This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

TWiRT co-host, Kirk Harnack, is part-owner of KHKU-FM in Lihu’e, Hawai’i. It’s been 2 ½ years since the station, called “Star94.3”, went on the air under the new name, so some improvements and repairs have been needed. The key projects were: Installing an IP-radio link from studio to the transmitter on Mt. Kahili; installing a backup transmitter and antenna; and, wiring remote AC power switching for the main and backup transmitters and other gear at the transmitter. Kirk shares photos and video of the dramatic trips to Mt. Kahili and helicopter “rescue” necessitated by worsening weather.

Show notes:

* KHKU-FM - Star 94.3 FM* HIker video of the Kahili Ridge Trail in bad weather - similar to conditions for us* Digital Loggers Web Power Switch - Remote IP-controlled AC outlet bank* Ubiquiti PowerBeam 5AC ISO Gen2 IP-Radio Link* Kirk needs help getting these MikroTik Metal 9HPn ISM-band IP radios to work

Hosts

Chris Tobin, IP-SolutionistKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

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

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, a social media tools at Bionic.radio.Angry Audio - with StudioHub cables and adapters. Audio problems disappear when you get Angry at AngryAudio.com.And MaxxKonnectWireless - Prioritized High Speed Internet Service designed for Transmitter Sites and Remote Broadcasts. 

A Single Frequency Network (SFN) can help a broadcaster achieve coverage over a much wider area than with a single transmitter - and, provide continuous, hands-free coverage for listeners as they move about the trade area. FM on-channel boosters are another form of SFN. Hal Kneller has designed and implemented numerous SFNs to give broadcasters better coverage for their listeners, and joins us to describe a recent “hybrid” SFN in Southwest Florida.

Show notes:

* “Hybrid Synchronization in the Sunshine State” - article by Hal Kneller* Single Frequency Network introduction at Wikipedia* SynchroCast Presentation by Ted Lantz of GatesAir* Single Frequency Networks for HD Radio by Philipp Schmid of Nautel

Guest

Hal Kneller - Broadcast Technology Consultant

Hosts

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

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

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, a social media tools at Bionic.radio.Angry Audio - with StudioHub cables and adapters. Audio problems disappear when you get Angry at AngryAudio.com.And MaxxKonnectWireless - Prioritized High Speed Internet Service designed for Transmitter Sites and Remote Broadcasts. 

Mike Modney grew up in a broadcasting family with an engineer dad and a news director mom. Now, Mike is making his own way as a successful engineer and audio processing expert. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Mike oversees facilities and engineers in both Edmonton and Calgary. His stations have found techniques to successfully work around COVID-19 concerns, and keep both staff and audience interaction at a maximum. Plus Mike talks about his AoIP facility and how µMPX technology provides much cleaner STL feeds.

Show notes:

* WABE - Western Association of Broadcast Engineers* Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) Mentor Program* Jim Pattison Broadcast Group* 102.3 NOW! Radio* Pippin Technical (Candian broadcast equipment supplier and integrator)

Guest

Mike Modney - Chief Engineer at Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, Alberta Metro Markets

Hosts

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

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

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, a social media tools at Bionic.radio.Angry Audio - with StudioHub cables and adapters. Audio problems disappear when you get Angry at

Any radio engineer would consider it a privilege to visit the iconic WSB-AM transmitter site in Atlanta, Georgia. Today we get info on the WSB site not only from DoE, Charles Kinney, but also from Vic Jester, who helped design the current transmitter building in the early 1980s. Vic also takes us into the WSB 50 kilowatt Antenna Tuning Unit - a small building unto its own next to the 650’ WSB tower. Plus, Charlie Wooten with and update and thoughts on recovery from Hurricane Michael that hit the Florida Panhandle two years ago.

Show notes:

* WSB at the Atlanta History Center* WSB radio info on Wikipedia* WSB radio history - photo show from the 1920s* WSB transmitter site - prior to shopping center development

Guests

Charles Kinney - Director of Engineering at Cox Media Group AtlantaVic Jester - Chief Engineer at Radio One, AtlantaCharlie Wooten - regional Director of Engineering & IT at iHeartMedia, Panama City, Florida

Hosts

Chris Tobin, IP-SolutionistKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

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

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, a social media tools at Bionic.radio.Angry Audio - with StudioHub cables and adapters. Audio problems disappear when you get Angry at AngryAudio.com.Nautel - offering informative webinars at Nautel.com/webinars. And

The C-band repack – and subsequent relocation of all C-band users in the Mid-band frequency to 4.0-4.2 Mhz – means broadcasters with C-band satellite antennas need to act now. You may plan to self-install the filter needed to protect your satellite reception from new 5G signals. But, are you sure a filter is all that is needed? And, do you feel comfortable that your documentation will be adequate to share with the FCC when ATT or Verizon begin to interfere with your program reception? Mark Johnson with Linkup Communications describes the problem that broadcasters face, and explains the options available, whether you’re “opt-in” or “opt-out” of an FCC program.

Show notes:

* Linkup Communications - Satellite services from uplink to downlink* Radio World article by Mark Johnson, “Lump Sum Option May Not Be Best for All”* SO YOU CHOSE THE C-BAND LUMP SUM OPTION; HERE’S WHAT’S NEXT* Fierce Wireless article - Amid heated debate, FCC votes 3-2 to free up 280 MHz of C-band for 5G

Guest

Mark Johnson - President at Linkup Communications Corp.

Hosts

Chris Tobin, IP-SolutionistKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

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

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, a social media tools at Bionic.radio.Angry Audio - with StudioHub cables and adapters. Audio problems disappear when you get Angry at

The FCC has a filing window for new Non-commercial/educational (NCE) FM stations in 2021. Indeed, it’s been over ten years since the FCC accepted applications for new, full-power NCE construction permits. The window, expected to be in “early 2021,” will allow non-profit organizations, schools, and native tribes to apply for Construction Permits in the NCE band - 88.1–91.9 MHz on the FM dial. FCC Consulting Engineer, Dave Doherty, joins us to discuss this topic and more.

Show notes:

* Skywaves Consulting - provides technical services and strategic consulting for radio station owners, investors, and brokers.* FCCInfo.com - a database looking web site from Cavell & Mertz* Google Earth .kml file page for FCC licensed facilities* Quick radio facility lookup at Radio-Locator.com

Guest

Dave Doherty - Principal at Skywaves Consulting, LLC

Hosts

Chris Tobin, IP-SolutionistKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

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

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, a social media tools at Bionic.radio.Angry Audio - with StudioHub cables and adapters. Audio problems disappear when you get Angry at AngryAudio.com.Nautel - offering informative webinars at Nautel.com/webinars. And MaxxKonnectWireless - Prioritized High Speed Internet Service designed for Transmitter Sites and Remote Broadcasts. 

There’s no shortage of radio automation playout systems on the market. Some are steeped in a strong tradition of reliable service. Dave Brierley-Jones is CEO of PlayoutONE, a relatively new playout system that offers web-based voice tracking. We’ll get a tour of PlayoutONE’s design and the browser-based WebVT system that helps home-based talent get on-the-air conveniently.

Show notes:

* PlayoutONE WebVT* A collection of instructional videos about running PlayoutONE* Dave likes LastPass for securely simplifying web credentials

Guest

Dave Brierley-Jones - CEO at PlayoutONE

Hosts

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

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

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, a social media tools at Bionic.radio.Angry Audio - with StudioHub cables and adapters. Audio problems disappear when you get Angry at AngryAudio.com.Nautel - offering informative webinars at Nautel.com/webinars. And MaxxKonnectWireless - Prioritized High Speed Internet Service designed for Transmitter Sites and Remote Broadcasts. 

The “Next Best Thing Media Tour” is rolling onward, having visited two dozen markets to date, and with a long list to go before concluding around Thanksgiving. It’s a traveling outdoor equipment expo intended to help engineers and others see equipment or talk to vendors in person, in this year without an NAB Show. Cities just visited include Nashville, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis, with Dallas, Houston, Miami and Atlanta coming up. The organizers include Greg Dahl of Second Opinion Communication, Dave Kerstin of Broadcasters General Store and Jeff Williams of Yellowtec.

Show notes:

* See the remaining schedule and RSVP here…* The Next Best Thing Facebook Page

Guests

Greg Dahl - Second Opinion CommunicationsPaul Stewart - Summit Technology GroupJeff Wiliams - YellowTecShane Finch - ENCOEd Bukont - E2 Technical ServicesDave Kerstin - Customer Service at Broadcasters General StoreJason Cooper - Radian CorporationChris Crump - Comrex

Hosts

Chris Tobin, IP-SolutionistKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

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

Sponsored by

Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at BGS.cc.Angry Audio - your source for StudioHub cables and adapters, plus audio Gadgets and Gizmos. Audio problems disappear when you get Angry at AngryAudio.com.Nautel - keeping you connected with your community,

Being Director of Engineering for a large radio broadcaster is challenging enough these days. Doing that while fighting forest fires is downright heroic! Mike Everhart is Director of Engineering at Alpha Media AND he fights wildfires. We’ll see the incredible damage done to a steel-walled transmitter building and its contents, plus the clever replacement shelter to get back on-air just 3 days later. Finally, David Bialik joins us with highlights of the on-demand sessions available in the Broadcast track of this year’s AES Show.

Show notes:

* Chaparral burns particularly hot in the Western wildfires.* KUIC-FM is the focus of our discussion of a burned transmitter site; a real hometown station* Here’s the KUIC transmitter site on Google Maps* Mike Everhart is a Volunteer Lieutenant at the Molalla Fire Protection District* Alpha Media* AES2020 Show - listing of sessions and events by track. Broadcast and Online Delivery is the section referenced by David Bialik.

Guests

Mike Everhart - Corporate Director of Engineering at Alpha Media & Volunteer Lieutenant at Walalla Fire DistrictDavid Bialik - Consultant to the streaming and broadcast communities

Hosts

Chris Tobin, IP-SolutionistKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

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

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, a social media tools at Bionic.radio.Angry Audio - your source for StudioHub cables and adapters, plus audio Gadgets and Gizmos. Audio problems disappear when you get Angry at AngryAudio.com.

In fifty-six years the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) has awarded only ten John H. Battison Awards for Lifetime Achievement. This tenth and most recent one was just bestowed upon Mark Persons, CPBE, CBNT, AMD. Since Mark got started in radio and had an engineering curiosity from an early age, we wanted to know about his early experiences that have informed his career as a broadcast engineer. Mark takes us through his early years and military duty, and describes how he “never had a Plan B”. Also, AES Past President, John Krivit, tells us about the 7 Audio Wonders of the World Tech Tour.

Show notes:

* From the SBE: Society of Broadcast Engineers Presents John H. Battison Award for Lifetime Achievement to Mark Persons* Radio World article: Mark Persons Receives SBE Lifetime Achievement Award* Mark Persons’ Tech Tips - A huge collection of tips learned from a lifetime of engineering* Thirty years of broadcast engineering articles by Mark Persons* Chris Tobin’s Tip: NanoVNA-F Portable Handheld Vector Network Analyzer* Kirk’s Tip: Telos Alliance Support page for generating SDP files for AES67 stream subscriptions

Guest

Mark Persons - M. W. Persons & Associates

Hosts

Chris Tobin, IP-SolutionistKirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Follow Kirk on Twitter - @kharnackFollow TWiRT on Twitter...