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CHAPTER 24, Inc., MADISON, WI
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Our Next Meeting:
Thursday, July 29th
A Century of Broadcasting
Some of What You Know is Not True
by Barry Mishkind of Oldradio.com
Barry will explore the beginning of broadcasting and some of the myths that have developed over the years. This will be an excellent discussion of the roots of our industry.
7:00 PM - Meeting/Program
This meeting is Virtual
Connection information will be distributed
in the days just prior to the meeting.
Last Meeting's Minutes
Submitted by Mike Travis, Secretary
The SBE Chapter 24 meeting was called to order by Matt Mommaerts at 7:02pm, June 23, 2021 via Zoom.
The deadline for articles for the July eNews letter is Thursday July 1 st at 5pm. Please forward any article of interest to Lcharles@sbe.org.
Leonard Charles made a motion to approve the secretary meeting minutes from 5/27/2021, seconded by Thomas Smith and approved as submitted.
Mike Norton, as Chapter Treasurer, reported there was one sustaining membership check received in June, from Token Creek Mobile Television. Following that deposit the Chapter 24 checking account balance is well in the black.
The SBE National office has sent a Chapter Rebate check for 2020, in the amount of $537.75. (Chapter 24 held more than five meetings--then submitted meeting minutes and attendance lists--which makes it eligible for the rebate program.)
In past years the check has been returned to the SBE National office to be donated to the Ennes Educational Foundation Trust. This rebate check can either be deposited in the Chapter checking account, or possibly a vote could be taken at the meeting to decide if some/all of the amount should be returned/donated.
Matt Mommaerts made a motion to donate the rebate to Ennes Educational Foundation Trust seconded by Leonard Charles and approved as submitted.
For the sustaining membership report, Fred Sperry was unavailable, but Matt Mommaerts reports that we have 11 sustaining members. Fred is asking for a replacement as sustaining member chair. We stand at 48 official members of the National SBE assigned to Chapter 24.
Matt Mommaerts, as head of the program committee, reports that we have next month's meeting in the works. Matt continues to look for a program for October. If anyone is attending NAB please let Matt Mommaerts or Leonard Charles know.
With certifications and education, Jim Hermanson reported our SBE national certification director, Megan Clappe, was named an SBE Fellow last month. The Fellow designation is the highest level of membership and recognition presented to members by the Society of Broadcast Engineers. Megan keeps track of 5000+ certifications and recertifications. Congratulations Megan! Locally, congratulations to Britny Williams on her CBNT recertification! If you would like to apply for an exam the next session is November 5th - November 15th please send your application to the national SBE office by September 10th to register for that session. For continuing education, If you attend a webinar you receive one recertification credit for your attendance. The next webinar is on June 24th at 1pm CST, IP Networking Part 6 by Wayne Pacena. IP Network Monitoring July 22nd at 1pm CST by Wayne Pacena. Then we have Drone Tower Inspections on July 29th at 1pm CST, by Paul Shulins.
Tom Smith, with frequency coordination, reported that things are heating up. Received two coordination events from Road America. Road America is outside Tom's service area and he forwarded the requests to Tim Laes and David Janzer. Tom expects some frequency coordination later this year with the football games and Trek bike event.
With the National SBE news, Leonard Charles reports the last day of the SBE renewal grace period is June 30. Renew online if you wish. After that we will get an updated roster of Chapter 24 members.
Candidates have been announced for this year's SBE National Officers and Board elections. A couple of them have ties to Chapter 24. Kevin Trueblood of Chapter 90 in SW Florida is running for SBE Secretary. Kevin was a past Vice Chair and Chapter Chair of Chapter 24 and worked at WPR before leaving for Florida. Jeff Juniet of Chapter 42 in Central Florida is running for the SBE Board. Jeff is a past member of Chapter 24 and worked as Chief of Channel 57 during his time in Madison. The SBE National Election is July 23 through August 25.
Long time SBE General Counsel and SBE Fellow Chris Imlay has announced that he will be retiring at the end of 2021. Chris began his service to the SBE in 1980. Filling his shoes will be difficult. The SBE has already decided to split the duties between two attorneys, one for the association's business matters, and one as the SBE communications counsel.
Russ Awe made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Jim Hermanson. Meeting adjourned at 7:18pm.
The meeting was followed with a presentation on "MaxxKonnect Wireless". The presentation was hosted by Josh Bohn of The MaxxKonnect Group. Thank you Josh!
Program Ideas Appreciated
The Chapter 24 meeting schedule is available here. Is there a topic you would like to see covered at one of our local Chapter 24 meetings? Or, better yet, is there a topic that you'd like to speak about at an upcoming meeting? Please forward any ideas to Matt Mommaerts or to one of the Chapter 24 officers for consideration.
Broadcasters Clinic Registration is Open
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and the four Wisconsin SBE Chapters welcome the Broadcasters Clinic back as a live event! The dates are September 8-10 at the Madison Marriott West. Click Here for the session agenda and registration.
National EAS Test
Info from Gary Timm
Wisconsin Broadcasters and Cable Operators are under a FCC Public Notice advising all EAS Participants that they are required to perform the annual update of their Form 1 in ETRS (EAS Test Reporting System) on or before July 6, 2021.
Information on ETRS is available HERE.
For FCC assistance with ETRS, email: ETRS@fcc.gov.
The webpage also has an ETRS instructional video.
This is ahead of the announced annual Nationwide EAS + WEA Test on August 11, 2021 at 1:20PM CDT, with backup date of August 25, 2021 at 1:20PM CDT. Further FCC details on the Nationwide EAS + WEA Test, as well as how to access and enter your data into ETRS, and information on the broadcast stations that are exempt from entering ETRS data, are in the recent FCC Public Notice DA 21-680.
Job Opening: WKOW TV, Part Time Master Control Operator
For information Click Here
Search for a new Sustaining Membership Chair
Chapter 24 is searching for an individual to take over as Sustaining Membership Chair for the chapter. Tasks involve sending out renewal notices to existing sustaining members of Chapter 24, sending application materials to prospective sustaining members, forwarding the received payments to the Chapter 24 Treasurer and providing announcements of new members and renewals at chapter meetings. All the necessary paperwork to do these tasks have already been created, so the workload for this position is minimal. This is a great way to be involved in Chapter 24 with a minimal time commitment.
If you are interested in taking over this position, please contact Chapter Chair Matt Mommaerts or current Sustaining Membership Chair Fred Sperry.
Thank you for your consideration!
Amateur Radio News
Compiled by Tom Weeden, WJ9H
FCC Reaffirms Nearly $3 Million Fine for Marketing Unauthorized Drone Transmitters
In a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) released June 17, the FCC denied a Petition for Reconsideration filed by HobbyKing of a $2.8 million fine for marketing noncompliant RF equipment and for failing to respond to FCC orders in its investigation of the company's practices. In the same step, the FCC enforced its equipment marketing rules. The fine resulted from an FCC investigation initiated by ARRL's January 2017 complaint that the HobbyKing equipment was "blatantly illegal at multiple levels."
As spelled out in ARRL's 2017 complaint, the ARRL Laboratory had documented that the operating frequencies of these drone TV transmitters near the 1.3 GHz amateur band were dip-switch selectable for frequencies internationally assigned for use by Aeronautical Navigation, GPS, GLONASS L1, ATC Mode "S," as well as to both the interrogation and reply frequencies used for Air Traffic Control Air-Route Surveillance "transponder" radar systems. "Transmissions from these drone TV transmitters would have caused harmful interference to these essential Navigation and ATC Radar systems, presenting a real and dangerous threat to the safety of flight," according to ARRL Electromagnetic Compatibility Committee Chair Kermit Carlson, W9XA.
HobbyKing is the trade name of two US-based companies that include ABC Fulfillment Services LLC and Indubitably, Inc. HobbyKing has a New York office and customer service operations in the US, the FCC noted. Responding to the FCC, HobbyKing claimed to have ceased marketing the 65 models the FCC identified, but promised only to make "best efforts" not to market other noncompliant RF devices. "HobbyKing has a continuing obligation to market only radio frequency equipment that is properly authorized," the FCC said. "We therefore remind HobbyKing that continuing to market noncompliant radio frequency devices could result in further significant forfeitures."
Ham Radio for Dummies
Ham Radio for Dummies 4th edition by Ward Silver, N0AX, has just been released. The book has been heavily revised to address current technology and operating practices. It may also serve as a training and mentoring tool for newly licensed radio amateurs. It is available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback editions, and coming soon from Ham Radio Outlet.
Mars Landing Observed
As China's Tianwen-1 Mars lander and Zhurung rover separated over the Martian surface on May 14th, at least one radio amateur -- Edgar Kaiser, DF2MZ, in Germany -- was able to note the separation on twitter. The vehicle used a combination of a protective capsule, a parachute, and a rocket platform to make the descent. The Tianwen-1 orbiter remains in orbit, equipped with a high-resolution camera, a magnetometer, a spectrometer, and a subsurface radar. The lander touched down in Utopia Planitia, a massive impact basin that may have once contained an ocean and is thought to have buried ice. In February, Canadian radio amateur Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, was able to copy the signal from Tianwen-1, which went into orbit around Mars on February 10. -- Thanks to The Orbital Index.
(Excerpts from the American Radio Relay League's arrl.org web site)
FCC NEWS
compiled by Tom Smith
FCC Updates EAS
On June 17th, the FCC adopted a number of new rules (FCC-21-77A1) to update the EAS system. There were two issues that the FCC took up that will affect most participants involved in the EAS system. The first major update is the addition to the mandatory carriage of National Alerts from the President to a second National Alert that can be originated by FEMA. Both the current Presidential Alert and the new FEMA alerts will be labeled as a National Alert. National Alerts will also be able to be targeted to specific regions. No new codes are required for the addition of the FEMA originated messages. The second major update pertains to state EAS plans and the State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC). The FCC requests the state's Chief Executive (Governor) to form a committee if one does not exist and is aware of their operation for existing ones. There are only two territories without a committee. The Committees will be required to meet yearly and certify to the FCC that the meeting occurred. The SECC will also have to review and file an updated EAS plan with the FCC yearly as well as notifying the Chief Executive.
In addition to the requirement for EAS participants such as broadcasters, wireless and cable providers notify the FCC of false alerts, the FCC is also requesting that government agencies file voluntary notification to the FCC of any false alerts that they may originate. The repeating of EAS messages was addressed and it was decided that the existing rules allowed for the repeating of EAS messages.
The second part of the notice was a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking covering two subjects. In the first, the FCC proposes some changes in the National Information Center and the national Emergency Action Notification codes. The second item is the use of persistent alerts. Currently all alerts except the National alerts from the President are limited for two minutes. The question is should alert messages be allowed to extend to the end of the warning period. With ATSC 3 and HD radio systems, a message could loop continuously as these systems can receive an EAS message as a separate data message and create the video and audio in the TV or radio. A warning could be displayed on the screen of the TV or auto's display during the warning period. There will be a 60 day comment period with a 30 day reply period on this rulemaking.
EAS Test
On June 11th, the FCC announced (DA-21-680A1) that a national EAS test will be conducted. The FCC is asking stations and other EAS participants to make sure their equipment is up to date and has the latest software. All participants must file Form One on or before July 6th.
LPFM Rules Reviewed
At the June meeting, the FCC affirmed a number of rules (FCC-21-70A1) concerning LPFM operations. The rules that the FCC addressed were the 100 watt power limit, the certification of LPFM transmitters, and the requirement for verification of directional antennas. The FCC originally wrote the rules for LPFM to make the building and operation of a LPFM station as simple as possible for inexperienced persons constructing LPFM stations.
In the notice, the FCC affirmed the 100 watt power limit and dismissed a petition to raise the power limit to 250 watts. There have been a number of petitions to raise the power limit to 250 watts which would match the 250 watt power limit for FM translators. The most notable proponent is REC Networks which has filed detailed proposals in the past giving required separation tables between LPFM stations and existing full power stations. One of the reasons was that the petition filed by another petitioner was not detailed enough. The FCC released a draft copy of this action on May 27th when the FCC announced the agenda for the June meeting and the REC Network filed a new detailed petition (RM-11909_comments.pdf) which they hope would meet the FCC's previous objections to raise the 250 watt power limit which the FCC sought comments on. The comment period has ended.
The FCC retained the certification of LPFM transmitters as part of the simplification of building LPFM stations. By using transmitters certified for LPFM stations the FCC is avoiding a potential interference issue. A LPFM station could purchase a used FM exciter with 30 to 50 watts output and use it for their transmitter. But an inexperienced person putting together the station could neglect to install a harmonic filter and produce all kinds of interference. The FCC is trying to make it easy by only requiring the inexperienced installer to hook up the transmitter to the transmission line and the antenna. The second technical requirement is the certification of a directional antenna. The FCC is requiring field measurements or other steps to verify that the antenna is properly pointed and meets the predicted pattern. A misaligned antenna could cause interference if it places to much signal in the direction of the station that is supposed to be protected.
Ownership Rules To Be Revisited
On June 4th, the FCC announced a new inquiry (DA-21-657A1) into the broadcast ownership rules following a Supreme Court ruling that restored ownership rules as a result of the 2010/2014 quadrennial review as require by the Communications Act of 1996. The FCC is asking for comments on Local Radio Ownership, Local Television Ownership and the Dual Network rules. On July 1st the FCC announced (DA-21-783A1) the comment period from July 1st through August 2nd with replies due by August 30th.
New TV Allocations
The FCC adopted two petitions for new TV channels. WLUK in Green Bay was granted Channel 18 (DA-21-581A1) in place of its current channel 12 allocation. WIFR and Gray Broadcasting was granted a new allocation (DA-21-701A1) for channel 9 for Freeport, Ill. WIFR gave up its UHF channel in the incentive auction and will have to go through an auction for the channel if there are other applicants for the newly open channel. WIFR currently operates as a LPTV station. The WLUK allocation was granted on May 17th and the WIFR petition was granted on June 16th.
Early Sales
On May 27th, The FCC adopted rules (FCC-21-72A1) that will allow electronic equipment to be shipped and pre-sold before the equipment is authorized for sale by the FCC. Under the new rules the equipment could be packaged and shipped to dealers, but not displayed or demonstrated. The new product could be pre-sold, but not shipped to customers. The manufacturers must still retain ownership until the equipment receives authorization and there are labeling and other requirements that the manufacturers must meet noting that the equipment is not to be sold until it is authorized for sale by the FCC. The pre-sale rule may help to make capital available for manufacture before the product gets the go ahead for manufacture or import. Currently, new equipment may not be sold, shipped or promoted until the FCC certifies that the product meets interference standards and then authorizes the products sale.
Last Chance
The FCC issued a notice (DA-21-683A1) to remind LPTV and translators that have not transitioned to digital transmission that they have to file an application to convert to digital operation by the end of the day on July 13th. Even if they file an application to convert to digital, they must cease analog operation on that day. If the application to convert to digital is not filed, the license for the station will be cancelled. The FCC ruled that a number of translators in Alaska (FCC-21-78A1) may continue to operate in analog for the time being.
For the Record
(Wisconsin FCC Actions Granted)
compiled by Leonard Charles
from the FCC Daily Digest
6/25/2021
Bd of Regents, Univ of WI Syst
on Behalf of UW-Parkside
DWIPZ-LP, 101.5Mhz, Kenosha, WI
Upon licensee's request, the renewal
application was dismissed and the
license cancelled
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Certification and Education
compiled by Jim Hermanson
Congratulations to...
Britny Williams on her successful Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist (CBNT) recertification!
The Open Exam Schedule
| Exam Dates |
Location |
Application Deadline
(to SBE National Office) |
November 5-15, 2021
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Local Chapters (Madison Area)
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September 10, 2021
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Each year, account balance permitting, Chapter 24 will reimburse half the application fee to any member of Chapter 24 in good standing who successfully obtains any SBE certification level not previously held by that member. Contact the SBE Chapter 24 chairperson or certification chairperson for more information.
When you are ready to take an SBE exam, note the open exam schedule, complete the appropriate application (found here... http://www.sbe.org/applications) and send it directly to the SBE National office (see address below) with the respective fee. You will be notified once your application is approved. Your local certification chairman will receive a list of applicants and exams in his/her chapter and arrange for a proctor. He/she will then contact applicants to schedule a mutually agreeable date, time, and place for the exam(s) within the respective exam date window. This must be coordinated before the exam will be sent by SBE National. Completed exam(s) will be mailed back to SBE National for grading. Pass/fail results will be mailed directly to the applicants within approximately six weeks.
The majority of SBE certifications are open book and access to the Internet is allowed to give a more "real world" situation.
You may mail, email or fax your applications to:
Megan E. Clappe
Certification Director
9102 N. Meridian St.
Suite 150
Indianapolis, IN 46260
317-846-9120 Fax
mclappe@sbe.org
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To apply for a specialist certification, an individual must currently hold certification on the Broadcast Engineer, Senior Broadcast Engineer, Professional Broadcast Engineer or Broadcast Networking Engineer Certification level. Exams must be completed within three hours and consist of 50 multiple-choice questions (two points each) and one essay question (20 points maximum). Examinees are provided one essay question to answer. Exams are pass/fail, and a score of 84 is a passing grade.
July Live Webinars
2021 IP Networking, Part 7
July 22, 2021 | 1 PM CT
The 2021 IP Networking series continues with Module 7: IP Network Monitoring. Part 7 of the series will focus on understanding IP network monitoring and support. Topics to be covered include: Network Monitoring Overview; Network Security Monitoring Overview; Network Performance Optimization; and the role of SNMP. Overviews on open-source tools and brief commercial tools will also be given.
Your Instructor
Wayne Pecena, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, ATSC3, DRB, CBNE
Wayne M. Pecena is the Associate Director of Educational Broadcast Services at Texas A&M University. Wayne has over 48 years of broadcast and IP network engineering experience and holds BS and MS degrees from Texas A&M University. Wayne is a Fellow of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) and holds the Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer (CPBE) and Certified Broadcast Network Engineer (CBNE) certifications from the SBE. He currently serves in his second term as the national President of the SBE. He was named the 2012 SBE Educator of the Year, the 2014 Radio World Engineer of the year, and named an IEEE-BTS Distinguished Lecturer in 2018. He is a frequent industry speaker on IP Networking and cybersecurity topics for the broadcast and media technology professional.
SBE Recertification Credit
The completion of a Webinar from Webinars by SBE qualifies for 1 credit, identified under Category I of the Recertification Schedule for SBE Certifications.
Registration and Pricing
This webinar will be approximately 90 minutes long.
SBE Members: $62
MemberPlus Members FREE
Non-Members: $92
Register Here
Questions?
If you have questions regarding this course, contact Cathy Orosz via email or by phone at 317-846-9000.
Drones for Tower Inspection
July 29, 2021 | 1 PM CT
With the advent of reliable sUAS (small unmanned aircraft systems), combined with gyroscopically stabilized optical and infrared cameras, it is now possible to safely and affordably detect problems on towers that just a few years ago were impossible or difficult to see. Over the past year, presenter Paul Shulins has obtained certification as a level-one thermographer, and he has put those skills to use by obtaining meaningful data and by helping tower owners diagnose problems on the tower that in some cases were either difficult or impossible to detect using spectrum analyzers or TDR technology. Shulins will share what he has learned about applying IR imaging to broadcast environments, as well as describing the latest VSWR Protection systems he has installed at many multiplexed TV and radio broadcast facilities.
Your Instructor
Paul Shulins, President of Shulins' Solutions
Paul Shulins is president of Shulins' Solutions, a radio and TV broadcast consulting firm in Andover Massachusetts, specializing in remote control solutions, studio design and construction, antenna protection systems and ratings metrics. Over the past year, he obtained certification as a level one thermographer.
Paul has worked as a radio chief engineer for 40 years and is a member of SBE, holding an SBE Radio Chief Engineer. He is also a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and has co-chaired the BTS Broadcast Symposium for several years. He has presented and authored numerous papers and articles. Paul earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Hampshire System with majors in physics, chemistry and natural sciences. He is a private pilot, and enjoys astronomy, skiing, and photography, and operates his Arizona observatory remotely collecting deep sky images.
SBE Recertification Credit
The completion of a Webinar from Webinars by SBE qualifies for 1 credit, identified under Category I of the Recertification Schedule for SBE Certifications.
Registration and Pricing
SBE Members: $62
MemberPlus Members FREE
Non-Members: $92
Register Here
Questions?
If you have questions regarding this course, contact Cathy Orosz via email or by phone at 317-846-9000.
More information about registering using the SBE MemberPlus benefit
All SBE webinars are included at no additional cost for members who renew or join using the $175 SBE Member Plus membership option. Through this option you get access to all SBE webinars for no extra cost. Members can renew and newcomers may join online at the SBE website using the SBE MemberPlus option.
Access to the SBE webinars through the SBE MemberPlus program is limited to the MemberPlus-purchaser only. You are not permitted to distribute, sell, copy, share, project or otherwise make the webinars available to any other individual or group without express written permission by the SBE.
Several state-of-the-art radio, TV, multimedia, and IT engineering training is available through this page...
http://sbe.org/education/webinars-by-sbe/on-demand-webinars/
More information on SBE Education Programs is available here...
http://www.sbe.org/education/
Views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), its officers, or its members. SBE Chapter 24, Inc. regrets, but is not liable for, any omissions or errors. Articles of interest to Chapter 24 members are accepted up to the close of business the 1st day of each month. Send your article to lcharles@sbe.org.
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