This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

Software Defined Radio (SDR) has been available for a decade or more now - even at the consumer level. Now, building on MPXTool FM signal analysis software by Leif Claesson, Alex Hartman has combined the latest affordable SDR hardware with a new MPXTool and made an amazing remote-access FM signal monitor. It can even capture and archive the entire FM band in a given radio market.

Safety training and certification is vital for tower workers these days. We’re discussing the RF Exposure to Humans factors that figure into overall tower worker safety. Joining us is Stacey Moore with LBA Group. We’re looking at Personal RF Exposure Monitors, physiological impacts of RF exposure, safety procedures at multi-tenant sites, and talking about exposure to the general public. Chris Tobin is here, too, for his perspective on these issues and topics.

The Audio Engineering Society brings together a huge variety of people from every corner. There are nearly as many job descriptions as there are thousands of members. Diversity is palpable and AES member, Jill Courtney, is looking to clear remaining roadblocks for women and minorities thinking about careers in Audio and other STEM fields. Plus, David Bialik is here to update us on the array of AES sessions - so many in the Broadcast and Online Delivery track alone.

Outnumbered and out-financed, broadcasters face a real threat to reliable TV & Radio satellite reception.The C-Band satellite spectrum that Radio and TV broadcasters depend on looks mighty good to some of the biggest companies in the world - mobile data carriers. Mark Johnson, Founder of LiNKUP Communications has the latest and positive steps to head this off.

The largest radio transmitters were liquid-cooled about seven decades ago. Forced-air cooling has ruled transmitter sites since then. Now, liquid cooling is making a comeback—and for some very good reasons. Don Backus with Rohde & Schwarz is here to show and tell us why.

For over 4 decades Solid State Logic has been a respected and trusted audio console maker, implementing leading technology to make audio production better. Now with Audio over IP connectivity and the introduction of “console-less consoles”, SSL is taking their latest tech on tour across North America. Steve Zaretsky and Dan Griffin allowed us into their mobile demo truck to talk about AoIP technology and the latest use-cases for network-based mixing consoles.

Broadcast remote control systems are keeping up with new protocols, new equipment to monitor, and new monitoring workflows. IP is a big part of that, but legacy gear is part of the remote control mix, too. Paul Shulins, VP/CTO at Burk Technology joins Chris Tobin and Kirk Harnack to talk about new Monitoring & Control options. Plus, Paul shows off his remote-controlled telescope with amazing composite photos of nebulae.

What’s the difference between Canadian radio and US radio? Canadian music content? Better-built studios? More cooperation among competitors? Tyler Everitt is one of the new owners of Pippin Technical Service in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. They design, build, and service radio stations from the Yukon to the Maritimes using the best of today’s technology.

Radio station owners may come and go, but top engineering talent often stays the course. Brad Hart is DoE at the Bonneville cluster of radio stations in Denver. He’s maintained attractive, effective studios and reliable transmitter sites that cover Denver and beyond. John Bisset joins us as well to talk about reliable engineering in the Mile High City.

Thousands of radio stations are streaming online, but what’s next? What can broadcasters do to make sure their Internet streams are available and compelling? And, what’s needed from a technical perspective to allow those streams to make money from digital ad placement? Rockie Thomas and Sean Lozensky have 20 years of streaming and digital ad experience, and they’re sharing this advice and knowledge with us on TWiRT.