Welcome to SBE Chapter 33
SBE Chapter 33 represents the Society of Broadcast Engineers and its members in Southwestern Ohio, which includes the Cincinnati and Dayton metropolitan areas. If you work in a technical capacity at a broadcast or related facility in our area, or are a contract engineer or broadcast consultant based in Southwest Ohio, please consider joining our Society.
Thanks.
Red’s Opening Day
February 16, 2023
Broadcast Sports has been contracted by Bally Sports to provide wireless cameras, microphones, and communications for the upcoming Red’s Opening Day Game and Parade in Cincinnati, OH from 3/27/23 – 3/31-23. The area of activity will be Great American Ballpark, The Banks, Washington Park, and Findlay Market.
BSI intends to use 450.4875, 450.5375, and 450.5500 MHz for data, wireless cameras and microphones in the AFTRCC coordinated band between 1435 MHz – 1525 MHz, and return video from 3400-3420MHz. They have also applied for STA use of CH 14 (470-476). Keep in mind these are generally low power operations, so they should not pose a problem. Please let me know your feedback, if any.
It’s Time To RENEW!
February 1, 2023
SBE annual membership renewal reminders were mailed at the end of January. You can renew by returning that form or online at sbe.org. Be sure to renew by the April 1 deadline to ensure you don’t lose any member benefits.
Traditional SBE membership provides discounted education, certification programs and member services as well as opportunities for member interaction in local chapters and with members across the United States and in 19 other countries. The SBE network of 115 SBE chapters provides opportunities for education, local SBE certification exams and professional and social interaction with local technical media professionals.
Traditional membership also affords members the opportunity to take part in the SBE Mentor Program, and access to the annual SBE Compensation Survey results, SBE social media and the SBE WEBxtra monthly online meeting.
Membership dues are the same as last year at $85 for traditional membership and $175 for SBE MemberPlus, which gives you unlimited access to all Webinars by SBE and all SBE University courses at no additional cost. Student membership stays at $25. SBE Student and Life Members may choose to add the SBE Student MemberPlus or Life MemberPlus option for $90.
SBE members who are at least 65 years of age, are fully retired from broadcast engineering work and have been an SBE member for at least 15 consecutive years at the time of applying for Life member status may be eligible for Life membership. There is a one-time $85 application fee ($175 if opting for Life MemberPlus). Life MemberPlus is renewed annually.
If you do not receive your renewal in the mail by Feb. 12, please contact Scott Jones at 317-846-9000 or kjones@sbe.org.
Ohio’s EAS Monthly Test Schedule for 2023
December 27, 2022
The 2023 schedule for EAS Required Monthly Tests is available here. More information, including the state of Ohio’s EAS plan, is available on the EAS page on the OAB’s website.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Ohio SECC Chair Greg Savoldi at gregsavoldi@iheartmedia.com.
The schedule is also available via FTP from the sbe33.net website. Click on the “Emergency Alert System” menu tab above.
News From The SBE
December 3, 2022
Register for These Webinars by SBE Offered in December
Cybersecurity 2023 – Free Webinar – December 20, 2022 – 2 p.m. ET
Check the SBE.org website to register.
The SBE launches the Strategic Plan Survey
Take the SBE Strategic Planning survey now. Go to the SBE.org website to take it.
SBE Education Committee Launches Disability Survey
The Education Committee is undertaking a Disability Survey. Spearheading the initiative is SBE Education Committee member Len Watson, CPBE. The goal is to help those members connect with opportunities or to help those who were forced to leave due to challenges. Go to the SBE.org website to take the survey.
SBE MemberPlus Adds SBE University Courses to Member Benefit
SBE MemberPlus membership benefit includes all the benefits of SBE membership and access to all the live and archived Webinars by SBE. Beginning January 1, 2023, the SBE MemberPlus benefit will add access to the complete library of SBE University courses as well.
DoD, Broadcasters Agree on Spectrum Sharing Arrangement for Select Military Bases
The NAB and the SBE announced a joint memorandum of understanding with the Department of Defense to allow non-exclusive access to commercial spectrum at 2025-2110 MHz at 26 U.S. military sites. The bases were selected for their ability to provide streamlined access to spectrum used by broadcasters for electronic newsgathering and other purposes. DoD activities at these bases will include test and training missions to assure readiness and enhance electromagnetic spectrum superiority.
SBE Mentor Program Adds Subject Matter Experts
The SBE Mentor program introduces a new level of mentorship: The Subject Matter Expert (SME). The new level proves that “Everyone Can Be a Mentor” by involving SBE members in any level of their career to offer their specialized expertise. SMEs offer knowledge in a specific area of expertise and can offer guidance to a colleague with less experience in that area. SMEs provide support to one-on-one Mentors and offer specific knowledge that may be outside the primary Mentor’s experience. For more information, contact Cathy Orosz, Education Director at the SBE National Office at (317) 846-9000 or corosz@sbe.org.
It’s Time To Get Your SBE Certification
The SBE offers certification exams through local SBE chapters several times during the year. You can register to take an SBE certification exam at your local chapter during the February 2023 exam window. While the application deadline for those exams is Jan. 6, 2023, don’t put it off. Complete and submit your application today. For more information about SBE Certification, see your chapter certification chair or contact Megan Clappe, Certification Director at the SBE National Office at (317) 846-9000 or mclappe@sbe.org.<.p>
Our LAST Chapter Meeting
Updated December 3, 2022
Our LAST meeting was Tuesday, November 29th, a Zoom meeting (virtual meeting) with Paul Shulins about VSWR Protection Monitoring and Thermal Imaging of RF Transmission Lines.
Midwest Broadcast & Multimedia Technology Conference 2022
October 6, 2022
Don’t miss your chance to join the OAB, the Indiana Broadcasters Association and Kentucky Broadcasters Association in Columbus on Friday, October 28th, for the Midwest Broadcast & Multimedia Technology Conference. Designed specifically with radio and TV broadcast engineers in mind, our full day conference features:
- – A now full Exhibitor Showcase of 50 companies presenting their cutting-edge products and solutions
- – Opening and closing general sessions addressing regulatory updates and cybersecurity, plus panel and breakout sessions covering hot topics such as RDS and visual data transmission, ATSC 3.0, and drones (to name a few)
- – Complimentary breakfast and lunch with time to network with colleagues and exhibitors
- – Door prize giveaways, including a 55-inch LG OLED Ultra HDTV!
Registration is open and OAB, SBE and SMPTE members receive a special early bird rate of just $45 through Friday, October 14th. Now is the perfect time to brush up on the latest happenings in the field, hear industry updates, catch up with old friends, and explore new products.
We hope you can join us October 28th!
Learn more and register HERE.
It’s OUR YEAR for Golf Tournaments! 2022 Kroger Queen City Championship at the Kenwood Country Club, September 8-11
August 29, 2022
The Golf Channel and LPGA will be in town September 8th through September 11th for the Kroger Queen City Championship at the Kenwood Country Club. BSI once again will be using frequencies in the 450, 455, and 467 MHz bands. Since we all share these frequencies, if you discover a frequency in use, please move to a clear frequency with the usual caveat of not creating interference.
If you have questions, please contact your friendly neighborhood Frequency Coordinator at russ@wb8zcc.com.
2022 US Senior Women’s Golf Tournament in Kettering, Ohio, August 24 through August 28th
August 10, 2022
Please be aware that BSI, the production company for the Golf Channel, will be using frequencies in the 450, 455, and 467 MHz bands. Since we all share these frequencies, if you discover a frequency in use, please move to a clear frequency with the usual caveat of not creating interference.
If you have questions, please contact your friendly neighborhood Frequency Coordinator at russ@wb8zcc.com.
IMPORTANT from SBE
National EAS Test Date Set
May 3, 2021
Posted June 12, 2021
In accordance with the provisions set forth in CFR 47, Part 11.61(a)(3) Tests of EAS Procedures, FEMA hereby notifies the Commission that FEMA has selected Wednesday, August 11, 2021, as the primary test date for the 2021 national EAS test with Wednesday, August 25, 2021 as a back-up date should conditions preclude conducting the test on the primary date. FEMA proposes to conduct this test at 2:20 PM EDT (18:20 GMT). The test message will use the National Periodic Test (NPT) event code and be geo-targeted using the All-US (000000) geocode.
NOW is the time to make sure your EAS encoder/decoder’s firmware has been has been updated and has the current version for your unit.
EAS Update
April 27, 2021
Stations Should Note Reason for IPAWS April 26 RWT Failure
When FEMA issues an IPAWS test or alert it includes a “signature certificate.” This operates similar to a password for accessing different sites or files on a computer. In the case of a message from FEMA, a message without a correct signature the EAS device should ignore the message.
On April 26, 2021, the Required Weekly Test (RWT) from IPAWS was transmitted with an incorrect signature. The test messages had a mismatch between the digest inside the message, and the digest computed by receivers. This is a part of the validation for an alert, and checking it is required by FCC Rule 11.56(c): “EAS Participants shall configure their systems to reject all CAP-formatted EAS messages that include an invalid digital signature.”
All EAS devices should have rejected the test. The error affected all units, Sage Endec, DasDec and Trilithic.
On the Sage Endec, if the EAS decoder was configured correctly the message would not have been logged. DasDec and Trilithic would have logged the test but would have an error message attached. If it had been an actual alert the units would not auto forward.
1) If the alert arrived via CAP, the “signature validation” settings are probably incorrect.
2) If the alert arrived via some other CAP source, such as a CAP satellite feed, then check the settings for that CAP server.
3) If the alert arrived via an analog input, then an upstream device may be misconfigured. There are some 3rd party boxes that will receive a CAP message and output the analog legacy EAS format as audio. Some stations in some states will have that box connected to an audio input. If that box is configured to pass CAP messages with validation errors to the analog output, then it needs to be checked.
All the EAS units would have reported failed validations in a temporary log. Users should check with their device manufacture for the exact location of that file and the correct “signature validation” settings for the unit.
Stations should check and correct any issues before the next test on May 3, 2021. Stations should insert a note in the Station Log indicating the failed test and the reason for failure.
More from the SBE
Upcoming webinars are:
- Cloud Streaming: Techniques for Executing Content for Maximum Distribution on April 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This short tutorial will give attendees a good working understanding of the streaming audio process from playout to end listener. Kirk A. Harnack, CBRE, CBNE, Senior Systems Consultant, The Telos Alliance, and SBE Board Member, presents.
- 2021 IP Networking, Part 4: Network Architecture & Design for Real-Time Media on April 29, 2021, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Part 4 of the series focuses on understanding network architecture and network design for real-time media transport. Wayne Pecena, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, ATSC3, DRB, CBNE, associate director of educational broadcast services at Texas A&M University and current SBE president, leads the series.
You likely know someone who is not an SBE member, but should be. The SBE wants your help in recruiting new members during the membership drive, and you can win rewards for your efforts. Get complete information about the SBE Member Drive at the SBE website.
Take the Annual SBE Compensation Survey Today. Online now and active through May 17, the independent survey provides a look at the salaries and benefits earned by those in our industry. Results are categorized by radio and television, market size and job titles, and provide useful information to individuals and employers. All survey responses are anonymous. Survey results will be made available in July for free to all SBE members.
Watch the SBE WEBxtra on April 19. The next SBE WEBxtra will focus on ideas for those who have been laid off or looking for work. We’re working to arrange a career counselor as our guest. Watch your email for the announcement.
SBE membership renewal time just passed! The deadline was April 1, so if you haven’t done so already, renew now. Membership dues are the same as last year. If you did not receive your renewal in the mail, please contact Scott Jones at 317-846-9000 or kjones@sbe.org.
Become SBE Certified! To take an SBE certification exam at your local chapter during the June 4-14 exam window, submit your SBE certification exam application to the national office by April 16. For more information about SBE Certification, see your chapter certification chair or contact Megan Clappe, Certification Director at the SBE National Office at (317) 846-9000 or mclappe@sbe.org.
The SBE Awards Program is awaiting your nominations for chapter and individual awards. Nominate someone or a chapter today.
Happy New Year to all of our SBE-33 members
January 4, 2020
1. The new SBE Technical Professional Training (TPT) program begins January 1, to help encourage and train new people in the broadcast/media technical field. Stations, station groups, networks and state broadcaster associations are encouraged to cover the $475 cost to sign up their new or newer engineers. The TPT includes SBE MemberPlus membership (gives access to all SBE webinars), one download of the SBE Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) CertPreview (exam prep software), SBE CBT exam session, a copy of the SBE Broadcast Engineer Handbook and participation in the SBE Mentor program. See the SBE website for details.
2. SBE membership renewal is coming soon. Watch for the renewal letter in the mail in early February. All membership dues levels are remaining the same for 2021.
Please join me in congratulating John Poray on his retirement, and thanking him for his many years of service. We welcome Jim Ragsdale as the new SBE Executive Director.
Jim Stitt CPBE
Chair SBE-33
To Our Dayton-area TV Station Engineers from your SBE33 Frequency Coordinator
November 19, 2020
Please be advised that the Navy and Marine Corps Spectrum Center in Ft. Meade, MD, has asked for coordination of a year-long test of a mobile CubeSat command and control ground station uplink at Wright Patterson AFB. This testing is scheduled to begin in February, will utilize 2037.5 MHz, operate at no more than 30 watts TPO into a 35dBi parabolic antenna, and use rather narrow-band (compared to TV usage) emission designators 400KG1D and 100KG1D (essentially 400kHz and 100kHz phase-modulated single-carrier digital telemetry).
As you know, 2037.5 MHz is the channel edge between channels A1 and A2 in that band. Stations utilizing the upper 6 MHz of channel A1 or the lower 6 MHz of channel A2 during the testing period MIGHT experience some interference, but given the modulation, RF power, and proximity of stations’ 2GHz auxiliary equipment to Wright Patterson, that likelihood is probably small. The modulation is not one TV broadcasters use (read big military secret) and satellite control ground stations usually have their antennas pointing up; however, these are LEO satellites (low earth orbit) and will be moving horizon to horizon, and 14.77dBW into a 35dBi antenna is nearly 100,000 W EIRP. While the satellite(s) should be “well lit,” we don’t know side-lobe/splatter characteristics of the antenna, and stranger things have happened. Hence this head’s up to you.
BTW, we just can’t say “no” to the DoD. The FCC requires us to share this band and play nice, and so we will. However, if your station has a legitimate beef with the proposed activity, by all means let me know, and I’ll be happy to pass it along. Send your concerns to russ@wb8zcc.com.
You can review the coordination request HERE.
You can also read more about this project at https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/c-missions/circe.
Lastly, not that I wish to hurry you, I have 10-15 days in which to respond. Thanks.
Russ Hines, SBE33 Frequency Coordinator
NEWS
ARE YOU A C-BAND SATELLITE USER?
READ THIS!
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SBE Keeps It’s Eye Open On Spectrum Turbulence
An interesting article posted yesterday on the Radio World website, a perspective regarding the SBE and “spectrum turbulence.” We can’t imagine anything more turbulent than Repack, but as the saying goes, it could always be worse. Click HERE.
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How Repack Affects the Operation of Wireless Microphones
A phone call from SBE 33 Vice-Chair Jerry Erwin prompted a little research. Here’s what the FCC says: Operation of Wireless Microphones.
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Here is a link to a YouTube video of a presentation titled, “Building the Advanced RF Transmission System at One World Trade Center” that was made October 27, 2017 as a part of the AES Convention in New York City.
Building the Advanced RF Transmission System at One World Trade Center