Industry News

Rob Bertrand and Andy Gunn

Early in 2020, WAMU completed its new ERI 1183-series FM master antenna system, the largest in Washington, D.C. It serves WAMU, WTOP and WPFW, and is an aux for WETA. The tower also holds separate noncombined antennas for WMMJ(FM) and a backup to WPGC(FM).

Senior Director of Technology Rob Bertrand had been part of the management group for a high-profile master antenna group in another major market, which had experienced some operational challenges over the course of its history that a modern monitoring system might have alleviated. When Director of Engineering Andy Gunn joined the WAMU team, the two set the goal of building the most robust system they could imagine.

Rob contributed his knowledge from managing the prior system and Andy brought his tenacity, creativity, and attention to detail to the project. The result was an implementation of Burk’s Arcturus system of which both engineers are very proud and is a showcase of the system’s capabilities.

[See Radio World’s 2020 Article About This Project]

The monitoring and control project sought to address multiple concerns from the start. Several of the stations have relatively high TPOs in the 20 to 30 kW range, so very solid VSWR monitoring is important. There are unique switching and monitoring considerations to meet some of the backup features incorporated into the antenna systems. There was also a strong desire to ensure the system would accommodate the addition of more stations in the future.

Prior experiences with esoteric failures made redundancy a significant design concern across the system. WAMU wanted dual interlock strings for each station operating in parallel so no single wire would cause an interlock issue for stations. They also added dual dehydrators, which automatically rotate duty cycle via Arcturus, and can be switched online in the event of failure.

Multiple safety features were incorporated: U-links on every transmitter input to the system as well as a key switch and controller lockout system to protect climbers on the tower. There is also a centrally located interlock bypass for when maintenance is required on the VSWR monitoring system itself.

The Burk Plus-X VSWR fit the bill for a self-contained VSWR monitoring unit that would be fast-acting, have three-strike capability, and operate even if it lost connection to the Arcturus controller. Additional Burk Plus-X 600 and Plus-X EM32 units provide the necessary I/O to operate additional functions and monitor critical temperatures, fire, and security statuses throughout the complex.

Burk engineers collaborated with WAMU to program many macros on the Arcturus system that gives it the extensive functionality required. The sheer quantity of monitoring and control points across the system necessitated relatively complex macros, which Burk designed. WAMU also requested the ability to view key system values over the course of a year, so that operating variables across seasons could be tracked. Burk delivered multiple custom pages of monitoring and control in AutoPilot to meet all these needs. Paul Shulins and David Wing of Shulins Solutions provided integration services for the installation of the system. They were vital in thinking through the installation and making sure there were no “gotchas” in this stage.

The Arcturus system has been running reliably for WAMU and its tenants for nearly 18 months. During the initial buildout there were several challenges in ironing out final configurations, but Burk support worked with WAMU as was necessary to get everything as they wanted it to be. The wiring for the system is very complex, and the labeling and documentation for the system is similarly complex. It took a while to determine the best method to label and document the system. The complex macros required extensive testing to ensure they didn’t have any unintended consequences — for instance, opening interlocks in the event of power loss to a single unit or loss of network connection between the devices. Thorough testing and final corrective action ensured the platform will be reliable and responsive to the needs of DC’s largest master FM system for years to come.

Info: Contact Matt Leland at Burk Technology at 1-978-486-0086 or https://www.burk.com.

Radio World User Reports are testimonial articles intended to help readers understand why a colleague chose a particular product to solve a technical situation.

 

The post User Report: Burk Arcturus Serves Washington’s WAMU appeared first on Radio World.

It’s that time of year when the predictions and prognostications start rolling off the presses. But there’s only one place where broadcasters will have a chance in 2021 to review, face to face, one of the most important and transformative years ever and examine the coming one when what we’ve learned and what has changed could alter and move business in the year to come. It’s Forecast 2022 — the one opportunity to discuss in person the impact of a new FCC, of a midterm election set to spend record dollars in advertising, of the future of cross-ownership, of diversity in marketing and branding and what that could mean for radio and television, and so much more. It’s your one chance to drill down and ask questions — questions that often come in response to answers to other questions. Spontaneous. Enlightening. Provocative. The way it is when you’re in the room together. The way it is at Forecast 2022. All wrapped up with the industry’s premiere networking event, the Broadcast Leadership Reception.

 

Register for this event, on Tuesday in New York, today!

 

 

Take it from Gordon Borrell … You’ve Got To Be There! Gordon Borrell, CEO, Borrell Associates Register today!

 

Colorado Public Radio logo

Colorado Public Radio and a local community college will exchange radio signals in Colorado Springs.

CPR and Pikes Peak Community College said that early next year, the college’s station KEPC will change call letters to KXRE and air on 102.1 FM and 1490 AM, while CPR’s “Indie 102.3” will air on 89.7 in Colorado Springs and 93.3 in Pueblo.

“Indie 102.3 began broadcasting in Colorado Springs in April 2020 and has seen steady audience growth in the region,” said CPR President/CEO Stewart Vanderwilt, who made the announcement with PPCC President Lance Bolton.

“We’re excited to expand its reach through this trade while also establishing a paid internship program for students from Pikes Peak Community College.”

PPCC students will have the opportunity to intern with KRCC, the news station operated by CPR in southern Colorado.

Bolton said CPR gets a stronger signal, and the students get new internship opportunities at KRCC.

“Meanwhile, the college’s station, now called Xtra Music 102.1, will continue to play the maximum variety of tunes that our campus community loves.” That station is run by faculty and operated by students. Its interns are enrolled in the Broadcast and Electronic Media Program at the school.

CPR and station KRCC will also provide engineering assistance to PPCC’s tower and infrastructure.

The post A Radio Station Swap in Colorado Springs appeared first on Radio World.

The seven-day filing window for applications for new noncommercial educational FM station construction permits closed Tuesday evening. Almost 1,300 applications were received.

The FCC’s Media Bureau now will look for mutually exclusive (MX) groups of applications – those that conflict with one another – as well as “singletons,” those that do not. Then the bureau will release public notices to identify MX groups of applications and explain the procedures for filing settlement agreements and technical amendments. MX applicants will have an opportunity to resolve conflicts through settlements or technical amendments.

The commission also placed a temporary freeze on the filing of any amendments to NCE FM new station applications submitted in this filing window until Nov. 29.

The window is only for proposals in the FM reserved band, Channels 201 to 220, which is 87.9 to 91.9 MHz, and individual entities could only apply for up to 10.

The post Almost 1,300 Applications Received in NCE FM Window appeared first on Radio World.

With the aim of providing financial assistance to those in broadcasting who need it most, the Broadcasters Foundation of America has launched its annual year-end giving campaign in which more than $1.8 million in aid will be awarded to broadcast colleagues. The 501(c)3 charity is dedicated exclusively to delivering financial aid to broadcasters and their families whose lives have been upended by illness, accident or catastrophe.

This year’s call for donations follows nearly two years of cancelled fundraising events, most caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the organization, more broadcasters than ever have reached out for monthly or emergency relief.

[Read: Broadcasters Foundation Offers Aid for Texas Broadcasters]

“Requests for assistance have escalated at a significant rate over the past several years,” said Jim Thompson, co-president of the Broadcasters Foundation. “Combined with the cancellation of several fundraising events due to the pandemic, personal and corporate donations are vital to continuing our charitable mission of disbursing financial aid to those in your industry who need it most.”

Over the past 20 years, the Broadcasters Foundation has distributed more than $15 million to broadcasters in need. Since 2017, the organization has awarded more than 500 emergency grants and increased monthly grants 75%. Donations are made through several funds including the Guardian Fund, which handles individual donations, the Angel Initiative, which takes in corporate contributions, and the Legacy Society, which handles bequest request.

“Our grant recipients are hard-working broadcasters from across the country and from all size markets, who have been hit by challenging, often life-altering circumstances,” said Scott Herman, chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. “With the support and generosity of the people in our industry, we can help … colleagues and their families get through their toughest times.”

To donate or learn more, contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 1-212-373-8250, info@thebofa.org or at www.broadcastersfoundation.org.

 

The post Giving Campaign Aims to Distribute $1.8 million to Broadcasters appeared first on Radio World.

On November 5, it became known that audience measurement services in Orlando and Tampa, Fla., and in Washington, D.C., will be delivered to Univision Communications exclusively by a company that continues to fuel its desire to compete head-on with Nielsen in the U.S. broadcast TV marketplace.

With its stock stuck in the mid-$3 range across 2021, the thirst for providing an alternative to Nielsen is apparent for Comscore. And, it is slowly succeeding, as it has a new expanded agreement with the owner of television stations in eight small to mid-sized U.S. markets.

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KINGSTON, N.Y. — For 18 years, he was President/CEO of Buntin Out-of-Home Media. Since 2018, he has led his own consultancy, focused on business innovation.

As of December 31, this 1989 SUNY Albany graduate who has never worked inside a radio station will replace Area President Kristen Delaney at the nation’s largest audio content and distribution company — an appointment that speaks volumes of the type of leadership iHeartMedia seeks in 2021.

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John Bisset shares a clever use for toothpicks.

Joan Warner comments on the state of the digital radio rollout in Australia.

Audio company In:Quality offers codecs with a twist.

Debate over WMAS specifics heats up.

Mark Lapidus digs into a report about the state of audio, published by Audacy.

And Delilah talks with Radio World about her hopes for the radio station that she recently acquired in Oregon.

Read it here.

The post Inside the Nov. 10, 2021 Issue of Radio World appeared first on Radio World.

He’s largely known across the radio industry as the former President/COO and equity investor and partner in the Dick Clark-founded United Stations Radio Networks (USRN). Most recently, he was President/CEO at national radio entity Key Networks.

Now he’s teaming up with the Managing Partner of Gen Media Partners for the launch of a new radio content and service provider and producer.

Introducing G Accelerate. It will see Friedland and Higgins each hold a stake in the operation, while Higgins will lead it as President/CEO.

“G Accelerate Networks will be laser-focused on bringing in new business from both existing and new radio content and service providers, producers, and programs that are looking to accelerate their revenue potential, as well as increase their affiliated stations and national footprint,” GMP says.

Explaining the creation of G Accelerate, Higgins said, “Too many radio content producers are getting lost and not getting the attention and dedicated sales and affiliate services required to keep them top-of-mind with stations and thriving financially. Warren and I are committed to changing that result for those clients that join us at G Accelerate. We welcome the opportunity to provide them with the effort, resources, and passion required to deliver growth and success.”

G Accelerate Networks will tap into and work with Gen Media Partners’ G Networks, Hispanic Radio Networks (HRN), Gen Media Partners Radio Reps, and other GMP offerings “to assist in growing their revenues and affiliations.”

With an eye towards its expansion, Friedland stated, “G Accelerate will also be looking for select equity investments and acquisitions in content and service provider companies whose vision and mission lines up with or complements Gen Media Partners. We’ve known Jim for many years, and he was always the shining star of the companies lucky enough to have worked with him. His vast executive experience and client relationships with both creatives, producers, agencies, and advertisers is unmatched in the network business. We are thrilled to be a part of his new venture.”

 

To learn more about G Accelerate Networks, content creators and radio stations may contact Jim Higgins at Jim.higgins@genmediapartners.com.

Following Tuesday’s closing bell on Wall Street, Des Moines-based Meredith Corporation shared that its Board of Directors has approved the distribution of one share of Meredith Holdings Corporation (“New Meredith”) common stock for each share of common stock of the company as it exists today, and one share of “New Meredith” Class B common stock for each share of soon-to-be “Old Meredith” class B stock held as of November 19.

This effectively put the Meredith/Gray Merger Marathon at Mile 26, with the finish line clearly in sight. In fact, Meredith has a date within the next month when it expects the closing to occur.

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