INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO
THE
MILWAUKEE AREA
BROADCAST ENGINEERING COMMUNITY
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY
CHAPTER 28, SOCIETY OF BROADCAST
ENGINEERS
THIS MONTH
Tuesday March 30th, 2010
Please Note Change in Meeting Date
7:30 PM
Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee
National Electrical Contractors Assn.
11001 W. Plank Court
Wauwatosa 53226
(map)
Topic: Electrical Codes for Broadcasters
John Cyr is an instructor at the Wauwatosa
JATC NECA facility which offers programs for aspiring electricians and
continuing education in
the field of electrical engineering. He actively
teaches programs in electrical regulations, transformers, switchgear, and
photovoltaic arrays. This month he is working with the SBE to provide our
members with a primer on the changes within the 2008 National Electric
Code as it may apply to Broadcast Engineers. The meeting will be an open
forum discussion, however we plan to cover topics such as theatrical/studio
lighting, unique grounding, AFCI's, and changes with circuit breaker disconnects
that affect designs for mission critical equipment. This program should
be of significant interest to all broadcast engineers who maintain and
design studio facilities.
Tom May
Chapter 28 SBE
Milwaukee
LAST MEETING
Minutes of the meeting for
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Location: Wisconsin State Traffic Operations Center,
Milwaukee
Host: Department of Transportation
Program: Traffic Operations Monitoring System
Attendance: 10 Total - 7 members (3 certified)
and 3 guests
The chapter meeting was called to order by Chairman
Todd Boettcher at 7:38 PM.
Minutes of the Holiday Banquet meeting were read
and approved.
Treasurer Chuck Janzer reported five sustaining
membership renewals had been received, and that the banquet bill had been
paid.
In frequency coordination, Ron Pellegrini reported
that Sprint/Nextel had requested an extension for 2 GHz relocation until
August 8. There are about 40 markets yet to transition. Delays
have been caused by weather conditions, lack of crews and equipment delivery
delays. The amendment is posted on the FCC website. No requests
for local frequency coordination are pending. The FCC also issued
a notice that 700 MHz band wireless mic operations were to cease by June
12. A discussion of wireless mic operation in general followed.
Tom May reported on intermittant interferance
he had received on his 950 MHz STL. It appears to be digitally modulated,
with about 500 KHz bandwidth. He requested that anyone else who may
observe this try to identify the user.
Todd Boettcher talked about an article he received
from CCCA, the Communications Cable Connectivity Association. It
reported that communications cables from offshore manufacturers may have
fire safety concerns. He also reported on an article from Radio World
regarding a college radio station that was fined for a public file violation.
The North Carolina station was fined for denying a “competitor” from viewing
the file, and having missing information. The FCC said that non-commercial
stations must comply with the public file laws.
A discussion of the recent push for a “Performance
Tax” on broadcast stations also took place.
Phil Lonecker reported that SAGA was leasing tower
space in Menomonee Falls to Clearwire to build a 2.6 GHz WiMAX wireless
internet service. The WMVS candelabra is apparently also leasing
space for the service.
Tom May reported that he was trying to arrange
a National Electrical Code training course perhaps for Thursday, March
18 in Wauwatosa. He talked about code changes requiring common trip
breakers or trip pins on all 208 3 phase circuits with common neutrals
when feeding multiple 120 volt feeds from separate phases. This could
create a problem when non affected circuits needed to be turned off to
reset a common breaker for a failure on a different phase. The code
change came about because of concerns for unbalanced loads causing excessive
current flow in the neutral.
The meeting was followed by a tour of the State
Traffic Operation Center, conducted by Mike Stalter, with assistance from
Robert Lingnofski. They discussed monitoring operations and information
made available to broadcast facilities and the general public. Included
was a behind the scenes tour of the equipment room and an explanation of
the information gathering and display system. The tour ended at 9:20
PM
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Ryan
SBE Chapter 28
SBE Short Circuits
by John Poray
(March 1, 2010)
Kick off of the 2010 SBE Membership Drive
The Annual SBE Membership Drive has begun and this
year the theme is WE MAKE IT HAPPEN. Whether it is through Certification,
Education, Government Relations and or at your Local Chapter, SBE continually
strives to make your membership the best it can be.
Help SBE’s Membership grow and achieve more by
recruiting a new member this year.
The SBE Membership Drive runs from March 1, 2010
through May 31, 2010. For every new Regular or Sustaining Member that you
recruit, your name will go into a drawing for this years prizes.
This year the Grand Prize is a Flat Screen HDTV
and a trip to the 2010 SBE National Meeting in Madison, Wis, October 26th-27th.
Here
is a complete list of the other prizes and their donors.
In addition to being eligible for Membership Drive
prizes, you will also receive a five-dollar discount on your 2011 membership
renewal (up to five) for every Regular or Sustaining Member that you recruit.
With so many rewarding reasons to recruit new members, it’s easy to make
it happen!
SBE at the 2010 NAB Show and the NAB Broadcast
Engineering Conference
(February 12, 2010)
Since 1995 the Society of Broadcast Engineers has
been NAB’s organizational partner for the presentation of the NAB Broadcast
Engineering Conference (BEC). Like those previous, this year’s BEC will
be the largest and most comprehensive broadcast technical conference in
the world, beginning with the Ennes Workshop on Saturday, April 10 and
ending on Thursday, April 15. SBE will have a full slate of meetings and
events during the week and will have a busy exhibit booth that will open
beginning Sunday afternoon with hours through Thursday.
SBE’s exhibit booth will be on the second floor
concourse of the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall, Lobby Booth 29.
The location is just up the escalator from the South Hall main entrance
and just outside the entry to the exhibits on the second floor. This is
the same location as in recent years. The BEC technical sessions will be
located near- by, in the South Hall second floor meeting rooms.
Be sure to stop by the SBE booth while at the
convention. We’ll have the new SBE CertPreview and all of the SBE published
handbooks as well as technical books from major publishers. There will
also be an assortment of SBE logo items. Membership renewals and new memberships
may also be transacted at the booth. SBE staff and national Board members
will be at the booth to answer your questions about membership, certification,
educational programs and regulatory issues.
Booth Hours
Sunday - 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Monday – Wednesday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
SBE SPRING MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Our annual spring SBE Membership Meeting will be
held on Tuesday, April 13 from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the South Hall at
the Las Vegas Convention Center (room to be announced). We will be
recognizing a number of our local chapter certification chairs during the
meeting. Some very nice prizes are planned to give away to those attending.
The highlight of the meeting will be the presentation of the SBE Lifetime
Achievement Award to an SBE member. The recipient will not be aware of
the award until the announcement is made during the meeting.
SBE will hold several other meetings during the
2010 NAB Show that may be of interest to you. (Located at the Las Vegas
Hilton Hotel unless otherwise indicated)
Saturday, April 10
Ennes Workshop, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Conference
registration required) LVCC South Hall 2nd Floor
SBE Certification Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm
– 11:00 pm, Conference Room 7
Sunday, April 11
SBE Board of Directors Meeting, 8:30 am - 12:00
pm; Conference Rooms 1 & 2
SBE Education Committee Meeting, 2:00 pm to 4:00
pm; Conference Room 1
Monday, April 12
Ennes Trust Annual Meeting, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm,
Conference Room 7
SBE EAS Meeting, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Conference
Rooms 4 & 5
Tuesday, April 13
SBE Certification Exams, 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon,
Conference Rooms 9 & 10
SBE Frequency Coordinators Meeting, 10:00 am
– 12:00 pm, Conference Rooms 7 & 8
SBE Spring Membership Meeting, 5:00 pm – 6:00
pm, LVCC Room TBA
NAB Registration Discounts for SBE Members
Members of SBE can register for the NAB convention
at a special “partner” rate, a savings of $100 off the NAB non-member rate.
To get the discount, SBE members register using the regular NAB on-line
registration form. When completing the form, check the “Partner” box at
the bottom and select “Society of Broadcast Engineers” from the drop-down
box.
We hope you’ll join many of your fellow SBE members
April 10-15, in Las Vegas for the 2010 NAB Show and NAB Broadcast Engineering
Conference!
SBE Announces 2-Part Event
Frequency Coordination Webinar
(February 5, 2010)
Local frequency coordination is recognized as an
important tool allowing broadcasters to fulfill their regulatory obligation
to avoid mutual interference in their use of shared Broadcast Auxiliary
Service frequencies (for wireless microphones, cameras, cueing systems
or the like). Many major sporting events, pre-planned news events or other
public events attract media regionally and/or nationally who bring large
amounts of wireless equipment. For these events to be successful, frequency
coordination is a must.
The Society of Broadcast Engineers recognizes
frequency coordination as an important, yet often misunderstood part of
executing events such as sporting events, political conventions, and other
pre-planned events. In addition, training on frequency coordination has
become very necessary given continually changing FCC rules, technology
and the needs of broadcasters. This two-part webinar series embarks on
event frequency coordination from beginning to end, and includes the step-by-step
technical process of coordination. Instructing this course is longtime
SBE Member, broadcast consultant and frequency coordinator Ralph Beaver,
CBT. The cost for SBE Members is $99 and is $139 for non-members.
The webinars take place March 11 and March 30 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Eastern.
For more information and to register, click here.
Senate Bill S. 2881 would
add technical expertise to FCC Commissioners’ offices
(December 16, 2009)
A bill introduced on Monday in the U.S. Senate
would potentially add one electrical engineer or computer scientist within
each of the offices of the five FCC Commissioners.
Introduced by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)
and co-sponsored by Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia), Senate Bill 2881
would authorize each FCC Commissioner to add one staff assistant position
to the three that are currently authorized. The new position of “staff
engineer” would require that the holder either have a degree in electrical
engineering or be a computer scientist. If eventually passed, the new authorization
would affectively undo a loosening of requirements for technical staff
at the highest level of the FCC that began more than 25 years ago.
Vinny Lopez, CEV, CBNT, president of the Society
of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), remarked, “Ensuring the technical integrity
of the FCC decision-making is perhaps our most important legislative goal.
This legislation will go a long way toward returning technical expertise
to the FCC Commissioner's offices." Lopez added, “We encourage other
members of the Senate to support this well-crafted legislation. SBE will
seek the introduction of a companion bill in the House and we will urge
rapid passage of both Bills in the House and the Senate.”
The proposed legislation, which would amend Section
4(f)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 154(f)(2)), explains
that the “staff engineer” would provide each commissioner with technical
consultation when appropriate and interface with the Office of Engineering
and Technology, Commission Bureaus and other technical staff of the Commission
for additional technical input and resources. The staff engineer would
need to hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution of
higher education in their respective field of expertise.
The last serious attempt to increase the technical
resources within the Commissioner’s offices was in October of 1991 when
then Rep. Don Ritter introduced HR. 3501, which would have required that
at least one member of the Commission be skilled in the engineering sciences.
Senator Snowe’s bill would not seek to replace any of the existing staff
assistants in each Commissioner’s office but rather authorize each Commissioner
to add one assistant.
Text of S.2881
2010 SBE National Meeting
to be held in Madison, Wi.
(December 9, 2009)
The Society of Broadcast Engineers Board of Directors
has accepted an invitation from SBE Chapter 24 in Madison, Wi, to host
the SBE2010 National Meeting. The decision was made during the SBE Board
of Directors conference call on Dec. 1, 2009.
The SBE National Meeting will be held in conjunction
with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Clinic and the Upper Midwest Regional Meeting,
hosted by SBE Chapter 24 and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA)
on Oct. 26-28, 2010.Chapter 24 Chairman Fred Sperry, CPBE, and Convention
Chairman Leonard Charles, CPBE, are looking forward to hosting the SBE
National Meeting again. This is the fourth time Chapter 24 has hosted the
SBE National Meeting since 1997. The SBE National Meeting was last held
in Madison in 2008.
The SBE National Meeting serves as an opportunity
to spotlight SBE-sponsored regional conventions held in different areas
of the country. SBE National Meeting events include the annual membership
meeting and the SBE National Awards Dinner, honoring the 2008-09 chapter
and individual award recipients.
SBE President Vinny Lopez, CEV CBNT, stated, "By
holding the SBE National Meeting in conjunction with established, successful
regional events, the SBE and the local host benefit. These partnerships
allow the SBE to bring a national presence to these regional events."
SBE Agreement with Department of Defense
on Spectrum Sharing
(October 16, 2009)
The Society of Broadcast Engineers and the U.S. Department
of Defense earlier this year signed an agreement regarding shared use of
broadcast spectrum. The U.S. Air Force plans to construct new satellite
tracking stations in a number of U.S. locations that would use spectrum
in the 2025 -2110 MHz band. For details, see a copy
of the agreement.
SBE CertPreview
sample certification test software is now available. It’s Microsoft Windows-based
and replaces the previous DOS-based software. New sample tests are available
for Broadcast Technologist, Audio Engineer, Video Engineer, Broadcast Networking
Technologist, Broadcast Engineer and Senior Broadcast Engineer in both
radio and television. Sample tests include 50 to 100 questions and indicate
when an incorrect answer has been given. It provides a list of resources
from which to learn more about a subject. Cost for each SBE CERTpreview
practice test is $27 plus $3 shipping. Contact the National Office to order
a copy.
CERTIFICATION EXAMS
Certification exam
session dates for 2009-2010 are listed below. Check the list for
the exam period that is best for you. For more information about
SBE Certification, contact Chapter Certification Chair Rick Ryan at 414-223-2600
ext. 5730 or RickRyan@wi.rr.com,
or contact Megan Clappe, Certification Director at the SBE National Office
at (317) 846-9000 or MClappe@sbe.org.
|
Exam Dates
|
Location
|
Application Deadline
|
|
Apr 13, 2010
|
NAB Convention
|
Mar 26, 2010
|
|
Jun 4-14, 2010
|
Local Chapters
|
April 16, 2010
|
|
Aug 6-16, 2010
|
Local Chapters
|
Jun 4, 2010
|
|
Nov 5-15, 2010
|
Local Chapters
|
Sep 17, 2010
|
Fees for 2010 are as follows:
| Certification Level |
Member
|
Non-Member
|
| TV or Radio Operator |
$45
|
*$45
|
| Broadcast Technologist |
$45 |
$111 |
| Broadcast Networking Technologist |
$55
|
$121
|
| Broadcast Engineer |
$60
|
$126
|
| Audio/Video Engineer |
$60
|
$126
|
| Senior Broadcast Engineer |
$85
|
$151
|
| Professional Broadcast Engineer |
$110
|
$176
|
| Specialist Certification |
|
|
| AM Directional Specialist |
$55
|
$121
|
| 8VSB Specialist |
$55
|
$121
|
| Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist |
$55 |
$121 |
*Does not include first year membership |
Please
support our sustaining members
Chuck
Janzer
David
Janzer
Associated
Technical Services
10010
W Schlinger Avenue
Milwaukee,
WI 53214-1129
414-476-4200
414-476-8417
fax
cjanzer@atswi.com
djanzer@atswi.com
http://www.atswi.com
Don
Heinzen
Belden
Americas
Networking
Products
9001
Hawks Reserve Ln.
Unit
# 103
Verona,
WI 53593
Office:
608.848.2001
Fax:
608.848.2001
Cell:
608.235.7539
don.heinzen@belden.com
http://www.belden.com/
David Kerstin
Broadcasters General
Store
3840
SW N Street
Richmond,
IN 47374
765-935-6707
765-935-6158
fax
dave@bgs.cc
http://www.bgs.cc/
Clark
Wire & Cable
408
Washington Blvd, Unit A,
Mundelein
IL 60060
800-CABLE-IT
(800-222-5348)
847-949-9944
847-949-9595
fax
sales@clarkwire.com
www.clarkwire.com
Joseph
A. Zuba
 Communications
23
Rainbow Drive
Sewell,
NJ 08080
609-256-8190
609-256-8195
fax
joe.zuba@dielectric.spx.com
http://www.dielectric.com
Rick
Thompson
GEPCO
International
a
General Cable company
1700
Birchwood Avenue
Des
Plaines, IL 60018
847-942-7990
(cell)
rick_thompson@GEPCO.com
http://www.GEPCO.com/
Dennis
Klas
Heartland
Video Systems
1311
Pilgrim Road
Plymouth,
WI 53073
800-332-7088
920-893-4204
920-893-3106
fax
dklas@hvs-inc.com
http://www.hvs-inc.com
Christopher
J. Albrecht
IBEW
Local 715
Wisconsin
Broadcast Engineers
633
S Hawley Road, Suite 107
Milwaukee,
WI 53214-1948
414-479-0580
414-479-0582
fax
chrisalbrecht@ibew715.com
Randy
Ross
Industrial
Electronics
by
Ross
3256
S 92nd St,
West
Allis, WI 53227
414-327-1555
414-327-0577
fax
indelect@execpc.com
http://www.industrialelectronics.biz/
Phil
Longenecker
Milwaukee Radio Group
WHQG-WKLH-WJMR-WJZX-WJYI
5407 W McKinley Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208
414- 978-9000
414- 978-9009 fax
Steve
Johnson
Panasonic
Broadcast
&
Television Systems
3910
Orleans Lane North
Plymouth,
MN 55441
763-545-0157
763-542-6011
fax
johnsons@us.panasonic.com
http://www.panasonic.com
David
R. Pritchard
Pritchard
Consulting
7583 Dada Drive
Gurnee, IL 60031
847- 207-6111
W9QL@att.net
Steve
Olson
Roscor
Wisconsin
600
W Virginia Street
Milwaukee,
WI 53204
414-223-2600
414-223-3434
fax
SOlson@roscor.com
www.roscor.com
Sean
O'Reilly
Sony
Broadcast and Business Solutions Company
1200
N. Arlington Heights Road
Itasca,
IL 60143
630-773-7640
630-697-7530
fax
630-697-5458
cellular
Sean.OReilly@am.sony.com
http://bssc.sel.sony.com/
Dan
Dyer
Weigel
Broadcasting
WDJT-TV
809
S 60th Street
Milwaukee,
WI 53214
414-607-8162
414-607-8103
fax
www.cbs58.com
Christopher
Tarr
Entercom
Communications
WSSP/WMYX/WXSS
11800
W Grange Avenue
Hales
Corners, WI 53130
414-529-1250
414-529-2122
fax
ctarr@entercom.com
http://www.99wmyx.com
http://www.1037kissfm.com
Tony
Coleman
Hearst-Argyle
Television
WISN-TV
759
N 19th Street
Milwaukee,
WI 53233
414-937-3375
414-342-2657
fax
tcoleman@hearst.com
http://www.wisn.com
Andy
Laird
Journal
Broadcast Group
WTMJ-TV,
WTMJ, WLWK
720
E Capitol Drive
Milwaukee,
WI 53212-1371
414-967-5204
414-967-5540
fax
alaird@journalbrodcastgroup.com
http://www.journalbroadcastgroup.com
Dennis
Brechlin
Sinclair
Communications
WVTV/WCGV
4041
N 35th Street
Milwaukee,
WI 53216
414-874-1856
414-874-1899
fax
dbrechli@sbgnet.com |
