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Hitachi Kokusai comes to NAB Show 2024 with a new Media over IP solution that moves uncompressed SDI video signals onto SMPTE ST 2110 networks through a new interface kit. Developed by Hitachi Kokusai, the new CU7K-MoIP ST 2110 interface kit establishes an ST 2110 studio production workflow for customers that moves camera signals directly onto on-prem IP networks or into the cloud without compressing signals and affecting picture quality. Hitachi Kokusai will demonstrate the workflow in its NAB booth (C4516) from Sunday through Wednesday in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Hitachi Kokusai’s CU7K-MoIP interface solution is a software-defined System on Chip (SoC) that performs advanced processing functions to prepare SDI signals (up to 12G) for IP transport. The dual-port, 25GbE solution can move one 4K or up to four HD uncompressed signals onto ST 2110 IP or cloud networks, with ST 2022-7 hitless merge functionality to provide network path redundancy. The ST 2022-7 specification supports the carriage of redundant streams across IP and cloud networks that borrow lost packets from each other for stream reassembly as they move through the network.

The CU7K-MoIP is added to Hitachi camera control units to receive and process the streams for translation to uncompressed ST 2110 networks, with Precision Time Protocol (PTP) support built into the SoC to ensure proper synchronization of video, audio and data. The CU7K-MoIP is compatible with all current-generation Hitachi 4K and HD cameras, include the SK-UHD-7000 Series of 4K/UHD cameras and the Z-HD6500 multi-format HD camera.

“The CU7K-MoIP interface kit is an ideal solution for broadcasters and content creators seeking an ST 2110 studio production workflow that considers the challenges of navigating a hybrid SDI and IP landscape,” said Sean Moran, COO, Hitachi Kokusai. “We are excited to show our customers how we can help them natively manage high-bandwidth signal flows out of the camera for on-prem, off-prem and cloud environments, improving production efficiency and resource utilization while maintaining pristine image quality.”

— Reporting by Brian Galante

MultiDyne Fiber Optic Solutions has introduced the second generation of its SilverBULLET series, unveiled at NAB Show in Las Vegas. The newest version of the patented, miniature fiber-optic link and signal conversion solution is an evolution from the first generation, with new benefits including agnostic signal support from 5Mbps to 12Gbps.

MultiDyne exhibits at Booth C7107 in the Las Vegas Convention Center through Wednesday.

MultiDyne’s SilverBULLET transmitters and receivers are built for a variety of purposes, from 24/7 broadcast applications to specialty use cases where small footprint and a ruggedized form factor are key design requirements. They are also highly portable, making them equally useful for last-minute SDI video feeds to AES and MADI audio feeds. SilverBULLETs are also last-minute problem solvers that can repair a failed connection or address an unexpected transport requirement. Each device is encased in machined aluminum for optimal durability, which also makes them ideal for critical situations.

The SilverBULLET is 12G-capable for high-bandwidth, single-link transport to and from any video source. Built-in cable equalization and re-clocking optimizes signal integrity across all short- and long-distance transport, reducing the presence of existing jitter from input signals. The SilverBULLET supports all SDI rates down to 5Mbps, making them a flexible tool for courtesy feeds, confidence monitoring, distance learning, and other broadcast and commercial AV applications.

The updated SilverBULLET can equalize up to 75m of coax at 12G and 200m at 3G, and has an integrated optical power meter on receiver units. Power input is wide-ranging, spanning from to 5-16VDC so that they can be powered from simple USB power sources including cameras and monitors. Options include USB-A and USB-C to miniXLR 4pin power adapter cables, and full-size and HDBNC patch cables. The new SilverBULLETs can also operate in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.

MultiDyne CEO Frank Jachetta adds that later this year the SilverBULLET will be available with a special tray capable of housing multiple transmitting and receiving units with redundant power. “This makes SilverBULLET an ideal solution for fixed broadcast and production studio requirements, along with its portable applications in sports production, remote camera links, pre-fibered venues and interconnects for mobile production trucks,” he said.

— Reporting by Brian Galante

DNAV, a full-service systems integrator, consultant, and manufacturer’s representative of leading broadcast, AV, lighting, and display equipment, created a microphone-to-antenna experience featuring its broadcast radio technology partners at the 2024 NAB Show.

DNAV took down the curtain down between two adjacent partner booths – Sierra Automated Systems (SAS) at West Hall booth No. 3855, and American Amplifier Technologies at West Hall booth No. 3859.

Together, products are being offered that present a conceptual springboard for new radio facility designs and existing system upgrades.

DNAV also has a presence on the Orban booth (W3443), representing the company’s latest audio processing solutions.

“Our main goal at NAB is to demonstrate the power of DNAV as an inclusive vendor that isn’t limited by the belief that radio systems need to follow a certain blueprint,” said Daniel Hyatt, a DNAV Principal. “We will demonstrate new hardware systems as well as virtualized software solutions that emulate the hardware, and make connections for our visitors across in-studio, remote and cloud-based solution examples. There will be a little bit of everything on the combined stand and tied together with examples of the physical and virtual services we offer to the radio broadcaster.”

One way that DNAV will make connections across these different elements is through SAS Global Connect Software, which offers a complete command and control structure for SAS and third-party broadcast devices living on local and wide-area networks. It acts as a software-based NOC for broadcasters to centrally manage entire network operations and can interface with all components in a broadcast infrastructure from microphones to antennas. DNAV will preview a new virtualized SAS on-air console shipping later this year with connectivity to the Global Connect structure, with the ability to remotely manage and control a live broadcast.

DNAV Co-Principal Nick Straka adds that DNAV will preview several virtualized toolsets built into the new console, including an intercom system and touch panels. PlayoutONE automation will also be highlighted on the booth, working in conjunction with SAS Global Connect in its cloud-based software structure. “We are sending a clear message that we embrace the physical and the cloud domain, and there are plenty of opportunities to embrace both in ways that effectively define a solution that works for every broadcaster.”

— reporting by Brian Galante

ENCO Systems, Benztown, Compass Media Networks, and vCreative have entered into apartnership to bring SPECai, an AI spec ad service, to vCreative’s customers by integrating SPECai into its suite of creative workflow platforms for broadcasters.

For stations affiliated with both vCreative and SPECai, the integration streamlines the process of requesting a spec spot.

Consumers can benefit from the integration by selecting the SPECai option from within the vPPO or vProMedia order form to create spec spots to present to their clients.

Mary DelGrande, Chief Executive Officer of vCreative, commented, “AI is not just an add-on, but is becoming a core component that drives efficiency, creativity, and decision-making in all aspects of business. We recognized the need for a more robust AI tool in our suite of creative workflow products, so by integrating SPECai into our platforms, we are not just streamlining operations; we are reimagining what’s possible for our clients. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to innovation that offers our users smarter, faster, and more intuitive tools that adapt to their evolving needs.”

Ken Frommert, President of ENCO Systems, added, “AI development has accelerated at a swift pace since we first previewed SPECai late last year. We anticipate a strong adoption rate in the coming months as customers grow familiar with the technology. Partnering with forward-thinking companies like vCreative is an essential part of our business development strategy for SPECai, and we are thrilled to become a key contributor to the creative production process within vPPO and vProMedia. We share vCreative’s philosophy of enabling more efficient workflows for customers, and we look forward to our collaborations moving forward.”

ENCO, Benztown and Compass Media Networks will be giving SPECai demos at the 2024 NAB Show in Las Vegas at the ENCO booth, W1743 in the West Hall. To schedule a SPECai demo in advance of the NAB Show, email Masa Patterson at: mp@benztown.com or Nancy Abramson at: nabramson@compassmedianetworks.com.

Futuri is showing off enhancements to its Futuri AudioAI platform across the NAB Show. These innovations, the company says, “represent a significant leap forward in integrating AI with live broadcast programming, podcasts, and audience interaction.”

At the forefront of these advancements is the introduction of real-time AI with CoHostAI, which creates a collaboration between human hosts and AI personalities during live broadcasts. This enables hosts to engage in natural, dynamic conversations with AI
counterparts.

Futuri also announced new CallerAI technology, where listeners can “call in” and talk directly with AI.

Conversations are recorded with permission of listeners, and may be used on the air.

As Futuri sees it, this level of interaction and connection between listeners and AI opens up new possibilities for audience engagement and creates unique on-air content and audience experiences.

Futuri CEO Daniel Anstandig expressed excitement about the potential impact of these latest AI technologies on the broadcast and media industry. “Our mission is to empower broadcasters and creators to grow audience and revenue by creating compelling, interactive content that captivates audiences and fosters lasting connections,” he said.

Codec manufacturer Tieline the Codec Company is using the 2024 NAB Show to unveil its new Bridge-IT II and Bridge-IT XTRA II IP audio codecs. The new codecs are designed to deliver broadcast solutions for home studios and simple remote broadcasts, Studio-to-Transmitter Links (STLs), Studio-to-Studio Links (SSLs) and multi-unicasting and
multicasting applications.

The new codecs include all first-generation Bridge-IT features, including a front panel screen and keypad for simple menu navigation, XLR analog and digital AES inputs, a range of encoding options, and support for multi-unicast and multicast connections.

New features to support modern networking requirements include native support for AES67, ST2110-30, ST2022-7, Livewire, RAVENNA and AMWA NMOS IS-04 and IS-05; two full-duplex mono connections, or full duplex stereo; multiple Ethernet and AoIP ports; failover to another connection, HTTP stream, or audio file playback; and support for wireless cellular modems.

The codecs support automated failover and SNMP for STL links. SmartStream PLUS redundant streaming and Fuse-IP data aggregation are also included as standard. They also connect over SIP with devices that are EBU N/ACIP Tech 3326, 3347 and 3368 compliant. The ToolBox HTML5 web-GUI and optional Cloud Codec Controller software provide real-time monitoring and remote management of connections.

Visit Tieline booth C2811 at NAB 2024 to learn more about the new Bridge-IT II and Bridge-IT XTRA II codecs.

The NAB has released new broadcast station self-inspection guides for FM and television stations. These two guides assist broadcasters in conducting a self-inspection of their stations.

Guides for AM, low-power and translator stations are expected to be released soon.

NAB joined with the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) to provide up-to-date, standardized guidance toward compliance with FCC rules and policies. Up until 2003, the FCC published self-inspection checklists, but has ceased updating them although rules and policies have changed since that time. The guides are also intended to be used by contract inspectors who are part of the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program, which are contracted by most state broadcaster associations.

Availability of the self-inspection guides was scheduled to be announced at a joint NAB/SBE session on Tuesday (4/16) at 3:30pm Pacific during the session “FCC Enforcement – New Self-Inspection Guides Can Help Your Station Avoid Fines.” Representatives from NAB, the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Association (NASBA) and SBE will present the new guides and will be available to answer questions. It is to be conducted at the Connect Zone Conversation Corner (LVCC West Hall, W3943).

The guides will initially be a free member benefit to NAB and SBE members.

The guides will be available for download from the NAB website under the Membership / Member Tools / Member Downloads tab as well as from SBE.

 

It was a final push for those needing to file their taxes by Monday’s filing deadline that pushed TurboTax to the top in the latest Media Monitors Spot Ten Cable report. By next week, however, the advertiser is liking to be gone until 2025.

That will leave an auto insurance specialist as the leader in a category that has yet to see new efforts from GEICO arrive from the once-dominant user of spot TV.

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LAS VEGAS — Visitors to the NEXTGEN TV booth within the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center attending the NAB Show may notice a television screen showcasing the NBCUniversal-owned WTVJ-6 in Miami and its use of new technology that personalizes the station’s live broadcasts.

The unique broadcast experiences seen on the station, and others in New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia owned by NBCUniversal, is a direct result of ATSC 3.0 empowerment.

In a NEXTGEN TV environment, personalization, hyper-localization and enhanced content capabilities can be used by broadcast television. This, NBCUniversal believes, can “improve the viewer experience and enable advanced engagement, advertising, and measurement opportunities.”

Stations offering the personalization as of today are WNBC-4 and Telemundo sibling WNJU-47 in New York; KNBC-4 in Los Angeles; WCAU-10 in Philadelphia; and Miami’s WTVJ and Telemundo-affiliated WSCV-51.

Additional NBCUniversal Local properties will soon deploy the new application.

“The launch of this innovative experience is a considerable milestone for broadcast television and demonstrates the immense potential and possibilities NextGen TV has for viewers, programmers, stations and advertisers,” said Shawn Makhijani, SVP of Business Development and Strategy abd “NBC Spot On” for NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships. “We are proud to further our leadership position in ATSC 3.0 by developing this innovative product with our partners and look forward to the continued evolution of its capabilities and benefits. We are truly excited to present these enhancements to our NBC and Telemundo viewers in several top markets, with more to come.”

Created in partnership with Fincons, Evertz’s Ease Live and Pearl TV, features of NBCUniversal’s new product are highlighted by the ability to restart programs when joined in progress; hyper-localized elements integrated into the “TODAY” show; and access to personalized weather information — including radar, forecasts and meteorologist reports, and severe weather alerts.

The experience also provides expanded and enhanced access to content, including clips, full episodes and alternate programming from NBC and Telemundo’s local and national news, sports and entertainment shows and events.

Other user enhancements include rich public safety alerts from both the FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and The Weather Channel (TWC) customized to viewers’ locations and specific households.

 

In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) seeks comment on revising Commission rules to establish processing, licensing, and service rules that will enable full power FM and low power FM (LPFM) broadcast stations to originate programming using FM booster stations. In a concurrently adopted Report and Order (R&O), published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, the Commission found that it would be in the public interest to provide broadcasters flexibility to use program originating boosters, subject to certain safeguards needed to address concerns raised in the record. This further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) seeks comment on the details of implementing these safeguards and on a number of proposed rule changes.

In a Report and Order, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) finds that allowing FM booster stations to originate content on a limited basis would serve the public interest. The Report and Order adopts rules to allow for the voluntary implementation of program originating FM booster stations, subject to future adoption of processing, licensing, and service rules proposed concurrently in a further notice of proposed rulemaking, published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register. The rule changes in this document are needed to expand the potential uses of FM booster stations, which currently may not originate programming. The intended effect is to allow radio broadcasters to provide more relevant localized programming and information to different zones within their service areas.

The FCC’s proposal for more multilingual EAS announcements has been met with skepticism from stakeholders worried about the complications of implementing the technology to carry out the FCC’s wishes.

The proposal would allow use of pre-scripted alerts to make additional numbers of non-English speakers aware of public emergencies and weather warnings. But several groups are balking at the plan, saying the templates might work for alerts received by mobile devices (WEA), but recordings stored in broadcasters’ EAS equipment present further issues.

The commission’s plan would require broadcasters to transmit alerts in the primary language of their station’s content. Broadcasters would also have the option to provide additional alerts using pre-translated, pre-loaded scripts in a variety of languages.

The National Association of Broadcasters says it does not object to the proposed approach to enhance the accessibility of EAS for persons who do not speak English, but says the commission’s ambitiousness to roll out multilingual alerts creates confusion. 

“The NPRM reads more like a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) as it provides only a bare construct of the FCC’s proposal, and leaves open many questions about how it would work in practice. NAB is concerned that implementing the proposal will be more complex and costly than the FCC suggests. to ensure that implementation is simple, economical, and flexible,” the advocacy group tells the commission.

The FCC proposes creating template alert scripts in the 13 most commonly spoken non-English languages in the U.S. The template scripts and audio files would be produced by the commission. 

The non-English languages include Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, Korean, Russian, Haitian Creole, German, Hindi, Portuguese and Italian. The FCC extended the reach of the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system in similar fashion last year.

[Related: “FCC Pushes for Expansion of Multilingual Emergency Alerts“]

The NAB says the FCC proposal adds up to another unfunded EAS mandate. It asks the FCC to acknowledge that EAS is a government-imposed mandate that is “unfunded, and thus imposes direct costs on stations required to implement and maintain the system.”

NAB stresses the FCC must be cautious about imposing costs that are unjustified or unnecessary. “To that end, whatever plan the FCC ultimately adopts should be able to be executed through a routine software update, rather than require broadcasters to purchase additional hardware or a new EAS device,” NAB tells the commission.

In addition, the NAB says radio stations whose primary language is English but multicast HD radio channels in a non-English language could face complications, because such stations typically have a single EAS device that transmits one EAS alert across all of their channels at a time.

The advocacy group also questions the trade-off between using pre-canned EAS scripts and the amount of useful information that can be included in an EAS alert.

The NAB states: “There will be a trade-off under the FCC’s approach between providing access to non-English alerts and the content of alerts because EAS messages will have to be stripped down to the bare essentials for pre-translation into pre-canned scripts.”

If the new proposal is adopted, the NAB asks the FCC to clarify certain aspects to ensure the implementation is “simple, economical and flexible.”

Meanwhile, a response from National Weather Service expresses appreciation for the commission’s effort to expand EAS for multiple languages, but the government agency questions the ability of pre-scripted templates since they would lack a description of the threat or event, the location and population at risk, any guidance on what protective action to take and when people should begin taking the protective action.     

“(NWS) does not use fixed alert templates for English language warnings for NWR (NOAA Weather Radio) and EAS and we do not envision fixed templates at any point in the near future because of the dynamic nature of NWS warnings and the need for localizations specific to events and locations,” NWS says in comments to the FCC.

The weather service says all of the weather alerts that have been implemented in the EAS to-date are time-sensitive, critical and thus issued to save lives and property. “As a national agency, it would be unfeasible for us to identify the messages most commonly used because our message types often vary depending on localities (e.g., hurricane alerts are not issued for states well inland),” NWS Meteorologist Timothy Schott wrote in the comments. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also questions the FCC’s approach to reach non-English speaking populations with pre-scripted templates. The agency says “the use of pre-installed templates may not be an effective approach.”

FEMA says its concerns include the effectiveness of providing generic event warnings without including the five key types of content in the message that motivate people to respond in a timely manner.

Sage Alerting Systems says it is unwilling to offer an opinion on the need for multilingual EAS alerts, but it does offer multiple suggestions to the FCC about the practicality of using the template concept for EAS.

The provider of EAS equipment says EAS is not WEA. “Alerts issued via WEA are usually displayed on a device that provides its user the opportunity to immediately search for additional information, using a clickable link in the message itself, or by using other search tools enabled by the device,” the company says. In addition, WEA offers geofencing, it says.

Sage also believes that adding additional codes that specifically invoke the uses of templates is counterproductive for EAS. “The proposal for a parallel set of new event codes is not the best way to go,” it says.

Instead, Sage recommends the following: “Don’t use new template event codes, continue to use the old event codes. The template text and audio proposed by the commission, tied to the existing event codes, simply becomes an additional fallback if secondary languages are not provided by the AO in the original CAP message.”

If Sage’s suggestion to not use template codes is accepted, then only broadcasters that have non-English programming will need the template files, the company says. 

Sage says its 3644 ENDEC would be able to store the template and audio files on an external flash drive connected to one of the USB ports on the back of the unit. It would be user installable. Cost of a user-provided USB drive is as little as $20, the company says.

Comments on the FCC’s NPRM (MB Docket 15-94) on multilingual EAS alerts can be read online at the FCC website.

[See Our Business and Law Page]

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Futuri’s survey found a general willingness to accept AI-generated voices on air.

Around 21% of radio listeners think they’ve heard AI-generated content on the air. That’s just one of the findings in Futuri’s new “Audio Consumers’ Perception of AI” report.

The report is one of two new audience surveys released by Futuri in partnership with CMG Custom Research. The surveys explore the perceptions, expectations, and realities surrounding the use of AI in media today. Futuri offers AI-based tools for media companies and content creators.

The surveys found that audiences expect media companies will use AI — and many believe they are already hearing it on the air. They also believe AI an improve program content and are ready for AI-generated voice content, but they want to be informed when and how AI is being used.

In the audio consumer survey, 90% of respondents claimed a familiarity with AI, including 56% saying they had used AI tools. In general, those familiar with AI had a positive view of the technologies; however, non-users were more wary of AI. The familiarity with AI was similar for respondents to the news survey.

When thinking of the use of AI-generated voices, about a third (31%) said AI voices were more likely to make them listen; for a similar number of respondents, the use of AI voices have no effect on listening. However, 28% of respondents said it would make them less likely to listen. The willingness to hear AI-generated voices was greater for listeners to talk programming and podcasts than to who listen to music radio.

Respondents said they’d be more open to AI voices when there wasn’t currently an on-air personality, when a host was on vacation, or when the voice had not been heard before.

The study also tested listeners’ ability to detect the use of AI voices. About 60% of the time an AI voice was perceived as human or vice versa.

Nearly half of respondents for the news survey reported they thought they had heard AI-generated news stories read by human presenters on the air. 45% of respondents felt AI could help news outlets improve their story selection, and 54% thought it could improve weather forecasts.

Both surveys also noted that a large number of respondents listen to podcasts — 90% reported listening daily; 32% daily. Futuri identified repurposing on-air content as podcasts as a potential growth area for broadcasters.

The audio consumer survey was fielded in December 2023 and had 2,634 respondents. The news consumer survey was fielded in March 2024 and included 2,500 respondents.

[Read more Radio World business news here.]

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LAS VEGAS — For forty years, Robert Heymann has served as a media broker, helping buyers and sellers complete transactions with values ranging from $11,000 for an Indiana low-powered TV station to the $165 million deal that created Classic Rocker “The Drive” in Chicago.

Given his experience with transactions, born out of his ownership of an FM radio station in San Francisco in the early 1980s, what does Heymann have to say about the deal-making environment of today and its overall health? The assessment is hardly rosy.

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Ford Ennals

After two years at the helm of Commercial Radio & Audio, Ford Ennals has resigned effective immediately.

CRA is the industry body representing 260 commercial radio stations across Australia, managing audio research, audience measurement surveys, revenue reporting, and regulatory and legislative matters.

Jo Dick, CRA chief commercial officer, will manage the CEO role whilst the board undertakes a search for a new CEO.

Ciaran Davis, chair of the CRA Board, thanked Ennals for his leadership of CRA, stating “Ford has made some great contributions during his tenure with CRA. We wish him well for his future role.”

Ford joined CRA in April 2022 after a long tenure in the United Kingdom working on the digital television switchover and then the expansion of DAB in that country.

“I’ve had the privilege to successfully guide the CRA through a key period of transition. I extend my gratitude to the CRA team and our members,” stated Ennals. “I am confident that the commercial radio and audio sector is well-positioned for future growth and success.”

During his time as CRA CEO, he led the rebranding of the association from “Commercial Radio Australia” to “Commercial Radio & Audio.” He also oversaw the launch last year of the Radio 360° audience measurement system.

[Related: Radio World’s 2022 interview with Ennals.]

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The FCC in March granted an application for a construction permit filed by WQVR(AM) 940 in Webster, Mass., requesting licensed nighttime operation.

This is noteworthy because WQVR has been licensed to operate during daytime hours with a High-Efficiency Broadband Antenna or HEBA, developed by Worldwide Antenna Systems.

The HEBA is a dual-feed antenna designed to have a much smaller footprint than a standard guyed tower with a quarter-wavelength ground system for a medium-wave antenna. WorldWide Antenna Systems partnered with WQVR, previously WGFP, to prototype different designs of the HEBA under experimental daytime operation. The station began full-time broadcasting with the HEBA during the day in December 2016 at 1 kW, and after its RF proof was accepted by the FCC, it was granted a license to operate with it during daytime hours in July 2018.

“The nighttime grant is the culmination of six years of research and we are thrilled to have the authorization of the FCC to validate this remarkable technology,” WorldWide Antenna Systems Managing Partner Tom Poulos said.

Using NEC-5 modeling software, WQVR’s engineering team — which includes the HEBA’s architect, Kurt Gorman, Isotrope’s David Maxson, Soundcart’s John Garrett and Loud & Clean Broadcast Science’s Grady Moates — ran nighttime interference analysis to confirm whether its interference contour was within the necessary FCC limits. It submitted its findings to the Media Bureau in February.

WQVR’s HEBA is 75 feet above the ground, situated on 2,500 square feet of land. With just one tee-joint welding, Poulos said the antenna has sustained through multiple New England nor-easters and severe weather outbreaks.

Poulos believes that with its reduced height, and no need for a large, buried ground system, the HEBA could be a way for AM stations to monetize the current property they operate from, which was the genesis of WQVR’s initial partnership with WorldWide Antenna Systems.

“There is also no longer a need to tune the station in the spring and fall because of the change in the weather,” Poulos said, which he believes could reduce station operating and maintenance costs.

WQVR is licensed to run 4 watts with its nighttime pattern. The station expects to receive a license to cover from the commission for transmitting from the HEBA after sunset in the next few weeks.
(Read the FCC’s nighttime authorization for WQVR’s High Efficiency Broadband Antenna.)

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The NAB and Society of Broadcast Engineers are releasing updated self-inspection guides for FM radio and television stations.

The guides assist broadcasters in conducting a self-inspection of their stations, as well as for contract inspectors who are part of the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program. Guides for AM, low-power and translator stations are expected to be released soon.

The guides provide up-to-date, standardized guidance to help comply with FCC rules and policies. The FCC stopped publishing self-inspection checklists in 2003, but rules and policies have continued to change since then.

“NAB is excited to announce these self-inspection guides as a benefit to both NAB and SBE members,” said Robert Weller, vice president for spectrum policy at NAB. “The success of this project was possible through close collaboration between our organizations and demonstrates the commitment of broadcasters to proper station operation.”

The guides will be available initially as a free member benefit for NAB and SBE members, downloadable from the member sections of the associations’ websites.

The guides will be formally introduced April 16, during a joint NAB/SBE session “FCC Enforcement – New Self-Inspection Guides Can Help Your Station Avoid Fines.” Representatives from NAB, the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Association (NASBA) and SBE will present the new guides.

[Click here for more news from NAB Show 2024.]

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