hop to British audiences.

We'll explore how a loophole in international law led to floating radio stations, why the government was so desperate to shut them down, and how pirate radio moved from ships to land when the authorities cracked down. Plus, we'll talk about the fantastic movie "The Boat That Rocked" and why pirate radio's legacy still matters today.

From cramped ships rolling in rough seas to mobile transmitters dodging detection vans, this is the story of the rule breakers who believed the airwaves belonged to everyone - not just the people with licenses.

Topics covered:

• Radio Caroline and the offshore pirate fleet
• The Marine Broadcasting Offences Act of 1967
• Land-based pirates and music revolution
• Kiss FM's journey from pirate to legal
• Cultural impact on marginalized communities
• "The Boat That Rocked" film discussion

Contact & Social: 

• Email: [email protected] 
• Facebook: fullymodulated 
• Instagram: @fullymodulatedpod

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If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow The Tyler Woodward Project and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.

On this bonus episode of Fully Modulated, Tyler drops the curtain on the weirdest holiday in broadcasting: National Radio Day. Why August 20th? Who actually invented radio? And what happens when the whole country suddenly remembers the tower selfie folder on their phones?

Tyler digs into the chaotic, disputed origins of National Radio Day, spins stories about how radio became the most personal mass medium on the planet, and shares why radio still matters in a world ruled by screens and algorithms. You’ll get tales of World War II newsflashes, wild morning show stunts, and the timeless agony of dead air.

This episode busts radio myths, unpacks a few engineer legends, and gives practical tips for making National Radio Day special—whether you’re running a big stick, a one-room LPFM, or just listening from your kitchen table. Plus, you’ll hear the strangest thing ever found in a transmitter building, and a few facts you’ll want to drop at your next engineer’s lunch.

If you’ve ever wondered why radio has so many birthdays, why people still care, or what makes this medium so stubbornly magical, this is the episode for you. Happy National Radio Day!

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⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.

In this final chapter of our special series, The Story Behind EAS, Tyler Woodward explores how emergency alerting is moving beyond familiar tones and crawls into a new era of rich data and smarter delivery. From the Common Alerting Protocol to NextGen TV, the systems that warn us are becoming faster, more precise, and more connected than ever.

You’ll hear how artificial intelligence is helping emergency managers detect threats in real time and how social media is reshaping the way alerts spread through communities. We also look ahead to a future where your phone, car, and smart devices all work together to keep you informed.

Whether you work in broadcasting or you’re simply curious about the systems that protect us, this episode will leave you with a clearer understanding of how technology is transforming emergency communication.

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If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow The Tyler Woodward Project and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.

Ever wondered who actually pushes that button sending jarring alerts over your radio and phone? The answer might surprise you - it's usually not someone in Washington, but your neighbors working in county emergency operations centers.

Most county EOCs aren't glamorous command centers but rather ordinary rooms in courthouse basements or sheriff's departments. Inside, dedicated professionals monitor weather radar and emergency feeds, making critical decisions about when to interrupt your favorite show with potentially life-saving information. They use IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) to create standardized messages that flow through a complex network of broadcasters and wireless carriers.

What's fascinating—and concerning—is the dramatic disparity between different counties' capabilities. While major metropolitan areas maintain fully-staffed operations with modern technology, many smaller communities rely on a single emergency manager carrying a laptop everywhere to ensure they can respond after hours. Some counties aggressively use alerts to protect residents, while others remain overly cautious, fearing public backlash from "false alarms." This creates a patchwork of inconsistent practices across the country.

Behind every alert is an intricate relay network outlined in state EAS plans. Local Primary stations serve as the main distribution points, while State Relay stations bridge communication between state emergency centers and broadcasters. Despite increasing automation, human relationships remain crucial—engineers and emergency managers must coordinate regularly to ensure systems work when needed most. When one pathway fails, personal connections often determine how quickly backup plans activate.

The challenges facing local emergency alerting are substantial: outdated equipment held together with creative fixes, insufficient staffing in smaller communities, unreliable internet connections, and the delicate balance between alerting promptly and avoiding alarm fatigue. Yet dedicated professionals continue working with what they have to keep their communities safe.

Want to learn more or share your own alert experience? Email [email protected] or follow the link in the show notes. And if you found this information valuable, please follow and review the podcast wherever you listen.

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If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow The Tyler Woodward Project and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.

Have you ever wondered what happens when a tornado warning is issued while you're deep in a Netflix binge? Our emergency alert infrastructure, designed for the broadcast era of the 1990s, faces a critical challenge in today's digital world.

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) was built when everyone gathered around TV sets at scheduled times to watch their favorite shows. Today, with over 60% of Americans primarily consuming content through streaming services, these critical warnings often fail to reach their intended audience. As one public safety official bluntly put it, "If an alert goes out on a system no one uses, did it really happen?"

While newer systems like Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) buzz our phones with urgent notifications, they come with significant limitations – including a tiny 360-character limit that barely covers the basics of an emergency. Meanwhile, FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) attempts to serve as a central hub for distributing alerts across multiple platforms, but participation from tech companies remains largely voluntary. There's no federal requirement for streaming services to integrate emergency notifications, creating a dangerous patchwork of coverage.

This episode explores practical steps you can take to stay informed (like enabling emergency notifications on your devices and checking if your streaming services support alerts) while examining the future of emergency communications. From the promising Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) to the challenges of designing alerts that command attention without becoming so annoying that users disable them, we unpack the complexities of modernizing our warning systems for the streaming age.

Whether you're a tech enthusiast, safety-conscious citizen, or broadcast professional, this deep dive into the intersection of emergency communications and modern media consumption offers valuable insights into a system we all depend on but rarely think about. Help us spread the word by leaving a rating, following the show, or sharing this episode with friends who care about staying safe in our increasingly digital world.

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If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow The Tyler Woodward Project and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.

What happens when the systems we rely on to keep us safe suddenly fail? That moment when a Hawaii missile alert sends an entire state into panic because someone selected the wrong menu option. Or when a critical warning never reaches you because your favorite podcast app isn't required to interrupt your listening experience like traditional radio.

Emergency alerts represent a fragile chain of trust—one that's increasingly challenged by outdated equipment, human error, and our rapidly evolving media landscape. This episode pulls back the curtain on the Emergency Alert System's vulnerabilities, exploring why nearly 14% of broadcasters failed the last nationwide test and how robotic, jargon-filled messages often confuse more than they clarify. When a warning about "FIPS Code 017031" means nothing to the average person, we have a serious communication problem.

The gaps extend beyond technical issues. While America grows more diverse, most alerts remain English-only, leaving millions unable to understand critical warnings. As streaming platforms replace traditional broadcast media, our emergency systems haven't kept pace—Netflix doesn't pause for tornado warnings. We're caught between two worlds: the broadcast infrastructure of yesterday and the digital consumption habits of today. As former FEMA IPAWS director Antoine Johnson notes, "Emergency alerting is a public service, not a technical one. If the alert doesn't reach everyone, it hasn't done its job." Join us as we examine this essential but imperfect system and explore what needs to change before the next crisis strikes. Have questions or experiences with emergency alerts? Share them with us at fullymodulated.com.

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If you enjoyed the show, be sure to follow The Tyler Woodward Project and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app—it really helps more people discover the show.

⚠️ All views and opinions expressed in this show are solely those of the creator and do not represent or reflect the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, or professional affiliation.