TWiRT 314- Summertime Blues? No Way!

Stealthy antennas from those tricky mobile carriers... Can you count on mobile data bandwidth now - or in the future? Sun transit fade - on a terrestrial microwave path? A better Ethernet switch will solve that and more. And some TV stations are sharing the same frequency! Chris Tobin and Kirk Harnack talk radio engineering on TWiRT!

Hosts:  Chris Tobin, IP-Solutionist  and Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting 

Topics: Broadcasting

Vintage Audio: Wilkinson Transmitter Extension Meter

This chapter of Found in the Attic explores a forgotten chapter in the history of broadcast remote control technology, transmitter extension meter panels.

In the earliest days of radio, the Commission required all operating transmitter sites to be manned by someone with a First Class FCC license. That person was required to take meter readings every 30 minutes, maintain the transmitter log, and make repairs, or switch to a backup in the event of failures.

As technology evolved, and transmitters became more reliable, the rules were relaxed so that sites could be controlled remotely. In FCC lingo, the studio where the operator on duty was stationed was known as the control point. They Commission allowed most stations to have operators with a Third Class license and broadcast endorsement on duty. There were exceptions for directional stations, and those with higher power, which still required the First Class ticket.

Topics: Vintage Electronics, Vintage Technology

Thank You for Your Support

One of the things we frequently hear from our customers is how great our Telos Alliance Support team is. The 24/7 Support team regularly receives rave reviews from broadcasters from coast to coast and around the world. And while issues range from the straightforward to the very complex, the result is always the same for our customers—prompt, knowledgeable, and friendly service in minutes, not days.

Topics: The Telos Alliance

TWiRT 313 - New Tower Light Regs with Richard Hickey

New tower lighting standards from the FAA mean FCC licensed broadcast stations need pay attention.  Richard Hickey with Hilights, Inc. says that some of the rule changes could mean lower compliance costs for broadcasters - but others could cost more. Great advice on tower lighting with Chris Tobin and Kirk Harnack, on This Week in Radio Tech.

Guest: Richard Hickey, Business Development Manager at Hilights Inc

Hosts:  Chris Tobin, IP-Solutionist  and Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Links from the show: 

Hilights, Inc.

FAA website designed for lighting and marking information

FCC Form 854 for refiling structures

FAA AC 70/7460-1L (the “New Rules” for lighting and marking)

Topics: Tower

Radio Station Rises from the Rubble

Natural disasters tend to bring out the best and worst in people. For KHKC 102.1FM, located in Atoka, Oklahoma, a tornado that hit on May 9th definitely brought out the best in a lot of people.

“The storm totally destroyed the studios and damaged our main tower, explains Bob Sullins, president of Keystone Broadcasting. “Station manager Ricky Chase and his daughter were in the studio when the tornado struck, and took shelter under a desk. Thankfully, they were not injured.”

Vintage Audio: Tektronix 310 Portable Oscilloscope

An earlier edition of Found in the Attic examined a surplus OS-8/U oscilloscope, and we noted that this was one of the first portable general purpose scopes. The honors for the first portable laboratory-grade oscilloscope goes to Tektronix, who introduced the model 310, which is the subject of this installment.

While the 310 eventually had a wide range of field service applications, it began in 1954 as a project contracted by IBM, who needed such a device for servicing its main frame computers. Initially, Tektronix didn't expect much demand for the 310 beyond fulfilling IBM's needs. Soon however, production could barely keep up with demand. Manufacturing of the 310 and 310A continued through 1971, a 16-year production run. When it was over, tens of thousands of these oscilloscopes had been sold.

Z/IP - ping Along at the RNC

Steve Neumann is Program Director at WINT in Willoughby, Ohio, about 15 miles to the east of Cleveland. When the station decided to broadcast live from the Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland next week, they needed to know they’d be able to provide a stable remote feed back to their studios. Fortunately for WINT, Steve goes back a ways with Telos Alliance CEO Frank Foti.

Topics: Telos Z/IP ONE

Vintage Audio: A Pioneer SA-6500II Power Amplifier

Without a doubt, the best-known brand of hi-fi gear from the late ‘60s and throughout the ‘70s was Pioneer. The sleek styling of brushed aluminum panels and large illuminated dials convey a sense of sophisticated elegance that makes them sought after items even 40-some years after their manufacture.

Pioneer's product line always included everything from top-of-the-line equipment to gear that college students on a shoestring budget could afford. And sometimes there were package deals that included speakers, turntable, tuner, amp, and tape deck. This installment of Found in the Attic looks at a trio from the late 1970s – the SA-6500II power amplifier, TX-6500II AM-FM tuner and CT-F505 cassette deck.

Vintage Audio: Hallicrafters S-20 'Sky Champion' receiver

This installment of Found in the Attic examines the Hallicrafters S-20 'Sky Champion' receiver. The 'Sky Champion' line was the company's' mid-priced communications receiver.   Introduced in 1938, the S-20 was replaced by the S-20R in 1939. Since it was in production for less than a year, these receivers are somewhat rare.

There are several differences between the S-20 and S-20R. The S-20 primarily used tubes with grid caps, while the later S-20R used newer replacements. Tube lineup for the S-20 includes: 6K7, RF stage; 6L7, 1^st detector-mixer; 6J5, HF osc; 6K7, IF amp; 6Q7, 2^nd detector-AVC-1^st audio stage; 6F6, audio out; 6J5, BFO and 80, rectifier.

Topics: Vintage Electronics, Vintage Audio Technology

TWiRT 312 - Rx for TX with Mike Patton

What conditions bring radio transmitters to an early demise?  What items does a professional transmitter restoration job include?  And what technologies are worth maintaining versus those no longer appropriate for daily use?  Michael Patton helps radio station owners face these and other questions about keeping their stations on the air and viable.

Guest: Michael Patton, Owner - Michael Patton & Associates

Hosts:  Chris Tobin, IP-Solutionist  and Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Seas Broadcasting

Links from the show: 

Michael Patton & Associates Transmitter Repairs

Nautel - Recommendations for Transmitter Site Preparation

Lightning Strike Map

Blitzortung Lightning Dynamic Map

Industrial Risk Insurers’ Pre-Emergency Planning Guide