January 22 2024 View as Webpage

ABA Engineering Academy

The ABA Engineering Academy is excited to offer the first round of broadcast engineering classes for 2024. Our radio engineering class is scheduled for February 26^th – March 1^st. The Television class is scheduled for April 8^th – 12^th. Classes are offered at no charge, even the $50.00 registration fee is refunded upon attendance.

Monday:

·        Review of basic electronics DC and AC

·        History of broadcasting

·        Understanding components (resistors, capacitors and inductors)

·        Tube and solid-state theory

·        Single phase and three phase power theory

Tuesday:

·        All about audio (analog and digital) creation and processing

·        Microphone selection and placement

·        Understanding binary

·        Digital audio workstations

·        Set up and using wireless mike systems

Wednesday: 

·        Understanding RF (history and theory

·        AM and FM transmitters

·        AM antenna systems both non-directional and directional

·        FM antenna systems

·        Digital FM transmission

·        Television class covers history of television, black/white and color

theory, SDI, SMPTE 2110, 8-vsb and ATSC 3.0

Thursday:

·        Overview of basic station operation

·        IP basics for broadcast operations

·        EAS systems

·        FCC Rules and Regulations

·        Becoming a team member

·        Good engineering practices

Friday:

·        We offer the opportunity for students to take the SBE Certification exam. It is not required to take the test to attend the classes. The SBE has a charge $144.00 for the exam. If you are not taking the exam there is no need to attend on Friday.  

The classes are held at the ABA Training Center 2180 Parkway Lake Drive Hoover, AL (Birmingham). Register online for either the radio or television class.  

Weather Issues

As they say in Ireland, “it’s a wee bit chilly outside”.

Broadcast engineers should be paying close attention to icing on tower structures and antennas, especially FM antennas. As ice forms on antenna elements, it detunes which in turn changes the impedance. This of course will increase the amount of reflected power coming back down the line. As we mentioned in last weeks newsletter, this decreases the efficiency of the system, plus the increase in voltage could damage the line and/or transmitter.

Good news is that most modern transmitters are designed to pull the power down when it senses an increase in reflected power. However, FM stations that are using a multi-station combiner system cannot rely on transmitter fold back. This is due to the isolation in the combiners, sometimes as high as 80 dB. Careful attention should be paid in monitoring the reflected power Post Combiner and install means to force the transmitters to fold back.

In areas of the country that experience high levels of ice buildup, stations often use radoms or antenna deicers to minimize accumulation of ice on the elements.

Another area of concern is ice buildup on the tower structure and guy wires. Guy wires can develop radial ice. When the sun comes out the ice will begin to melt (on the inside first due to the heating on the guy wire). Radial ice will then begin to slide down the wire. Make sure you have ice breakers installed prior to the preforms at the anchors. Ice shields over other antennas, such as STL and two-way plus over air condition and generator equipment will help minimize damage from falling ice. Used tires place on transmitter building roof will also help with damage.

Safety is important, if you have to visit the site make sure to wear a hard hat and park under an cover or large tree, ice falling 1,000 feet can do a lot of damage. 

FCC starts 2024 in Full Speed

While not a technical issue, the Commission has issued a number of Notice of liability (NAL) to stations for operational issues. It serves as a reminder to pay attention to the FCC guidelines. 

A $500,000 fine was issued to Townsquare Media for violating the FCC’s rules for sponsorship identification and online political files. Cumulus Media must pay $26,000 penalty for violations of the FCC’s equal employment opportunity rules at five radio stations.

Other fines were issued for stations operating without filing for a license after their construction permit expired. On the technical side the Commission has issued NALs for translators operating with the power or antennas different from their license or construction permit.

On an amusing note, The Bureau also dismissed a station’s argument that it was exempt from requesting authority to move to a new transmission facility as the antenna at the new site was mounted in a tree, and thus did not require construction of a new tower. The Commission didn’t buy that.

It is a great idea to participate in the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP) administered by your State Broadcaster Association.

Remember the FCC has said “Ignorance of the rules is no excuse”. If there is ever a question about the rules, contact your legal counsel or your State Broadcasters Association.

Only problem I see is the tie wire has not been trimmed!