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. The order was released on 9th. Ownership Rules and Other December 29th. Rules Adopted Pursuant to Section 202 of the WT Docket No. 08-61; WT MB Docket No. 11-93 Telecommunications Act of Docket No. 03-187 Implementation of the 1996 National Environmental Policy Commercial Advertisement MB Docket No. 07-294 Act Compliance for Proposed Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act Promoting Diversification of Tower Registrations Effects of On December 13th the FCC adopted Ownership in the Broadcasting Communications Towers on and release rules (http://transition.fcc.gov/ Services Migratory Birds Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ db1214/FCC-11-182A1.pdf) on the On December 22nd, the FCC adopted implementation of the CALM Act. These On December 6th, the FCC released and released a Notice of Proposed rules were required by an Act of Congress an Order on Remand (http://transition.fcc. Rulemaking (http://transition.fcc.gov/ gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ ordering the FCC to take steps to regulate db1209/FCC-11-181A1.pdf) requiring the audio loudness levels between Proposed Rulemakings an additional environmental study on program and commercial material. The >>> continued on page 5 Page 4 SBE Chapter 24 Newsletter January 2012
-- the club station of the Amateur Radio Association of the Azores, located on the island of St Miguel -- reported that Amateur Radio News they had successfully copied K6RPT- 11’s signal. That morning, the balloon compiled by Tom Weeden, WJ9H reached a height of 111,503 feet and was traveling in excess of 160 miles per hour, Ham Radio in Primetime which is to say, actually capable of headed east at 92 degrees. “The rest of making radio calls live from the stage the day on Tuesday was exciting, as more Tim Allen — star of Home when we’re not shooting.” He said that stations around the world took note of Improvement, Toy Story, The Santa radios will always be on and lit whenever the little balloon form Silicon Valley that Clause and Galaxy Quest, just to name they are shooting scenes in the office. was heading for the European mainland,” a few — stars in Last Man Standing, an “The ultimate goal is to have the hams Ferguson said. ABC comedy airing at 7 PM (CST) on on our staff make contacts from our stage “The APRS system of digital radio Tuesday nights. Allen plays Mike Baxter, during down times.” repeaters maintained reception of the data KA0XTT, a married father of three and traffic from the balloon transmitter, which the director of marketing at an outdoor transmitted its location from the onboard sporting goods store in Colorado whose Amateur Radio Balloon Flight GPS,” Ferguson noted. “In the US, this life is dominated by women. While Crosses Atlantic, Sets Records network is established on 144.39 MHz, Amateur Radio has not been prominently but is on a different frequency in Europe. featured in the first episodes, according Ron Meadows, K6RPT, and his son Radio amateurs across the world were able to John Amodeo, NN6JA — the producer Lee — leaders of the California Near to quickly adjust the European receivers of Last Man Standing — it is a part of Space Project — successfully launched to the balloon’s frequency and provided the show and an important part of Mike’s an Amateur Radio high altitude balloon continued tracking worldwide. This is character. The episode that will establish on Sunday, December 11 at 4:43 PM yet another example of the response Mike as a radio amateur is currently PST. The balloon reached a cruise altitude and flexibility of ham radio operators scheduled to air on January 17th. between 105,000 and 115,000 feet, where to meet a sudden challenge and provide Together with the American Radio it continued its travel across the United communications when needed.” Relay League’s Media and Public States, the Atlantic Ocean and Spain and According to the CNSP’s Twitter Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, into the Mediterranean Sea. For most of feed, the balloon burst on Wednesday, and with input from Tim Allen, Amodeo its trip, the balloon traveled at about 150 December 14 at 0946 UTC, off the coast created a call sign for Mike Baxter: miles per hour and eventually covered of Algeria. KA0XTT. Since the show is set in 6236 great circle miles in just 57 hours 2 Colorado, they wanted Mike to have a minutes. According to the CNSP, this is a call sign with a 0 in it. “We wanted a call new Amateur Radio balloon flight record sign that sounded real, but was not valid,” for both distance and duration. Amodeo said. “The call sign is a 2×3 The balloon, which bore the call format with an X suffix. A call sign in this sign K6RPT-11, traveled through format is an experimental call sign and is California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, not assignable to a radio amateur except Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, in special circumstances. We especially Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and liked the suffix, as it is a play on Tim’s New Jersey. “When the balloon left Ron Meadows, K6RPT (left) and his son character from his former show, Home the New Jersey shore behind, it was Lee fill the K6RPT-11 balloon before Improvement: ‘ex-Tim Taylor.’” received by coastal stations as far away launch on Sunday afternoon. “Because we’ve had so much talk as Nova Scotia,” explained CNSP Team [Don Ferguson, KD6IRE, Photo] about Amateur Radio here on the show,” Member Don Ferguson, said Amodeo, “a few of my production KD6IRE. “When it assistants took their Technician exam.” exceeded the range of Amateur radio equipment these stations, we lost manufacturers ICOM America and NCG/ track of it and feared Comet donated transceivers and antennas that we would not hear to add authenticity to the set. “The radio from the balloon again.” equipment was originally intended to be Ferguson told Path of used as props and set dressing items,” the ARRL that when balloon Amodeo told the ARRL. “But since eight they woke up the next flight of the show’s staff members are radio morning, the CNSP amateurs, it didn’t take long before we Team learned that K6RPT-11 was still Excerpts from the American Radio Relay made the radio equipment ‘practical,’ in the air and transmitting. CU2ARA League’s
Proposed Rulemakings GC Docket No. 10–44; DA Antenna System Specialist >>> continued from page 3 11–1950 Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ Benefits and Burdens of TV Troubleshooting Sweep Testing db1222/FCC-11-186A1.pdf) on broadcast Requiring Commenter’s To File FM station ownership. The FCC is required AM Infrared Testing Cited Materials in Rulemaking by Congress to review the broadcast Proceedings as Further Reform www.ResonantResults.com ownership rules every four years. The Richard Wood (608)839-3950 FCC is not proposing large changes To Enhance Record-Based to the ownership rules, but asks for Decision-making comments on current rules, as well as proposed changes. The rulemaking runs On December 8th, the FCC published in 99 pages and has lengthy discussions of the Federal Register a notice of proposed the various rules. The primary change rulemaking (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ the FCC is proposing is changes to the pkg/FR-2011-12-08/pdf/2011-31545.pdf) TV and radio cross-ownership rules and pertaining to the filing of comments before the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership the Commission. The FCC is proposing rules. Most of the current limits on the that persons making comments to the number of stations one can own nationally Commission attach any materials that for television and the number of stations they cite in their comments. This material one can own in a market would remain the could be studies, news articles or other same. The top four networks would still data that the commenter may refer to in be prohibited from acquiring each other. their comments. One of the issues that the 7847 BIG SKY DRIVE The FCC is proposing that Grade FCC is concerned with is copyright issues MADISON, WISCONSIN 53719 B overlap restrictions for TV stations when using news articles or materials (608) 833-0047 • FAX (608) 833-5055 would be eliminated, cross-ownership from other than the commenter. They also David Pavlik of TV and radio stations be allowed in ask if a link to an article on the Internet is Regional Sales Manager — Midwest Professional Engineering & Solutions the same market, and that in the top 20 sufficient, if applicable. Imaging Technologies & Communications markets ownership of a newspaper and Comments are due on January 9th with Group Canon U.S.A., Inc. one radio or TV station be allowed. The replies due on January 23rd. 100 Park Blvd. TV station could not be one of the top 4 Itasca, IL 60143 ranked stations in a market which would [email protected] Tel 630.250.6231 mean in most cases, one could not own Cell 630.215.9233 Fax 630.250.6200 a newspaper and an ABC, CBS, Fox or NBC station with the newspaper. Other issues that the FCC is looking at are shared station operating agreements as well as joint news operation between stations. Diversity of ownership among minority and females is also addressed, http://www.sbe.org/ as is the possibility of fraud in claiming sections/cert_index.php minority or female ownership in FCC applications when none exists. Don Heinzen Shane Collins Account Manager Clark Wire & Cable Sales The comment period will be 45 days Enterprise Soutions Division Unit A Direct: 608.848.2001 408 Washington Blvd after publication in the Federal Register [email protected] Mundelein, IL 60060-4401 (800) CABLE-IT with a 30 day reply period after that. (847) 949-9944 9001 Hawks Reserve Lane Fax: (847) 949-9595 Unit 103 e-mail: [email protected] Verona, WI 53593 www.clarkwire.com Cell: 608.235.7539 Fax: 608.848.2001
http://www.sbe.org/sections/ cert_exam_prep.php Page 6 SBE Chapter 24 Newsletter January 2012 WMTV MADISON 615 Forward Drive Madison, WI 53711 608-274-1515 CHAPTER 24 www.nbc15.com SUSTAINING MEMBERS
5727 Tokay Boulevard Madison, Wisconsin 53719 WKOW Madison (608) 274-1234 Thanks to all our Fax: (608) 274-9514 Sustaining Members
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821 University Ave. Belden, Inc. Madison WI 53706 www.wpt.org Clark Wire and Cable Phone 608.263.2121 Fax 608.263.9763 Canon U.S.A., Inc.
WISC-TV Thanks to Leonard Charles Full Compass Systems CBS for maintaining the Chapter 24 GEPCO International, Inc. web site and to Steve Paugh for mailing the meeting Heartland Video Systems reminder postcards. Joseph Electronics
MADISON JVC Professional © 2012 by SBE Chapter 24, Inc. Views expressed herein do not necessarily Products Company reflect the official positions of the Society, maney-logic February 2012 Chapter 24 its officers, or its members. SBE Chapter 24, Inc. regrets, but is not liable for, any Midwest Media Group Newsletter Deadline: omissions or errors. The Chapter 24 Friday, February 3 Newsletter is published twelve times per Resonant Results, Ltd. [email protected] year. Other SBE Chapters are permitted to use excerpts if attributed to the original Ross Video edited using Adobe InDesign CS4 author, sources, and SBE Chapter 24. Scharch Electronics Sound Devices, LLC Certification Exam Session Dates Token Creek Productions For more information about SBE Certification, contact Jim Hermanson, [email protected], Chapter 24 Certification Chair, or contact WISC-TV 3 Megan Clappe, Certification Director at the SBE National Office at WMTV-TV 15 (317) 846-9000, or [email protected]. WKOW-TV 27
Exam Dates Location Application Deadline WMSN-TV 47 April 17, 2012 NAB convention March 23, 2012 Wisconsin Public Television June 1-11, 2012 Local Chapters April 13, 2012 August 3-13, 2012 Loca; Chapters June 1, 2012 November 2-16, 2012 Local Chapters September 14, 2012