Amateur Radio News
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Society of Broadcast Engineers Chapter 24 Newsletter January 2012 Madison, Wisconsin Next Meeting FCC PROCEEDS SBE Chapter 24 Member to present SBE National Webinar TUESDAY, JANUARY 17 WITH TVBD SBE Webinar, “Chief Operator DATABASES Responsibilities - What should I be doing?”, takes place January 12. 3D-TV ESSENTIALS >>> by Tom Smith According to the FCC, the licensee of each WHAT YOU NEED TO AM, FM, TV or Class A TV broadcast KNOW BEFORE The FCC is proceeding with the station must designate a person to serve rollout of database systems for TV as the station’s chief operator (FCC Rules GETTING STARTED broadband devices. These databases 73.1870). Depending on the type of are for the coordination of unlicensed facilities, there are varying requirements James Daniels, Jr., District Sales broadband devices that are to share as to who this person may be and their Manager for JVC Professional spectrum with TV broadcasters on responsibilities. Products, channels 2-51. This Webinar, presented by Dennis will give a On December 22nd, the FCC Baldridge, SBE Chapter 24 member, brief presentation on 3D signal authorized (http://transition.fcc.gov/ covers the responsibilities of the formats, the role stereoscopic Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2012/ Designated Chief Operator and the duties image processors have on circular db0103/DA-11-2044A1.pdf) Spectrum necessary to fulfill this position. This will be his second National Webinar presented polarization (passive) technology Bridge, Inc. for the SBE. Dennis is also a part of the and the choices in displaying 3D to begin operation of SBE Technical Presenters Group which which includes dual waveform/ is available nationally to speak at groups its database system (http://whitespaces. vectorscopes for a variety of such as state broadcasters associations, spectrumbridge.com/Main.aspx) in the advanced 3D measurements and broadcasting companies, SBE chapters Wilmington, NC TV market. monitoring. There will be hands and others, or as a trainer for their They also authorized the production on demonstrations of the new engineering staff. For more information, by Koos Technical Services, Inc. (KTS) JVC camcorder and 3D broadcast see: http://www.sbe.org/sections/ monitor. ChiefOperatorRespons.php Dutch Treat Dinner at 5:30pm Rocky Rococo of a TV broadband device that will use Coming Up Tree Lane the Spectrum bridge database. (Mineral Point at Beltline) On December 2nd, the FCC Wed., Feb. 15 Harris on Video (near Brothers Main Appliance authorized (http://transition.fcc.gov/ Compression store) Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ & WMTV Tour Madison, WI — Nominations db1202/DA-11-1956A1.pdf) the 45- Tues., Mar 13 Token Creek HD day test period for the database system Truck Tour from Telcordia Technologies, Inc.’s — Nominations (Telcordia’s). Tues., Apr. 10 TBD— Elections That test Meeting and Program at 7:00PM period In this Issue Full Compass Systems began on December 7th and will end on January 20th. The test site for the 9770 Silicon Prairie Parkway Local Legals.............................. 2 (use main entrance) database can be found at https://prism. telcordia.com/tvws/home/trial. FCC Rulemakings..................... 3 Madison, WI Amateur Radio News................ 4 Page 2 SBE Chapter 24 Newsletter January 2012 Chapter Contacts Chapter Leadership Meeting Minutes Chair from the December 2011 Business Meeting Bill Hamilton, Wisconsin Eye W: 608-316-6850 Ext. 305 On Wednesday, December 14, 2011, members of Chapter 24 gathered at [email protected] Fitzgerald’s in Middleton for the annual SBE holiday celebration dinner. There were 10 members present, 8 who were certified, and three guests. There was no Vice Chair Kevin Trueblood formal meeting or program. The evening consisted of enjoyable conversation Wisconsin Public Radio and socializing along with drinks and dinner. [email protected] Submitted by Mike Norton, Secretary Secretary Mike Norton, WPT W: 608-264-9807 [email protected] Treasurer Local Matthew Glissendorf, AT&T 608-252-7815 [email protected] Legals compiled by Tom Smith Past Chair Fred Sperry, ECB-OC W: 608-264-9806 PROPOSED [email protected] WBUW (TV) Janesville, WI Channel 32 DT Virtual Channel Committee Appointees 57, 200kw at 387 meters Program Committee Acme Television Licenses of Madison, Steve Paugh 277-5139 LLC has applied (https://licensing.fcc. volunteers needed for gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/ program committee cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=10148 0099&formid=314&fac_num=26025) to Membership / Newsletter Editor Paul Stoffel the FCC to transfer the license of WBUW [email protected] (TV) to Byrne Acquisition Group, LLC. Acme Television Licenses of Madison, Sustaining Membership LLC parent, Acme Communications, Fred Sperry Inc., holds licenses for three other stations 608-264-9806 in New Mexico. They are KASY-TV [email protected] Albuquerque, KRWB-TV Roswell and KWBQ (TV) Santa Fe. They had recently Certification & Education sold a number of stations including the Jim Hermanson 316 N. Milwaukee Street sale of WBWI (now WCWF-TV) in Suite 567 [email protected] Milwaukee, WI 53202 Green Bay to Lin Television Corporation SEVERIN THOMPSON Tel 414.226.2226 x119 which also owns WLUK-TV in Green REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Fax 414.226.2181 Frequency Coordination Cell 920-539-3867 Bay. Byrne Acquisition Group, LLC [email protected] Tom Smith www.mwmg.com 608-837-2729 owns a low power TV station in Hilton [email protected] Head South Carolina. Acme also produces the Daily Buzz, a morning news and National SBE Chapter Liasion life style program that airs on WBUW. Leonard Charles According to a press release (http://www. W: 608-271-4321 acmecommunications.com/pages/news_ F: 608-271-1709 releases.html?d=240611) from Acme [email protected] Communications, Inc., the sale price is $1.8 million. Page 3 SBE Chapter 24 Newsletter January 2012 the impact of birds. The FCC will rules become effective on December 13, place a notice on the Antenna Structure 2012 which gives broadcasters a year FCC Registration (ASR) website concerning to prepare. All broadcast, cable and Rulemakings the new or modified tower and the satellite television program providers will compiled by Tom Smith applicant for the new tower must place be required to comply with “Advanced a notice in the local paper such as that Television Systems Committee required for a zoning change. There (ATSC) A/85: “ATSC Recommended FINAL RULEMAKINGS will be a 30-day comment period from Practice: Techniques for Establishing the public. The application for the ASR and Maintaining Audio Loudness for MB Docket No. 09-52; RM- can be filed with the FAA and FCC after Digital Television” (July 25, 2011) 11528 the comments have been received. The (“ATSC A/85 RP”) (incorporated by Policies to Promote Rural Radio new rules require an environmental reference, see §73.8000), insofar as it Service and to Streamline study for any tower that changes its concerns the transmission of commercial tower lighting from a preferred lighting advertisements”. There are rules Allotment and Assignment system or is over 450 feet. There are concerning periodic spot checking of Procedures other environmental studies that may be loudness compliance, certification of needed even if the tower is less than 450 compliance by program suppliers, and On December 28th, the FCC adopted feet or has lighting that is not according use of audio processing by stations. rules (http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_ to FAA/FCC preferred standards. The Enforcement of the rules will be in Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db1229/ current rules require environmental studies response to a pattern of complaints and not FCC-11-190A1.pdf) to streamline the for most antenna structures if building normally due to a single complaint. The rules to allow the quicker granting of in a sensitive area such as wetlands, rules will be more difficult for cable and applications for FM radio stations in the potentially disturbing Native American or satellite video providers as they have to non-reserved (commercial) FM Band by historic sites or other natural areas. With deal with compliance on a large number Native American Tribes. The FCC is the additional rules, more time will be of channels. For most broadcasters, good trying to promote the Native American required to site a tower and get approvals. audio practices, according to ATSC A/85 tribes to have better communication These rules further complicate an already and a current audio processer, should be services within tribal lands and that complicated process and will require keep the station in compliance. Much includes broadcast services. The new additional cost and expertise to navigate has been and will be written about the rules will allow the FCC to open a filing the process. One note, the 450-foot rules concerning the Calm Act rules in window for qualifying tribal applicants requirement for trigging environmental the coming months and that should give only for a new FM allocation that was studies may change as the FCC is studying stations a better idea of how to implement filed for a Native American tribe. The changes to tower lighting that may reduce the rules. proposed allocation must include tribal issues with birds and towers. lands within 50% or more of its coverage In the list of commenters, there were area. If more than one tribe applies for PROPOSED RULEMAKINGS few broadcast or other wireless companies the license, then the license is subject listed, as they mostly relied on their trade MB Docket No. 09-182 to auction between the competing tribes associations. There were a large number only. If the allocation is not used or the 2010 Quadrennial Regulatory of nature and environmental groups and construction permit expires, the allocation Review – Review of the individuals listed. can then be applied for by any interested Commission’s Broadcast The Order was released on December applicant.