TWiRT - This Week in Radio Tech - Podcast
231 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 18 ratingsTechnology Podcast for Radio Engineers
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Episodes
TWiRT 489 - What You Won't See at NAB
April 17, 2020 19:55Many of us would have been flying to Las Vegas, Nevada, about now for NAB 2020. We would have been assembling expo booths, delivering technical papers and presentations, and learning about the technologies and equipment that engineers will be using in the coming years. But with NAB 2020 cancelled due to the coronavirus, we’re bringing some highlights of what would have been at NAB to you. Marty Sacks of Telos Alliance, Josh Bohn of Bohn Broadcast, and Jeff Welton of Nautel are here to highl...
TWiRT 488 - Compare, Shop, & Broadcast from Home
April 10, 2020 16:54Cabin Fever notwithstanding, thousands of broadcasters - from engineers to sales reps to on-air talent - are working from home. And the list of capabilities and opportunities grows almost daily. Alex Oana shows us how to compare high-quality microphones from our easy chairs, while Goos Mante runs his radio show on RTV Zaanstreek entirely from his home in Wormer, Netherlands. And Chris Tobin tells how WBGO-FM got over 9,000 music selections digitized for broadcast in just a few days. Show N...
TWiRT 487 - Protection, Selection, and Connection with Hank Landsberg
April 03, 2020 17:03Who hasn’t used one of Henry Engineering’s “blue boxes” to solve an audio or control problem around the radio station? A related company, Sine Control Technology, makes power surge suppressors that are used by the US Department of Defense. Hank Landsberg, owner of Henry Engineering, explains the technology that makes his “PowerClamp” TVSS technology different and more effective at protecting sensitive electronic equipment. We also look at a clever device that makes AC UPS operation more rel...
TWiRT 486 - The RF Supercomputer with Chuck Kelly
March 27, 2020 18:26General purpose computers have been replacing purpose-built equipment in almost every industry, including radio broadcasting. But, some functions - such as VHF and UHF modulators - have still required precision, purpose-built circuitry. Now come the “RF Supercomputer” - a marriage of hardware and software that can produce any kind of modulation at most any broadcast frequency. And there’s even more to the story. Chuck Kelly from BE/Elenos Group joins us for a lesson in highly sophisticate...
TWiRT 485 - Broadcast Continuity in a Pandemic
March 20, 2020 06:52“Social Distancing” to slow the spread of Coronavirus is changing the way broadcasters are operating. Over the past week or two, broadcast engineers have been charged with setting up the remote studios and broadcast systems allowing on-air talent and other operations workers to do their jobs from home. Plus, they’ve configured studio and “rack room” systems to be run by few or even no people in the main studio building. Some of radio broadcasting’s most active and progressing engineers jo...
TWiRT 484 - Emmy-Winning AES67 with Kevin Gross
March 13, 2020 16:32AES67 - the worldwide Audio over IP interoperability standard - exists because “Silos aren’t good enough!” Kevin Gross, Founder of AVA Networks and Chair of the AES X192 task group joins us to tell the story of how AES67 came to be, and a behind-the-scenes look at its development. We also discuss how AES67 plays into the SMPTE ST 2110-30 standard for networked audio-for-video. Plus, a great tip of the week! Guest: Kevin Gross - Media Networking Professional - AVA Networks Show Notes: Audi...
TWiRT 483 - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Visual Radio with Robbie Green
March 07, 2020 22:33Radio has traditionally been all about the audio. Radio engineers do their best, working with the budgets and knowledge they have, to design and build studios that help create the best audio presentation. Now more radio broadcasters are putting video cameras in their studios - visual radio. Some are streaming live while others grab the best clips from their in-studio shows. Robbie Green with Entercom in Houston joins Chris Tobin to talk about equipment and techniques to produce good-looking...
TWiRT 482 - Combine & Control with Josh Bohn and Josh Jones
February 28, 2020 05:10With more combined AM, FM, and TV transmitter sites, safe, effective, and secure monitoring and control of those sites has never been more important. When several transmitters are fed into a combiner, then to a master antenna, great damage is possible if something goes wrong. That’s where detailed analysis, careful installation, and custom scripting with sanity checks all come into play. Josh Bohn, along with Josh Jones and other associates are providing such monitoring and control systems...
TWiRT 481 - Essential Community Radio with Ernesto Aguilar
February 21, 2020 15:49Community Radio - what is it? And how's it doing? Surprisingly well! Ernesto Aguilar is the Program Director at the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. He’s bullish on Community Radio - often run by volunteers - addressing the specific local and regional issues, arts, and concerns of people in a station’s coverage area. Chris Tobin joins in with specific advice on studio design that addresses the particular workflow you’ll find at many Community Broadcasters. Guest: Ernesto Ag...
TWiRT 480 - They See Me Pathfindin'
February 14, 2020 17:39What would you do if a dozen of your engineering colleagues from other markets showed up and installed all new studio and rack room equipment, leaving you to figure it out? Ed Noyes, a Regional DoE for Cumulus, quickly befriended Pathfinder and discovered real-time monitoring and control of his new AoIP system. Ed joins us to share the wonder and utility of watching over and controlling an active, multi-studio broadcast center with Pathfinder. Guest: Ed Noyes, South Central Regional Direct...
TWiRT 479 - Schwank aus dem Radioleben
February 07, 2020 17:10We bring German broadcast engineering to you in “Schwank aus dem Radioleben” or “Tales of My Radio Life”. Longtime friend and colleague, Peter Passian compares German and U.S. radio studios from the 1980s while AoIP expert, Ludwig Kugler joins to discuss today’s radio studios in Bavaria. And Mary Ann Seidler recalls a harrowing experience, installing an FM audio processor in Mumbai, India, in a tall building that was still under construction! Guests: Peter Passian - Director of Sales, Ea...
TWiRT 478 - Best Practices for AM Directional Systems with Mark Persons
February 01, 2020 03:09Are you responsible for an AM Directional Antenna? Want to know about adjustment and troubleshooting? Award-winning broadcast engineer, Mark Persons, has built AM Directional systems from scratch and has seen a thing or two. Mark shares some thoughts on effective desk design and what those Minnesotans do for sporting fun when it gets really cold! Guest: Mark Persons, Mentor to Radio Broadcast Engineers Show Notes: How to clean variable inductors used in AM RF networks Delta Electronics To...
TWiRT 474 - Broadcasting's All-Digital Future with Sam Matheny
January 04, 2020 02:13Theodore Hook said, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” If it seems that technology and innovation are impacting our lives at an ever increasing pace, you’re right. Broadcasters, perhaps more than any other industry, must move with technological changes - even if that means defining them. Our guest has been and certainly is now at the forefront of broadcasting technology. Sam Matheny is CTO and Executive Vice President at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). S...
Better Studios Through Planning with Gary Kline
December 27, 2019 15:12Why build an average studio when you can design and build something amazing for the same price? Gary Kline has designed and built dozens of radio studios, from small markets to the very largest. Chris Tobin has done the same. Together, Gary and Chris talk about involving every stakeholder in the finished studio, making sure that revenue generation has a place at the design table. Guest: Gary Kline - Broadcast/Podcast Engineering & IT Consultant at Kline Consulting Show Notes: Designing th...
TWiRT 473 - Better Studios Through Planning with Gary Kline
December 27, 2019 15:12Why build an average studio when you can design and build something amazing for the same price? Gary Kline has designed and built dozens of radio studios, from small markets to the very largest. Chris Tobin has done the same. Together, Gary and Chris talk about involving every stakeholder in the finished studio, making sure that revenue generation has a place at the design table. Guest: Gary Kline - Broadcast/Podcast Engineering & IT Consultant at Kline Consulting Show Notes: Designing th...
TWiRT 472 - Remembering John Lyons
December 20, 2019 03:30John Lyons was a not only a fixture, but a force, in the New York City RF scene. His tireless work - especially after 9/11 - has gotten and kept radio and TV broadcasters on-the-air with excellent engineering, optimized coverage, and reliable operation. With John's recent passing, today's TWiRT features Chris Tobin and Tom Ray - both of whom worked with John extensively. We'll also enjoy John's presentation about Building the Advanced RF Transmission System at One World Trade Center. Gues...
TWiRT 471 - Control over IP Options with Anthony Kuzub
December 13, 2019 19:13Audio over IP technology and standards are well-settled and widely understood among broadcast engineers. Control & Monitoring over IP is more unsettled, with competing - and incompatible - standards. Anthony Kuzub, Sr. Systems Designer at CBC/Radio-Canada, introduces AES70, NMOS, MQTT, MIDI over IP, and even a proposal for Emoji Description Protocol (EDP?). Plus a useful hack of Google Chrome browser to record WebRTC audio. Guest: Anthony Kuzub - Sr. Systems Designer at CBC/Radio-Canada S...
TWiRT 470 - All Digital AM with Dave Kolesar & Mike Raide
December 06, 2019 20:16WWFD in Frederick, Maryland, is the only all-digital AM station in the USA. Switching to HD Radio’s MA3 mode, there’s no longer an analog AM carrier; the signal is only digital, and any AM-band HD radio can decode it. Dave Kolesar is the energetic engineer who has driven this switch to an all-digital AM transmission. He and Mike Raide with Xperi join us from the WWFD transmitter site - and bring us a “first ever” surprise at the end of our show! Guests: Dave Kolesar - Senior Broadcast Engi...
TWiRT 469 - Wisconsin Public Radio Upgrades with Britny Williams
November 22, 2019 20:19Wisconsin Public Radio was just going to replace a few audio consoles - until they met with one bad surprise after another! Britny Williams is DoO and DoE at WPR’s main studios in Madison, WI. She’s overseeing and coordinating several teams as WPR’s upgrade project developed into soup to nuts replacement - all while keeping all programming going. Britny joins Chris Tobin and Kirk Harnack on this episode. Guest: Britny Williams - Director of Operations and Engineering, Wisconsin Public Radi...
TWiRT 468 - Live from the MBMTC
November 16, 2019 03:35The Midwest Technology & Multimedia Broadcast Conference (MBMTC) just wrapped up in Columbus, Ohio. For the first time, this year’s conference consolidated engineering sessions from Kentucky and Indiana broadcast associations, making for a well-attended event with 14 total engineering sessions packed into one day. John Takach joins us on the “curvy couch” along with Josh Bohn and Matt Levin, plus Chris Tobin from New York City. Guests: Josh Bohn, President/Chief Engineer at Bohn Broadcas...
TWiRT 467 - A Texar Audio Prism Prototype - with Brian Kerkan
November 09, 2019 01:53We’re on-site at WPOZ in Orlando, Florida, where we found a prototype of the famous Texar Audio Prism. Audio processing expert, Brian Kerkan, joins us to show off some old analog audio processors, including the CBS Audimax and Volumax. Then we turn to one of 16 Texar prototypes. We finish with a discussion of interfacing AES192 FM multiplex info a switcher and IP-STL system. Show Notes: CBS Labs, Volumax/Audimax Processors on Collins 20V at K7PP Page A look inside the Orban Optimod 8000 au...
TWiRT 466 - Workbench Advice with John Bisset
November 01, 2019 02:07Every two weeks, John Bisset brings practical engineering advice in his “Workbench” column in Radio World magazine and Radio World online. This week, John brings us the best and most timely of his tips and techniques for effective broadcast engineering. While taking in John’s advice, be thinking of time- and trouble-saving practices that you use in your own engineering work. Submit your ideas to [email protected], and you could see yours in print and online. Show Notes: Mouse Magic kee...
TWiRT 465 - Hacking LTE for Broadcast Remotes with Chris Tobin
October 25, 2019 16:04And by “hacking” we mean “using to the best effect, even in non-traditional ways.” Chris Tobin has engineered hundreds of live broadcasts, outside of traditional studios. As 4G LTE mobile data services have matured, Chris and other engineers are working to guarantee reliable wireless data by understanding the options. Full signal bars doesn’t mean ideal bandwidth; and knowing where the best LTE access points are can result in more reliable service. Show Notes: Get advanced signal data from...
TWiRT 464 - Live from the Broadcasters Clinic 2019 in Madison, WI
October 16, 2019 18:56After a whole day of broadcast engineering learning, we’re live from Day 1 of the Broadcasters Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. Engineers from 29 states are traveling to be here for radio and TV engineering sessions. Chris Tobin and Kirk Harnack talk with Mark Persons, Chuck Kelly, Bill Gould, Linda Baun, Michelle Vetterkind, Cathy Orosz, David Layer, John Poray, and Wayne Pecena. Show Notes: The 2019 Broadcasters Clinic SBE Mentor Program Hosts: Chris Tobin, IP-Solutionist Kirk Harnack, Th...
TWiRT 463 - Quality, Timely Innovation with Michael Goodman
October 11, 2019 16:43Ready to discover the intelligence behind some new, high-quality audio product designs? Michael Goodman, Founder and CEO of CEntrance, designed audio products at Shure, and consults with audio manufacturers around the world. Now his company is taking it passion for transparent audio and rugged designs to make compact pro audio devices for broadcasters and podcasters. Show Notes: CEntrance.com web site MixerFace - compact mic/line mixer, recorder, and USB interface Shure SM7B mic info - wi...
TWiRT 462 - Those Beautiful Blue Boxes with Hank Landsberg
October 04, 2019 22:54For almost 40 years broadcast engineers have been using those blue boxes from Henry Engineering. One engineer says, “Henry Engineering boxes solve acute problems at a reasonable price.” Hank "Henry" Landsberg joins us on TWiRT.! His stories will bring a smile to your face and understanding of the inspirations for those useful "Henry" boxes. Show Notes: A timeline of Drake-Chenault, where 1,000 tapes each week were created and shipped Henry Engineering web site Hank likes School Video Ne...
TWiRT 461 - NAB Radio Show 2019 from Dallas
September 28, 2019 23:28The NAB Radio Show started with Tech Tuesday, a day-long event for radio engineers. We’re wrapping up the exhibit hall with special guests Brittany Hilton, Paul Kriegler, Daniel Hyatt, Tommy the Hacker, Dave Kolesar, Russ Mundshenck, Greg Dahl, John Lackness, Jeff Williams, and Chris Tobin in New York! Show Notes: What You Saw - or Missed - on Tech Tuesday Greg Dahl, Second Opinion Communications Hosts: Chris Tobin, IP-Solutionist Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, & South Sea...
TWiRT 460 - The HEBA - AM's Real Estate Relief - with Grady Moates
September 20, 2019 15:40Grady Moates is a “hands-on” broadcast engineer. Known widely for his audio processing expertise, Grady’s attention has more recently been on proving the performance of a novel antenna design. The High Efficiency Broadband Antenna (HEBA) - after years of additional research and real-world testing and proving - is now FCC approved. Grady explains how a HEBA help AM stations, especially those with real-estate opportunities. Show Notes: HEBA (High Efficiency Broadband Antenna) Specs HEBA an...
TWiRT 459 - He's a Stand Up Guy with Scott Fybush
September 07, 2019 16:32Some people in Radio wear a few hats; that’s been part of the business since its beginnings almost 100 years ago. Meet one radio guy who’s on the air in Rochester, NY, publishes a beautiful tower calendar annually, runs an informational subscription website, interviews broadcaster engineers and talent, brokers broadcast properties between buyers and sellers, produces his own broadcasting podcast, and keeps up with FCC Rules to help us navigate the regulatory landscape? Oh, and he’s followi...
TWiRT 458 - The Temple of 5 Nines with Tracy Teagarden
August 29, 2019 14:07Most of us enjoy air-conditioned casinos or convention halls, or perhaps sunny swimming pools and golf courses. But the like of broadcast engineer, Tracy Teagarden, is often starkly different. As the Chief Engineer for Entercom in Las Vegas, Tracy recently found himself working in dangerous heat for several hours, with only the supplies he brought. On the other side of town he’s been building a mutli-station AM & FM transmitter site with high-reliability built right in; perhaps good enough...
TWiRT 457 - Positive Engineering with Brian Kerkan and Jim Hoge
August 23, 2019 19:35Remember the Texar Audio Prism? Did you know that Glen Clark had some partners in the development and rollout of the Prism? Jim Hoge worked with Glen on the Texar Audio Prism. Jim also founded WPOZ-FM, often the #1 station in Orlando. Brian Kerkan is another talented engineer, also known for excellent audio processing and and professional approach. Brian and Jim join us on TWiRT to talk about breakthroughs in older technology, and today’s new operating paradigms as we move toward sensible v...