December 2020 Award Winners Recognized Virtually N Sept

THE Bimonthly Publication of the SignalSociety of Broadcast Engineers The Association for Broadcast and Multimedia Professionals www.sbe.org Volume 33, Issue 6 • December 2020 Award Winners Recognized Virtually n Sept. 22, the SBE held its first virtual for their new terms on the Board. OMembership Meeting and Award Pre- Wayne Pecena was sworn in for his sentation (MMAP). While the traditional second one-year term as SBE presi- in-person National Meeting could not be dent, as were Vice President Andrea held, the SBE was able to hold a meeting Cummis, Secretary Kevin Trueblood, of the Board of Directors and an online and Treasurer Ted Hand. Incumbent Fellows Reunion as part of the events. directors Stephen Brown, Roswell The MMAP originated from the studios Clark, Kirk Harnack, Thomas McGin- of Texas A&M University’s KAMU-TV. SBE ley, and Shane Toven were sworn in President Wayne Pecena, CPBE, 8-VSB, for their new two-year terms. Fred AMD, DRB, CBNE, presided over the Willard was sworn in for his first two- event, which combined what had tradi- year term as a director. The event tionally been two separate events. The marked the completion of Vinny Lo- SBE thanks the MMAP sponsors, who are pez's term as a director. listed on page 8 of this issue. The replay The re-elected and new directors join Awards Recognition of the MMAP is available on the SBE You- Mark Fehlig, Charles “Ched” Keiler, Geary For the award portion of the program, Tube Channel (sbe.org/youtube). Morrill, Jason Ornellas, Chris Tarr, and chapter statistical awards were present- The program included a report on the Dan Whealy, who are midway through ed, as were the individual awards, includ- business and activities of the society and their two-year terms. the induction of the directors and officers see MMAP, p. 8 Welcome New SBE Executive Director James Ragsdale n January of this year, the SBE an- ing a fair compensation package, posting leadership team, and oversaw the busi- Inounced that Executive Director John of the position, interviewing candidates ness office, human resources, physical Poray would retire at the end of 2020. and presenting a finalist to the board for plant, police and security, and auxiliary John has been the approval. SBE Past President Joe Snel- services. society's executive son, CPBE, 8-VSB, chaired that commit- Before his position with Anderson Uni- director for 28 years. tee. In March, the pro- After receiving and reviewing multiple see EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, p. 15 cess began to find a applications, the field was narrowed to candidate to fill the three people. From those three, one was position when SBE recommended to the SBE Board of Di- IN THIS ISSUE President Wayne rectors, which was reviewed at a board Pecena proposed meeting held on Sept. 22. The Board ap- 4 Letter from the President to the board that a proved the appointment of James Rags- five-person Execu- dale of Anderson, IN. Mr. Ragsdale will 5 Technical Professional Training tive Director Search officially begin work on Jan. 1, 2021. 6 Certification Pride Ragsdale Committee (EDSC) Most recently, Ragsdale was the VP for be formed with the finance at Anderson University. Ragsdale 9 ATSC3 Specialist Certification goal of seeking out qualified candidates also completed his undergraduate degree for the position and presenting a finalist at Anderson. In that role, he managed the 10 Integrity and Ethics to the board for approval. The tasks of the operational budget for the private, liberal 11 Signing Off committee included writing a job descrip- arts education institution, participated tion, establishing qualifications, propos- as member of the university president’s 14 Member Spotlight Less tower climbs. More information. REPACK or not, drones are the future of the industry, and QForce is leading the charge.

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Lump sum? Phased payment schedule? Whichever you chose, Mark and the C-BAND division will amplify your benefits. Call today Society of Broadcast Engineers Board of Directors 2021 SBE National Meeting to be PRESIDENT Wayne M. Pecena, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, DRB, CBNE Held During NAB Show Texas A&M University/KAMU | College Station, TX [email protected] he announcement in September that scheduled close together in the fall. VICE PRESIDENT Tthe NAB was moving its spring 2021 SBE National Meeting events to be Andrea Cummis, CBT, CTO show in Las Vegas from April to October held during the NAB Show include the WLVT-TV | Bethlehem, PA [email protected] fall Board of Directors Meeting, Fellows SECRETARY Breakfast, SBE Annual Membership Kevin Trueblood, CBRE, CBNT Meeting and Awards Presentation, and WGCU Public Media | Estero, FL the SBE Membership and Awards Re- [email protected] ception. TREASURER Ted Hand, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, DRB Other SBE events typically held as Cox Media Group | Charlotte, NC a part of the NAB Show are also ten- [email protected] tatively planned, including the Ennes DIRECTORS Steve Brown, CPBE, CBNT Workshop, Certification, Education and Woodward Radio Group | Appleton, WI Frequency Coordination Committee [email protected] resulted in a number of broadcast indus- meetings, SBE exhibit booth, certifica- Roswell Clark, CPBE, CBNT Cox Media Group | Clearwater, FL try organizations who hold events in the tion exams and a frequency coordinators [email protected] fall to reschedule, or at least rethink, their meeting. Specific days and times for SBE Mark Fehlig, PE, CPBE, 8-VSB plans. events will be announced in mid-2021. Consulting Engineer | Walnut Creek, CA [email protected] The SBE Board of Directors, during Kirk Harnack, CBRE, CBNE its meeting on Oct. 26, voted to con- Telos Alliance | Nashville, TN duct the 2021 SBE National Meeting [email protected] during the 2021 NAB Show, Oct. 9-13. Charles “Ched” Keiler, CPBE, 8-VSB, CBNE HC2 Broadcasting/E Three Services | Ft. Lauderdale, FL The National Meeting is always held [email protected] in the fall, but in conjunction with a Thomas McGinley, CPBE, AMD, CBNT regional broadcast-related event. The McGinley Enterprizes | Missoula, MT [email protected] move to hold it during the NAB Show Geary Morrill, CPBE, CBNE takes into account the likelihood that Alpha Media | Saginaw, MI most SBE members would not be in a [email protected] position to attend two industry events Jason Ornellas, CBRE, CRO Bonneville International | Sacaramento, CA [email protected] Certification Question Chris Tarr, CSRE, AMD, DRB, CBNE Magnum Media | Mukwonago, WI [email protected] CQ Answer on page 6 Shane Toven, CPBE, CBNT Educational Media Foundation | Antelope, CA A. Audio program levels [email protected] A VU meter is used to measure: B. Average audio levels Dan Whealy, CBTE Quincy Media | Waterloo, IA C. Both A and B [email protected] D. Neither A nor B Fred Williard, CPBE, 8-VSB, CBNT Univision | Washington, DC [email protected] IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT James E. Leifer, CPBE American Tower | Boston, MA [email protected] SBE NATIONAL STAFF John L. Poray, CAE | Executive Director [email protected] Megan E. Clappe | Certification Director [email protected] Cathy Orosz | Education Director [email protected] Chriss Scherer, CPBE, CBNT Member Communications Director [email protected] Debbie Hennessey Sustaining Membership Manager [email protected] Scott Jones | Database Manager [email protected] RJ Russell, CPBE Frequency Coordination Manager [email protected]

The Signal is published bimonthly by the Society of Broadcast Engineers, Inc., 9102 North Meridian Street, Suite 150, Indianapolis, IN 46260. ©2020 Society of Broadcast Engineers, Inc. Direct editorial content or design questions to Chriss Scherer at 317-762-9723 or [email protected]. For advertising, contact Debbie Hennessey at [email protected]. SBE is a registered trademark of the Society of Broadcast Engineers. SBE National Office 317-846-9000 www.sbe.org

December 2020 3 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT By Wayne Pecena, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, DRB, CBNE SBE President [email protected]

Looking Ahead to 2021 he first commercial radio broadcasts the most significant changes for the AM population. In reality, a proper description Tbegan 100 years ago. While many ac- broadcaster in decades and offers a real is likely one ATSC 3 transmitter in the mar- counts of history credit KDKA in Pitts- solution to economically revitalized AM ket that is considered the “lighthouse” sta- burgh, PA, as being the first, others differ radio. Agree or disagree with the recent tion shared by several individual stations to in this regard and consider prior broad- FCC decision for all-digital AM, but the comply with the current FCC regulations. cast efforts from amateur stations. What voluntary aspect is significant as well for At this point, the buildout of broadcast is clear, Westinghouse and KDKA were an individual station to make the decision transmission capability far exceeds the early players in the industry, and several for its market whether it's an early adopt- availability and adoption of consumer stations began commercial broadcasting er, a later adopter, or the wait-and-see ATSC 3 receivers. Once again looking across the nation around the same time. approach. The HD Radio MA-3 all digital back on history, this is an identical situ- Regardless of who deserves the first title, mode offers advantages over the previ- ation experienced when monochrome our industry and the broadcast engineer- ous attempts to implement the hybrid TV was introduced as demonstrated the ing profession began 100 years ago. A analog/digital mode. classic “chicken & egg” analogy. This of lot has changed in the industry over the Virtualization of the entire radio broad- course is expected to rapidly change in last century and some things have not cast facility is rapidly gaining momentum 2021 as consumer ATSC 3-enabled 4K changed. televisions become readily avail- AM radio remains essentially the “I like the dreams of the future better than the able with product announce- same over those 100 years. Yes, the history of the past.” ments from the major consumer technology used to generate that manufacturers. How rapid con- AM carrier has drastically changed, ~ Thomas Jefferson sumers become ATSC 3 early and the frequency response was adopters is yet to be seen, but modified by NRSC standards, but the from both a technology standpoint, as market outlook projections are encour- service has remained the same. The most well as being accepted by the industry. aging. And an ATSC 3.0-enabled smart- basic receiver, or that cat whisker or This approach is simply a continuation of phone has been announced as well. crystal detector receiver many of us built the economic and technology impact of Plenty of new technology, features and ca- as kids still works today. We have seen the information technology (IT) industry pabilities to keep the broadcast engineer monochrome television broadcast updat- on the broadcast technology facility. The busy and learning. ed to color and then eliminated altogether broadcast station in the cloud is just an- Before we leave 2020 and look to 2021, when digital TV broadcast was mandated other software-as-a-service (SaaS) offer- I would like to take a moment to offer a by the FCC. Many a NTSC TV has found ing from the IT cloud technology world. last thank you and hearty congratulations the way to the landfill, yet that crystal de- ATSC 3 or NextGen TV rollouts con- to John Poray for his 28 years of dedi- tector AM radio still works. tinue across the county at a rapid pace. cated service to the SBE. John has been As a broadcast engineer, we have plen- At the time of writing this column, the the face of SBE for my entire member- ty to look forward to in 2021 technology- Austin, TX, Oklahoma City, OK, and the ship experience, and he has personally wise. After all, the challenges of that ev- Mobile-Pensacola, FL, markets join the directed and touched every aspect of the er-evolving technology is what keeps us ranks of having an ATSC 3 station on the society during his tenure. Please join me motivated and excited about our industry. air. Projections indicate that more than in offering your thanks and congratula- The ability for a broadcaster to imple- 60 TV markets will have ATSC 3 available tions to John before he retires as the SBE ment AM digital transmission is one of in 2021 reaching 70 percent of the US executive director on December 31. As we look to 2021, I continue to offer thanks Attend the 2021 SBE Leadership Development Course to the SBE staff members who keep the The SBE is proud to continue its offering of the SBE Leadership Development Course and has business side of SBE moving right along scheduled the 2021 program for June 8-10, 2021, in Atlanta, GA. Plan now to take part in this while observing the COVID guidelines of SBE tradition started in 1997. the state of Indiana and the city of India- Designed for broadcast engineers who have or aspire to have management responsibilities, napolis. As I look to 2021, I welcome Jim the SBE Leadership Development Course is to help technical people acquire and develop skills for sound leadership, supervisory and management skills. The SBE Leadership Development Ragsdale as the executive director of the Course is beneficial for those with or without prior management or supervisory experience. SBE in January. The three-day event challenges attendees to refine leadership skills and better understand I personally want to know your sug- and improve interaction with others. Broadcast organizations may consider sending a group of gestions, comments and concerns. Your employees to the course to share the experience of this highly interactive event. Registration feedback is essential to our collaborative includes all course materials, three days of instruction, the Leadership Development Webinar effort as we all seek the “new normal” Series of three webinars, a certificate of completion, light breakfast and afternoon snacks. SBE ahead. Please reach out to me at wpece- Members receive a discount on registration. Rodney Vandeveer, a professional leadership and [email protected] or by phone at 979-845-5662 management trainer and retired professor of organizational leadership and supervision at Pur- for a more personal exchange. Always, a due University, teaches the course. sincere Thank You to those I have heard The cost is $670 for SBE members and $725 for non-members. The event takes place at from. In the meantime, stay safe, stay Hyatt Place Atlanta South, in College Park, GA. Register at sbe.org/ldc. healthy and keep learning!

4 THE Signal EDUCATION UPDATE By Geary Morrill, CPBE, CBNE Chair, SBE Education Committee [email protected]

SBE to Launch Technical Professional Training

Program in January This program is designed to be deployable by group broad- ver the past several years, many people have identified the casters, independent broadcasters and even state associations. Odearth of incoming technical talent as one of the most critical Ideally, the mentor would come from within the ranks of the or- issues facing the industry today. During this time of ever-accel- ganization in which the mentee is employed, however it can be erating advances in technology, the average age and tenure of performed by any qualified engineer willing to invest the time. the very professionals tasked with making it all happen contin- In conversations with many seasoned engineers, I’ve heard ues to increment upward. This can be clearly seen in review of over and over again stories of individuals who played a major the annual SBE Compensation Survey. role in their early professional development. I know I’m one of Like many other departments, the “farm system” of part-time those, having been blessed to work directly with folks like La- employees and smaller market stations we’d been collectively Verne Poast, Fred Velhmeyer, Dave Gorman and Steve Church accustomed to accessing for talent in times past became a in my early career. If that describes you as well, I encourage you casualty in the reductions of workforce and consolidation that to consider “paying it forward” by engaging as a mentor as our followed the historic 1996 Telecom Act. Add elimination of elec- Society rolls out this new initiative. This may be an excellent tronic technology programs offered by both trade schools and way for retired members to have an impact on the next genera- colleges and the technical staffing needs become acute. Un- tion of broadcast technology professionals as well. fortunately, not much has been done to rectify this – until now. Having been involved as a mentor since that SBE program Broadcasters need to not only actively recruit a new technical started, I know I’ve found it to be quite rewarding. workforce, but will also have to take on the task of providing Watch for the formal launch of the Technical Professional training specific to the needs of the industry. While the former Training Program in a few short weeks. is clearly beyond the scope of the Society, the latter is – to coin One final thought: Initiatives like this are due to the efforts and that well-worn cliché – “right up our alley.” vision of a group of forward thinking members that participate Utilizing programs developed by past and present SBE lead- on the SBE Education Committee. This group meets via confer- ership, I feel we are uniquely positioned to provide yet another ence call/Zoom on a monthly basis to explore how we can best valuable service to the broadcast industry going forward: Train- serve our membership and industry with the knowledge to per- ing new entrants to the field of broadcast technology. form our roles most effectively. I welcome your participation on • Our extensive webinar offerings developed and cataloged for this committee. Consider this an invitation to join us. Just drop on-demand use of SBE members is regularly expanded and me a note indicating your interest at [email protected] and I’ll updated to reflect the latest developments in the industry. The make sure you are included in our meeting invitations. advent of SBE MemberPlus provides access to the library for a fixed annual fee. Education Almanac • The recently published SBE Engineering Handbook is a hard copy reference volume for hands-on use in designing and main- Webinars by SBE taining technical facilities. December 3: Spectrum Allocations, Broadcast Auxiliary and • The SBE Mentor Program provides a new entrant to our pro- Technical Regulatory Issues for Broadcast Engineers fession regular access and guidance from a seasoned profes- –––––– sbe.org/webinars –––––– sional - a personal touch not unlike days of old when the senior Have an idea for a webinar? staff would take the new guy or gal under their wing to show Contact Education Director Cathy Orosz at 317-846-9000 or TM them the ropes. [email protected]. • The SBE Certification Program entry-level certification (CBT) demonstrates a comprehension of legal and technical require- ments of station operation. The SBE CertPreview for this certification level can be utilized by a mentor to curate the prep- Leadership Development Course June 8-10: Atlanta aration experience of a mentee utilizing the webinar library –––––––– sbe.org/ldc –––––––– supplemented with the mentor’s knowledge and experience.

All rolled up

Integrating these elements into an easily accessible system makes the task of a mentor much simpler, as it alleviates the The trust offers scholarship and educational programming and need to be an educator/presenter and replaces it with being a grants that benefit broadcast engineering and the broadcast engineer. Submit tax-deductible donations, payable to the Ennes Educational facilitator. For the mentee, it provides an understandable struc- Foundation Trust, to the Society of Broadcast Engineers; 9102 N. ture that provides knowledge and confidence in preparation to Meridian St., Suite 150; Indianapolis, IN 46260. become a net contributor for their employer. THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS Harold E. Ennes Scholarship For more information on any SBE education program click the SBE Chapter 3, Kansas Education tab at sbe.org, or contact Education Director Cathy Orosz at sbe.org/ennes the SBE National Office at 317-846-9000 or [email protected]. December 2020 5 CERTIFICATION UPDATE By Ralph Hogan, CPBE, DRB, CBNE Chair, SBE Certification Committee [email protected]

LIFE CERTIFICATION Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer (CPBE) Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE) Certified Broadcast Radio Television Engineer Sergio Beristain, Mexico City, Mexico Paul Shulins, Andover, MA - Chapter 11 (CBRTE) George MacKnight, Germantown, OH - Chapter Brian Goodman, Eau Claire, WI - Chapter 112 33 Show your SBE Certification Proudly he SBE certification program is the only professional recog- Names and Abbreviations AUGUST EXAMS Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE) Certified Radio Operator (CRO) Tnition available to broadcast engineers that provides stan- All levels of SBE Certification are placed into specific catego- Tyler Garner, Roanoke, VA - Chapter 78 Olin Morris, Seattle, WA - Chapter 16 dards of professional competence. It is the primary method of ries as well. Here are those categories. verifying the attainment of educational standards in the industry. SPECIAL PROCTORED Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) C. Jason Mancebo, Meridian, ID Here's some useful information to help you achieve that. • OPERATOR LEVEL Certified Radio Operator (CRO) EXAMS Certified Television Operator (CTO) SBE CERTIFIED Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) DINFOS Years of Experience Cleveland Institute of Electronics Andrew Harper, Honolulu, HI - Chapter 50 SBE certifications are based on an individual's years of expe- SCHOOL COURSE Mark Smith, Wolcott, CT - Chapter 14 rience in the broadcast engineering field. Broadcast engineers • TECHNOLOGIST LEVEL COMPLETION Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) can apply for a certification once they meet the year require- CERTIFIED BY Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) > Russell Blanchette, Litchfield, NH - Chapter 110 ments. An associate degree counts as two years of experience LICENSE and a bachelor’s degree counts as four years of experience for • BROADCAST NETWORKING LEVEL all levels except Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer. No Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist (CBNT) CERTIFIED RADIO Kent Verbeck, Minden, NE experience is required for entry level. Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE) OPERATOR (CRO) Life certification is available to those who are retired or may Joseph Enright, Clark, NJ • SPECIALIST LEVEL CERTIFIED also be granted to professional broadcast engineers and senior TELEVISION Andrew Jonas, Graham, TX broadcast engineers who have maintained certification continu- 8-VSB Specialist (8-VSB) ously for 20 years and are current members of the SBE upon ATSC3 Specialist (ATSC3) (coming soon) OPERATOR (CTO) application. AM Directional Specialist (AMD) RECERTIFICATION Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) Certified Television Operator (CTO) Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist (DRB) Applicants completed the recer- Bob Collom, Bradenton, FL - Chapter 39 Rachel Copher, Milwaukee, WI tification process either by re- Richard Feinberg, Norman, OK - Chapter 85 Certified Radio Operator (CRO) Listing Certifications examination, point verification Robert McCormick, Chicopee, MA - Chapter 11 Joel Hime, Tucson, AZ Broadcast engineers may hold multiple certifications. SBE • ENGINEERING LEVEL through the local chapters and Michael Petz, Fairview heights, IL - Chapter 55 Joe Neubaum, Tucson, AZ Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) national Certification Committee Gordon Stankey, Regina, SK Andrew Schlidberg, Tucson, AZ certifications are listed from highest (most experience required) Logan Swift, Santa Ana, CA - Chapter 47 Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) approval and/or met the service to lowest. Specialist certifications are listed immediately after requirement. their corresponding category certification. Here are some ex- Certified Video Engineer (CEV) amples. Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE) Certified Broadcast Television Engineer (CBTE) Joe Brown, CSRE, AMD, CBNT Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE) Kevin Jones, CBT, CBNT, CRO Certified Senior Radio Engineer (CSRE) Heather Cosby, CSTE, CBRE, DRB Certified Senior Television Engineer (CSTE) Ray Osmond, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, CBNT Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer (CPBE) Most certifications stand-alone; however, some certifications supersede> and replace existing certifications. So now that you know how to properly list your certifications, be sure to include them when appropriate, CBTE is replaced with CSTE, including business cards, email signatures, which is replaced with CPBE. LinkedIn and other CBRE is replaced with CSRE, online profiles. You which is replaced with CPBE. can also add the CBNT is replaced with CBNE. SBE Certified logo. > Need more details on SBE Certification? Find it online at the SBE Earn Your Diploma at Home! website. Here are two links to get you started. sbe.org/certification Cleveland Institute of Electronics sbe.org/about/press-resources Distance learning programs in electronics and computer technology! Programs offered: www.cie-wc.edu • Broadcast Engineering Course descriptions & tuition prices. • Electronics Tech with FCC Request a FREE Course Catalog! Answer from page 3 • Electronics Communications www.ciebookstore.com CQ The answer is B • Industrial Electronics PLC Learn iPhone Repair, Video Production, A VU meter is used to measure average levels of audio fre- • Wireless PC Repair & more! DVDs, labs & tools. quency signals. Such meters employ special ballistics that • Robotics and more! average out complex waveforms to properly indicate pro- Or call 1-800-243-6446 gram material that varies simultaneously in both amplitude 1776 E. 17th, Cleveland, OH 44114 Registration Certificate 70-11-0002H and frequency.

6 THE Signal SBE Certification Achievements CONGRATULATIONS LIFE CERTIFICATION Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer (CPBE) Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE) Certified Broadcast Radio Television Engineer Sergio Beristain, Mexico City, Mexico Paul Shulins, Andover, MA - Chapter 11 (CBRTE) George MacKnight, Germantown, OH - Chapter Brian Goodman, Eau Claire, WI - Chapter 112 33 Certified Professional Broadcast Engineers and certified senior broadcast engineers who have maintained SBE certification continuously for 20 years, are at least 59½ years old and are current members of the SBE may be granted Life Certification if so requested. All certified who have retired from regular full-time employment and are at least 59½ years old may be granted Life Certification if they so request. If the request is approved, the person will continue in his/her current level of certification for life. AUGUST EXAMS Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE) Certified Radio Operator (CRO) Tyler Garner, Roanoke, VA - Chapter 78 Olin Morris, Seattle, WA - Chapter 16 SPECIAL PROCTORED Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) EXAMS C. Jason Mancebo, Meridian, ID SBE CERTIFIED Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) DINFOS Cleveland Institute of Electronics Andrew Harper, Honolulu, HI - Chapter 50 SCHOOL COURSE Mark Smith, Wolcott, CT - Chapter 14 COMPLETION CERTIFIED BY Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) LICENSE Russell Blanchette, Litchfield, NH - Chapter 110 Got your SBE Certification pin? Kent Verbeck, Minden, NE CERTIFIED RADIO sbe.org/pins OPERATOR (CRO) CERTIFIED Joseph Enright, Clark, NJ TELEVISION Andrew Jonas, Graham, TX OPERATOR (CTO) RECERTIFICATION Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) Certified Television Operator (CTO) Applicants completed the recer- Bob Collom, Bradenton, FL - Chapter 39 Rachel Copher, Milwaukee, WI tification process either by re- Richard Feinberg, Norman, OK - Chapter 85 Certified Radio Operator (CRO) examination, point verification Robert McCormick, Chicopee, MA - Chapter 11 Joel Hime, Tucson, AZ through the local chapters and Michael Petz, Fairview heights, IL - Chapter 55 Joe Neubaum, Tucson, AZ national Certification Committee Gordon Stankey, Regina, SK Andrew Schlidberg, Tucson, AZ approval and/or met the service Logan Swift, Santa Ana, CA - Chapter 47 requirement.

December 2020 7 MMAP from p. 1 ing the Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer GEN TV Summit held Jan. 16, 2020. bers, Ralph Beaver, CBT, and Jim Le- of the Year award to RJ Russell, CPBE; A special presentation of the SBE John ifer, CPBE, were also recognized during the James C. Wulliman SBE Educator H. Battison Award for Lifetime Achieve- the virtual meeting. of the Year award to Fred Baumgartner, ment was awarded to Mark Persons, The SBE plans to hold its 2021 Na- CPBE, CBNT, and Roland Robinson, CPBE, AMD, CBNT. The announcement tional Meeting events in October 2021 CBTE, CBNT, CTO; the SBE Technology of the award was a surprise to Persons, in Las Vegas during the 2021 NAB Award to MultiCAM Systems for the Air who found out as he was being recog- Show. Details on the events will be an- Bridge; and Best Educational Event to nized during the meeting. nounced as they are determined. Chapter 37 Washington, DC, for the Next- The SBE's two newest Fellow mem-

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8 THE Signal 2021 Committee Chairs SBE Launches ATSC3 t the SBE Membership Meeting and Awards Program, SBE APresident Wayne Pecena announced the committee chair Specialist Certification appointments for the coming year, which were reviewed and n 2018, the Society of Broadcast Engineers tasked itself to cre- approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on Sept. 22. Iate a new specialist certification to cover the upcoming transi- Committee Chair tion to ATSC 3.0. A subcommittee of the Certification Commit- Awards ...... Tom McGinley, CPBE, AMD, CBNT tee, with input from ATSC experts, was created utilizing experts By-Laws ...... Charles “Ched” Keiler, CPBE, 8-VSB, CBNE in the new technology, and through the efforts of all those in- Certification ...... Ralph Hogan, CPBE, DRB, CBNE volved, the SBE will be ready to administer the first ATSC3 Spe- Chapter Liaison ...... Mark Fehlig, CPBE, 8-VSB cialist Certification exams during the February 2021 certification Education ...... Geary Morrill, CPBE, CBNE exam period. Fellowship ...... Troy Pennington, CSRE, CBNT The application to take the exam for the new Specialist Certifi- Electronic Communications ...... Dan Whealy, CBTE cation is available on the SBE website. Like other SBE Specialist Finance ...... Roswell Clark, CPBE, CBNT Certifications, an individual must hold a host SBE engineering- Frequency Coordination . . Ted Hand, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, DRB level certification. The exam will resemble other specialist ex- Government Relations ...... Kevin Trueblood, CBRE, CBNT ams, having 50 multiple-choice questions and the examinee's International ...... Zhulieta Ibisheva, CBTE choice of one of two essay questions. The multiple-choice por- Membership ...... Steve Brown, CPBE, CBNT tion of the exam is open book and the internet is allowed. The Mentoring ...... Chris Tarr, CSRE, AMD, DRB, CBNE essay portion is closed book. Nominations ...... Roswell Clark, CPBE, CBNT The COVID pandemic slowed the process to create the new Publications ...... Jason Ornellas, CBRE, CRO certification. Delays in administering and evaluating beta test Social Networking ...... Kirk Harnack, CBRE, CBNE exams were the main slowdown. Sustaining Membership . . . . Fred Willard, CPBE, 8-VSB, CBNT There is not yet an SBE CertPreview sample exam available, Technologies ...... Shane Toven, CBRE, CBNT but that is in development. There is an extensive list of reference materials available for preparation. That list is posted on President Pecena also appointed two directors to serve on the the SBE website. It was also published in the June 2020 issue SBE Executive Committee, which also includes all the officers and of The Signal. the past president. Roswell Clark and Geary Morrill were ap- To apply to take the SBE ATSC3 Specialist Certification exam, pointed and approved by the Board, and they join Pecena, Vice submit your application the SBE National Office by the Dec. 31, President Andrea Cummis, Secretary Kevin Trueblood, Treasur- 2020, deadline. More information and the form is available at er Ted Hand, and Immediate Past President Jim Leifer. sbe.org/certification.

December 2020 9 LEGAL PERSPECTIVE By Chris Imlay, CBT SBE General Counsel [email protected]

The Integrity and Ethics of Broadcast Engineers s I write this, the FCC order on digital largely because they don’t need to be; a consulting engineer is drawn into ques- AAM has just been adopted. That is big they state principles of conduct for engi- tion by the FCC, we tend to sit up and news. But I am moved to write about an- neers that simply don’t change. The pre- take notice. In a proceeding now ongo- other subject for this column, based on a amble to the SBE Canons of Ethics reads ing in the Media Bureau, a low-power FM matter now before the Media Bureau at as follows: “Honesty, justice and courtesy station has been accused by a second- the FCC. The subject is the ethical obli- form a moral philosophy when associated adjacent full power FM station of causing gations of broadcast engineers. Having with mutual interest between human be- interference to listeners of the full-power served as SBE General Counsel for 40 ings. This constitutes the foundation of FM at various points near the transmitter years now, I can count on one hand the ethics. Broadcast engineers should rec- site of the LPFM. In such cases, the ac- number of times that the SBE Board of ognize such a standard of behavior not cused LPFM is entitled to show that the Directors has found it necessary to re- in passive observance, but as dynamic alleged interference either does not exist voke an engineer’s SBE membership, principles guiding their conduct and way or that the LPFM station is not the cause and still have some fingers left over. This, of life. It is the duty of all broadcast engi- of the interference. I think speaks highly of the overall integ- neers to practice their profession accord- The licensee of the LPFM therefore re- rity and dedication to ethical principles of ing to this Canon of Ethics. tained a well-respected consulting engi- the SBE’s membership, and of broadcast The keystone of professional conduct neer (and SBE-certified CPBE) who is lo- engineers overall. In that same amount of is integrity. Broadcast engineers will dis- cated in a different state from the LPFM, time, I can honestly say that I have never charge their duties with fidelity to the pub- to investigate the interference. The engi- had occasion to question the ethical in- lic and to their employers, and with im- neer did so using accepted methodolo- tegrity of any of the engineers that work partiality to all. Broadcast engineers must gies, at all sites where the interference at the Commission. Sure, we have dis- uphold the dignity of their profession and was claimed to have been experienced, agreed, often actively, on policy matters, avoid association with any enterprise of and the engineer submitted a written but on technical matters, I can always questionable character. Broadcast engi- report to the Audio Division, Media Bu- count on the accuracy and truth of tech- neers will strive to be fair, tolerant, and reau, concluding that no interference was nical findings by FCC staff. This speaks open minded.” To me, the key element of found at the locations where the listeners very well of the high level of integrity of this is the obligation of impartiality. It is of the full power FM station reported in- the Commission’s engineers. what gives broadcast engineers the repu- terference, or even at the transmitter site The only times during my tenure that an tation for the highest levels of integrity. of the LPFM, where second-adjacent in- SBE member has had that membership Indeed, Section 5 of the SBE Canons of terference potential would be the worst. revoked were those few cases when an Ethics states: “The Broadcast Engineer There was no rebuttal of the engineer’s engineer was found as a matter of fact to will express an opinion when it is founded showing by the full-power FM station. have violated the SBE Canons of Ethics. on adequate knowledge and honest con- There are a lot of other facts involved The SBE puts a lot of stock in the Can- viction while he or she is serving as a wit- in the case, but the Audio Division’s re- ons of Ethics, and rightly so. The SBE’s ness before a court, commission or other sponse to the interference study submit- Bylaws, at Section 3(a), say that “(a)ny tribunal.” ted by the LPFM as a part of its response Member may be suspended for a period was this: “We also decline to consider or expelled for cause, such as violation of Ethical Company [the consulting engineer’s] interference any of the By-Laws or Canons of Ethics The SBE is not alone in its strong dedi- test results because [the consulting en- of the Society or for conduct prejudicial cation to the highest level of integrity of gineer] was retained by [the LPFM] and to the best interests of the Society.” its engineer members. Article V, Section 3 thus is not an independent party.” It is dif- The Canons of Ethics have not been of the Bylaws of the Association of Feder- ficult to understand why the Audio Divi- revised or amended in a very long time, al Communications Consulting Engineers sion concluded, as it did, that all consult- (AFCCE) establishes as a standing coming engineers are biased in favor of their Accredited SBE mittee the “Professional Ethics and Griev- client to the point that their work is sum- Frequency Coordinators ances Committee” whose job it is to “con- marily deemed unreliable. If a licensee is sider and report on all efforts to improve precluded from engaging an independent The SBE provides accredidation to broadcast the professional conduct and ethics of consulting engineer to conduct a techni- auxiliary spectrum (BAS) frequency coordinators engineering practitioners in the commu- cal analysis and to fairly present the en- who agree to conduct their coordination using a nication field, make such investigations gineer’s technical conclusions, simply voluntary national standard of procedures. of professional conduct and of abuses because the licensee is paying for the in connection with engineering practice engineering work, how, precisely, is the Jonathan Berguno by members and furnish information and licensee supposed to address the techni- Jefferson, LA make recommendations on the foregoing cal issue presented? This case is now on subjects to the Board of Directors and the administrative appeal. It is hoped that the Andy Kenyon Commission doesn’t really have this low Denver, CO Association.” Ethics is obviously a principal focus of AFCCE, which is laudable. an impression of the ethics, impartiality So when the integrity and impartiality of and integrity of broadcast engineers.

10 THE Signal FOCUS ON SBE By John L. Poray, CAE SBE Executive Director [email protected]

Thanks for the Memories! t’s an oft used cliché, but it fits the situation. After 28 years in Ione position with an organization, there are going to be a lot of memories. Of course, there have been a few I would like to for- get and plenty of others I have forgotten. But here are some of the fond memories of people, places and things that I will take with me when I retire on December 31. After the areas I have spent my life living in, the next place I’ve spent the most time in is Las Vegas, mostly to attend the annual NAB Show. I’ve come in contact with thousands of SBE members over the years who have come by the SBE booth and attended our membership meetings and receptions. I always came away from the show with a renewed appreciation for the enthusiasm broadcast engineers have for their life’s work. We know there are plenty of challenges in this business, but the enthusiasm that broadcast engineers have to roam the exhibit floor isles every year and attend technical sessions to learn 1994: The live national telecast from Madison, WI. about the newest technology is almost boundless, at least until the feet wear out. ing a break, John led us on a roof-top tour of the broadcast My most memorable NAB Show was in 2014, when the SBE facilities being built. celebrated its 50th anniversary. We welcomed back many mem- New York City was also the site in 2002 of a much more mel- bers to a special membership meeting and reception. It was ancholy event. I, along with New Yorker and then member of the especially heartwarming to have Jim Wulliman, sixth SBE Na- national SBE Board, Conrad Trautmann, represented the SBE tional President attend. In their 90s, the “Father of SBE Cer- at an event to introduce a new book, Covering Catastrophe. The tification program,” and his book recounted the tragic days and hours leading wife Ginny traveled from their up to, during and after the attacks on the World southern Arizona home to be Trade Center on September 11, 2001, through the there. He spoke to the crowd, experiences of the journalists who covered it. The sharing his own memories and SBE’s Ennes Educational Foundation Trust Relief thoughts about the SBE. Fund was named one of two charitable benefi- In 2016, the SBE unveiled ciaries of the proceeds from the book. The SBE/ its 700-page Broadcast Engi- Ennes Relief Fund itself raised a quarter of a million neering Handbook during that dollars, all of which went to the families of the six year’s NAB Show, with a press broadcast engineers and technicians who lost their conference led by SBE Presi- lives while working at the top of the North Tower at dent Jerry Massey. A hallmark the time of the attack. event for SBE, the book was two years in the making, ca- 2014: SBE sixth President Jim Wulliman and wife An Evolving Society pably led by Editor-in-Chief Ginny with SBE Executive Director John Poray during I’ve had the pleasure to work with 15 of the SBE’s the SBE 50th Anniversary reception at the NAB Show Jerry Whitaker with more than in Las Vegas. 31 presidents. Each brought their own unique con- 40 subject matter experts contributions to the society. The first was Rick Farqu- tributing – the majority of them, SBE members. har, who interviewed me for this job back in 1992, along with In 1994, the SBE held its first, live national satellite telecast, Board member Fred Baumgartner. I am thankful they and the hosted by Chapter 24 in Madison, WI, during that year’s Broad- Board gave the opportunity to a young guy who was not a casters Clinic. I was joined on the panel by SBE President Chuck broadcast engineer, but rather in the field of association man- Kelly, Vice President Terry Baun and SBE General Counsel Chris agement. Those who followed included Chuck Kelly, Terry Baun, Imlay. The program was moderated by Chapter 24 Chair Leon- Ed Miller, Andy Butler, Troy Pennington, Ray Benedict, Chriss ard Charles and was supported by a great crew of SBE mem- Scherer, the late Barry Thomas, Vinny Lopez, Ralph Hogan, Joe bers who made sure the broadcast came off without a hitch. Snelson, Jerry Massey, Jim Leifer and current President Wayne That program paved the way for the live webcasts the SBE now Pecena. presents each year, each made possible by local chapter mem- Through those years the SBE grew in size and stature. In the bers with support from their stations. 1990s there was much attention to growing the already well es- In 2016, the SBE hosted an important Education Summit that tablished certification program and developing relationships brought together a small number of respected engineers within with broadcast engineering professional organizations in other our industry to discuss the educational needs of broadcast en- countries. The SBE took a huge leap in 1999 when it began a gineers, and the business in general. The all-day discussion was ten-year relationship with the National Football League to pro- hosted by the late John Lyons of The Durst Organization on the 68th floor of the new World Trade Center in New York City. Dur- see MEMORIES, p. 14

December 2020 11 ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE Mark Persons, CPBE, AMD, CBNT Recipient, 2020 SBE John H. Battison Award for Lifetime Achievement [email protected]

ark Persons received the SBE John H. Battison Award for Lifetime Achievement during the SBE National Meeting and Awards Program, held Monline in October. Watch the replay on the SBE YouTube Channel (sbe.org/youtube). He shares some insight into his career and involvement with the SBE. Mark is an SBE life member and has 66 years of broadcast engineering experience. I Never Had a Plan B t never occurred to me that I would be the recipient of the John goal was to associate with like-minded people to talk broadcast IH. Battison Award for Lifetime Achievement. Looking back, it engineering. all makes sense. I knew John as a wonderful outgoing man. He AM radio has always been close to my heart. I built five AM was a Spitfire pilot in the Battle of Britain defending England directional systems from the ground up and installed more than from the Germans in WWII. Many died. I am glad he lived to be 40 C-QUAM AM stereo systems. a part of this great organization. Participation in SBE or the industry did not stop after we shut It must be in the genes. My father started in radio broadcast down our business when I was 70. We had already been mentor- engineering in the mid-1920s at age 17. I was born into the in- ing two radio broadcast engineers before the SBE Mentor/Men- dustry in 1947. At age seven, I was learning Ohm’s Law and turn- tee Program began. Joining that added two more to the list. The ing the knobs on our family’s 250 National Radio Systems Com- W AM transmitter at WELY in Ely, mittee AM Improvement Work- MN. Then at age 17, I completely ing Group brought me into their wired KVBR Radio in Brainerd, fold. It is volunteer work and feels MN, one of our family’s new sta- good to give back to the industry tions. There was never a doubt I grew up in. that engineering was my life, not The closest SBE chapter to my just a job. hometown of Brainerd, MN, is 125 The only deviation from broad- miles south in the Twin Cities of cast engineering came when I Minneapolis and St. Paul. Attend- enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966 ing meetings there took an entire to complete my obligation to our day so it didn’t happen often. One country. I taught electronics and SBE interaction was, and still is, then was shipped off to Vietnam the SBE HF HAMnet Chapter of to do electronic repair. the Air, hosted by Hal Hostetler, Back in the civilian life of radio CPBE (WA7BGX) in Tucson. It is broadcasting, I was at KVBR do- an amateur radio gathering on ing engineering while going out 14.205 MHz on the second Sun- to visit nearby stations to find day of each month at 2400 GMT. That helped with SBE recertifica- out how they ran. That led to me Mark at his workbench. being hired as a contractor to tion points. solve problems after the FCC deregulated the requirement for All broadcast engineers had amateur radio licenses in past stations to have a full-time engineer. years. Those who are not hams today may be missing the knowl- Appearance is important. Showing off individuality in a work- edge of how radio waves propagate across all frequencies. See- ing environment is not good. I made it a point to shave and ing both sides of the radio frequency communications equation bathe daily to be like management in a dress shirt, but without has helped immensely in my career. The ham radio hobby gives a tie. On an overnight job, I wore different clothes the second answers to otherwise sometimes perplexing questions in com- day. Looking good helped justify charging more than other en- mercial work. It all makes sense. gineers. Designing and building gadgets for stations was a fun part of It seemed I’d be a bachelor forever, but then Paula came my life’s work. That included everything from digital timers to along. We were married and she brought legal secretary experi- microphone preamplifiers to headset amplifiers to microphone ence to our business. Working 40+ hours a week, Paula took mute buttons. Some of my designs wound up being manufac- care of the billing and the books. She worked with clients on the tured, starting with the Maxi-Tel Remote Broadcast Telephone, phone and handled orders along with shipping and receiving which later evolved into the Zercom Max-Z and ZII. I love to tell packages. stories on the Tech Tips section on my website, mwpersons. I was too busy to think about membership in the SBE and com. missed the deadline to be grandfathered into the organization. Today with the threat of COVID, I attend SBE Twin Cities One trip was to the 50 kW powerhouse WCCO Radio in Minne- Chapter 17 monthly meetings via Zoom from my office. That is apolis. That’s when I met Chief Engineer Chuck Kunze. He was convenient. To my dismay, the annual chapter summer picnic, a wealth of knowledge on how the big boys did engineering. at the Shoreview transmitter site, was cancelled this year. I am Chuck was a mentor. One thing led to another and he got me looking forward to again seeing and talking with engineers in into the SBE, then gave me the first exam back in 1983. Mov- person next summer. Until then, I’ll leave the soldering iron on ing up the ladder with more exams, it was CPBE, AMD, CBNT, for you. and finally Life Certification, as well as Life Membership. The

12 THE Signal SUSTAINING MEMBERS Support the companies who support the SBE and the industry

AC Video Solutions • 2014 DTS Inc./HD Radio Technology • 2014 Jeremy Vize 972-422-7200 Bob Cauthen 800-438-6040 Andrea Cummis 201-303-1303 George Cernat 443-539-4334 Coordination Services/Frequency Planning Audio and RF Broadcast Equipment Supplier Consulting, Systems Design/Integration HD Radio Technology Microwave Video Systems • 2011 Seacomm Erectors, Inc. • 1997 American Tower Corporation • 2000 du Treil, Lundin & Rackley, Inc. • 1985 Warren J. Parece 781-665-6600 John Breckenridge 360-793-6564 Peter A. Starke 781-926-4772 Jeff Reynolds 941-329-6000 Microwave Equipment Rental, Sales & Service Tower/Antenna Erections Development/Construction/Management Consulting Engineers Moseley Associates Inc. • 1977 SEG • 2014 Audemat-Worldcast Systems Inc. • 2000 The Durst Org. – 4 Times Square • 2004 Bill Gould 805-968-9621 x785 Chris Childs 913-324-6004 Christophe Poulain 305-249-3110 212-997-5508 Digital STLs for Radio and Television Supply Chain Products and Services Control Manufacturer TV/FM/Microwave Tower Site MultiCAM Systems • 2020 Shively Labs • 1996 Belden Electronic Division • 1991 DVEO - Division of Computer Modules Inc. • 2011 Mary Ann Seidler 207-776-5338 Dale Ladner 888-SHIVELY Rose Lockwood 203-500-4743 Laszlo Zoltan 858-613-1818 Fully automated live video production FM Antennas & Combiners Fiber and Copper Cabling Infrastructure Everything About Transport Streams MusicMaster • 2014 Shure Incorporated • 2012 Blackmagic Design • 2012 Econco • 1980 Jerry Butler 352-231-8922 Bill Ostry 847-600-6282 Terry Frechette 408-954-0500 Debbie Storz 800-532-6626, Advanced Music Scheduling Solutions Microphones, Wireless Systems, Headsets Production Switchers, Digital Cameras, 530-662-7553 Routers, Video Editing and Monitoring, Color New & Rebuilt Transmitting Tubes Nascar Productions • 2014 Sierra Automated Systems and Eng. Inc. • 2011 Correction, Video Converters Abbey Kielcheski 704-348-7131 Al Salci 818-840-6749 ENCO Systems Inc. • 2003 Live/Post Production Services Routers, Mixers, Consoles, Intercoms Broadcast Depot • 2018 Samantha Bortz 248-827-4440 John Lackness 305-599-3100 Playout and Automation Solutions National Association of Broadcasters • 1981 Solid State Logic • 2014 TV, Satellite, Radio, IP Industry Trade Association 202-429-5340 Steve Zaretsky 212-315-1111 ERI - Electronics Research • 1990 Digital Audio Mixing Consoles, Networked Broadcast Devices, Inc. • 2015 Zachary Bailey 812-925-6000 National Football League • 1999 Audio Routing, Embedded Audio Solutions Robert Tarsio 914-737-5032 Broadcast Antennas, Transmission Line, Michael Katzenoff 212-450-2368 Audio/RF Support Products Filters/Combiners,Towers and Services Game Day Coordination Operations Staco Energy Products Co. • 2010 Paul Heiligenberg 937-253-1191 x128 Broadcast Electronics Inc. • 1978 Florical Systems • 2008 Nautel Inc. • 2002 Manufacturer of Voltage Regulators, UPS Perry Priestly 217-224-9600 Shawn Maynard 877-774-1058 Jeff Welton 877-662-8835 Radio Equipment Manufacturer Television Broadcast Automation Radio Broadcast Transmitter Manufacturer SuiteLife Systems • 2019 Nigel Brownett 310-405-0839 Broadcast Software International • 2016 Fujifilm/Fujinon • 1986 Nemal Electronics Int'l Inc. • 2011 Manage. Monitor. Control Marie Summers 888-274-8721 Gordon Tubbs 973-686-2769 Benjamin L. Nemser 305-899-0900 Radio Automation, Audio Logging Broadcast & Cine Lens Products Cables, Connectors, Assemblies and Fiber Sutro Tower Inc. • 1989 Optic Eric Dausman 415-681-8850 Broadcast Supply Worldwide • 1986 Heartland Video Systems, Inc. • 2011 Broadcast Tower Leasing Shannon Nichols 800-426-8434 Dennis Klas 920-893-4204 Neutrik USA, Inc. • 2012 Audio Broadcast Equipment Supplier Systems Integrator Kathy Hall 704-972-3050 Synthax Inc. • 2020 Ruggedized Optical Fiber Systems Derek Badala 603-591-6735 Broadcasters General Store • 2004 Hilights, Inc. • 2016 Audio Codecs and Converter Solutions Buck Waters 352-622-7700 Timothy Nash 352-564-8830 NPR Distribution Services • 2019 Broadcast Audio Video Distributor Obstruction Lighting Maintenance Dan Riley 202-513-2624 Technical Broadcast Solutions, Inc. • 2018 Your Content Delivery Partners Robert Russell 215-983-0855 Burk Technology • 2019 Hitachi Kokusai Electric Comark • 2013 Engineering and Consulting Services Jim Alinwick 978-486-0086 x7404 Jack McAnulty 413-998-1523 Orban Labs, Inc. • 2011 Transmitter Facility Control Systems Manufacturer Broadcasting Transmission Mike Pappas 480-403-8300 Telos Systems/Omnia/Axia • 2003 Equipment Audio Processing AMFMTV John Bisset 216-241-7225 Calrec Audio • 2016 Telos Systems Talk-Show Systems Helen Carr 703-307-1654 iHeartMedia, Inc. • 2019 Pasternack Enterprises • 2001 Audio Mixing Equipment Troy Langham 918-664-4581 Christine Hammond 949-261-1920 Teradek • 2011 Radio Group Owner Coax & Fiber Products Jon Landman 949-743-5783 Camplex • 2017 Camera-top ENG Solutions Daniel Coscarella 800-445-7568 x7409 Indiana Broadcasters Association • 2019 Potomac Instruments • 1978 Fiber Optic Cable Assembler Dave Arland 317-701-0084 Zachary Babendreier 301-696-5550 Tieline The Codec Company • 2003 Indiana Association for Radio & TV RF Measurement Equipment Manufacturer Dawn Shewmaker or Jacob Daniluck Canon USA Inc. • 1985 Broadcasters 317-845-8000 Larry Thorpe 201-807-3300, ProAudio.com- A Crouse-Kimzey Co. • 2008 Audio Codec Manufacturer 800-321-4388 Inovonics Inc. • 2012 Mark Bradford 800-433-2105 x560 Broadcast Lenses & Transmission Equipment Gary Luhrman 831-458-0552 Proaudio Broadcast Equipment Distributor Unimar Inc. • 2001 Radio Broadcast Equipment Thad Fink 315-699-4400, 813-943-4322 Cavell, Mertz & Associates Inc. • 2011 Propagation Systems Inc. - PSI • 2010 Tower Obstruction Lighting Designer, Gary Cavell 703-392-9090 JAMPRO Antennas Inc. • 2011 Doug Ross 814-472-5540 Manufacturer, Distributor Consulting Services Alex Perchevitch 916-383-1177 Quality Broadcast Antenna Systems DTV, FM-HD Radio, DVB-T/T2, ISDB-T, DAB Wheatstone • 2010 Comrex Corporation • 1997 QCommunications • 2019 Jay Tyler 252-638-7000 Chris Crump 978-784-1776 JVC Professional Video • 2014 Tony zumMallen 816-729-1177 IP Consoles, Routers & Processors Audio & Video Codecs & Telephone Interfaces Edgar Shane 973-317-5000 Services Behind the Scenes Professional Video Products, Camcorders, WideOrbit • 2012 Continental Electronics • 1976 Display Monitors, Recording Decks Quintech Electronics and Communications Inc. Jim Hammond 415-675-6700 Dale Dalesio 412-979-3253 • 2002 Radio Automation and Playout TV and Radio Transmitters Kathrein USA Inc. • 1985 James Herbstritt 724-349-1412 Les Kutasi 541-879-2312 State-of-the-art RF Hardware Solutions Wireless Infrastructure Services • 2006 CueScript • 2014 Antennas for Broadcasting & Communications Travis Donahue 951-371-4900 Michael Accardi 203-763-4030 QVC • 2011 Repacking Services - West Coast Turnkey Teleprompting Software & Hardware Kintronc Labs, Inc. • 2015 Kevin Wainwright 484-701-3431 Services Joaquin Raventos 423-878-3141 Multimedia Retailer Davicom, Division of Comlab, Inc. • 2014 Radio Broadcast Antenna Systems - ISO9001 Louis-Charles Cuierrier 418-682-3380 x512 Registered Company Radio Frequency Systems • 2015 Remote Site Monitoring and Control Systems David Zack 815-478-3240 LBA Technology Inc. • 2002 Antennas, Transmission Line, Filters & Dielectric • 1995 Javier Castillo 252-757-0279 Combiners Cory Edwards 207-655-8131 AM/MW Antenna Equipment & Systems TV & FM Transmission & Cellular Products Rohde & Schwarz • 2003 Linkup Communications Corporation • 2017 Walt Gumbert 724-693-8171 Digital Alert Systems, LLC • 2005 Mark Johnson 703-217-8290 Transmitters, Test & Measurement, Video Bill Robertson 585-765-1155 Satellite Technology Solutions Emergency Alert Systems Ross Video Ltd. • 2000 LYNX Technik • 2007 Jared Schatz 613-228-0688 DoubleRadius, Inc. • 2012 Steve Russell 661-251-8600 Manufacturer, Television Broadcast Equipment Jeffrey Holdenrid 704-927-6085 Broadcast Terminal Equipment Manufacturer IP Microwave STL Sage Alerting Systems Inc. • 2010 Markertek • 2002 Harold Price 914-872-4069 x113 Members With 25 or Drake Lighting • 2015 Adam June 845-246-2357 Emergency Alert Systems Products More Years of Membership Dave Shepeard 270-804-7383 Specialized Broadcast & Pro-Audio Supplier New Sustaining Members FAA Obstruction Lighting - Medium and High SCMS Inc. • 2000 Intensity Become a sustaining member. Micronet Communications Inc. • 2005 Apply online or call 317-846-9000.

December 2020 13 Member Spotlight: Kenny Elcock

Member Stats What do you like SBE Member Since: 1996 Q.most about your Chapter: 106 Florida Panhandle job? Employer: Black News Channel I am driven by the Position: Director of Engineering A.opportunity to Location: Tallahassee, FL pass along technical I’m Best Known For: Having a pas- knowledge and industry sion for the industry and technol- experience to other senior ogy alike. engineers and up-and- What do you value most coming industry chang- Q.about your SBE involvement? ers. Then looking into Becoming an advocate for their eyes or recognizing A.men and women who support their body language when the growth of our industry day in they “get it.” and day out. The SBE has allowed When I'm not work- me to represent many young peo- Q.ing, I... ple of color who aspire to use their Kenny with his best friend and wife, Leda, going to Sunday brunch and ...am mentoring. I technical gifts to serve the industry. the Grand Ole Opry. A.am a coach at heart. What got you started in Coaching molded me into Q.broadcast engineering? Who do you consider to be a men- the person I am today. I am blessed and I attribute my passion for broadcast Q.tor? fortunate that many of my previous hires A.to my first mentor, my junior high Doug Garlinger has been a profes- are now chief engineers at many televi- school principal, James Rodgers. He A.sional and personal mentor since sion stations across the nation. allowed me to be a member of the AV the first day I stepped into his office in What's something people don't club in the eighth grade and then recom- South Bend, IN, to take my first certifica- Q.know about you? mended me for a part-time after-school tion exam. My family name is derived from an technician job at the local cable com- A.English pet (a rooster). I was born in pany, in which he was a silent minority Trinidad, but the ancestor roots extended local partner. through a slave plantation in Barbados.

MEMORIES from p. 11 playing a key role in accomplishing co- things I will miss is working with our cur- operative shared use of the 2 GHz aux- rent national office staff: Megan Clappe, iliary broadcast band by broadcasters Debbie Hennessey, Scott Jones, Cathy and the U.S. Department of Defense. Orosz and Chriss Scherer. They are a Looking back, I had the opportunity to dedicated group. meet and in some cases, work with some Finally, some well-deserved recogni- of the individuals who were instrumental tion and a sincere thank you to Wayne in getting the SBE off the ground in the Pecena, who not three months into his 1960s. I mentioned Jim Wulliman, who first term as president, heard from me simultaneously served as both certifica- that I planned to retire. Then in mid- tion director and chair of the Certification March, had to deal with the restrictions Committee when I came on board. I met and changes the COVID-19 pandemic the SBE’s second president, Charlie Hal- brought. He’s handled all in his calm, linan, who played a key role in the 1960s professional manner while leading the helping the SBE get off the ground. The SBE forward. Wayne, I wish you an easi- SBE’s fifth president, Bob Flanders, who er year in 2021! 2011: SBE President Vinnt Lopez interviews SBE My best wishes to all of you, both founder and first President John Battison. moved the SBE office to Indianapolis in the early 1970s, and of course had the personally and professionally. I’ve been pleasure of conversing many times with asked often why I stayed with the SBE vide game day frequency coordinators. SBE founder John Battison. My best so long. The answer was always the peo- Though that program ended after the 2008 memory of John was listening to him as ple. I couldn’t imagine that there was a season, the positive relationship contin- he was interviewed by SBE President friendlier group of people who love what ues. Vinny Lopez in 2011 during the SBE An- they do, to be around. nual Membership Meeting live Continued Growth webcast in Columbus, OH. From the SBE staff at the National Office: Through the years, the SBE has tak- I have worked with many fine Congratulations on your retirement. en on important roles as technology SBE national staff members over We will miss you as a leader and as evolved. The Emergency Alert System, the years. You spend a lot of time a friend. May retirement bring you the 2 GHz transition, the DTV transition, with the people you work with many happy moments. and now NextGen TV. Today, the SBE is on a daily basis and among the ~ Megan, Debbie, Scott, Cathy & Chriss

14 THE Signal WELCOME TO THE SBE NEW MEMBERS Andrew Benton - Las Vegas, NV Benjamin J. Fisher - Dillon, CO Vern Honsvick - Columbia, SC Caroline Olbert - Brooklyn, NY Russell T. Blanchette - Litchfield, NH Chris Foster - Hamilton, NJ Marley C. Horner - Haines, AK Jason Rieve - Port Washington, WI Juan F. Cuevas - Sacramento, CA Travis F. Hansrote - Mount Storm, WV Sam Jones - Euless, TX Domenic C. Scarcella - Clayton, NJ Andrew R. Curtis - Los Angeles, CA Andrew L. Harper - Honolulu, HI Armen Karlozian - Clovis, CA Samuel A. Schmid - West Babylon, NY Brad A. Deforge - North Platte, NE Shannon Harrison - Houston, TX Matthew S. Kramer - Madison, WI Eric Schwierske - Madison, WI Elizabeth Delaquess - Lincoln, NE Roberto Hernandez - Sacramento, CA Chris A. Magnuson - Montgomery, TX Dieter R. Taylor - Bend, OR William J. Ennis - Seminole, FL Daniel F. Hogan - Carson City, NV Francis N. Magoba - Kampala, Uganda Eric R. Walston - Salisbury, MD Thomas J. Fearing - New York, NY Corey A. Holder - East Hampton, NY Cody T. Mathis - Cleveland, TN Jared D. Whitecar - Severn, MD Cory J. Finch - Rindge, NH Paul R. Holzwarth - Billings, MT Neal S. Newman - Monroe Township, NJ Joe Zink - Cincinnati, OH RETURNING MEMBERS Marc Bick - Fort Mill, SC Nicholas S. Geist - Houston, TX Glen R. Liljeberg - Downers Grove, IL Andy H. Soule - Bangor, ME Kelsey Black - Boise, ID William K. Jones - FPO, AE Thomas J. May - Muskego, WI Jeffrey E. Tharp - Panama City, FL Michael A. Crawford - Austin, TX John W. Lee - Vernon Hills, IL Patrick J. Otis - Edmonds, WA Jose R Verdejo - Honolulu, HI Arthur Elie - North Miami Beach, FL Dean C. Leeson - Binghamton, NY Martin W. Papst - Burnaby, BC Sean E. Williams - St. Thomas, VI Mark Ferrell - Hillsborough, NC David M. Lepchitz - Memphis, TN Scott P. Richards - Fayetteville, GA

NEW STUDENT MEMBERS NEW YOUTH MEMBERS RETURNING ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Eli S. Pearson - Ottawa, ON Zachary R. Cameron - Riverside, IL William M. Harrier - Peachtree Corners, GA SBE Fellow Nominations Open Who are SBE Fellow Members? by Troy Pennington, CSRE, CBNT seven members have been sbe.org/fellows Chair, SBE Fellowship Committee recognized with the honor BE members: Do you know an SBE member who has contrib- in the society’s almost 57 years of existence. Suted to the success of an SBE chapter or the broadcast indus- To nominate a member, candidates must be proposed in writ- try? Has this person exhibited a dedication to the advancement ing by a voting member to the Fellowship Committee. The nomi- of the broadcast engineer, the field of broadcast engineering nation must include a comprehensive professional history of the and the Society of Broadcast Engineers itself? Someone like nominee and an explanation of why the candidate is deserving this deserves to be recognized for his or her efforts. Consider of this honor. The nomination must also include the written en- nominating him or her for the SBE Fellow rank of membership. dorsements of at least five other voting SBE members. All nomi- The SBE is now accepting nominations for 2021. nations are to be kept confidential. No others besides the nomi- Fellow membership is the highest level of SBE membership. nators and the members of the Fellowship Committee should be It’s a form of recognition for someone who has contributed sig- aware of the nomination. Moreover, the nominee should not be nificantly to the society, the field of broadcast engineering or made aware that he or she has been nominated. its allied professions, or by disseminating his or her broadcast Nominations for 2021 must be received no later than March knowledge and promoting its application in practice. Eighty- 15, 2021, for consideration. The Fellowship Committee will bring the names of nominees to the Board of Directors for consideration and election at the April 2021 meeting. The SBE secretary EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR from p. 1 will notify those elected. Awards will be presented at the SBE versity, he was the senior financial analyst at Ascension National Meeting and Awards Program during the 2021 SBE Na- Technologies, where he managed the operational and capi- tional Meeting held during the 2021 NAB Show in Las Vegas. tal budgets for Indiana Market and St. Vincent Health sys- Submit your nominations to Fellowship Committee Chair Troy tem. Other career work includes treasurer and controller at Pennington, CSRE, CBNT; 6156 Hampton Hall Way; Hermitage, Church of God Ministries and practice administrator at An- TN 37076, or to [email protected]. derson Family Practice Associates. Ragsdale earned his bachelor of arts in business man- Have you seen the new SBE website? agement and public affairs at (then) Anderson College, and his masters of business administration in finance from In- Still sbe.org diana University. All-new look, and easier to find what you need. Visit today. On the announcement, SBE President Wayne Pecena said, "Following all the extensive work by many people to arrive at the final selection of Jim Ragsdale to be the SBE’s new executive director, I welcome Jim and look forward to working with him to continue furthering the goals of the SBE and providing superior services to our members. I also want to thank SBE Past President Joe Snelson for his work leading the Executive Director Search Committee, and all the efforts of the EDSC and the Executive Director Search Advisory Group members." Status on the search and review process was reported in previous issues of The Signal. The original field of 28 candidates was narrowed to three finalists, who were all interviewed in person by the committee. The Committee unani- mously chose Ragsdale to recommend to the Board.

December 2020 15 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID INDIANAPOLIS, IN PERMIT #9555

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Members On The Move | S | M | T | W | T | F | S | Dustin Hapli, CBNE, Jason Ornellas, CBRE, is director of technical CRO, is regional director of SBE WEBxtra online Dec. 21, 2020 sbe.org/webxtra operations, at Entercom engineering - West Region Chapter Meeting Reports Due in the Greater Chicago for Bonneville International. Jan. 15, 2021 sbe.org/rebate Area. He was previously Based in Sacramento, he Meeting reports determine a chapter's at Entercom in the Tampa oversees stations in Sacra- rebate Bay area. mento, San Francisco and Seattle. SBE WEBxtra online Jan. 18, 2021 sbe.org/webxtra SBE Certification Exams Local Chapters Greg Lesko, CEAV, CBT, Feb. 5-15, 2021 sbe.org/certification is the owner of Lesko Web- Application deadline Dec. 31, 2020 casting, Hampton Roads, SBE WEBxtra online Feb. 15, 2021 sbe.org/webxtra VA. He was previously with Newport News Public SBE WEBxtra online March 15, 2021 sbe.org/webxtra Schools. SBE WEBxtra online April 19, 2021 sbe.org/webxtra Have a new job? Received a promotion? Send your news to Chriss Scherer at [email protected].

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