Society of Broadcast Engineers Chapter 24 Newsletter October 2011 Madison, Wisconsin Next Meeting From the Chair... The Farnsworth Invention >>> by Bill Hamilton, Chapter Chair is Theater for the Broadcast Wednesday, October 12 Engineer I would like to start out this month >>> by Vicki W. Kipp UPPER MIDWEST REGIONAL with a bit of old business. As noted in SOCIETY OF BROADCAST an earlier newsletter, Chapter 24 was the Mark your calendar to attend a theater ENGINEERS MEETING recipient of three national SBE awards: performance in November! If ever there Best Website, Best Newsletter and Best were a Broadway play that would interest Regional Convention. The awards were a broadcast engineer, this is it. The SPECIAL GUEST given out at the SBE National Convention Farnsworth Invention will be performed SPEAKER in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday in Madison at the Overture Center’s DR. BARRY ORTON September 28th. Rich Wood of Resonant Playhouse Theater. Results was on hand to represent Chapter With a cast of 16 actors playing more Dr. Barry Orton is Professor 24 and receive our awards. than 70 roles, The Farnsworth Invention of Telecommunications in the Now on to the new business, it’s is presented by the Forward Theater Department of Professional shaping up to be a busy October. First Company in collaboration with the UW- Development and Applied Studies, and foremost we have the Broadcasters Madison Department of Theatre and Division of Continuing Studies, Clinic. The award winning regional Drama/University Theatre. University of Wisconsin—Madison. convention put on by the Wisconsin The Farnsworth Invention tells the For over thirty years his primary Broadcasters Association and the SBE dramatic story of the development of duty at the UW-Madison has been chapters of the upper Midwest. This television and the bitter legal struggle over to assist Wisconsin municipalities is always a good chance to catch up patent rights between Iowa farm boy Philo with broadband issues. His on new technology, see informative T. Farnsworth and RCA head executive David Sarnoff . The performance is from thought-provoking presentation presentations, along with a chance to a screenplay adapted by Aaron Sorkin. will be titled: “How Government catch up with colleagues. Thanks are in order for all of the hard Aaron Sorkin is best known for Schizophrenia Has Both Promoted work by Linda Baun, Leonard Charles creating Academy Award-winning movies and Impaired Broadband and the Clinic Planning Committee for such as The Social Network, The American Development in the US.” another great Clinic. Linda says the President, and A Few Good Men. He was exhibit floor is sold out and the Marriott the Emmy award-winning creator of hit 5:30 PM - Dinner television drama, The West Wing, and also (included with Wednesday registration) is sold out of rooms as well. We can look forward to a large turnout, a lot created Sports Night and Studio 60 on the Meeting and Program at 7:00PM of exhibits and another great line up of Sunset Strip. presenters. Some critics of The Farnsworth Madison Marriott- West Speaking of the exhibit floor, the SBE Invention complain that the ending 1313 John Q. Hammons Drive has a booth again this year and I am still is not historically accurate. The Middleton, WI looking for volunteers to help man the The Farnsworth Invention Visitors and guests are welcome! booth. Please email me
Chapter Contacts
Chapter Leadership Meeting Minutes Chair from the September 2011 Business Meeting Bill Hamilton, Wisconsin Eye W: 608-316-6850 Ext. 305 Chapter 24 of the Society of Broadcast Engineers held their monthly meeting [email protected] on September 13, 2011 at WISC-TV in Madison. There were 15 members present, 10 who were certified, and one guest. Vice Chair The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chair Bill Hamilton. After Kevin Trueblood Wisconsin Public Radio brief introductions, the August meeting minutes as published in the September [email protected] Newsletter were approved on a motion by Steve Paugh and a second by Fred Sperry. Secretary A report from Treasurer Matt Glissendorf stated that the bank balance Mike Norton, WPT continued to be positive following recent deposits and payments. There was no W: 608-264-9807 [email protected] membership report, and no newsletter report presented. The Sustaining Membership update from Fred Sperry listed recent renewals Treasurer by Midwest Media Group and Resonant Results, and indicated a total of Matthew Glissendorf, AT&T 22 sustaining members. There was no certification and education report. 608-252-7815 Frequency Coordinator Tom Smith mentioned that there were no coordination [email protected] requests for the first two UW Badger football games (ESPN/ABC coverage). Past Chair For the National Liaison report, Leonard Charles noted two items: The Fred Sperry, ECB-OC new National officers and board member election results were announced; the W: 608-264-9806 terms for the newly elected begin at the national meeting on September 28th [email protected] in Columbus, Ohio. There is a new course available on SBE University titled Television Video and Audio – A Ready Reference for Engineers; this and other Committee Appointees online courses are available at www.sbe.org. In Old Business Steve Paugh made a motion that the Chapter send $200 to Program Committee Steve Paugh 277-5139 the Overture Foundation, in appreciation for the extensive technical tour that volunteers needed for the group received of the Capital Theater at the Overture Center in August. The program committee motion was seconded by Garrett Marshall, with no objections. There was no new business brought up. Membership / Newsletter Editor Steve Paugh mentioned that the next meeting and program would be held Paul Stoffel [email protected] in conjunction with the Broadcasters Clinic on Wednesday, October 12th. A presentation by guest speaker Dr. Barry Orton will be titled “How Government Sustaining Membership has Promoted and Impaired Broadband.” Fred Sperry For professional announcements, Tom Weeden mentioned that WNWC will 608-264-9806 be looking for a part-time engineer for transmitter maintenance. Rich Wood [email protected] noted that he will be attending the SBE National meeting and would be able to Certification & Education accept the three national awards presented to Chapter 24. Jim Hermanson The meeting adjourned at 7:07pm, and Steve Paugh began his presentation [email protected] on “10 Steps to Fearless AutoCAD.” Submitted by Mike Norton, Secretary Frequency Coordination Tom Smith 608-837-2729 [email protected]
National SBE Chapter Liasion Leonard Charles W: 608-271-4321 821 University Ave. F: 608-271-1709 Madison WI 53706 www.wpt.org [email protected] Phone 608.263.2121 Fax 608.263.9763 Page 3 SBE Chapter 24 Newsletter October 2011
The Farnsworth Invention FCC Asks for Comments on >>> continued from page 1 Internet Captions play ends with Farnsworth being soundly defeated by Sarnoff and living a life of >>> by Tom Smith obscurity. In reality Farnsworth won the lawsuit, received $1 million from RCA for his On September 19th, the FCC issued a patents, and went on to enjoy a successful career as a researcher. But Sorkin defends notice of rulemaking (http://transition.fcc. his ending, suggesting that for the sake of gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ Many of our members got to clarity he conflated many years of lawsuits, db0919/FCC-11-138A1.pdf) on captioning appeals and counter-suits, which ultimately take an insider tour of the Overture for video delivered by the Internet. The led Farnsworth to die “drunk, broke and Center for our August 2011 rulemaking is in response to a 2010 law in obscurity,” into a single lawsuit that chapter meeting. There were many called the Twenty First Communications produced the same final result. remarkable details shared during this and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. The Farnsworth Invention will be technical tour. As you may recall, This law requires video produced for the performed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday the Playhouse has a thrust stage that Internet to be closed captioned, much nights at 7:30pm, and Sunday afternoons brings the audience very close to as the same as broadcast and cable TV. at 2:00pm in November beginning on the actors. Decorated in rich purple Many of the proposed rules are similar November 3rd and ending on November and red hues, the Playhouse is the to TV, including things such as how the 20th. Ticket prices range from $20 - $37 theater that often hosts chamber captions look on the screen. Other rules pertain to the conversion of captions from and can be obtained by calling the Overture music groups, children’s performing conventional video to Internet compatible Center Ticket Office at (608) 258-4141 or companies, and professional theater formats and how they are to be displayed by going to www.overture.com. Pre-show troupes. It has a maximum capacity on various devices from computers to talks about television history will be given of 347 audience members. tablets to smartphones. The FCC must beginning one hour before show time for the issue the rules by January 12, 2012. Thursday night and Sunday afternoon shows. Within 6 months of the publication of the Thursday night pre-show talk begins at 6:30pm and the Sunday night pre-show talk rules in the Federal Register, prerecorded begins at 1:00pm. and unedited material must be captioned, If there was ever a theater performance to appeal to a broadcast engineer, with live material captioned at the end of then this is it. It’s a rare chance to see the history of our profession take center stage a year and all material after 18 months. – particularly when the talents of an exceptional screenwriter (Aaron Sorkin) tells the There are a great many issues that are fascinating story of Farnsworth v. Sarnoff in a play originally performed on Broadway. subject to this rulemaking concerning the mechanics for captioning for all of these Sources: new devices and broadcasters need to be · “The Farnsworth Invention” at http://www.overturecenter.com/production/the- aware of them since most TV broadcasters farnsworth-invention post video material to their websites. The Docket is MB Docket No. 11-154 · “The Farnsworth Invention” at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Farnsworth_ with comments (http://transition.fcc.gov/ Invention Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ db0928/DA-11-1639A1.pdf) due on · “The Playhouse” at http://www.overturecenter.com/about/venues/the-playhouse October 18th and replies due on October 28th.
CAP Deadline Delayed >>> by Tom Smith On September 15th, the FCC issued a Report and Order (http://transition.fcc.gov/ Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0916/FCC-11-136A1.pdf) delaying the deadline for broadcasters, cable systems and others such as cell phone providers for having to install and have equipment operational for the reception and transmitting the new CAP system of emergency information. The FCC had received numerous comments from a previous notice issued on May 25, 2011 which asked if a further delay was needed from the September 30, 2011 deadline. Most commenters stated that a delay was needed as 316 N. Milwaukee Street there were some issues with the rules that need to be resolved and to a lack of time to get Suite 567 Milwaukee, WI 53202 all equipment certified. The Commission also issued a caution concerning intermediary SEVERIN THOMPSON Tel 414.226.2226 x119 decoding equipment and the ability of such equipment to meet the requirements for REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Fax 414.226.2181 Cell 920-539-3867 transmitting all of the CAP information. The FCC has yet to certify such equipment and [email protected] will issue a rulemaking on such equipment in the future. www.mwmg.com Page 4 SBE Chapter 24 Newsletter October 2011
with the hams in Benton County handing the calls off to Warrensburg officials for dispatch. Amateur Radio News According to Johnson County Emergency Management Director Gloria compiled by Tom Weeden, WJ9H Michalski, KC0TPB, radio amateurs remained at both sites until the local telephone company fixed the problem at ● Each year more than 500,000 Scouts October 15–16, 2011 from 0000 local 9:30 AM the next day. While only about in more than 100 countries take to the time Saturday, October 15 through 2359 15 calls were transferred, she said that airwaves on the third full weekend local time Sunday, October 16.
comments from interested parties that Antenna System Specialist FCC Schedules may wish to apply for the construction FM Auction permits requesting that they should TV Troubleshooting not be deleted and why they may not FM Sweep Testing >>> by Tom Smith have previously applied. Comments AM Infrared Testing are due on October 30th and replies on On September 12th, the FCC www.ResonantResults.com November 13th. released a notice for comments (http:// Richard Wood (608)839-3950 transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/ The FCC states the reason for Daily_Business/2011/db0912/DA- the deletion of the allocation is so 11-1513A1.pdf) on the procedures that they may be used in some other for conducting an auction of 123 FM communities. This may or may not be construction permits of which 17 had possible due to the crowding in the FM been previously placed for auction band, which makes it very difficult to in FM Auction 91 but were unsold. move most allocations any distance. The FCC asks for comments on the procedures for conducting each auction Chair >>> continued from page 1 that they conduct. They may make some changes to the action rules to Other events of note this month correct for some issues they had in include: The National SBE is hosting an a previous auction. This is mainly a online interactive RF Safety course on formality for most auctions. In each Tuesday October 18th from 1:30-4:45 7847 BIG SKY DRIVE auction they issue a list of allocated Central Time. The cost per member is MADISON, WISCONSIN 53719 (608) 833-0047 • FAX (608) 833-5055 frequencies that they wish to auction $85. The class provides an overview and request those interested to file of RF radiation issues and practices for broadcasters, including transmitter David Pavlik an application. If more than one Regional Sales Manager — Midwest sites, ENG and SNG trucks, remote Professional Engineering & Solutions application is filed for an allotted Imaging Technologies & Communications operations, RF hazard protection Group frequency, the FCC will require the equipment, biological effects of RF Canon U.S.A., Inc. applicants to bid for the permit to 100 Park Blvd. radiation and more. The course is led by Itasca, IL 60143 construct the station. Comments on Richard Strickland, a renowned expert in [email protected] the procedures for this auction are due Tel 630.250.6231 this subject area. See this link for more Cell 630.215.9233 Fax 630.250.6200 on October 7th with replies due on information: http://www.sbe.org/sections/ October 17th. SBERFSafetyCourse.php There are two FM permits scheduled Finally, Tektronix along with Roscor to be auctioned in Wisconsin. They is hosting a Video Insight Seminar on are for Crandon and Rhinelander. The Tuesday, October 25th in Milwaukee at Crandon permit is on channel 276 WITI-TV. This day-long event features (103.1 MHz) and is a class C3 (25 kw demonstrations and presentations on at 100m). The Rhinelander permit is 3D production and transmission, the for channel 243 (96.5 MHz) and is also CALM Act and audio loudness issues, Ancillary Data Testing and Analysis and Shane Collins a class C3. The Rhinelander permit Clark Wire & Cable Sales MPEG and video quality. This is at no Unit A was auctioned previously in auction 91 408 Washington Blvd cost and lunch will be provided. See: Mundelein, IL 60060-4401 and had no applicants. (800) CABLE-IT http://tek.gcsevents.com/videoinsight/ (847) 949-9944 On September 9th, the FCC Fax: (847) 949-9595 event/?evd=263&s= e-mail: [email protected] announced (http://transition.fcc.gov/ www.clarkwire.com Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ As you can see, there is no shortage of db0909/DA-11-1523A1.pdf) that it things to do this month. Hope to see all of you at the Clinic. was deleting 20 allocations that had been unsold in previous auctions. They included three allocations in November 2011 Chapter 24 Wisconsin. There are in Boscobel, Newsletter Deadline: channel 244C3 (96.7 MHz), Owen, Wednesday, November 2 channel 242C3 (96.3 MHz) and [email protected] Tigerton, channel 295A (106/9 MHz edited using Adobe InDesign CS4 at 6 kw at 100m). They are asking for Page 6 SBE Chapter 24 Newsletter October 2011 FCC OK’s AM level is reduced with increased db0922/DOC-309742A1.pdf) on modulation. In some systems, the possible systems to be used for the Transmitter Power carrier may be decreased during silent recovery of communications after Saving Technologies periods. The carrier power may be a disaster. Some of the proposals >>> by Tom Smith reduced as much as 6 DB during high include the use of flying repeater modulation periods. transmitters taken aloft by weather To use MDCL, a station must file balloons, hand launched planes much The FCC announced on September for a waiver of Section 73-1560 which like the surveillance drones used by 13th (http://transition.fcc.gov/ sets the upper and lower power limits the military and more conventional Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ for operation or if doing experimental systems such as small portable db0913/DA-11-1535A1.pdf) that the testing a waiver on Section 1510. repeaters in small suitcase-sized Media Bureau will permit AM stations They must disable the MDCL packages along with the traditional to use transmitter technologies that system when doing field strength temporary towers setup by the cellular reduce power consumption while measurements, reach 100% carrier phone providers. maintaining audio quality and licensed power at some audio input level or coverage areas. The technologies are with the MDCL system disabled and called by a number of trade names maintain the spectral mask when under a common technology called transmitting an IBOC signal. Modulation Dependent Carrier Level Stations may start to request (MDCL). This technology is currently waivers by filing a letter in PDF form http://www.sbe.org/ available from Harris, Nautel and with the Media Bureau. sections/cert_index.php others. The technology has been used by international broadcasters in many other countries and also by some AM broadcasters. The technology has Tips on Disaster been around since the 1980’s and Communications can decrease power consumption by >>> by Tom Smith 20-40%. There was a paper presented 5727 Tokay Boulevard Madison, Wisconsin 53719 at the 1994 SBE Convention on the FEMA and the FCC have WKOW (608) 274-1234 subject. issued a two-page sheet (http:// Madison Fax: (608) 274-9514 In AM broadcasting, output power transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/ Don Heinzen increases by 50% at 100% modulation. Daily_Business/2011/db0921/ Account Manager For a 1000-watt transmitter at 100% Enterprise Soutions Division DOC-309723A1.pdf) to the public Direct: 608.848.2001 modulation, the carrier remains at on communications during an [email protected] 9001 Hawks Reserve Lane 1000 watts and the sidebands contain emergency. This primer was issued Unit 103 500 watts of power. It is the two after the earthquake and hurricane Verona, WI 53593 Cell: 608.235.7539 sidebands that contain the information that disrupted the East Coast. The Fax: 608.848.2001 that is demodulated. The carrier list of do’s and don’ts included the mainly needs to exist to aid reception suggestion the public have battery in a simple envelope detector receiver. operated radios or TVs with fresh A long used method of reducing batteries, text when using cell phones transmitter power usage is single or make brief calls, and not use their sideband transmission, which has smart phones for downloading from been used by the military and ham the Internet or for playing games. radio operators for decades. In single During the recent disasters, the head sideband transmission, the carrier is of FEMA issued statements for the inserted in the receiver and only the public to use broadcast TV and radio sidebands’ carrying the information is for information and to restrict the use transmitted. Another type of sideband of cellphones due to congestion of the transmission is used for creating system. both the NTSC color and FM stereo The FCC also released a paper subcarriers. (http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_ In the MDCL systems, the carrier Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ Page 7 SBE Chapter 24 Newsletter October 2011 FCC Announces White Space Data Test WMTV MADISON >>> by Tom Smith 615 Forward Drive CHAPTER 24 Madison, WI 53711 On September 14th, the FCC 608-274-1515 SUSTAINING announced (http://transition.fcc.gov/ www.nbc15.com Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/ MEMBERS db0914/DA-11-1534A1.pdf) the Spectrum Bridge Inc.’s TV Band Database system was ready to Recent commence trial. The tests commenced Renewals on September 19th and will run until November 2nd. All databases for TV Belden, Inc. white space spectrum management must go through a 45-day test period. The Canon U.S.A., Inc. database test site can be found at http:// whitespaces.spectrumbridge.com/Trial. aspx. The site has a channel availability Thanks to all our calculator, a wireless microphone Sustaining Members registration utility, cable headend and broadcast auxiliary temporary receive Alpha Video site registration utilities and a response facility to report problems. Clark Wire and Cable Thanks to Leonard Charles for maintaining the Chapter 24 Full Compass Systems web site and to Steve Paugh GEPCO International, Inc. for mailing the meeting reminder postcards. Heartland Video Systems http://www.sbe.org/sections/ SBEUniversity.php Joseph Electronics © 2011 by SBE Chapter 24, Inc. Views JVC Professional expressed herein do not necessarily WISC-TV reflect the official positions of the Society, Products Company CBS its officers, or its members. SBE Chapter 24, Inc. regrets, but is not liable for, any maney-logic omissions or errors. The Chapter 24 Newsletter is published twelve times per Midwest Media Group year. Other SBE Chapters are permitted to use excerpts if attributed to the original Resonant Results, Ltd. author, sources, and SBE Chapter 24. MADISON Roscor Wisconsin Ross Video Certification Exam Session Dates Scharch Electronics For more information about SBE Certification, contact Jim Hermanson, Sound Devices, LLC [email protected], Chapter 24 Certification Chair, or contact Token Creek Productions Megan Clappe, Certification Director at the SBE National Office at (317) 846-9000, or [email protected]. WISC-TV 3 WMTV-TV 15 Exam Dates Location Application Deadline WKOW-TV 27 February 3-13, 2012 Local Chapters December 31, 2011 April 17, 2012 NAB convention March 23, 2012 WMSN-TV 47 June 1-11, 2012 Local Chapters April 13, 2012 Wisconsin Public Television