Happy Holidays everyone. We are about to turn the corner on a new year, and I'm optimistic for what lies ahead. In the new year, the SBE will continue to develop more educational opportunities for our members, with the plans already being laid for the NAB Show among other events. Our widely recognized Certification Program continues to keep up with new technologies and even introduced a new level of Certification. There's plenty more in the works as the SBE continues to identify ways to better serve you, the SBE member, and broadcasting in general. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. Reach me at president@sbe.org.

Ted Hand, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, ATSC3, DRB

SBE President

Society of Broadcast Engineers Authorizes Dakotas Chapter

The Society of Broadcast Engineers has authorized a new SBE chapter to serve members in North and South Dakota and the bordering areas. The chapter has been given the Chapter number 63. While the Dakotas still cover a wide area, the next nearest chapters are a considerable distance from the two states. It's expected that some chapter members will attend meetings virtually.

To form a new SBE chapter, the SBE By-Laws require a group of at least 10 members to hold a minimum of three organizational meetings, which the group did earlier this year, submitting its final application materials in October. A group of 16 SBE members worked together, meeting the requirements to form the SBE chapter. Officers have been selected to lead that group. Chapter Chair Jake Bechtold, CBRE, DRB, CBNE; Vice Chair Eli Koppenhaver; Secretary Mark Heller, CPBE; and Treasurer Dustin Moore. Additionally, Mark Borchert will serve as Membership Chair, and Jake Bechtold will serve as Frequency Coordinator. Mark Heller, who previously served on the SBE national Board of Directors, was instrumental in coordinating the chapter efforts.

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SBE Adds New Certification:

Certified Production Technologist

The SBE Program of Certification continues to evolve and grow. A new Certification level has been introduced targeted at entry-level engineers and technicians in the production environment. The Certified Production Technologist becomes the natural lead-in to advancing to the SBE Certified Audio (CEA) Engineer and Certified Video Engineer (CEV) levels, which require five years of experience.

The CEA and CEV were created for those people who perform the same functions as a CBRE or CBTE, but don’t work with the RF or regulatory issues. This includes radio and TV broadcast facility production personnel, but also those working in production houses and live venues. This now includes those who work for streaming services. The candidate for Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) or Certified Video Engineer (CEV) must have five years of suitable experience in audio/video engineering or related technology. The Audio/Video Engineer multiple choice examination consists of questions on operating practices, problems, theory, safety, and basic electronics.

The Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) is actually two separate certifications that use the same name. The CBT exam can focus on radio or television. The Certified Production Technologist (CPT) does the same. It will be identified with one name, but it has two tracks: audio or video. Again, no experience is required as it is an entry-level certification.

Final Days of the Diamond Project

Get Your SBE Certification Back, But Act Now

As the Society of Broadcast Engineers celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2024, the Program of Certification is offering a chance to restore your lapsed SBE Certification without taking a test. Called the Diamond Project in recognition of the SBE’s 60th anniversary, individuals who have held SBE Certification but let it expire can restore their SBE-Certified status without taking an SBE Certification exam. The Diamond Project runs through the calendar year 2024 (January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024). Individuals who allowed their SBE Certification to expire prior to January 1, 2023, qualify for this project.

Complete the Diamond application (found on the SBE website under sbe.org/diamondproject) and provide it with either a resume or a letter to the certification committee stating what he/she has done in broadcast engineering since the applicant’s SBE certification expired. All SBE Certifications are included in the reinstatement program.

Questions? Contact SBE Certification Director Megan Clappe at the SBE National Office.

Webinars by SBE Are the Online Education Resource You need

Add this webinar to your calendar and register today.

Top Ten Countdown: Webinars by SBE

Webinars by SBE presents at least two new live webinars every month. All webinars are recorded and available for on-demand playback. With 2024 drawing to a close, here are two SBE Top Ten Countdowns.

Happy Holidays from the SBE National Office Staff

The SBE National Office Staff recorded a holiday greeting for you! Watch it now.