Edited by: Mark Croom
Electronic Version: Leonard Charles
Electronically Distributed by Chris Cain
Contributors this month:
Kevin Ruppert
Fred Sperry
Tom Weeden
Tom Smith
Terry Baun
Articles Welcome!! Send correspondence to:
Chapter 24 Newsletter
34 Rustic Parkway
Madison, WI 53713-4700
or call (608) 271-1025 (home) or (608) 221-1979 (work)
*****************************************************************
MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
Wednesday, February 15, 1995
5:30pm: Dutch Treat Dinner at the Grand Pagoda
7:00pm: Meeting and Program at the ECB, 3319 W. Beltline
Topic: BTS Media Pool Video File Server
Visitors and Guests are welcome at all SBE meetings.
*****************************************************************
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Tentative Program Subjects
Mar 22, 1995 Wed
Tour - MEGCC Facility
Apr 20, 1995 Thu
Elections-NAB Review
May 23, 1995 Tue
Advanced Technology-Sullivan NWS Doppler Radar
*****************************************************************
CHAPTER 24 OFFICERS:
CHAIRMAN:
Leonard Charles (WISC TV)
W - 271-4321
H - 274-0041
VICE CHAIRMAN:
Paul Stoffel (WI Public TV)
W - 263-2175
H - 241-4621
SECRETARY:
Mark Croom(WNWC Radio)
W - 271-1025
H - 221-1979
TREASURER:
Stan Scharch (WISC TV)
W - 271-4321
H - 831-1168
CHAPTER 24 COMMITTEE APPOINTEES:
Membership - Leonard Charles
Sustaining Membership - Fred Sperry
Strategic Plan - Denny Behr
Newsletter - Paul Stoffel/Mark Croom
Program Committee - Steve Zimmerman
- Mark Croom
- Kerry Maki
- Denise Maney
Special Events - Kevin Ruppert
Cert/Ed - Jim Hermanson
Frequency Coordination - Tom Smith
*****************************************************************
NATIONAL SBE PHONE DIRECTORY
SBE National Office
8445 Keystone Crossing Suite 140
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Main Number 317-253-1640
Engineering Conference Line 317-253-0122
Job Line 317-253-0474
Fax 317-253-0418
BBS 317-253-7555
President: Chuck Kelly CBT
Broadcast Electronics
P.O. Box 3606
Quincy, IL 62305
W 217-224-9600
F 217-224-9607
H 217-228-7373
CIS ID# 70307,2642
Vice President: Terrence Baun CPBE
Criterion Broadcast Services
5300 W. Garfield Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208
W 414-449-5300
F 414-449-5380
CIS ID# 71525,1060
Secretary: Keith Kintner CSTE
KLCS TV 58
1061 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-625-6958
F 818-362-5294
CIS ID# 72530,620
Internet: keith.kintner@gur.com
Treasurer: Bob Goza CPBE
KMOV TV
3315 Highway 50
Beaufort, MO 63013
314-484-3718
F 314-484-3840
Executive Director: John Poray CAE
SBE National Office
8445 Keystone Crossing Suite 140
Indianapolis, IN 46240
W 317-253-1640
F 317-253-0418
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jim Bernier CBT
WTVH, Inc.
980 James Street
Syracuse, NY 13203
315-425-5503
F 315-425-5513
David Carr CPBE
KHOU-TV
P.O. Box 11
Houston, TX 77001
713-284-8741
F 713-284-8700
Leonard Charles CSTE
WISC TV
7025 Raymond Road
Madison, WI 53719
608-271-4321
F 608-271-1709
Dane Ericksen PE CSRE CSTE
Hammett & Edison, Inc.
Box 280068
San Francisco, CA 94128-0068
707-996-5200
F 707-996-5280
Michael Fast CPBE
WCBM Radio
1303 Burleigh Road
Lutherville, MD 21093
410-356-3003
F 410-581-0150
Michael McCarthy CBRE
WLIT FM/Viacom International
150 N. Michigan Ave., #1135
Chicago, IL 60601
312-329-9002
F 708-439-1464
P 800-592-3058
Edward Miller CPBE
WEWS Scripps Howard
3001 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44115
216-431-3687
F 216-431-3641
Troy Pennington CSRE
WZZK AM/FM, WODL FM Radio
530 Beacon Parkway W. #300
Birmingham, AL 35209
205-916-1119
F 205-916-1151
Robert Reymont CPBE
Nationwide Communications, Inc.
P.O. Box 5159
Mesa, AZ 85211-0500
602-964-4000
F 602-644-7660
CIS ID# 71645,254
Internet: NCIRADIO@CRL.COM
Martin "Sandy" Sandberg CPBE
Consultant
9807 Edgecove Drive
Dallas, TX 75238
214-343-5786
F 2114-343-9807
John Schneider CBRE
RF Specialties of Washington, Inc.
19237 Aurora Avenue N.
Seattle, WA 98133
206-546-6546
F 206-546-2633
CIS ID# 74603,3342
Tom Weber CSTE
WISH TV 8
1950 N Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317-921-8535
F 317-926-1144
CIS ID#: 73250,215
Chris Imlay, Esq.
SBE General Counsel
Booth, Freret & Imlay
1233 20th St. NW Suite 204
Washington, DC 20036
202-296-9100
F 202-293-1319
James Wulliman, CPBE
Ennes Director
721 W. Calle Del Regalo
Green Valley, AZ 85614
Phone and Fax 602-648-1250
NATIONAL OFFICE STAFF
Linda Godby, Certification
Peggy Hall, Membership
Sarah Hayden, Signal/Conferences
Julie Dinger, Secretary
317-253-1640
F 317-253-0418
Job Line 317-253-0474
BBS (N,8,1) 317-253-7555
NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND TASK FORCE CHAIRS
By Laws Committee Sandy Sandberg
Certification Committee Jim Wulliman
Chapter Awards Committee Leonard Charles
Chapter Liaison Committee John Schneider
Electronic Communication Committee Jim Bernier
Engineering Conference Committee Jerry Whitaker 503-690-8798
Engineering Conference Promotion Committee Mike McCarthy
FCC Liaison Committee Dane Ericksen
Fellowship Committee David Carr
Finance Committee Troy Pennington
Frequency Coordination Committee David Carr
High Frequency Broadcasting Task Force Doug Garlinger 317-773-
5050
Industry Relations Committee Terry Baun
International Committee Sandy Sandberg
Membership Committee Michael Fast
Nomination Committee Robert Reymont
Sustaining Membership Committee Edward Miller
*****************************************************************
FROM THE CHAIR
January's was the first meeting in my memory that had to be
canceled due to the weather. It was a concerted effort to get
the word out in the 11th hour. Hopefully we got to you before
you attempted the drive to WTDY. We do plan to re-schedule that
program later this year, and we will need to work on a method of
notification of cancellation to make a re-occurrence easier to
deal with.
In a few short months, Chapter 24 will be electing new
officers. Jim Hermanson has graciously agreed to serve as this
year's nominations Chair. All of you desiring a run at an
elected Chapter position, contact Jim as your first step.
Following a meeting which included Don Borchert, John Laabs
of the WBA, Chris Cain, Terry Baun, Paul Stoffel and myself, I am
glad to announce that there will be a Broadcasters Clinic this
year. It will take place on the same pre-announced dates in
November and at the same place, the Holiday Inn SE. In addition,
there will be a WBA Engineering Day in LaCrosse in July in
conjunction with the annual Summer WBA Conference. Tentative
plans for 1996 have the Clinic and the WBA Engineering Seminar
merge into one event. Details are pending on that arrangement.
*****************************************************************
CERTIFICATION EXAM DATES FOR 1995 SESSIONS:
PLACE APPLICATION DEADLINE
April 11 NAB Convention (Las Vegas) February 28
June 9-19 Local Chapters April 28
Sept. 7 SBE Conference (New Orleans) July 27
Nov. 10-20 Local Chapters September 29
Applications for exams can be obtained from Chapter 24
Certification Chairman Jim Hermanson or the SBE National Office
and must be submitted to the National Office. Testing for Radio
Operator's Certification and new TV Operator's Certification can
be done during the regular exam dates or at other times.
Nationwide there are currently 3306 SBE members who hold a
certification within the four main certification levels and 13
Radio Operators.
Jim Hermanson
Chapter 24 Certification and Education Chairman
*****************************************************************
WBA ENGINEERS WORKSHOP FOR 1995.
Where: La Crosse/ Radisson Hotel
When : Wednesday/ July 19, 1995
Cost : Same as last year: $25.00 for sessions and lunch.
$40.00 for sessions, lunch, exhibits, reception and WBA
opening Banquet.
This years theme is: Networking: Broadcast Survival in the
1990's.
Look for a mailing with more specifics from the WBA.
*****************************************************************
SBE FILES REPLY COMMENTS
The National FCC Liaison committee has filed reply comments
on Docket 94-32, Transferring of Below 5GHZ Federal Government
Spectrum to Private Sector Use. The comments urge and
substantiate the transfer of part of that spectrum to the
Broadcast Auxiliary Service.
In addition, comments have been prepared on Mass Media
Docket 94-130; Unattended Operation of Broadcast Stations and
Updated Remote Control and Monitoring Rules. The SBE is not
objecting to the change in Regulations allowing Unattended
Operation but has proposed very strict guidelines on what kind of
Automated Measuring and Control equipment should be required
before Unattended Operation can begin. The level and methods of
enforcement that should go along with such a regulatory change
are also recommended in the comments. Your Chapter's National
Liaison has a copy of the comments available to you upon request.
*****************************************************************
LOCAL LEGALS
By Tom Smith
Applications:
WMMM-FM 105.5 mhz Verona, Wi.
Woodward Communications, Inc. seeks construction permit to change
ERP to 2 kw at 174.8 meters. Transmitter location is 1.5 mi. East
of County PB and 1/2 mi. South of County M in Verona Township.
Grants:
WHA-TV Channel 21
U.W. Regents granted modification of construction permit to
change ERP to 1127 kw visual at 453.1 meters. Action was Oct.
26,1994
WMSN-TV Channel 47
Channel 47 LP was granted construction permit to change ERP to
1152 kw visual at 450 meters. Action was Nov. 7,1994
WIBA-FM 101.5 mhz
Double L Broadcasting LP was granted a construction permit to
make changes in antenna to 308.8 meters. Action was Dec. 7,1994
All of the above actions are for changes related to the move
to the new candelabra tower on Mineral Point Road.
(From Broadcasting&Cable Magazine)
*****************************************************************
AMATEUR RADIO NEWS
by Tom Weeden, WJ9H
-
More than 200 amateurs are providing communication in the
Kobe, Japan area following the January 16 earthquake that killed
more than 5,000 and left tens of thousands homeless. Amateur
radio is being used to connect relief centers and to exchange
information on road conditions. The Japan Amateur Radio League
(JARL) also reports that hams are trafficking messages concerning
the health, welfare and whereabouts of residents and the
availability of food and water. The Japan Amateur Radio
Equipment Industry Association has supplied 200 hand-held
transceivers and three repeater stations to aid in the effort.
400 of the 600 relief centers (with a total of 240,000 evacuees)
are being served by this communications system.
-
On February 1, the FCC amended its rules to provide for a
"vanity" call sign program for amateurs. For the past several
years amateurs have not been able to select a call sign but were
issued calls sequentially through an automated process.
Effective March 24, hams will be able to request a specific call
sign. Priority will be given to amateurs requesting a
previously-held call or the call of a close relative who is
deceased. Following those requests, the FCC will announce a date
when Extra-class hams may apply for a vanity call, then Advanced-
class,then any licensee. The dates for the opening of these
application "gates" will be made by periodic Public Notices. The
fee for a vanity call sign will be $70 over a 10-year period.
-
What happens when interference is so bad that the Coast
Guard's voice radio and satellite telephone can't make it
through? According to the news service Canadian Press, two
ships, the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker "Louis St Laurent" and
the US Coast Guard icebreaker "Polar Sea," had both reached the
North Pole and were experiencing electromagnetic interference
from the Pole. A reporter from the Press, attempting to
communicate with the ships, "managed to receive a barely
decipherable voice transmission...but could not make himself
heard." The report said that for the better part of a day, "the
only communications with the two ships was by Morse code."
-
(From packet-radio bulletins and February 1995 "QST" Magazine)
*****************************************************************
ATV UPDATE
by Kevin Ruppert
Advanced TV (ATV) is back in the Television News headlines!
Looks like we are FINALLY headed down the road to the FCC finals.
The word from our nation's capital is that there will be a
recommendation for an ATV standard submitted to FCC by the third
quarter of 1995. According to industry sources, this means that
ATV is headed out of the research lab, and into broadcasting,
with very little chance that FCC recommendation will stall now.
The Grand Alliance and the Advisory Committee on Advanced
Television Service (ACATS) have completed an HDTV system
specification. Channel allotments and assignments have been
approved and are already being rolled out as has been reported
here in the Newsletter.
In the meantime, interactive TV continues to be one of the
most publicized business opportunities in our technical future.
The most popular seem to be methods which provide a variety of
methods to select and view programs on a demand basis through the
use of a television, remote control, and a decoder. This video
on Demand (VOD) system will allow viewers to navigate, browse,
preview, select and view libraries of digitized video programs
and partake in new at home services, such as ordering theater
tickets, fast food, video rentals, and other purchases.
Surveys show that the majority of Americans still do not
own, or plan to own or use a personal computer in their
household. Industry experts say that, in order to get the much
publicized "Information Superhighway" services into the average
home, it will have to get there via a device which looks and
operates very much like a TV set with a remote control. No
keyboards, just a "point and click" trackball as the sole
interface.
*****************************************************************
NEW HDTV CHANNELS?
By Tom Smith
The Broadcasters Caucus and the Association for Maximum
Service Television submitted a list of potential allocations for
the proposed Advanced Television Service to the FCC. The list
pairs a second channel for the current 1,691 television permit
holders. Also the NAB and the four major networks signed the
filing.
The FCC will consider industry support as they examine the
report. They will also consider if the 70 VHF allocations in the
report should be used.
For the Madison area the proposed allocations are as
follows: WISC ch. 25, WMTV ch. 32, WHA ch. 8, WKOW ch. 66, WMSN
ch. 48, and unbuilt ch. 57 WJNW in Janesville would receive ch.
42. An earlier table proposed by the FCC listed the channels 20,
35, 44, 60, and 62 for Madison and channel 56 for Janesville with
no station assigned to any particular channel.
There were no channel pairings made for allocated, but
unapplied channels and in fact these channels may be used for
ATV. The final allocation table will not be made till all
information from the interference tests of the ATV system is
studied.
(From Broadcasting&Cable Magazine)
*****************************************************************
NATIONAL YEAR END STATS
1994 was a very good year for the National SBE.
* SBE membership was up 16 for the year.
* The grand total of new certifications for '94 is 282
* Financially, the SBE had net income at year end that was
appreciably more than budget. The Exact figures will be
discussed at our February meeting and are available from your
Chapter Chair.
* The new Radio Operator's Certification Handbook was released
March 1994 with more than 150 copies sold by year end. The new TV
Operator's Certification Handbook, to be released within weeks,
already has pre-publication orders of over 160!
* The SBE Engineering Conference in Los Angeles achieved a 23%
increase in attendance over the convention held in Miami.
* Liability insurance for contract engineers became a reality.
* A resume referral service, began in December.
* The SBE Job Line was added to the SBE BBS, resulting in an
immediate and tremendous jump in use by members.
* The awareness of the SBE as an important industry organization
was reflected in a net increase in National Sustaining
Membership, which grew by a net of 6, to 69 members.
*****************************************************************
DBS TAKES OFF
By Tom Smith
The RCA Direct Broadcast Systems has taken off as the
fastest new entry into the consumer electronic products market.
As of the first of the year, RCA has shipped 600,000 units and
DIRECTV had activated over 350,000 subscribers and reached its
1994 goal. DIRECTV is adding over 3500 subscribers a day and
expects to increase that number to 4500 to 5000 a day. DIRECTV
projects that they will reach their break-even point of 3 million
subscribers in the second half of 1996.
Thomson Consumer Products, parent of RCA, plans on
increasing its production of receivers by 50% and expand is
Juarez, Mexico plant by 150,000 sq. feet. Also, sometime this
year SONY should enter the receiver market as RCA's exclusive
rights end after they sell their 1 millionth unit or in December
1995, which ever comes first.
PRIMESTAR, owned in part by TCI, also increased its
subscribership from August to the first of the new year. Their
subscribership list tripled during that period. The acceptance
of both services was due to the competitive advertising of RCA,
DIRECTV, PRIMESTAR and Hubbard's USSB. PRIMESTAR spent 55
million dollars in 1994 and plans to increase it's budget in
1995. DIRECTV plans to spend 40 million dollars in 1995.
The pay per view service for DIRECTV also seems to be
successful. With the $2.99 price, the $2.50 monthly coupon in
the monthly bill and starts of the movies every 30 minutes,
DIRECTV has found a PPV system that is consumer friendly and is
being accepted.
Because of the fast acceptance of DBS services, Congress is
considering it a strong new competitor to cable and is using that
new competition as a reason to introduce bills to de-regulate the
cable industry.
(From BROADCASTING&CABLE, TELEMEDIA WEEK, and The WISCONSIN STATE
JOURNAL)
*****************************************************************
SBE CHAPTERS TALK EAS
EBS SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS
by Dave Biondi
Broadcast Services Company, Houston, TX
To assist you in converting your present EBS equipment to
the new 8 second standard, I have accumulated the technical
modifications to Gorman-Redlich, TFT and McMartin type EBS
Encoder/Decoders. Remember, only the Decode function can be
modified, until all broadcasters in your EBS Broadcast Area have
decided to switch to the new standard. Do not make the encode
modification until this happens.
Gorman-Redlich - All Models
The outputs of the 107 Hz filters for the two tone decoders
go into a diode, a parallel R/C circuit, another diode and
combine into a voltage divider. Where these two diodes tie
together, there is a 47 uF Tantalum capacitor. Change this to a
22 uF 16-25 volt Tantalum. The decoder will now activate at
about 6 - 7 seconds.
On the encoder, turn the 1 Megohm Activate Internal Adjust
pot counter clockwise until the tone is at 9 - 10 seconds
(recommended). This modification may require a slightly longer
closure of the activate switch to allow the 47 uF timing
capacitor to fully charge.
T F T - 760 Series
On the decoder board, replace C13 with a 22 uF 25 volt
Tantalum capacitor. Replace R26 with a 182K ohm 1/4 watt 1%
resistor. This should cause the decoder to activate in 4
seconds.
On the encoder board, cut the trace at Z3 pin 1. Then
jumper to Z4 pin 9. This will give 8.5 - 9 seconds of encode
tone. If you want to put a 8.5/23 second select switch in,
install a SPDT switch on the back panel of the chassis with the
common on Z3 pin 1 and the other switch terminals on pin 9 & 11,
respectively, to select the tone times.
McMartin - EBS-2/TG-2
In the EBS-2 Decoder, parallel R37 with a 560 K ohm 1/4 watt
1% Resistor. This should decode in 5.5 - 7 seconds.
In the TG-2 Encoder, adjust the trimpot near the NE555 chip
clockwise to 9 seconds.
The manufacturers I contacted to get this information all
expressed frustration at the inundation of phone calls they had
received for the modifications. We can help, by passing this
information along to others in the broadcast community.
If you have questions or desire additional information, you
may contact Dave Biondi at The Broadcast Service Company,
713-926-2209.
(from THE BROADCAST NEWSLETTER, SBE Chapter 28, Milwaukee)
CHAIR'S CORNER
by Mike McCarthy, Chapter 26 Chair
EAS is the new buzz word circling the FCC these days. At
a glance, the new rules, which are slated to become a new FCC
Part 11, seem to cover all the issues that the current EBS falls
short of satisfying. The existing two-tone system is being
shortened to eight seconds and eventually will require only one
on-air test each month. The new system will allow more incisive
data to be transmitted to specific groups or regions and can
include subcarrier protocol. A major difference of the new
system is its use of multiple sources for monitoring, including
NOAA weather radio. This may prove advantageous for stations who
wish to provide timely weather warnings, but are equipped to
monitor only the CPCS station.
(excerpts from THE SIGNAL LOOP, Chapter 26, Chicago)
THE FCC's THIRD GENERATION ALERT SYSTEM
By Clay Freinwald
The FCC has just released their proposal to replace the
aging Emergency Broadcast System. I say "Third Generation"
because the First was started back in 1951 (Conelrad), then in
1963 it was EBS. In 1996 it will be EAS, Emergency Alert System.
Boiling down the almost l00 pages of the release is not an
easy chore. Whereas you will be reading about this for the next
few months in all the trades, here is a list of high-points:
* The new system will be primarily Data with provisions for
handling voice.
* Every Broadcast Station will be getting new equipment.
* Look for the prices of the new gear to be in the range of 2
Grand, more for TV, less for Radio. Total cost to the Broadcast
Industry is estimated to be "AS LOW AS $8.7 MILLION".
* The new equipment must be installed by July 1, 1996. (look for
lots of it at NAB '96)
* The existing equipment will be used for a while and during the
de-bug period.
* We will be able to reduce the length of the existing EBS tones
during the transition to as short as 8 seconds starting July 1,
1995 (For those of you that have TFT- EBS equipment they plan on
offering a kit for 10 to 15 Dollars or will modify your model 760
for about $200.
* After July 1, 1997 the old EBS system of tones will become
history and the new EAS system will be on line.
* The EBS attention signal will still be used with EAS as an
ATTENTION SIGNAL only. Guess the Fed's figured that people are
used to responding to it.
* The new equipment will likely be a box with two inputs as we
will all be monitoring at least two sources.
* Gone is the daisy chain of stations monitoring stations
monitoring stations; the new system will be a WEB and the
Emergency Committees will establish who we will monitor with the
requirement that the FCC review and approve these plans.
* The new equipment will likely have a display of some sort so we
will be able to monitor what's going on as well as what has taken
place. Count on a use for that old dot matrix for logging EAS
activity.
* The EAS box will permit either manual transmission of EAS
messages or fully AUTOMATIC, the latter for use with un-attended
stations or in cases where operator intervention would not be an
asset.
* Quite a bit of effort has been put into making sure the system
is secure with penalties for mis-use.
* The Commish elected to use a non-standard Baud Rate to help
separate EAS from the rest of the world of data (520.83 bps -
Mark = 2083.3, Space = 1562.5. Mark and Space time is 1.92 ms.
Characters are ASCII 7 bit)
* A real plus: the new equipment and system will have the ability
to address several specific geographic areas.
* We will still test the system. The FCC will require 4 tests a
month, 3 of which can be silent or un-obtrusive this means we
will transmit the data only. One test will be full blown, real
world test, with everyone testing at the same time. Testing will
occur in two time periods, in odd-numbered months testing will
take place from 8:30 AM to local sunset. In even-numbered months
during the other times. Just like with EBS, a REAL EAS
activation will count as a test.
* Much like EBS, ALL STATIONS will be required to install this
system to handle NATIONAL EMERGENCIES. Regional and Local EAS
will have to be handled differently.
* Due to the Digital nature of the system look, for product
offerings tailored to the Television Industry that will have
video outputs that will make it easy to get EAS info on the air
in a crawl format.
* Cable TV will be included in this process so as to reach
"wired" viewers. It's estimated that EAS will cost Cable Systems
between 10 and 15 Grand.
* Look for makers of Radios and TV's to offer AUTOMATIC TURN-ON.
Using the EAS Data Stream to AUTOMATICALLY turn on receivers.
(This will eliminate the need for folks to leave the sets turned
on day and night to receive storm warnings etc., as is the case
now).
* Yes the new system will work with RBDS, a natural.
* NOAA Weather Radio will be a part of the system. They will
transmit the same EAS information and are very likely to be an
input in any local WEB system.
* The EBS Checklist (required hanging at present) will be
replaced with an EAS Handbook, complete Authenticator List
operator instructions etc.
* The makers of the new EAS units will be required to supply an
instruction book AND A VIDEO TAPE on how to install and operate
the system.
SUMMATION
It looks like the FCC has really done its homework and now
it will be up to the manufacturers to go to work and come up with
equipment that will do the job. I look for EAS to become
something real in the minds of those that have looked at EBS as
an inferior nuisance. This is a giant step forward. What's
going to be exciting is sitting down with the representatives of
the various Public Agencies and designing a system that will
actually work and will FINALLY ACTUALLY be able to AUTOMATICALLY
get Emergency Information into the eyes and ears of our
population. Broadcasting is going to play an important role in
EAS, much more than it has been able to do under the two previous
systems.
[Editor's note: You can download the complete text of FCC 94-288
from the WWFCC Bulletin Board (206-443-6170) in file Area 6. The
file is called ORMC4004.TXT.]
(from the SBE WAVEGUIDE, Chapter 16, Seattle)
*****************************************************************
SBE "SHORT CIRCUITS"
January 30, 1995
SBE MEMBERS SAVE ON NAB SPRING CONVENTION REGISTRATION
SBE members can register for the Spring NAB Convention in
Las Vegas at the NAB member rate of $335, a savings of $300!
(more than five times the amount of SBE dues for one year!)
Registration and Housing forms for the convention are available
from NAB through their fax-on-demand system. Call (301) 216-1847
from the handset of your fax machine and follow the voice
prompts.
SBE, NAB JOINTLY PRESENT ENGINEERING CONFERENCE AT NAB SPRING
CONVENTION
SBE is working with NAB to present four and half days of
great broadcast engineering sessions and workshops for the 49th
Engineering Conference to be held during the NAB Convention in
Las Vegas. The convention will be held April 9-13, 1995 at the
Las Vegas Convention Center. Over 70,000 attendees are expected
to attend the convention, which includes a half million square
feet of exhibits showing the latest in broadcast and related
technology.
SBE members will want to attend the Membership Meeting,
scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, at the Convention Center from
5:15 to 6:00 PM. Certification Exams will be offered the same
day, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. The deadline to apply to take
an exam during the convention is February 28.
BOARD MEETING SET FOR NAB SPRING CONVENTION
The Board of Directors of SBE will hold its spring meeting
during the NAB Convention, Sunday, April 9, from 8:00 AM to 12:00
Noon, at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. SBE members are welcome to
attend the meeting. Check the hotel monitor for the meeting room
location.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE TO BEGIN MARCH 1
SBE will kick off its annual Membership Drive beginning
March 1. Each SBE member will be encouraged to recruit "One New
Member" during the effort. Any member who recruits one or more
new members will be eligible for prizes, including the Grand
Prize of a trip for two to the SBE Engineering Conference and
World Media Expo in New Orleans, September 6-9, 1995. Details
about the Drive will be mailed to all members in February.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE APRIL 1
SBE Membership Renewal notices will be mailed in mid-
February to all members. Dues will again be $55 for Members and
Associates and $10 for Students. Renewals are due by April 1.
SBE INTRODUCES TV OPERATOR HANDBOOK
The Society of Broadcast Engineers will release the
"Television Operators Certification Handbook" in February 1995.
The Handbook will help prepare television operators to handle
their day-to-day responsibilities. It includes basic information
and procedures typically used at most stations. FCC rules
applicable to all stations and an outline of a typical station
operations manual are also included. Completion of the Handbook
will prepare the reader to take a 50 question exam offered by the
Society. Successful completion of the exam will earn the
candidate certification from SBE as a Certified Television
Operator. The Handbook will be released in February. Orders are
being accepted now and shipment will be made as soon as they are
available. You may order through the SBE National Office. The
Handbook sells for $35, which includes shipment within the United
States. The price also includes the exam fee.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR MIDWEST
The Kansas City and St. Louis chapters of SBE will jointly
host an Ennes Regional Workshop at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri,
June 15. It will be held in conjunction with the Missouri
Association of Broadcasters Summer Convention. Details will be
forthcoming later this spring.
SBE ENGINEERING CONFERENCE AND WORLD MEDIA EXPO - NEW ORLEANS,
LOUISIANA,
SEPTEMBER 6-9, 1995.
Mark your calendars and plan your budgets to take in this
annual conference and unique exhibition featuring the combined
shows of SBE, SMPTE, the NAB Radio Show and RTNDA. The Call For
Papers for this year's SBE Engineering Conference continues until
March 1. Send a brief synopsis of the paper you are interested
in presenting to the SBE National Office.
SBE BEGINS CAREER PLACEMENT REFERRAL SERVICE
In conjunction with Keystone International, Inc., the
dominant broadcast engineering employment service in America, SBE
members are now able to take advantage of a new service that
helps those seeking a change in employment. Keystone
International will evaluate and consider SBE member candidates
when looking to fill client (TV and Radio stations and corporate
video) needs. *There is no cost to the member for this service.*
Fees are paid by Keystone International clients. The service is
completely confidential. To participate, contact the SBE
National Office at (317) 253-1640 and ask about the new Career
Placement Referral Service for members.
("SHORT CIRCUITS VIA BBS" is published by the Society of
Broadcast Engineers, Inc., 8445 Keystone Crossing, Suite 140,
Indianapolis, Indiana. For more information about SBE, contact
John L. Poray, CAE, Executive Director, through this BBS or call
the SBE National Office at (317) 253-1640.)
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PANASONIC TO INTRODUCE NEW DIGITAL ENG DECK
By Tom Smith
PANASONIC plans to introduce a new ENG tape deck at the 1995
NAB. The deck will use 6 mm tape and will be compressed probably
at between 4-1 to 6-1. The new format will also allow offloading
to a server or non-linear editor at faster than real time.
PANASONIC also felt that disc based systems were to costly and to
fragile for ENG use and chose to go with tape for the present.
(From TELEVISION BROADCAST)
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SONY TO INTRODUCE NEW DIGITAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM
By Tom Smith
SONY has announce a new integrated multi-level digital
system to be shown at the 1995 NAB convention. This system is
designed to be compatible with existing SMPTE 259e standards and
will work with the digital routers and distribution equipment
currently on the market. The storage for the system will be a
hybrid of tape, hard drives and 8" 3.2 GB mag-optical discs in a
multi-drive server. The system will support Digital Betacam
video at 90 MB, a studio quality video at 30-40 MB and a ENG
level at 18 MB which is 10 to 1 compression. The 18 MB signal
could be transmitted at double speed through a KU band half
transponder
SONY also announced a tape streamer type of recorder for ENG
camera recording. SONY rejected disc based recording as not
robust enough and as too costly.
Much comment from other manufacturers has been made already
about the system SONY is proposing. Sony said that they decided
to wait and develop an integrated system, then develop products
that were islands. SONY also hopes that other manufacturers will
develop products that will integrate with their system.
(From TV TECHNOLOGY and TELEVISION BROADCAST)
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Equipment for Sale
WBEV Radio has converted to digital commercials using the
Computer Concepts Digital Commercial System. With the
conversion, they have some cart and automation equipment which
they would like to sell.
2 each IGM SC Automation System
-16 Source Cards plus spare
-Logging encoder and video terminal
-One was new in 1990, the other in 1992
2 each ITC Delta triple stack cart players, mono with 3 tone and
rack mount. New in 1990
2 various Harris Criterion cart machines
2 each ITC Omega cart players, mono in excellent condition
3 each SMC 350 Carousels, mono with IGM interfaces, new 1990,
excellent
3 each IGM Go-Cart 24 Carousels, new in 1990, excellent
1 each Harris CCIII triple deck mono, 3 tone with rack mount
2 each Harris CCII cart player mono, 3 tone with rack mount
1 each ITC SP delay cart recorder with rack mount
1 each ITC 750 R2R player stereo
1 each Stanton 310 stereo TT preamp
1 each Technics SP-15 TT with Microtrak arm
1 each IGM Go-Cart 48 mono for parts
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CHAPTER 24 SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Our latest renewal:
Clark Wire and Cable
Thanks to all our
Sustaining Members:
BTS
Broadcast Communications
CTI
Comark Communications
Electronic Industries
Emmons Associates
Fuji Film I&I
Harris Allied Broadcast
Maney Logic
MRC Telecommunications
Panasonic Broadcast
Roscor Wisconsin
Scharch Electronics
Skyline Communications
Sony Broadcast
Tectan, Inc.
Teleport Minnesota
The Tape Co.
3M Audio & Video
Video Images
WISC-TV 3
WKOW-TV 27
WMSN 47
WMTV 15
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