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CHAPTER 24 JANUARY 1995 NEWSLETTER
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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 Thursday, April 20, 1995 Dinner, Meeting, and Program at: The Grand Pagoda, 2705 W. Beltline Hwy (Exit Todd Drive) Dinner: 5:30pm Meeting: 7:00pm Program: Follows Meeting We'll meet in the downstairs meeting room. This month we will hold our annual Chapter Elections followed by this year's NAB Review. Visitors and Guests are welcome at all SBE meetings. UPCOMING MEETINGS Tentative Program Subjects May 23, 1995 Tue T B A June WMGN\WTDY Tour (Rescheduled from winter storm cancellation July Picnic 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 InterNet: kelly1@ixc.net 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 InterNet: rgoza695696aol.com 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 InterNet: 72037.1723@compuserve.com 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 InterNet: lcharles@wisctv.com 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 Freq Bcst 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 IT'S ELECTION TIME! It's April and once again time to elect a new slate of officers for Chapter 24. These officers will carry the torch in the year ahead and continue the fine leadership of our award winning chapter. The nominations committee has met and carefully selected and contacted candidates for each of the elected offices. This, however, is not to mean that nominations are closed. If you wish to run for an office or nominate someone, please indicate so on the ballot in the appropriate space reserved for write-in candidates. Voting will take place at the April 20th chapter meeting. If you are unable to attend the April meeting, you may vote with the absentee ballot that is enclosed in this month's newsletter. Absentee ballots must be received at the address indicated on the ballot by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 25th. Nominations and elections will officially end when the absentee ballots are due. Only current members of Chapter 24 in good standing are eligible to vote. Each eligible member may vote only once. This year, SBE member numbers must be included on all ballots, for membership verification only. Voter's names will not be identified. We will use a "numbers only" list for verifications. After the votes are counted, the nominations committee will communicate the results to the candidates and to the current officers. Results will also be published in the May newsletter. Thanks to Dennis Behr, Herb Jordan, and Kerry Maki for serving on this year's nominations committee! Don't forget to vote! Good luck to all candidates! Jim Hermanson Chapter 24 Nominations Chair FROM THE CHAIR April 1995 This will likely be my last article as your Chapter Chair. With the elections at our April meeting, my second and last term will come to an end. Looking back, in my first year, we undertook and completed the first ever SBE National Teleconference. In my second term, I ran for, and was elected to the National Board of Directors. We should all be proud, these are no small feats. I doubt that many Chapter Chairs across the country can boast of the level of support from their Chapters as I can of mine. Thanks much... no regrets! My latest responsibility as a Board member is the Chairmanship of the National EAS Committee. Implementation of this new system will likely be the prime project of Chapter 24 and all Chapters across the country for the next few years. This committee will work hard to make the change from EBS to EAS as painless and efficient as possible. The new system should prove very effective, but there are enough variables in the plan that broadcasters will need to work together with each other, and with government agencies. The National SBE EAS committee will try to be the catalyst for this type of teamwork. In the last mailing of the SBE Signal, included was a sample letter to your Washington Representatives urging support of a renewed push by the SBE to require an Engineer on the staff of each FCC Commissioner. To make the task easier, I have researched the addresses of our Madison area Congressmen. Simply choose those appropriate to your area and write to them. Senator Russ Feingold (Represents the entire State) 502 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-4904 Senator Herb Kohl (Represents the entire State) 330 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-4903 Congressman Scott Klug (Territory includes Dane County) 1113 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Congressman Mark Neumann (Eastern Rock County to the Lake) 1725 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Congressman Steve Gunderson (Grant County and beyond) 2185 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 CHAPTER 24'S 1995 WBA/SBE SCHOLARSHIP Chapter 24 is again offering a scholarship for this year's WBA/SBE Engineering Seminar to be held in La Crosse on July 19. The scholarship includes $150.00 to help cover the cost of registration and lodging. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of the following criteria and maximum number of points accumulated: 1) Must be a current member of Chapter 24 2) Attendance at 6 of the 12 meetings prior to July 1. 3) Employment in or a student of a broadcast related field. 4) Must have SBE National dues paid for the current year. Points will be assigned as follows: a) 5 points for each month applicant has at least one article published in the Chapter 24 newsletter. b) 5 points for certification, any level. c) 2 points for each monthly meeting attended in excess of the 6 required. In the case of a tie, final selection will be by the elected officers of Chapter 24 or by a committee appointed by those officers, excluding any whom may have applied. If more than one applicant, an alternate will also be selected based on the second highest number of points. The scholarship winners will be required to write a summary article to be published in the chapter newsletter. Applications should be in the form of a letter which is signed, dated and received no later then June 1. Mail your application to: Paul Stoffel Wisconsin Public Television 821 University Avenue Madison, WI 53706 This year's WBA/SBE Engineering Seminar, "NETWORKING: Broadcast Survival in the 90's," will take place on July 19 at the Radisson Hotel in La Crosse, Wisconsin. MARCH MINUTES Chapter 24 of the Society of Broadcast Engineers met on Wednesday, March 22 at the MEG Communications facility in Madison. There were 14 in attendance, nine of whom were certified. The meeting was facilitated by Chapter 24 Chairman Leonard (Chuck) Charles. Nominations Chair Jim Hermanson gave a report for the nominating committee, which has a slate of officers ready to be voted on at the next regular meeting. Ballots will be included in the April Newsletter for those members who wish to vote and will be unable to attend next month's meeting. Jim also reported that the next local certification exams will be administered from June 9 through 19, with the application deadline set for April 28. The minutes of last month's meeting were approved as published in the Chapter 24 Newsletter. Newsletter editor Mark Croom announced the deadline of April 7 at midnight for articles for the April issue, with the folding party at WKOW-TV at 5:30 PM on April 12. Chuck reported that membership renewals are up at the National office, but asked that anyone who hadn't renewed for 1995 to please do so before the membership falls into arrears, since there is a significant amount of extra paperwork involved at the National office when a member goes to arrears and is restored. Chuck appealed for copies of older Chapter 24 Newsletters to add to his collection. He has taken it as a project to be the de facto Chapter Historian, and is always looking out for items that pertain to the history of the Chapter. Program Chair Steve Zimmerman reported next month's meeting would be at the Grand Pagoda Restaurant, in their downstairs meeting room, and would feature Chapter Elections and a review of the NAB from those members who had attended. Chuck then reported that a mailing is probably on the way for the Platteville Broadcasters Symposium coming up April 26. He also promoted the WBA Convention at the La Crosse Radisson Hotel on July 19. Chapter 24 is offering a scholarship for the WBA sessions, for information see Paul Stoffel [see information elsewhere in this newsletter-ed]. Frequency Coordinator Tom Smith reported that there was no major activity last month, but there were requests to coordinate more wireless microphones. Chuck reported that he is the Chair of the National SBE EAS Committee. He solicited input regarding the EAS system changes for consideration by the committee as they plan to respond to FCC on the changes. Chuck then gave some other National news including the fact that the membership drive continues until 5/31/95. He also stated that a new membership guide will be published soon, so that members can locate other members who may have moved on since the last guide was published. There was no old business. New business included the announcement of a procedure for canceling meetings. We had a meeting cancellation in January which resulted in some confusion, and the officers discussed a procedure for finding out whether a meeting is canceled. On days when there is a question because of weather or other factors, members should call the BBS line (277- 5239) after 4:30 PM to hear a recorded message about the status of the meeting. Our thanks to WISC-TV and Chris Cain for making this available. The officers authorized an expenditure to buy an answering machine for the line. If members call the line and hear the modem, or receive no answer, then they may assume the meeting is going to proceed as scheduled. In professional or personal announcements, student member Vicki Way announced that she is seeking an internship for the summer of 1995. Anyone interested in helping can see Vicki's ad elsewhere in the newsletter. In general announcements, Chuck highlighted the upcoming Chapter 28 meeting with a representative of Underwriter's Laboratories, who will discuss UL-1419, a standard for certifying broadcast equipment. He encouraged all who are able to attend the meeting at Video Images in Brookfield [Information appears elsewhere in the Newsletter]. Tom Smith then mentioned the opportunity to comment on FCC Rulemaking proposals [See his article]. The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM and Program Committee member Denise Maney introduced Steve Paugh for a tour of the MEG Communications facility. AMATEUR RADIO NEWS by Tom Weeden, WJ9H - The FCC has adopted rules for the future licensing and continued development of a number of services, including Amateur Radio, in the 902-928 MHz band. The new rules set standards for the location and Monitoring Service (LMS), formerly called automatic vehicle monitoring systems. Amateur radio operators will continue to have access to the entire 902-928 MHz band, but on a secondary basis to LMS systems. Hams also must accept interference from industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) and government users of the band. Unlicensed "Part 15" users are secondary to all users, including amateurs. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) petitioned the FCC in January 1994 requesting that 902-904 and 912-918 MHz be made primary for amateurs, but the Commission denied the petition. - Two amateur radio satellites were destroyed in an explosion during launch on March 28. The Reuters News Agency reported that a rocket launched from Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome exploded after launch and came down in the Sea of Okhotsk in the Russian Far East. The rocket, a Russian SS-25, carried the Israeli-built GURWIN-1 Techsat and the Mexican UNAMSAT. GURWIN-1 was a 9600- bps packet radio store-and-forward repeater. UNAMSAT was a 1200- bps packet repeater which included a meteor radar experiment. Two Russian satellites were also lost in the accident. - (From April 1995 QST and packet-radio news bulletins) FCC RULEMAKING By Tom Smith AURAL BROADCAST STATION AUXILIARY FACILITIES The FCC has issued a final rulemaking that will allow for the limited use of non-approved transmitters for use in the 944-952 MHz band. Radio broadcasters were required to replace their STL and Intercity relays in this band with transmitters that meet much tighter bandwidth requirements by July 1, 1990 which was later extended to July 1, 1993. The FCC was requested to allow use of older non-approved transmitters for back-up emergency use. The FCC agreed with the suggestions and issued a Notice of Rulemaking in June of 1993. The final rules concerning the use of non-approved transmitters will allow there use for back-up use when the main approved transmitter is being serviced. Such use is limited to 720 hours a year. Also, a station may not purchase non-approved equipment from other sources for stand-by use, as the non-approved transmitter must have been in possession of the licensee before July 1, 1993. A licensee also must correct any interference problems that use of the older unit may cause or stop it's use. This rule was under MM Docket 93-154; FCC 95-69 and was adopted on February 24, 1995, released March 7, 1995 and published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on March 16, 1995 on pages 14,224 and 14,225. From the FEDERAL REGISTER CLOSED CAPTIONING REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPUTER SYSTEMS USED AS TELEVISION RECEIVERS The FCC has issued an interpretation to it's rules concerning computer systems that also have the capability to be used as TV receivers. The FCC has basically stated that any computer that is sold with a monitor having a viewable picture of 13" or over and is able to receive TV broadcasts must have the ability to display closed captions. This rule would apply to systems like the APPLE combined MAC/TV that is sold as an integrated unit and also to any unit that is sold with a receiver capability and a separate monitor. The FCC ruled that even if the monitor is priced separately, but is sold as part of the same transaction, it is considered a integrated unit as far as the rules are concerned. The requirements for closed captioning do not a apply to computer or computer systems without the capability to receive TV signals computers sold without monitors, computers with monitors having less than a 13" viewable picture or to separate "plug in" circuit cards that when added to a computer would make it capable of receiving TV broadcasts. This Notice was published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on March 29, 1995 on pages 16055-16056 and the number of this notice is DH 95- 581. From the FEDERAL REGISTER TELCOS MOVE INTO TRADITIONAL VIDEO By Tom Smith Bell Atlantic and Nynex have announced that they will invest $ 100 million in CAI Wireless systems. The telcos will hold the rights to acquire 45% ownership in CAI. CAI Wireless systems is a MMDS (multichannel multipoint distribution system) that serves a number of cities in the Northeast. These cites include New York City, Albany, Rochester, Syracuse, Boston, Hartford, Providence and Norfolk, Va. The telcos consider it a quick way to enter the video market until they are able to build a wired network to reach all of these homes. The telcos also plan on using digital compression to deliver 100 video channels. From Broadcasting and Cable PCS AUCTIONS WIN BIG By Tom Smith The auction for Personal Communication Services licenses netted the U.S. treasury $7.1 billion. The biggest bidder was WirelessCo which is owned by Sprint, TCI, Cox and Comcast. They bid $2.11 billion for the right to provide wireless telephone service in 29 of the largest markets in the U.S. which include New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Boston and Seattle to name a few. AT & T bid $1.68 billion as the next largest bid and PCS Primeco, consisting of Nytex, Bell Atlantic, Air Touch and US West, was the third largest bidder with a bid of $1.107 billion. The smallest bids were $228,001 and $214,555 for 2 licenses in Am. Samoa. The bid for the Los Angeles market was $493.5 million by Pacific Telesis and the New York part of the bid by WirelessCo was $442.7 million. The FCC is also proposing more auctions in other bands. There is currently a rulemaking to allow for auctions in the Specialized Mobile Radio band which occupies the 800 MHz band. The FCC has suspended the processing of SMR applications of which there is a large backlog. The commission is proposing to use a competitive bidding process as a method to speed-up the licensing process. Because of this proposal, the small land mobile system operators are upset. They feel that they will be forced out of the business because they will not be able to afford to outbid larger operators and other telecommunication companies. The auctions may also affect broadcasters as there have been proposals to have broadcasters bid on or pay some other type of spectrum fee for the use of the new advanced TV channels. Most of the fee proposals would depend on if the broadcasters used the new channels for something other than ATV, such as data transmission or multi-video services. There are also proposals for auctioning the original channels the broadcasters would vacant when transmissions of the current NTSC system ends operation. The FCC is considering bidding for the 4660-4685 MHz band for fixed and mobile microwave. Broadcasters had been hoping to get this band allocated for broadcast auxiliary service and have asked the FCC for reconsideration. Between the PCS and IDVS auctions, the FCC has taken in over $9 million in bids. Congress originally ordered the auctions for 200 MHz of spectrum that had been released from use by the federal government. From BROADCASTING and CABLE, MOBILE RADIO TECHNOLOGY, and INTER@CTIVE WEEK EAS MADE EASY by Gary E. Timm, Chairman Wisconsin State Emergency Communications Committee Broadcast Engineer WTMJ Stations (From THE BROADCAST NEWSLETTER, MARCH & APRIL 1995 Chapter 28, Milwaukee) The following excerpts are gleaned from a 114-page FCC document released 12/9/94. It outlines the creation of the new Emergency Alert System (EAS), which replaces the current Emergency Broadcast System (EBS). That release contains 3 elements: First, a Report & Order, which describes the background and intentions of the new system. Second, Part 73, Subpart G of the Commissions rules (dealing with EBS) has been eliminated, and is replaced with a new Part 11, which covers the new EAS. The new rules require not only broadcast stations but also all cable systems to participate in the new EAS. The third element of the release is a Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making (FNPRM), where they ask for comments on two proposals. First, should "small" cable systems be exempt from the new EAS rules? Second, should other video service providers be required to participate in the new EAS? They propose that MDS (known as "wireless cable") should participate, and ask about adding SMATV and "Video Dial Tone" (telco in-home video service). FNPRM Comments were due by 2/22/95, Reply Comments by 3/24/95. The rules In Part 11 became law on January 28, 1995, 30 days after they were published in the Federal Register. Here are the important things to know: The only change for 1995 is in shortening our current EBS Tone. BY JULY 1, 1995, PRESENT EBS DECODERS MUST BE MODIFIED TO DEMUTE ON 3-4 SECONDS OF EBS TONE. In addition, it is an option to modify current EBS encoders to send an 8-second Tone. By July 1, 1996, broadcast stations will be required to install the new EAS encoder and decoder. This is a digital audio signal that goes right on the main audio channel of all radio and TV stations. In addition on this date, TV stations must have a means to visually broadcast the data from incoming EAS alerts. The FCC will authorize a State or Local Area to go to the new system early, if ALL stations in the State or Area have EAS equipment installed, cable is "represented" in the local EAS Plan, and the Area complies with all other applicable part 11 rules. Benefits of going to the new system are: Doing only a monthly test that requires audio message, and weekly tests that only involve 10 seconds of the digital signal. A one year span from July 1, 1996 to July 1, 1997 is dubbed by the FCC as a "debugging" period. During this time, the old EBS equipment must be "retained and kept operational to ensure that the new architecture is effective." On July 1, 1997, old EBS equipment can be removed. The two-tone signal will no longer be used to demute decoders. However, 8 seconds of two-tone must still be sent before any emergency audio or video message, as an Attention Signal for the public. This rule never goes away. July 1, 1997 is also the day that all cable systems must have their EAS encoders and decoders installed. Cost projections by manufacturers for the new combined Encoder/Decoders range from $600-$1000 at the low-end, to $1500- $2500 for a more sophisticated unit. Here are some additional things you need to know about the new EAS: * ALL radio, TV and cable operations must participate in the National level EAS, except those that request and obtain an FCC "Non-participating National (NN) Authorization." Participation at the State and Local levels continues to be voluntary for all stations, as it was with the EBS. As before, even "Non- participating" stations may participate in the State or Local Area EAS without any prior approval. All stations, including Non- participating, must have an FCC "EAS Operating Handbook" (which replaces the old EBS Checklist), and the Red Envelope Authenticator List (same as now). The FCC is studying digitally authenticating National EAS Alerts. * The EAS Encoder can "pass on" decoded alerts, or create its own. The digital audio signal is applied to the station's main audio channel at 80% modulation. It identifies the sender, type, length, and county-location of every EAS alert sent. * Stations will be required to monitor two sources on the new EAS Decoder, rather than the present single source. That decoder will also be capable of either Manual or Automatic reaction to a received alert. It can store up to 10 preselected codes that you may wish it to respond to. It also will store 2 minutes of incoming audio or text. * Remote Control stations can use the Manual mode if they can directly monitor the signals of both assigned sources with the decoder at the remote control location. If not, Automatic operation must be used. However, in that case the remote control location can be used to override the transmission of an EAS message if appropriate. Remote Control stations may switch between Manual and Automatic as desired. * With Automatic decoders coming, the FCC is proposing rules to permit the unattended operation of broadcast stations. See NPRM in MM Docket 94-130, FCC 94-289. * Co-owned/co-located stations can share one encoder and decoder. * Test requirements under the new EAS after July 1 1997: - Required Weekly Test (RWT)- Send digital codes only, once per week, anytime. - Required Monthly Test (RMT)-This will be received from the monitored stations on your decoder. You must retransmit the test within 15 minutes, sending digital code, 8-second Attention Signal, audio test script, and digital end-of-message code. Test will be run daytime one month, nighttime the next month. * Foreign-language stations, under the new rules, can use "the primary language of the station" for all announcements, including all National, State, and Local Area Tests and Activations. NO English announcement is required....this is in place of the English. In addition, now that Part 11 has become law these stations may begin doing our current Weekly EBS Test Script in their "primary language." Chapter 28 Editor's Terry Baun's Note: This has been a brief summary of the new EAS Rules. If you would like more detail on the new EAS System, including information on EAS Protocol, Encoder/Decoder Requirements, Tests, SECC Duties, EAS Priorities and Terms, Training and Awareness, EAS requirements for CLASS D FM, LPTV, Foreign-language stations, and Cable TV, as well as how RBDS and NWS-WRSAME fit in with EAS, request a copy of Gary's complete EAS report, which should be available by the time you read this. Call Gary Timm at WTMJ, 414/223-5232, to request a copy. Our thanks to Gary for sharing all this information with us! THE FUTURE OF BROADCASTING edited by Paul Stoffel The NAB and Charles Sherman, Senior Vice President for Television with NAB, want to dispel the mindset that broadcasting will continue to be a one-channel delivery system. The following excerpts are taken from a presentation Sherman gave during a recent visit to Madison, Wisconsin: When we think about broadcasting, we think about programs. New technologies have made it possible for broadcasters to be much more exciting, innovative and spontaneous. For instance, the style of radio and television has changed dramatically in less than 50 years because someone invented tape. Satellites have helped protect local radio by making it possible for a lot of local radio stations to get national distribution and get it rather inexpensively. On the television side, it has also enhanced localism. Because the satellite cut the umbilical cord (basically the telephone cord) between the network and the local station, it is possible for that local station to be more responsive and more innovative as far as its local community is concerned and no longer beholding to the network. Another form of technology which has changed our industry has been the multi-channel systems, such as cable companies, direct broadcast satellite and, very soon, the telephone companies. Convergence At one time there was a telephone; then along came a TV set, followed by cable TV and the computer. People began to see that these technologies have certain similarities and might be able to be used as a common unit. One debate going on today is how far will convergence go? How far will these technologies really meld? Frankly, nobody knows for sure. Broadcasters say this is all going to be similar to how the public uses kitchen appliances. Sometimes they will interact; some times they wont. Consumer dollars will dictate the way the technologies are put together. Consumer cost is something that a lot of people simply are not thinking about, or they're tending to ignore this whole equation. The Digital World From a competitive point of view, it's going to be easier for telephone and cable companies to move to the digital world. They will charge you an extra couple of dollars a month to convert analog signals to digital. Our problem as broadcasters, right now, more than anything else, is that we are still in the analog transmission world. Oddly enough, whether we're radio or television at this point, if you look around your studios, and if you look at the equipment that people are using at home, a lot of it is already digital. Digital is already well ensconced. We could make the leap to digital transmission overnight, but we would obsolete 250 million TV receivers. Would the American public be happy if you required them to spend $100 to buy a black box to immediately convert from analog to digital reception? Basically, we're going make the transition slowly and over a period of time, because we have to keep in mind as far as the consumer is concerned, there is a great deal of skepticism about whether or not they need to spend a lot of money on TV. The single biggest factor that people use in spending on TV sets is cost. $400 is the consumer barrier as far as expense is concerned. Digital Revolution or Evolution? We are now on the verge of what some might call another revolution or evolution-- the so-called digital age. Through digital processing, our whole system of communication is going to change. In fact, there is probably not a form of communication in this country today that has not in one way or another been effected by digital devices. From a broadcasting point of view, how do we get to the digital world? How do we make that transition? Oddly enough, the transition is going to come through a process known as HDTV. Keep in mind, HDTV is a means, not an end in itself. Really, what we should be talking about is advanced television (ATV). The focus should not be on HDTV alone. And the same thing can be said about digital audio broadcast (DAB) with all of its in-channel, in-band possibilities. The FCC has proposed simulcasting. For a period of time, we will be both analog broadcasters and ATV (or digital) broadcasters. The transition is going to take a considerable period of time: in the range of 15 to 25 years. When the commission says that we're going to stop this (simulcasting) in 15 years, they still have not dealt with the American public. According to most of the figures, the average household buys a TV set about every 5-10 years. The idea that we are going to make a very quick transition in the 15 year period of time is a little specious in reasoning. The first day we become digital broadcasters, we will become multimedia broadcasters. As long as radio and television broadcasters are providing their primary service using their digital channel for transmission, there should be nothing to prevent them from providing other ancillary services. The question we're going to ask ourselves as broadcasters is, "What business are we in?" We're going to be in the business of radiating packets of bits. Some of those bits will be programming; some bits will be information or data. Some bits will go to the TV set and some to various other electronic reception devices. The beauty of this system is that reception devices that have yet to be invented will still be able to receive the same information contained in packets. You will have specific addressable bits that will go to those information receivers, as well. To a certain degree, we're already doing some of what I'm talking about. Using the vertical blanking interval (VBI), television broadcasters are already experimenting with various ways that they can send other data. But once you go digital, the amount of flexibility that is inherent in that transmission increases exponentially. Radio can be involved in the same process. We also have to consider a different concept. Broadcasting is basically a real-time medium. What happens when you tie a television set to some of the components of a computer? It is at that point you become non-real-time broadcasters. By using video servers, computers can output previously received material. The viewer can now decide when to view or listen to a program. Another thing broadcasters can do is data broadcasting, which is basically a one-way message that goes from central source to many different receivers, yet can be personalized. You will be able to pick out what is needed for you by tying your TV set to a computer. For radio, RBDS enables listeners to tune to formats, to program type, as well as emergency use. Once the system becomes totally digitized, for the first time, FM will be able to send a visual signal, such as a logo or visual advertising business. What about interactive TV? No matter whether it's over the air or cable, a flood of information will be sent out, but only a trickle will be sent back. Not everyone is going to use the system at the same time, in the same way, or even have an interest in sending information back. For broadcasting, our pathways from the home could be telephone line; wireless telephone or cellular. PCS (personal communication systems) is going to be terrific for this sort of thing. Identity What about broadcasting if we don't go into digital? How about broadcasting in an analog world faced with digital competition? It is going to be very lonely out there. We will be subjected to the whims and fancies of telephone and cable companies. They will take our analog signals, put them on wire, convert them to digital, and they will simply make us one service of thousands of services. The 500-channel world is a misnomer. With cable and telephone wire-line delivery systems, connections that could be provided with a fiber delivered network or star-switch system are endless. But, navigating in this system is extremely important. If we simply become another icon on those delivery systems, or, as broadcasters, we allow ourselves to be known simply as drama, mystery, news and education, frankly, we are going to lose. The cable and telephone systems will control us, and we will have very little say over our future. On the other hand, if we retain our brand identity and do it in a digital way, we will continue to survive and provide an important service. Congress What about government in this digital world? Capital Hill is dictating how this is going to move. There are various congressional proposals that are being considered. This Congress is very serious about opening up everything. It will be an interesting world of competition and survival. What about broadcasting? We are a very small part of this equation. We are not driving the process. The process is being driven by the telephone and cable companies. In a digital world, our survival depends on several things: * spectrum flexibility to allow broadcasters to be able to use our signal any way we want to as long as we still provide an advanced television signal on our digital channel * must-carry * navigational devices to assure when we're on a wire-line delivery system that we are not just shunted aside. * syndication exclusivity * signal integrity * license reform and foreign ownership. Broadcasting is still the one medium that is universal, free, and reaches all of the people all of the time. But, we need to make that leap into the digital world. People will continue to use TV for entertainment long into the perceivable future. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD By Tom Smith Deregulation, ownership rules, spectrum fees, spectrum auctions, video dial-tone-- these are some of the issues that confront our futures in broadcasting and the rest of the communications industry. As we look at the rules that the FCC issues concerning our industry and all the changes that are caused by the introduction of all the new information systems, we have to wonder how they come about. Well, the process in which the FCC creates new rules and modifies old ones is called rulemaking. This process is defined in the FCC rules and is open to anyone who wishes to add their input to FCC. A rulemaking can be started in two ways. The FCC can start the rulemaking process on it's own or the commission could accept a Petition for Rulemaking from a member of the public or from another government agency. When the FCC starts a rulemaking, they do it in either of two ways. The first way is to issue a Notice of Inquiry. In a Notice of Inquiry, they will ask for information on the particular subject or on a broad range of subjects to determine if rule changes are needed. Many times the FCC will not continue beyond this point or leave the issue open and revisit it at a later date. The second method is to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which a change of the rules is actually proposed. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking can be issued on it's own or after the FCC has taken comment in a Notice of Inquiry. At this point commentators will agree with the changes or make suggestions on modifying the proposed rules. After all the comments are taken the FCC will act in either two ways. The FCC could issue a Memorandum Opinion and Order in which they conclude an inquiry, deny a petition for rulemaking, modify a decision or deny a petition for reconsider of a petition. The other action they could take is to enact or amend a rule or restate a rule by issuing a Report and Order. The FCC holds two comment periods: the first is the normal time to make comments and the second is a reply period in which you can rebut comments made during the first comment period. Normally, the comment period last's 30 to 45 days. The reply period last's 15 to 30 days. How can you get involved in the rulemaking process? It is not too difficult to make your opinion's known to the FCC. All you have to do is file a comment to the FCC before the deadline that the FCC has set for that particular inquiry. You don't need a lawyer or any other professional to file a comment. All you need to do is find out what information the FCC is seeking and write down your opinion and following a few simple rules. The first thing you need to know is what the rulemaking or inquiry is about and when the comments are due. The easiest way is the obtain a copy of the rulemaking from the FEDERAL REGISTER which can be found in any public library that is designated as a Federal Repository. The FEDERAL REGISTER contains a synopsis of the proposed rulemakings and the final action on rules from all Federal government agencies and is issued on all Federal working days. You can also get the complete text of the notice from the FCC copy service contractor which is listed in the notice in the FEDERAL REGISTER or sometimes the text can be found on the FCC or other government servers on the INTERNET. After you have a copy of the rulemaking, you may still want to do some research on the subject. Good sources of information would be various trade magazines which might have articles on the issues involved, and the FCC rules. Browsing through back issues of these magazines may also help as some of the issues before the FCC evolve over a period of time. After you have developed your opinion on the rulemaking, you now want to file it with the FCC. You can do it one of two ways, either informally or formally. To file informally, all you have to do is sent a letter stating your opinion to the FCC. The only requirements are that it contain the Docket number in the heading and that you send the signed original and one copy. If you want each commissioner and responsible members of the staff to receive a copy, you need to send a total of nine copies. Any informal comments filed after the reply comment period is closed or during reconsideration must be marked EX PARTE. To file comments formally, you have to follow more rules when you write your comments, but it is not very difficult. The first thing you should do is type your comments and use the standard legal title format for the title. This header should contain the title of the rulemaking and all of the docket numbers listed in the notice. Other things to be done on a formal comment is to 11 by 8 1/2" paper, double space, use a one and half inch left margin on single sided copies and the same sized right margin on the backside of double sided copies and double staple. This is so your comments can be read like a book. If your comments are over 10 pages, you must have a list of contents and summary. The FCC requires the signed original and four copies for formal comments. If you wish each commissioner to get a copy, you need to file the original and nine copies. Putting the docket number on the envelope helps your comments to reach the right office in the commission. Also, do not forget to sign and date your comments and be sure to include your address. For more information on filing comments or petitioning for rulemakings check section ONE of the FCC rules. Rules on filing comments on rulemakings are found in sections 1.399 to 1.430 and on specifications as to pleadings and documents in sections 1.49 to 1.52. Please note that reply comments require you to notify certain or all original commentators of your reply comments. So, check the rules before filing a reply. Will your voice be heard by the FCC? The answer is yes, as many rulemakings receive comments for very few commentators. Most of the commentators include the networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS), large broadcast groups, law and consulting firms, trade groups (NAB, NCTA, SBE, etc.), public interest groups and a few individuals. Not all these groups file on every rulemaking, and, in most cases, there are fewer than 2 or 3 dozen commentators. All comments are entered into the record of the proceeding and are there for all to read. And don't be shocked if you receive an envelope in the mail from some law firm. It is just a copy of their reply to you and the other commentators. This article was based on a 1979 article by Doyle Thompson in the SBE SIGNAL. ADDRESS FOR FILING COMMENTS TO THE FCC Secretary Federal Communications Commission 1919 M Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20554 SAMPLE HEADER FOR FORMAL COMMENTS BEFORE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 ) In the matter of ) Gen Docket No. 95-000 (docket title) ) FCC 95-000 ) Comments of ( your name) Note: The first docket number code could be MM, GEN, BC, CC, CT, or SS. Be sure to use correct code. SBE "SHORT CIRCUITS VIA BBS" March 30, 1995 WIN A TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS IN SBE'S "ONE NEW MEMBER" CAMPAIGN Any SBE member who recruits just one new member between March 1 and May 31, 1995 will be eligible to win a trip for two to New Orleans for the SBE Engineering Conference and World Media Expo, September 6-9, 1995. The Grand Prize includes air transportation for two, five nights accommodations at SBE's headquarters hotel, the New Orleans Fairmont, $100 credit from Hertz for car rental, a complimentary Full Registration to the SBE Engineering Conference and World Media Expo and a complimentary Spouse Tour package. Other prizes will be awarded, including outstanding books from the SBE Book Store and SBE Certification Study Guides. To participate, just recruit a new Member, Associate or Sustaining Member. A flyer was mailed to all SBE members in early March with program details. Complete the tear-off slip on the bottom of the flyer and attach to your new member's application before it's submitted to the National Office. For full details, see the flyer or call the SBE National Office. SBE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY COMES YOUR WAY IN MAY For the first time since 1990, SBE will publish the SBE Membership Directory and Buyer's Guide. The Directory will be a handy tool when you need to locate a member or supplier. In addition to an alphabetical listing of members, members will also be listed by chapter. The special phone directory style will feature a classified section where you can easily locate services, suppliers and manufacturers of broadcast equipment. The Directory will be mailed to all SBE Members with the May/June issue of the SBE SIGNAL. PLEASE GET THOSE RENEWALS IN Many members have sent in their membership renewal already but there are a few of you we haven't heard from. Please ensure that your membership is not interrupted - renew today! SBE AWARDS DEADLINE JUNE 1 Nominations for the annual SBE National Awards are due June 1, 1995. Awards selected from nominations will be presented in nine categories, including: Broadcast Engineer of the Year, Educator of the Year, Best Technical Article or Program, Best Chapter Newsletter, Most Interactive Chapter, Best Chapter Frequency Coordination Effort, Best Regional Convention or Conference, Technology Award and Best Article, Paper or Program by a Student Member. Three additional awards will be presented based on statistics compiled at the SBE National Office. These are: Most Certified Chapter, Highest Member Attendance and Greatest Growth in New Members. A Nomination Form was included in the February/March issue of the SBE SIGNAL or can be obtained from the National Office. Winners will be announced in July and awards will be presented during the SBE Awards Dinner, held at the close of the SBE Engineering Conference and World Media Expo, Saturday, September 9, in New Orleans. YOUR LETTERS TO CONGRESS STILL NEEDED With Congress' first 100 days of the current session about over and the Republican's "Contract With America" emphasis winding down, SBE hopes to gain their attention and have legislation introduced which requires each FCC Commissioner to have at least one senior staff member with an engineering background. In the February/March issue of the SBE SIGNAL, background on the issue and a sample letter to congressmen were included. All members are asked to write their Congressmen, urging them to support this legislation when it comes before them. MAILED letters to Congress DO make a difference. Thanks, in advance, for your help to make this a reality. SBE WORKS TO ENCOURAGE SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS SBE wants to encourage employer support of its members and potential members. In an effort to inform broadcast station executives about SBE and the benefits of their engineering staff's involvement in the Society, a special letter from SBE President, Chuck Kelly, was prepared and mailed in mid-March to Chief Engineers across the country. Chiefs were encouraged to share the letter with their station general manager or other appropriate executive. Any broadcast engineer can obtain a copy of the letter to review from the SBE National Office. At the engineer's request, a personalized copy will be mailed to a station executive he or she designates. The letter encourages stations to support their engineering staff's involvement in SBE with time and money to attend meetings, educational events and become certified. It explains how a station's investment made in the engineer's professional development is returned with professional performance and positive effects on the station's bottom line. 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 conferences of SBE, SMPTE, the NAB Radio Show and RTNDA. The Conference will be held at the Morial Convention Center while SBE will use the historic New Orleans Fairmont Hotel as its headquarters. The Conference and Expo will feature three days of technical sessions, a day of Ennes Workshops, 130,000 square feet of exhibits, several receptions and the annual SBE Awards Dinner. Additional hotel accommodations will be available and special rates on airfare have been arranged with United and Delta Airlines. Watch for more details in the May/June SIGNAL. SBE TO EXHIBIT AT DAYTON HAMVENTION SBE will have a booth at the popular Dayton Hamvention, April 28- 30, in Dayton, Ohio. Information about SBE membership, certification and other SBE programs will be available to the crowd of more than 30,000 that are expected. If you are planning to be there, stop by and see us in Booth #238. SBE CERTIFICATION - A KEY TO CAREER ADVANCEMENT Several opportunities to take an SBE Certification Exam are available during 1995. 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 is July 27. The final period for 1995 will be in local chapters November 10-20; application deadline is September 29. For information on how to become SBE Certified, see your local chapter Certification Chairman or call the SBE National Office. 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. Members within a day's drive of the Workshop will receive information in the mail. COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR NATIONAL BOARD MEMBERS THROUGH THE INTERNET Last month we began listing SBE National Board members who communicate via the Internet. We added more. A current list follows. Chuck Kelly, President kelly1@ixc.net Terry Baun, Vice President 71525.1060@compuserve.com Keith Kintner, Secretary keith.kintner@mogur.com Bob Goza, Treasurer rgoza695696aol.com Jim Bernier 72037.1723@compuserve.com Leonard Charles lcharles@wisctv.com Robert Reymont nciradio@crl.com Tom Weber 73250.215@compuserve.com or tweber@wish-tv.com We'll update again as we get additions. "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. CLASSIFIED Motivated college student seeks summer internship in broadcast engineering. Please contact: Vicki Way 1 University Plaza Wilgus Hall 214 Platteville, WI 53818 608-342-3161 e-mail way@uwplatt.edu CLASSIFIED Broadcast Maintenance Engineer: TV station in beautiful area on the Mississippi. Must have experience in broadcast maintenance and operations. UHF transmitter experience a plus. Send letter and resume to Chief Engineer, WXOW, PO Box C-4019, La Crosse, WI 54602. EOE CHAPTER 24 SUSTAINING MEMBERS Our latest renewals: Teleport Minnesota Electronic Industries Thanks to all our Sustaining Members: BTS Broadcast Communications CTI Clark Wire and Cable Comark Communications Electronic Industries Emmons Associates Fuji Film I&I Harris Allied Broadcast MRC Telecommunications Maney Logic Panasonic Broadcast Roscor Wisconsin Scharch Electronics Skyline Communications Sony Broadcast Tectan, Inc. 3M Audio & Video Video Images WISC-TV 3 WKOW-TV 27 WMSN-TV 47 WMTV-TV 15 |