Edited by: Mark Croom
Electronic Version: Leonard Charles
Electronically Distributed by Chris Cain
Contributors this month:
Paul Stoffel
Fred Sperry
Tom Weeden
Tom Smith
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
January's Chapter 24 meeting and program will feature a business
meeting followed by a tour of the new WTDY/WMGN/WJJO combined
studio facility at 2740 Ski Lane on Madison's South side. Join
us for John Bauer's presentation about the process of adapting
the building for radio, and then for a look around the facility
which has been occupied by the stations for only a few months.
The business meeting will be preceded by a dutch treat dinner at
Perkins on Damon Road, beginning at 5:30 PM.
Visitors and Guests are welcome at all SBE meetings.
*****************************************************************
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Tentative Program Subjects
Feb 21, 1995 Tue
BTS Media Pool Video Server System
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
*****************************************************************
A NOTE FROM THE CHAIR
By Leonard Charles
Chairman, Chapter 24
The Holiday rush, crunch, ecstasy, and depressions should
now be over for another year. Hope yours was satisfying,
allowing time for a bit of re-acquaintance with family and
friends. Without Holidays, when would we ever see those people
anyway.
Time to shake it off and get into the plans and goals for
the year. Among the things to remember in your planning, are the
methods by which you will keep yourself knowledgeable in the
tools of the career you carry on for you and your employer. The
best way to do that is to attend at least one of the many
conferences this year. The first is the NAB, a few short months
away, April 9 through the 13th in Las Vegas. Under the agreement
with the NAB, the SBE will be conducting the Engineering
conference at the show. In addition, here is the schedule of SBE
events at the NAB: The Board will meet on Sunday, April 9, 8:00AM
to 12:00 noon The Certification Committee will meet April 9, 6:00
PM to 10:00 PM Certification exams will be offered on the morning
of Tuesday, April 11 The Chapter Chairs will meet 4:00 PM to 4:45
PM Tuesday the 11th The Membership Meeting will also be on
Tuesday the 11th 5:15 PM to 6:00 PM The Engineering Luncheon will
be on Wednesday with Lewis Platt, CEO of Hewlett-Packard. Of
course, all these events are open to all SBE members. Make your
plans early. Reservations at one of the official NAB hotels can
now be made by calling: (800) 890-6227.
As a Board member and your National Liaison, I am your link
to any National person or committee. The most effective way to
handle concerns needing a National audience, is by presenting
them at a Board or Executive Committee meeting. The next such
meeting will be that of the Executive Committee set in Dallas on
Saturday, February 4. In order to get an item on the meeting
agenda, you will need to contact me soon.
The National Liaison Committee has recently filed reply
comments to FCC Docket 94-32; Transferring of Below 5 GHZ Federal
Government Spectrum to Private Sector Use. I have a copy of the
filing. If you would like to read it, contact me and I will send
you a copy.
Closer to home, I must pass along the concern for the future
of the Broadcast Clinic. Recently, the University informed Don
Borchert that it will no longer support the Broadcast Clinic as
part of its continuing education curriculum. Budget reductions
were sighted as the cause. Discussions between parties will be
held soon to decide what can be done to continue this excellent
educational opportunity to Broadcast Engineers in the Midwest.
Contact me with any suggestions you might have. I'll keep you
informed on any progress.
See you at the January meeting. It's been a while since
weve looked at a Radio Station. It should be fun!!
*****************************************************************
CHAPTER 24 DECEMBER BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
12/13/94
Chapter 24 of the Society of Broadcast Engineers met in the
new offices of the Dane County Emergency Management agency. The
meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM by Chapter President
Leonard Charles. The minutes of the previous meeting were
approved as published in the Chapter 24 December newsletter. In
the absence of the Treasurer, Leonard reported the Chapter
financial balance indicating we are in the black.
Chapter 24 membership now stands at 71, with a welcome to
John Salzwedel, our newest member. Sustaining membership stands
at 25.
Steve Zimmerman represented the Program Committee, and
reminded the members that next month the scheduled meeting is at
the new studios of WTDY/WMGN/WJJO on January 19th. The February
meeting date is still uncertain as Dennis Behr is trying to
coordinate with BTS on a date for them to demonstrate their Media
Pool video server system.
Certification Chairman Jim Hermanson re-iterated the
information from his newsletter article in December, with the
reminder that the reduced price on the TV operators study guides
expires at the end of December. He also reminded the members
that he has certification materials for all levels available.
Frequency Coordination Chairman Tom Smith reported no new
activity this month, and indicated that he knew of no problems on
election night which was a busy one on the broadcast auxiliary
spectrum.
Leonard reported a couple of items of news from the SBE
National. First of all, they have sent a mailing to all of the
members with a copy of the latest by-laws, and brochures for the
SBE Group Insurance plans. Secondly, Leonard announced that he
has been selected as National Liaison for Chapter 24, so any
concerns which need to be shared with the National board should
be directed to him. Then Leonard announced that he had received
a letter from Don Borchert regarding the future of the
Broadcasters Clinic. The letter stated that the University of
Wisconsin had decided to discontinue support for the Clinic, due
primarily to financial concerns. The letter indicated this came
as a surprise to Don. He is exploring ways to keep the Clinic
going without the participation of the University. Don has asked
the members to contact him if they have any ideas or suggestions
regarding the future of the Clinic.
There was no old business or new business to be discussed.
There were no personal or professional announcements, or
general announcements. There were also no technical tips or
discoveries shared. Leonard asked that anyone having information
on aftermarket automotive receivers with AM Stereo please share
the information with him, as there doesn't seem to be a
comprehensive up-to-date list available at this time.
The business meeting was dismissed at 7:24, and Steve
Zimmerman introduced the program for the evening. Kathy Brenholt
and Jim Engeseth of the Dane County Emergency Management Agency
described the agency's new facility in the Dane County Public
Safety building, and Jim gave us a tour of the communications
facilities.
Respectfully submitted, Mark W. Croom, Secretary
*****************************************************************
AMATEUR RADIO NEWS
by Tom Weeden, WJ9H
An FCC ruling known as PRB-1, which pre-empts overly
restrictive local antenna regulations, could be codified into law
in Wisconsin if some area hams have their way. Several Wisconsin
radio amateurs have contacted their state senators and
representatives to urge them to draw up legislation giving the
FCC authority to overturn zoning restrictions against towers in
residential areas. In Connecticut, a US District Judge has ruled
in favor of an amateur who was denied a permit to install a 78-
foot tower by his town's planning and zoning commission. The
judge cited PRB-1 and said, I think federal law is on the side
of ham radio operators in this case.
Two more astronauts, Mission Specialist Wendy Lawrence and
Payload Specialist Sam Durrance, have become amateur radio
operators. Lawrence, KC5KII, and Durrance, N3TQA, are scheduled
to fly on space shuttle mission STS-67 in late February or early
March.
One of the newly-elected Republicans in the House of
Representatives is a long-time amateur radio operator. David
Funderburk, K4TPJ, represents North Carolina's 2nd District and
fills the seat of a retiring Democrat. Licensed since 1959,
Funderburk had taught history for 14 years in several North
Carolina colleges and was appointed ambassador to Romania in
1986.
The FCC authorization act that would have converted an
annual regulatory fee for Amateur Radio vanity call signs to a
one-time application fee failed to pass in the last session of
Congress. HR 4522 passed the House but failed in the Senate.
Broadcasting and Cable magazine attributed the defeat to
opposition by the NAB to unrelated provisions in the bill. The
FCC is now expected to introduce a vanity call sign program with
a $70 fee, renewable every 10 years.
Excerpts from January 1995 Badger State Smoke Signals and QST
magazines
*****************************************************************
FCC PROPOSES UNATTENDED OPERATION
By Tom Smith
The FCC has started an inquiry into changing the operator
rules for transmitters to allow for unattended operation. The
commission believes that with the monitoring and control
equipment that is available today some or all stations may not
need the continuous monitoring of a duty operator. Stations
would still be required to maintain operation within FCC rules
and to have equipment that would monitor and cease operation in
the event of a malfunction that would cause interference.
The FCC is also seeking comments on the need for licensing
of duty operators if a station would like to retain them.
Congress amended the Communication Act in 1992 and removed the
requirement for licensed operators. This act and the new EBS
rules are the reason it is now possible for the FCC to look at
the possible changes in the operator rules.
This inquiry covers radio, TV and LPTV. The docket number
is MM Docket No. 94-130 and was adopted by the FCC on November
10, 1994 and released on December 7, 1994. Comments are due on
January 20, 1995 and replies are due on February 6, 1995.
From RADIO WORLD, TELEVISION BROADCAST and FCC PUBLIC NOTICE.
*****************************************************************
ANALOG STILL REIGNS IN CABLE FOR AWHILE
By Tom Smith
General Instruments announced a new series of advanced
analog cable converters. GI previously announced delays in their
anticipated compressed digital video converters. The delays are
caused in part by the setting of the MPEG-2 standard in November
and the complexity of the digital systems. The digital boxes are
still in the lab and GI has not started manufacturing. Volume
deliveries are not expected until late 1995 or early 1996. A
number of cable companies including TCI have ordered the GI
digital converters for channel expansion upgrades.
GI expects that digital video penetration will only be 10%
by mid 1997. Because of the slow deployment of the new digital
systems many cable companies are in the need for an advanced box
that will operate with analog signals. This is to enable them to
offer new services at the present time.
GI has claimed that they have orders for over 2 million of
the advanced converters. There are over 1.6 million digital
boxes on order.
From BROADCASTING&CABLE and TELEMEDIA WEEK
*****************************************************************
SHORT CIRCUITS--NEWS FROM SBE NATIONAL
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 and NAB have formed a joint Engineering
Conference Committee which has the responsibility of planning the
Conference. The Committee is chaired by SBE member and former
Vice President, Jerry Whitaker. 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, during the morning hours. The deadline
to apply to take an exam during the Convention is February 28.
The SBE Board of Directors will meet on Sunday, April 9, from
8:00 am until 12:00 noon. Location will probably be the Las Vegas
Hilton but that is still being firmed up. Any SBE member is
welcome to attend.
SBE INTRODUCES TV OPERATOR HANDBOOK
The Society of Broadcast Engineers will publish the
Television Operators Certification Handbook in early 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 published in late January.
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.
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 new 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.
CHECK OUT EXAM DATES FOR 1995
The SBE Certification Exam schedule for 1995 offers four
opportunities to take an exam. The first will be during the NAB
Spring Convention in Las Vegas on April 11. Application deadline
is February 28. The Spring exam period in local chapters will be
June 9 - 19. Application deadline is April 28. The SBE
Engineering Conference and World Media Expo in New Orleans will
be the next opportunity with the test date set for September 7.
Application deadline for that opportunity is July 27. The final
period for 1995 will be in the local chapters from November 10 -
20. Application deadline for that period is September 29. For
information on how to become SBE Certified, see your local
chapter Certification Chairman or call the SBE National Office.
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 unique
show.
Edited by Paul Stoffel
*****************************************************************
TECH TIPS--CAPTURING AN INTERMITTENT
by Dan Maney of Maney_Logic
The problem...
Occasionally WKOW's Odetics TCS2000 spot playback systems
BVW-10's and 40's will que to the wrong place on the tape without
warning. The RS422 control command Cue up with data allows the
system to specify a desired timecode and the deck takes care of
cueing to that point. The system then polls for completion and
assumes the deck cued correctly. During times of inability to
read correct timecode the decks just interpolate their timecode
using the dependable control track. This works fine when
interpolating from a correct timecode starting point, but fails
when the last good timecode is from the previously ejected tape.
The Need...
Capture the sequence of events leading up to the error so
that the problem can be studied in detail. Also, until a
solution is found, provide a warning alarm so the operator can
correct it before air.
The Concept...
Install a tiny bug (custom IC) attached to the suspect
board's test points of interest. Transmit continually to a PC,
which provides on screen display, operator warning alarm, and
logging to disk in a compact easily readable form.
The BUG...
I programmed the 16C54LP Micro Controller (uC) to sample
eight digital test points 60 times a second and continually
transmit the data at 1200 baud N,8,1. With no serial port, the
uC assembly language code is mostly serial transmit routines.
The 18 pin Dip, crystal & capacitors fit on a tiny PC board
barely bigger than the chip itself. The bug gets +5 volts &
Ground from the suspect board, and is wired to eight test points.
The test points of interest were all 5v/0v and could be directly
connected to the uC pins. By adding an opto isolator inside the
DB9 connector at the PC, there is no physical connection between
the PC and the Bug.
The PC...
Quickbasic was used for the PC programming. This is where a
custom screen was created to show easy to see NAMED testpoints
and activity.
As we learn more about what is happening with the timecode
board, basic code can be written to alert the operator under
specific conditions.
The program was written to only log to disk when the test
points changed, adding time and date stamps when needed. The log
file is a simple ascii text file with the following format. The
eight names are the names chosen for the test points.
Slow Med Fast BER DER TCT interp down
18:34:56 12/25/94
(etc)
Now if it happens again, we can learn from it.
(Who said our work shouldn't be fun?)
Dan Maney Maney-logic 608-277-8001
*****************************************************************
OWNERSHIP LIMITS TO CHANGE
By Tom Smith
The FCC has been looking at the number of stations that
broadcasters can own. In September, the FCC raised the number of
radio stations one company can own from 18 AM's and 18 FM's to 20
of each type of station. For minority held groups the number
was increased to 25 of each type of station.
The FCC is now looking at raising the number of TV stations
that one group could own. The current limit is 12 with minority
groups allow 14. These 12 stations cannot reach more than 25% of
the national audience. That means that groups in the largest
markets may be limited to less than 12.
The FCC has proposed a number of chances in the TV ownership
rules in mid-December. The changes include the lifting of the 12
station limit and raising the cap on audience reach from 25% to
50% of TV homes. The cap would be raise by 5% every 5 years till
the 50% limit is reached. With the lifting of the limit on the
number of stations that a group could own and a 50% audience
limit, the number of stations owned by any one group could vary
greatly. For a group owning stations in the nations largest
markets the limit would by about 25 stations. For groups in the
smallest markets the limit would be 180 to 190 stations before
they would reach 50% of the audience. There are over 210 markets
in the country.
Other possible changes in the ownership rules included
lifting the ban on owning both radio and TV stations in the same
market. That ban was imposed in the 1970's. The FCC would also
create rules covering local marketing agreements between TV
stations, the current rules only cover radio. The ban against
owning two TV stations in the same market may be relaxed allowing
for duopolies in television as is now allowed in radio.
The FCC is also looking at raising the percent of ownership
of a station that becomes attributable against ownership limits.
This rule allows banks and investment firms to make loans, hold
mortgages and other stock investments in a number of stations
without it counting against any of the broadcast groups ownership
limits that the investments are held in. This allows a money
market group to buy shares in GE, CBS, Cap Cities/ABC etc.
without limiting this company's ownership limits. The FCC is
considering raising the ownership limits from 5% to 10% for
voting stock and 10% to 20% for non-voting stock.
The rule changes on attribution is being investigated by
FOX's non-attributable ownership investment in some of their
affiliates such as New World Communications, Savoy/Fox and
Fox/Blackstar. ABC has similar agreements with Young
Broadcasting and CBS with Group W. The FCC is investigating if
these investments are being used to bend the ownership rules.
NBC has contested the sale of WLUK in Green Bay on the grounds
that the ownership rules are being violated.
From BROADCASTING&CABLE
*****************************************************************
THE BIG SWAP
By Tom Smith
The big network swap in Milwaukee was finally completed on
December 11. WITI, channel 6, which had been with CBS, became a
FOX affiliate. WDJT, channel 58, formally an independent, joined
the CBS network. WCGV, channel 24, which had been the FOX
station, will join the new United Paramount Network. The
announcement that WDJT would join the CBS network occurred on
December 6.
Last May New World Communications Inc., owners of WITI,
announced that all the stations they owned or were acquiring are
joining the FOX network. All 5 of the stations it owned at the
time were CBS affiliates. The stations they were buying were
affiliated with CBS, NBC or ABC. FOX also invested $500 million
into New World as part of the deal. Besides being a station
owner, New World is also a program syndicator
There had been much speculation about who would become the
CBS affiliate in Milwaukee until the December 11 announcement.
CBS had approached a number of stations unsuccessfully including
NBC affiliate WTMJ and ABC affiliate WISN. Both stations signed
long term agreements with their existing networks. Also WCVY,
channel 30, a religious station and WJJA, channel 49 (Racine/Oak
Creek), affiliated with the Home Shopping Network, were also
approached. According to BROADCASTING and CABLE magazine, WCVY
was offered a $10 million offer to sell the station to CBS which
they rejected as too low and not in the best interest of their
viewers.
The changes at both WITI and WDJT will have an impact on
local programming in Milwaukee. WITI has expanded their news
staff by over 3 dozen people. This includes both news and
technical support people. They are now airing 7.5 hours of live
programming on weekdays.
WDJT will start a local news operation sometime this year.
They are also continuing to look for a site to build a new 1000
foot tower. WDJT currently broadcasts from a tower on the MARC
PLAZA hotel in downtown Milwaukee. WDJT's antenna on the MARC
PLAZA is only about 550 feet above average terrain. That site
was previously used by WVTV, channel 18, before they moved to the
tower they now share with public television stations WMVS/WMVT.
Also WDJT is on many different channels on the various cable
systems in the Milwaukee area.
As a side note, the owners of WDJT, Weigel Broadcasting lost
their affiliation with the Spanish language network UNIVISION on
their station in Chicago, WCIU channel 26. UNIVISION recently
bought WGBO, channel 66, and moved their programming to channel
66. WCIU is changing their programming to that of a regular
independent and investing $5 million in a 64,000 square foot all
digital plant.
From the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL, BROADCASTING&CABLE, and the WISCONSIN
STATE JOURNAL
*****************************************************************
CHAPTER 24 SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Welcome to our new
sustaining member:
3M Audio & Video
Our latest renewal:
Scharch Electronics
Thanks to all our
Sustaining Members:
BTS
Broadcast Communications
CTI
Clark Wire and Cable
Comark Communications
Dynatech Video
Electronic Industries
Emmons Associates
Fuji Film I&I
Harris Allied Broadcast
Maney Logic
MRC Telecommunications
Panasonic Broadcast
Roscor Wisconsin
Skyline Communications
Sony Broadcast
Tectan, Inc.
Teleport Minnesota
The Tape Co.
Video Images
WISC-TV 3
WKOW-TV 27
WMSN 47
WMTV 15
*****************************************************************
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