This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

Have you ever been to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada? No? Not many have, even though it’s a thriving city with excellent radio stations and a lively downtown social, shopping, and dining scene. Saskatoon is also the home of Pippin Technical Service, a leading broadcast equipment dealer and project services firm for all of Canada. Pippin Technical, now “PTS”, is an early adopter of IT and broadcast technologies, including Audio over IP via Livewire and AES67. PTS boasts highly capable on-staff engineers, technicians, and programming developers. In this TWiRT episode we get a tour of this premier equipment and services provider, plus we talk with Tyler Everitt, PTS’s President, as well as Evan Semenoff, developer of the new PTS Aurora GPIO interface. We also take a quick trip - a live shot - out to a new studio under construction at Pattison Media in Kelowna, BC, Canada.

Show notes:

* PTSAurora - Ethernet warning light (and other lighting) controller

* PTSPKR (PTS Speaker) - Passive speaker designed for broadcast

* PTSxR1 - Silent, mid-power, 1RU compute platform designed for broadcast applications

* PTS*GATEWAY - Asterisk Server for Telos VX and business office

Guests

Tyler Everitt - President at PTSEvan Semenoff - Programmer / Developer at PTSTodd Beswitherick - Senior Technician at PTSMike Delayen - Logistics at PTSMike Modney - Engineer at Pattison Media LtdPhil Stalwick - Installer / Technician at PTSJason Pearson - Engineer at Pattison Media Ltd

Hosts

Chris Tarr - Group Director of Engineering at Magnum.MediaKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

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Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.Broadcasters General Store,

It’s only natural that we pause and consider the things - and people - we’re thankful for during the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Wow! What a list! It turns out we’re thankful for many more things than we can talk about in a 1-hour podcast! This week’s show features a slate of awesome broadcast engineers who remind the rest of us that we *do* have a lot to be thankful for. Enjoy this episode of TWiRT, and we know you’ll think of a few more things yourself!

Show notes:

* StudioHub

* Audio Compressors & Limiters

* SMS Alarms

* Klein 11-in-1 Screwdriver

* Power over Ethernet (PoE)

* “Remote/Local” Relay Contacts in Transmitters

* Video Calling / Conferencing

* HTML5 Web Monitoring & Control (M&C)

* Widely available Fiber (and other) Internet Connections

Guests

Chuck Kelly - Retired radio guy, broadcast engineer and road warriorChristian Vang - Broadcast Engineer/IT Specialist - South3E.comMarcos O’Rourke - Engineering Manager, Linkup Communications CorporationShane Toven - Senior Broadcast Engineer at EMF - K-LOVE & Air1 Media NetworksSteve Tuzeneu - General Manager--Chief Engineer at WIHSTim Braddock - Broadcast Engineer & Consultant

Hosts

Chris Tarr - Group Director of Engineering at Magnum.MediaKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

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Max Pandini is known throughout Southern Europe for his audio processing acumen, radio brand consulting, and compelling audio programming. Host, Kirk Harnack, actually didn’t realize it until today, but Max is now a colleague, working at Telos Alliance! Max maintains his consultancy for some of the tops radio brands like Radio Kiss Kiss (Italy), Klassik Radio (Germany), and DIXI Media (Moldova). We caught up with Max on a consulting trip in Verona, Italy from where he’s sharing his passion for compelling audio processing, visual radio and branding, and takes us inside a couple of beautiful broadcast facilities.

Show notes:

* Max Pandini’s YouTube channel features the videos we used on this episode, plus many more radio station tours: https://www.youtube.com/@maxpandini

* Max mentioned Cricova Winery in Moldova, so we had to link to it, of course!

Guest

Max Pandini - Radio | Programming | Audio Design

Host

Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

Sponsored by

Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.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.Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console.The new MaxxKonnect Broadcast U.192 MPX USB Soundcard - The first purpose-built broadcast-quality USB sound card with native MPX output.

It’s said that sometimes it’s the plumber who has the worst home plumbing in town; ditto for the electrician with “temporary” fixes and home wiring done hastily, and in an un-workmanlike manner. Both professionals may not do it right the first time, knowing they can do it right any time. Which never comes. We broadcast engineers can fall into the same trap. We know where the twisted wires are that are holding the transmitter on-the-air, and we’re careful not to bump them as we do other work. Or we have an overflowing trash can at the transmitter site, which subconsciously deters us from cleaning up new trash as there’s nowhere to put it. Or we know just how to wiggle a power supply connector, or a tower light monitor, or other “percussive maintenance” tricks that no one else knows about. Radio’s most beloved conference speaker, Jeff Welton, and his colleague, Jeff Wilson, join us from Nova Scotia, Canada, with a full hour of smart ideas, clever hacks, and common sense about making your engineering life easier, and doing a better job of it.

Show notes:

* David Bialik’s Radio World article, “What? You Don’t Have a Broadcast Vendor?”

* An excellent white paper, “Lightning Protection for Radio Transmitter Stations”

* “FM/HD Radio Efficiency Improvement” - a presentation by Gary Liebisch

* “Mission Critical: Maintaining Your Transmitter Site” - ebook from Radio World

Guests

Jeff Welton, CBRE - Regional Sales Manager, Central U.S.Jeff Wilson - Regional Sales Manager – Western US at Nautel

Host

Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

Sponsored by

Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service,

Every time I check in with Josh Bohn, founder of MaxxKonnect Group, he’s busy on an engineering project, or on his way to or from a project. And he’s not alone. Seems that most broadcast engineers are absolutely slammed these days with upgrade projects, regular maintenance, and the usual off-air emergencies. Today Josh is in Indianapolis meeting with several other radio engineers, including Matt Levin. Wondering what kind of work is keeping engineers busy this year, I asked Josh to join us - and he did, along with three other engineers. Let’s see what’s keeping engineers so busy, and how are thoughtful engineers advising station owners to invest in equipment upgrades to avoid unscheduled off-air time.

Show notes:

* Article on Tube vs Solid State Transmitters from Engineering Radio

* Nautel article: Five Reasons to Switch from a Tube Transmitter to Solid State

* Josh mentioned the CR202 mobile 4G router, available with MaxxKonnect Wireless service

* MicroMPX technology was mentioned. This MPX-over-IP tech is available in several products in software or hardware forms:

* Omnia MPX Node

* Thimeo Audio Technology

Guests

Josh Bohn - President/CEO at The MaxxKonnect GroupMatt Levin - Broadcast Engineer - FM & Stream Processing, Axia & WideOrbit IntegrationJohn Takach - Chief Engineer at Radio OneNick Lopez - Assistant Chief Engineer, Radio One, Indianapolis

Host

Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

Sponsored by

Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.

When Hofstra University’s School of Communication hosted an SBE Ennes Workshop, coordinator, Andy Gladding, added an extra event to this educational event - a Live Mix recording session in the School’s recording studio! This addition was a special treat for students, area broadcast engineers, and even for Workshop presenters. The talented local band, “IRIEspect”, set up and played in the performance studio, while students and sound techs set up mics and configured the recording console for a recording session. We learned important points about mixing for live sound and for recording, and the performance was later replayed on WRHU-FM, the award-winning Hofstra University station. Chris Tarr, who mixes live sound weekly, joins Kirk to interview Andy and Steven on this extra-fun episode of TWiRT!

Show notes:

* The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University on Long Island, NY

* WRHU-FM - 88.7 MHz and Online - from Hofstra University

* IRIEspect - links to the band’s social media, schedule, and merch (via LinkTree)

Guests

Andy Gladding - Chief Engineer at Salem Media Group - New YorkSteven Pardo - Music Producer and Audio Engineer Recording, Mixing, Mastering

Hosts

Chris Tarr - Group Director of Engineering at Magnum.MediaKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

Sponsored by

Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.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.Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console.The new MaxxKonnect Broad...

When the Archdiocese of Hartford needed to replace an audio mixing console, Tom Ray was ready. Due to parts shortages for older audio consoles, Tom chose a new console that uses Livewire Audio over IP audio in and out connections, plus networking to the rest of the facility’s studios. The result of using AoIP technology? A super-quick replacement and configuration of the new console! In the episode, radio engineer and consultant, Tom Ray, takes us on a tour of WJMJ and the Office of Radio and TV of the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut, and discusses the quick work afforded by AoIP audio networking. Plus, you won’t want to miss the “ABIP Horror Story” at the end of this episode.

Show notes:

* WJMJ Catholic Radio, Hartford, CT

* Archdiocese of Hartford - Office of Radio and Television

* Where is WJMJ and how much of Connecticut does its signal cover? Here’s a map.

Guest

Tom Ray - President of Tom Ray Broadcast Consulting

Hosts

Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

Sponsored by

Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.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.Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console.The new MaxxKonnect Broadcast U.192 MPX USB Soundcard - The first purpose-built broadcast-quality USB sound card with native MPX output.

With broadcast engineers from 24 states - some from Alaska - there’s no better place for expanding knowledge while seeing old friends and meeting new ones that the WBA Broadcasters Clinic! What a blast to broadcast live from the SBE booth in the expo hall, and we trapped a number of guests to talk about new tech and best practices at this year’s Clinic. Plus, we get to see how the grand prize winner is picked in a Poker-like game with lots of participants! Who won? Watch and see!

Show notes:

* Broadcasters Clinic Schedule

Guests

Bill Bennett - Media Systems & Account Manager, ENCO SystemsLinda Baun - Retired Vice President WBA at Wisconsin Broadcasters AssnPaul McLane - Managing Director of Content/Editor in Chief of Radio World at Radio World/Future U.S.Kyle Geissler - Vice President at Wisconsin Broadcasters AssnMartin Reyes - Broadcasters General StoreJim Armstrong - DIrector of Eastern US Sales, Telos Alliance

Hosts

Chris Tarr - Group Director of Engineering at Magnum.MediaKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

Sponsored by

Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.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.Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console.The new MaxxKonnect Broadcast U.

On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, broadcasters and wireless carriers participated in another National Program Test of the EAS and WEA systems, alerting the public in a variety of ways. Initial reports are that this nationwide test was rather successful! Past tests have been plagued with audio problems for broadcasters, but this test primarily utilized the CAP Server system, delivering clean audio to most broadcasters for retransmission. Chris Tarr serves on Wisconsin’s State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC) and brings useful insight into this recent test. Plus we’re talking about fiber-delivered Internet service and its much wider availability. Plus, thinking creatively about siting FM translators or STL hop locations by looking for lesser-used towers or those not currently associated with broadcast functions.

Show notes

* State Emergency Communications Committee Resources (SECC)

* Easy read from REC Networks: REC LPFM Advisory Letter #16 - EAS CAP Polling requirement for radio - deadline December 12, 2023

* Emergency Alert System – New Rules and Many Changes by Telecommunications Law Professionals

* Chris mentioned “ETRS” - here’s the landing page for the EAS Test Reporting System

* Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc. has combined the FCCInfo.com databases with the extensive mapping capabilities of Google Earth. Here’s what you need to know to use it.

* Chris and Kirk mentioned Christen Roberts and Dan Merwin as reliable resources for finding broadband Internet for broadcast facilities.

Hosts

Chris Tarr - Group Director of Engineering at Magnum.MediaKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

Sponsored by

Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at

When Jeff McGinley’s radio stations in Portland, Oregon, joined the ranks of the “homeless” last year, he had just a few weeks to create virtual radio infrastructures so the on-air talent could keep working, doing live shows. Even after moving into new “hands-on” studios, the Portland group is still using virtualized radio consoles for both regular and special broadcasts. Now Jeff is building another virtual studio for a country music star’s restaurant in Gatlinburg. Meanwhile, Chris Tarr and Kirk Harnack have built out virtual broadcast infrastructures benefitting their companies’ stations as well. Come along as we describe and even demonstrate some of this virtualized tech that’s making broadcasting easier than ever.

Show notes:

* A viewer asked about Kirk’s touchscreen monitors at WBZK. They’re Dell P2418HT 23.8" Touch Monitors

* Both Jeff and Kirk implemented the Axia Altus virtual audio mixing console.

* Kirk also implemented the Telos VXs virtual broadcast phone system into WBZK’s Altus console

Guest

Jeff McGinley - VP of Engineering at SummitMedia

Hosts

Chris Tarr - Group Director of Engineering at Magnum.MediaKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter - @TWiRTshow and Facebook

Sponsored by

Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.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.