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CHAPTER 24, Inc., MADISON, WI
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Our Next Meeting:
Wednesday, June 23rd
MaxxKonnect
by Josh Bohn of Bohn Broadcast
Single Carrier, Prioritized High Speed Internet Service designed for Transmitter Sites and Remote Broadcasts
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 previous Chapter Chair Britny Williams at 7:00pm, May 27, 2021 via Google Hangouts.
Leonard Charles would like to recognize Kevin Ruppert who served with me on this year's Nominations Committee. Thanks for your help Kevin Ruppert!
This is the meeting when we welcome our new slate of Officers for the coming year. Before we do that we want to thank our outgoing officers for keeping our Chapter strong over the past year.
Britny Williams has served our Chapter for the past 2 years as our Chapter Chair. In addition to normal Chair duties she successfully guided us through the pandemic and kept us going. Thank you Britny. Matt Mommearts has served our Chapter for the past year as our Vice Chair. Thank you Matt. Russ Awe has served us as our Secretary for the past two years. Russ also had some adjusting to do with the additional challenges due to the pandemic. Thank you Russ. And, Mike Norton who has served us as our Treasurer for the past two years. In addition to the normal duties of that office Mike guided us through our first ever electronic deposit of Sustaining Member funds, something that will benefit them and us in the future. Thank you Mike.
And now our new Officers who begin their terms tonight: Mike Norton will serve another term as our Treasurer. Mike Travis begins his first term as our new Secretary tonight. Russ Awe moves from Secretary to our new Vice Chair. And presiding over his first meeting as our new Chair is Matt Mommaerts. Thank you gentlemen for stepping forward with your time and talents to keep Chapter 24 alive and well for another year. Matt, it's all yours!
The Secretary meeting minutes from 4/21/2021 were moved by Matt Mommearts, seconded by Britny Williams and approved as submitted.
Mike Norton, as Chapter Treasurer, reported there were no transactions for the checking account this month. The Chapter 24 balance remains healthy. Chapter 24 received a message from SBE national earlier in the month that Chapter 24 qualifies for the SBE chapter rebate program. We met the requirements for five meetings and submitted our meeting and attendance list. We are waiting for the check to come in before we make a decision on what to do with the funds.
Britny Williams reported that the latest membership total shows us with 48 members.
Fred Sperry reported our sustaining membership is still at 11 and we have no new sustaining members.
Matt Mommearts, as head of the program committee, is working on a program for the SBE meeting during the broadcast clinic in September. We need a program for October.
With certifications, Jim Hermanson reported not much going on locally here. If you would like to apply for an exam the next session is August 6th - August 16th. Please send your application to the national SBE office by June 11th to register for that session. The final exam session for this year will be November 5th - November 15th. The final date to send your application to the national SBE office is September 10th. For continuing education, If you attend a webinar you receive 1 recertification credit for your attendance. The next webinar is the 2021- SBE RF Safety Course which is on June 17th 1pm CST. On June 24th at 1pm CST we have IP Networking Part 6.
Tom Smith, with frequency coordination, reported that we have coordination for the 455 Mhz frequencies for the American Family Golf tournament after a year and a half of no activity.
With the National SBE news, Leonard Charles reported that the SBE wants your help in recruiting new members during the membership drive now through the end of May. You can win rewards for your efforts. Check the SBE.org web site for details.
Input to the Annual SBE Compensation Survey is now closed. Survey results are free to all members and will be available in July.
A reminder if you have not renewed your SBE membership yet, the grace period is still in effect. You can renew online.
Nominations are open now for the SBE Awards Program of Chapters and individuals. Go to SBE.ORG to make a nomination.
The deadline for articles for the June eNews letter is Tuesday, June 1st at 5pm. Please forward any article of interest to Chapter members to Lcharles@sbe.org.
Matt Mommearts made a motion to adjourn, moved by Stan Scharch and seconded by Kevin Ruppert. Meeting adjourned at 7:17pm.
The meeting was followed with a presentation on "The Next Three Innovations for Networked Audio". The presentation was hosted by Kirk Harnack of Telos Alliance. Thank you Kirk!
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 Britny Williams or to one of the Chapter 24 officers for consideration. There are many open dates available.
Broadcasters Clinic to be Live in 2021
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association is proud to announce that the Broadcasters Clinic is a GO for 2021! The in person event will be Sept. 8-10 at the Madison Marriott West. Click Here for the session agenda and registration.
Amateur Radio News
Compiled by Tom Weeden, WJ9H
June 2021 Eclipse Festival Seeks Ham Participants
HamSCI (Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation, https://hamsci.org) is looking for radio amateurs to record time-standard stations such as WWV during the June 10th annular solar eclipse across the Arctic Circle as part of a citizen science experiment. Researchers will use the crowd-sourced data to investigate the superimposed effects of auroral particle precipitation and the eclipse on high-frequency Doppler shift. Participants would collect data using an HF radio connected to a computer running open-source software. Radio amateurs and shortwave listeners around the globe are invited to take part, even stations far from the path of totality. Last year's eclipse festivals included more than 100 participants from 45 countries. https://hamsci.org/june-2021-eclipse-festival-frequency-measurement
The experiment will run June 7 - 12. This is a pilot experiment for HamSCI's Personal Space Weather Station project, which seeks to develop a global network monitoring the geospace environment.
This eclipse will be an unusual annular or "ring of fire" eclipse. This occurs when the moon is too far from Earth to fully block the sun, but will fit entirely within it. The eclipse path will cross over the North Pole, so it first will travel north and then south. While those living in parts of Canada and Russia will experience the full "ring of fire" effect of the eclipse, residents on the East Coast of the US may be able to briefly experience a partial solar eclipse -- a preview of the total solar eclipse that will cross the US in April 2024.
First-Time Exam Applicants Must Obtain FCC Registration Number Before Taking Exam
Effective May 20, all amateur examination applicants are now required to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs) before taking an amateur exam. This is necessary due to changes the FCC has made to its licensing system.
Amateur candidates who already have an FCC license, whether for amateur radio or another service, and already have an FRN may use the same number. All prospective new FCC licensees, however, will be required to obtain an FRN before the examination and provide that number to the volunteer examiners on the Form 605 license application. An FCC instructional video provides step-by-step instructions on how to obtain an FRN through the FCC's COmmission REgistration System (CORES). https://www.fcc.gov/rofrn
The FRN is required for all new applicants to take an amateur exam and is used afterward by the applicant to download the license document from the FCC Universal Licensing System (ULS), upgrade the license, apply for a vanity call sign, and to submit administrative updates (such as address and email changes) and renewal applications.
Amateurs' Email Addresses Will Continue to Be Kept Private, FCC Says
Starting on June 29, all applications filed with the FCC must include an email address for FCC correspondence. After receipt of the initial announcement that all future applications would require an email address, The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) was concerned for the privacy of its members and requested that amateurs' email addresses not be made public. The FCC agreed, stating in an email to ARRL counsel that it will continue to "mask" amateurs' email addresses from public view in the Universal Licensing System (ULS). The FCC will use the email address supplied by amateurs to correspond with applicants, including to send a link to the official electronic copy of the license when an application is granted.
The FCC is transitioning to fully electronic correspondence and no longer mails hard-copy licenses. Amateurs are able to view, download, and print their official license grant using the ULS. When a license is first granted, each applicant will receive an email with a direct link to the license. Although the link expires in 30 days, the license itself will remain available in the ULS and may be downloaded at any time by signing into the licensee's account using their FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password.
On or after June 29, a valid email address must be provided with each application, and must be kept current by filing a modification application, as necessary. Under the amended Section 97.23, "The email address must be an address where the grantee can receive electronic correspondence. Revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide the correct email address."
(Excerpts from the American Radio Relay League's arrl.org web site)
FCC NEWS
compiled by Tom Smith
There were no FCC broadcast related decisions in May.
For the Record
(Wisconsin FCC Actions Granted)
compiled by Leonard Charles
from the FCC Daily Digest
There were no Wisconsin actions in May
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Certification and Education
compiled by Jim Hermanson
The Open Exam Schedule
| Exam Dates |
Location |
Application Deadline
(to SBE National Office) |
August 6-16, 2021
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Local Chapters (Madison Area)
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June 11, 2021
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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.
SBE Technical Professional Training Program
Training new entrants to the field of broadcast technology
To address the ongoing concern about new technical talent choosing broadcasting as a career, the SBE created the Technical Professional Training Program (TPTP). As technology and the average age and tenure of technical professionals advances (as shown in the annual SBE Compensation Survey), there is concern to adequately fulfill the technical staffing needs in the long term.
Drawing on existing SBE programs, the society has assembled a valuable service to the broadcast industry going forward. The goal: Training new entrants to the field of broadcast technology. There are four elements that combine to create the new Technical Professional Training Program.
• The extensive Webinars by SBE collection developed and cataloged for on-demand use of SBE members is regularly expanded and updated to reflect the latest developments in the industry. The advent of SBE MemberPlus provides access to the library for a fixed annual fee.
• The SBE Broadcast Engineering Handbook is a hard-copy reference volume for hands-on use in designing and maintaining technical facilities.
• The SBE Mentor Program provides new entrants to the technical broadcast field regular access and guidance from a seasoned professional - a personal touch not unlike days of old when the senior staff would take the new person under a wing to show him or her the ropes.
• The SBE Certification Program entry-level certification (Certified Broadcast Technologist) demonstrates a comprehension of regulatory and technical requirements of station operation.
• The SBE CertPreview for this certification level can be utilized by a mentor to curate the preparation experience of a mentee utilizing the Webinars by SBE library supplemented with the mentor's knowledge and experience.
The SBE Technical Professional Training Program is a membership option that includes all the elements listed above in one package. Stations and media outlets can groom young talent to fast track their technical skills with one application and one purchase. The cost of the SBE TPTP is $475. This includes a one-year SBE membership with SBE MemberPlus, a copy of SBE CBT CertPreview, a copy of the SBE Broadcast Engineering Handbook, enrollment in the SBE Mentor Program, and the SBE CBT certification exam application fee to be taken later.
A one-page information sheet is available for download or to share.
The program is designed to be deployable by group broadcasters, independent broadcasters and even state broadcaster associations. Ideally, the mentor would come from within the ranks of the organization in which the mentee is employed, but the mentor role can be filled by any qualified engineer willing to invest the time. The SBE will assist in arranging a mentor for the TPTP applicant.
Apply for SBE membership through the SBE Technical Professional Training Program now.
PDF APPLICATION ONLINE APPLICATION
June Live Webinars
2021 SBE RF Safety Course
June 17, 2021 | 1 PM CT
The SBE RF Safety Course provides an updated overview of RF radiation issues and practices for broadcasters, including:
• Proving compliance at a broadcast site
• Biological effects of RF radiation and the distinct differences between RF radiation and ionizing radiation
• FCC, OSHA, state & local regulations - what they are and what you need to do to comply
• Workplace hazards
• Transmitter sites
• SNG and ENG trucks
• Remote operations (where news personnel can find problems such as on rooftops)
• The unique issues at AM stations
• RF hazard protection equipment - you may not need it but your contractors probably will
• Signs - what they mean and what you need
The course is designed for broadcast station personnel, including chief and assistant chief engineers, transmitter site engineers, ENG and SNG maintenance personnel and management who need to have an understanding of RF safety issues and regulations.
It is recommended that persons taking the SBE RF Safety Course have at least some basic knowledge of electronics and understand the concept of frequency and power.
About Your Instructor
Stephen Lockwood
Stephen Lockwood is a senior engineer and partner with Hatfield & Dawson Consulting Engineers, with more than 35 years experience in the field of broadcasting and telecommunications engineering. He is a Registered Professional Electrical (P.E.) Engineer in Washington, Alaska, and Wyoming, and holds a BS in electrical engineering and a BS in engineering physics from Oklahoma Christian University. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, and Broadcast Technology Society elected AdCom Member, Member and past president of the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers (AFCCE), and is a Member of Project Management Institute where is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP). He is a member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers where he holds the Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer (CPBE) and AM Directional Specialist (AMD) certifications, and he holds Amateur Radio Operator License K7SSL.
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
2021 IP Networking, Part 6
Cybersecurity - Practical Implementation
June 24, 2021 | 1 PM CT
The 2021 IP Networking Series continues with Module 6: Cybersecurity - Practical Implementation. Part 6 of the series will focus on understanding the practical implementation of cybersecurity. Topics to be covered include network design for security, physical security, Ethernet switch port security, encryption, and network ports.
About 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.
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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