This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

Before Angry Audio, Michael “Catfish” Dosch helped redefine how audio moves through radio stations. In this episode, Catfish joins Kirk to revisit the early 2000s when he, Steve Church, and a small development team in Riga, Latvia, built the world’s first practical Audio over IP system — Livewire. From his PR&E console-design roots to creating the Telos SmartSurface and the first Livewire mixing engine, Catfish shares behind-the-scenes stories, engineering breakthroughs, and lessons that changed broadcast infrastructure forever. It’s a fascinating trip back to the dawn of AoIP — where analog met Ethernet and radio changed for good.

Isn’t it great when a growing broadcaster makes good on the company’s expansion plans? The last time Randy Gardner was our guest - about 3 ½ years ago - he described some of the projects and initiatives going on at JVC Broadcasting. Now we see that the company - and Randy - have been carrying out those plans and projects. Randy Gardner is JVC’s Director of Engineering. He directs and executes improvement projects at studios and transmitter sites, while watching every dollar to make sure there’s good value in every investment. Randy joins us to show us a few project results and he gives wise advice on work and life balance.

There’s something special about breathing new life into classic analog audio gear, and Jordan Tuck has turned that passion into beautiful and functional results. In this episode of This Week in Radio Tech, Jordan takes us inside his meticulous process of reviving vintage broadcast audio equipment—especially the legendary Pacific Recorders & Engineering RadioMixer console. From initial triage and circuit restoration to lamp replacement and detailed cleaning, Jordan shares how he transforms “retired” gear into studio showpieces. He’s even installed a fully refurbished PR&E RadioMixer in his brand-new home studio and gives us a first-hand look at the results. Join us for this delightful conversation celebrating craftsmanship, classic design, and the timeless sound of analog radio consoles.

Scott Cason is a seasoned radio contract engineer and Director of Engineering for the Kentucky Broadcasters Association. Scott shares his insights as the ABIP (Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program) inspector for both Kentucky and Indiana, highlighting the most common violations and how stations can easily correct them. He also discusses his pivotal role in modernizing Kentucky’s newly approved EAS Plan, bringing the state’s emergency alert system up to current standards. Scott takes us behind the scenes of the University of Louisville Sports Radio Network, explaining the equipment and processes that make home and away broadcasts possible. Packed with practical advice, industry insights, and real-world examples, this episode is a must-watch for broadcast engineers and radio professionals. Tune in to learn from one of the field’s most knowledgeable - and friendly - engineers.

We’re coming to you live from the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers Convention (WABE 2025) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada! This episode of This Week in Radio Tech takes you right to the heart of one of Canada’s premier broadcast engineering events. Kirk Harnack talks with a range of broadcast industry professionals — from seasoned engineers to manufacturer representatives and even a broadcast student — capturing the pulse of our ever-evolving industry. Featured guests include Jeff Welton of Nautel, Cameron Thompson with Alberta South, Michael Peterson from Stingray Digital, Randy Opperman of Rogers Communications, and Grant Bebrick of PTS. Join us for candid conversations, fresh perspectives, and valuable insights straight from the WABE show floor.

Artificial intelligence isn’t here to replace radio — but it is coming for the audience’s attention, and it’s doing so on radio’s most important turf: deep personal connection. Dan McQuillin, Managing Director at Broadcast Bionics, joins Kirk to explore how AI and large language models can augment radio production rather than compete with it. Dan shares the fascinating “DanGPT” experiment — an AI version of himself so convincing it won over his wife of 34 years — as proof that AI can be just as personal and engaging as traditional radio. Together, they discuss how radio’s greatest strengths — shared experience, belonging, and community — remain central, and how embracing AI as “Augmented Intelligence” can amplify those qualities. With a growth mindset, AI becomes more than a cost-cutting tool; it’s a creative partner that makes the once-impossible possible. As Dan puts it, we used to have more ideas than time — now, thanks to AI, ideas are the only limit.

The Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic is where broadcast engineers and technologists gather each year to learn, share, and connect. Hosted in Wisconsin, this premier event features deep-dive sessions on both cutting-edge and legacy technologies, a vibrant trade show floor, and plenty of opportunities to network with peers from across the Midwest and beyond. Jointly organized by the Wisconsin and Minnesota Broadcasters Associations along with SBE chapters from both states, it’s a true collaboration for the industry. This year, TWiRT is once again going live from the trade show floor—right in the middle of the action—bringing you the latest insights, innovations, and conversations from one of the broadcast community’s most valuable gatherings.

On This Week in Radio Tech, we’re joined by veteran broadcast journalist Scott Fybush, publisher of NorthEast Radio Watch and Fybush.com, and the well-known Tower Site Calendar. Scott unpacks the FCC’s new deregulation initiative, popularly nicknamed “Delete, Delete, Delete”, which proposes removing a range of legacy rules. We also explore the sobering reality of declining radio station values, what’s driving the trend, and how it’s reshaping the broadcast landscape. On a lighter note, Scott shares details about a different kind of stage performance — a comedy act with his wife that will soon debut at Rochester’s Fringe Fest. It’s an episode that blends policy, economics, and a dash of humor — all through the eyes of one of radio’s most trusted observers.

We tend to live, work, and observe within the circles of friends and colleagues that we already know. The TWiRT podcast strives to introduce radio engineers and creators who bring new ideas, technologies, and techniques to our thinking. Juan Punyed and Caroline Delamarque are visiting and talking with Latin American broadcasters every day, and frequently visit radio stations with huge audiences in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Brasilia, Panama City, and Bogatá, among others. What are broadcasters doing technologically in these places? And how are engineers implementing and supporting these advances in broadcasting? Juan and Caroline give us a taste of what broadcasters are doing - and perhaps not doing - in Latin America.

Stereotypically speaking, broadcast engineers may not fit the “leadership” mold. Many of us are perfectly comfortable dealing with equipment, and not with leading other people. While some engineers are naturally also fine leaders, many who aspire to a leadership role may need a mentor, or an example, or perhaps a “baptism by fire”. Kevin Trueblood has leaned toward filling responsible positions throughout his career, and he brings his thoughts and advice on the topic in this episode Moreover, Kevin was just elected by his peers as President of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE). We discuss some SBE plans as well, and get some great advice on backup (or primary) Internet service for critical infrastructure sites.