9:00 – 9:45
Sean Edwards, Shively Labs
“Reducing FM Combining Costs Using Efficient Combiner Configurations”
Ways to reduce the costs of FM combining systems thru efficient combiner configurations. There are many situations where 2 or more stations may want to share antennas and when that happens there is the need to combine these stations with a configuration of RF filters that will provide sufficient isolation between the frequencies.
Depending on the number of stations, the relative power levels, and the frequency separation between stations, the combiner may require 1, 2 , 3 or 4 cavity filters in order to achieve the desired level of input to input isolation.
Since filter costs are directly related to the number of cavities per filter, it stands to reason, using the fewest number of cavities to achieve the maximum amount of port to port isolation is the most efficient approach.
Topics will include A review of bandpass and notch FM filters, and their many different configurations, and finally the advantages of tailoring the RF filter system to the site requirement, over a “one size fits all” approach.
Sean Edwards is an RF Designer and Project Manager for Shively Labs. Sean’s 21 years of experience includes test technician, field representative, international support, design and product improvement. He served 6 years in the US Navy as an Electronics technician working with the fire-control systems aboard ships specializing in the N.A.T.O. Sea-sparrow Surface Missile System. He is currently concentrating on product development where he lends his experience using EM Simulation and RF circuit design software in the modernization of existing designs.
10:15 – 11:00
Don Backus, Rohde & Schwarz
“Improving Transmission System Performance Plus, New Technology Initiatives”
With Total Cost of Ownership increasing for TV and FM broadcasters, there is an increasing need to reduce these costs over the life-cycle of the transmission system while improving performance and reducing ongoing maintenance costs. From alternative cooling systems to more efficient designs, from reductions in required floor space to reducing service costs by minimizing required maintenance, there are a number of factors that reduce the cost of ownership while improving up-time and performance. We will look at TCO and some of the advanced transmitter technologies that enable reduction in operating costs, both for Radio and TV transmitters. We’ll also discuss some forward looking technology initiatives including HD Radio Generation 4.
Don Backus is Account Manager, Radio Transmitters for global communication technology leader and innovator Rohde & Schwarz, handling Canada and the United States. Prior to joining Rohde & Schwarz in 2017, Don was Eastern US Sales Manager for Broadcast Electronics for five years. Don was previously VP of Sales & Marketing at ENCO Systems for 13 years and prior to that has held a number of positions in radio as an on-air personality, production director, general manager and chief engineer. He has presented to a number of professional broadcasting organizations including the Audio Engineering Society, a number of international, state and regional conferences and several SBE and IEEE chapters. Don has served two terms on the board of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and has recently completed serving his second term on the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation board. Don is a member of the SBE.
1:30 – 2:15
Mark Johnson, Linkup Satellite
“Broadcasting After Hurricane Michael: What Works After Your Infrastructure is Destroyed”
No doubt, what we do as broadcasters holds significant value. The information and entertainment that we facilitate provides a critical service within the communities – large and small – that we serve. But let’s be real; it usually takes a major crisis of sorts for others to see our true worth.
There is no better example of the importance of broadcasting than what the Florida Panhandle experienced following landfall of Hurricane Michael, October 10, 2018. The Category 5 storm came ashore quickly and with furor, knocking out terrestrial and wireless communications and all utilities. The citizens of Bay County, Florida were left – quite literally – in the dark.
A Panama City native, LinkUp Communications Chief Operating Officer Mark Johnson stayed during the storm, and had box seats to Bay County broadcasters doing what the multi-billion dollar terrestrial giants like Sprint, AT&T and Verizon could not do; be a critical link in the dissemination of life and death community information in the aftermath of a storm. Join Mark as he reviews what technology solutions worked, what didn’t, and how you can be prepared when a major crisis threatens your broadcast.
Mark Johnson is a well-known leader and technology expert in the transmission industry. As a broadcast specialist for over three decades, Mark has witnessed first-hand phenomenal advancements in the broadcast satellite industry.
Installing his first satellite downlink in the early 1980’s, Mark leveraged this new-found knowledge by delving into satellite engineering and operations with a regional sports network. In 1990 he joined NPR Satellite Services as a sales representative – utilizing his unique background as a broadcast engineer to assist others in building similar networks.
Mark joined his wife Karen at Ka You Communications as Director of Technology in 2007, where he built an alliance of broadcast networks that gave the small company and their customers leverage within the marketplace. In 2017, Mark launched LinkUp Communications – a broadcast integration company that has quickly developed a reputation for emphasizing technology solutions that benefit the client.
A graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree from The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Mark’s experience includes being a Certified Senior Broadcast Engineer and member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers, and Global VSAT Certified – Advanced.
2:30 – 3:15
Jay Tyler, Wheatstone
Preparing for AOIP infrastructure, emerging standards and interoperability via AES 67
We will discuss the networking and necessary infrastructure for today’s and tomorrow hight capacity AOIP mixing and routing systems.
Jay Tyler is Director of Sales for Wheatstone Corp. He has been at Wheatstone for 23 years in the Sales Department and is responsible for the World Wide Sales of Wheatstone Products. He currently reside in New Bern, NC.
3:15 – 4:00
John Bisset, Telos Alliance
“JOHN BISSET’S WORKBENCH TIPS”
Engineers are constantly being pressed to do more in less time. Especially handling multiple stations, the engineer’s time must be managed for the best efficiency. John’s presentation is drawn from both his experience and the years of writing the Workbench column for Radio World. In the column, engineers share some of their best ideas to improve a station’s operation and the engineer’s efficiency. John’s tips apply to both radio and television, and include some unbelievable disaster pictures with suggestions on how to avoid them.
John Bisset got into broadcasting after hooking up two turntables to a Lafayette mike mixer and a wireless mike transmitter and playing DJ. He’s worked as a jock, operations manager, chief engineer, and contract engineer for 50 years.
Probably best known for his Workbench Column in Radio World, John is SBE Certified, serves on the SBE Education Committee, and represents the Telos Alliance as Western Regional Sales Manager for Studio Products. A big believer in educating engineers, he’s a popular speaker at both state broadcast conventions and SBE meetings.
