XPost: alt.radio.broadcasting

Radio World

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Deutschlandradio Plans Launch of More DAB+ Transmitters

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 12:39 PM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/global/deutschlandradio-plans-launch-of-more-dab-transmitters


Germany public service broadcaster Deutschlandradio is accelerating its distribution via digital radio. On June 30, 2022, the broadcaster will
switch off several short-range FM transmitters at six locations in the
states of Hesse, Baden–Württemberg, and Saxony–Anhalt in favor of DAB+. Deutschlandradio Director Stefan Raue

The Deutschlandfunk (89.2 MHz) and Deutschlandfunk Kultur (95.2 MHz)
channels originating from Pforzheim, Baden–Württemberg, as well as the Deutschlandfunk (107.1 MHz) channel from Dessau, Saxony–Anhalt, will switch from FM to DAB+. In Hesse, the move affect Deutschlandfunk from Eschwege
(100.6 MHz) and Hofgeismar (106.9 MHz), as well as Deutschlandfunk Kultur
from Bad Camberg (88.6 MHz) and Gießen (107.5 MHz).

The new DAB+ services will operate in the national DAB+ VHF Channel 5C
block along with the public Detuschlandfunk Nova and DLF DokDeb channels
and other private broadcasters.

[Related: “Does 5G Make Sense for Radio?”]

Deutschlandradio launched DAB services in 2011, and since 2018 it has distributed programming in some parts of Germany only digitally. The broadcaster has commissioned 12 new transmitters for its nationwide DAB+ network for 2022 with new locations going on air in the states of Bavaria, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig– Holstein, as well as additional stations in Baden–Württemberg, Bavaria, and Saxony.

The broadcaster expects to have at total of 161 locations broadcasting its
DAB+ channels nationwide by year-end, reaching some 90% of the German
populace.

“We are convinced of the digitalization of radio for economic, ecological
and technical reasons,” stated Deutschlandradio Director Stefan Raue. “DAB+ is being requested by more and more people, and the user-friendliness
speaks of the platform speaks for itself. Permanent parallel operation of
DAB+ and FM is therefore not a sensible option.”

The post Deutschlandradio Plans Launch of More DAB+ Transmitters appeared
first on Radio World.


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Rosenworcel at Home With COVID

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 12:30 PM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/people-news/rosenworcel-at-home-with-covid


FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is home with COVID-19, she announced on Twitter on Monday morning.

“It’s been mild and I’m grateful for the protection being fully vaxxed and
boosted provides. I’ll follow CDC guidance and for now will carry on with
the work of the FCC at home.”

She has been on the commission since 2012 and was named acting chair in
early 2021. In December she officially became the first chairwoman.

Rosenworcel is scheduled to appear at the NAB Show in Las Vegas in two
weeks. Whether she will be there now, live or virtually, has not been
answered.

“It is difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the chairwoman’s COVID-19 contraction,” said Rosenworcels Press Secretary Paloma Perez. “However, I can confirm that FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is fully vaccinated and boosted. Prior to recent test results, the chairwoman had
been testing negative. She is experiencing mild symptoms. She will be
following CDC guidance and is following the agency’s protocol for COVID exposure notifications. While there may be some scheduling adjustments, the chairwoman will continue to perform her official duties from home. We
continue to prioritize the health and safety of all FCC staff as we
navigate this pandemic together.”

Perez told Radio World it is too soon to way whether Rosenworcel will be
able to keep her in-person NAB Show appointment.

The post Rosenworcel at Home With COVID appeared first on Radio World.


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Neutrik Adds to PowerCon Line

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 10:38 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/neutrik-adds-to-powercon-line


Neutrik introduced powerCON TRUE1 TOP L input and output cable connectors. 

These specialty items may be useful for smaller stations and those that
cover remote sporting events who build their own equipment racks; these connectors could be used for the AC power.

“Carrying the -L suffix, these new connectors accept cable outer diameters
of 10 to 16 mm (0.39 to 0.63”) making them ideal for extra hard service
SOOW 12/3, SJOOW12/3 and H07RN-F3G2.5 cables,” the company stated.

“A patent-pending cable entry meet standards requirements for preventing disassembly by hand. As a result, the connectors are certified to EN
60320-1, IEC 60320-1 and UL 60320-1 when applied to appropriate cables
(SOOW 12/3, SJOOW 12/3, H07RN-F3G2.5). This allows mains cables to be
assembled in accordance with UL 817, CSA C22.2 No. 21 and EN IEC 60799.”

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

NAC3FX-W-TOP-L injects power into a device or a coupled cable.
NAC3MX-W-TOP-L receives power. The L connectors are rated to 20 A (16 A in Europe) and 250 V AC. They are IP 65 rated in the mated condition and built from UL 94 V-0 and UL F1-rated UV resistant materials. 
Neutriks powerCON TRUE1 TOP L input and output cable connectors. 

Neutrik Americas also introduced HTLACA and HTLACB assembly tools for use
with these connectors.

NAC3FX-W-TOP-L and NAC3MX-W-TOP-L mate to all the same chassis and cable connectors as the standard NAC3FX-W-TOP and NAC3MX-W-TOP.

It quoted VP Technology of Neutrik Americas Fred Morgenstern saying the connectors are suitable for customers looking to deploy latched,
twist-locking, single-phase AC power connectors with extra hard service cable. 

“With excellent weather resistance, including UV light resistance, the connectors are ideal for first runs from power distros to daisy-chained
devices as well as for various applications where junior service cable may
be deemed too lightweight,” he said.

The connectors can be used with SJ* cables as well; Neutrik thinks many
North American customers may prefer them over the standard (non L) powerCON TRUE1 TOP connectors for SJ* cables that are on the higher end of the
standard connectors’ 6 to 12 mm (0.24 to 0.47”) OD range.

The post Neutrik Adds to PowerCon Line appeared first on Radio World.


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Keith Pelletier Promoted to President of Dielectric

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 10:26 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/people-news/keith-pelletier-promoted-to-president-of-dielectric

Keith Pelletier, president of Dielectric.

This month, Sinclair Broadcast Group announced the promotion of Keith
Pelletier to president of Dielectric. Pelletier has been employed by
Dielectric for 25 years and has operated as vice-president and general
manager of the RF antenna and system manufacturer since Sinclair acquired
the assets in 2013.

“I am looking forward to leading the company into the future, said
Pelletier following the announcement. Dielectric will continue to embrace change and lead efforts to stay on the cutting edge of technology and manufacturing while solving broadcasters’ future RF needs.”

Previous President, Andy Whiteside, who is retiring this summer, said,
“Keith has in-depth engineering and manufacturing experience coupled with strong leadership skills and excellent rapport with Dielectric’s customer base.

“Keith recognized early on the unprecedented demands that the US Spectrum Repack would place on the industry, and drove his team to develop and
implement the innovative engineering and manufacturing process changes that resulted in Dielectric providing over 85% of the TV antennas to the Repack program — a key factor in ensuring the timely success of the Repack effort.”

[Visit Radio World’s People News Page]

Per a company press release, Pelletier earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maine, Orono. Over the course of his employment, he has gained experience working with all of Dielectric’s products and services, authoring numerous technical papers and presenting
at major engineering conferences.

He is well known and respected throughout the industry and will continue to lead innovation at Dielectric in support of US and overseas broadcasters,
read the release.

The post Keith Pelletier Promoted to President of Dielectric appeared first
on Radio World.


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BE Releases New FM Transmitters

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 09:03 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/be-releases-new-fm-transmitters


Broadcast Electronics has announced its newly-released FM transmitters:
STXe-5 and STXe-6. 

The manufacturer says these medium-power FM radio transmitters “herald the next step toward reducing capital expenditure and minimizing operating costs.”
Broadcast Electronics STXe6 BE Unit

The transmitter family is based on the established STX-e platform. BE says network operators benefit from low operating costs through the product’s
life cycle thanks to an excellent Mean Time Between Failure design. 

“Stations will hear the difference in audio quality from the legendary BE exciter with its exceptional clarity,” said the company. 

All STXe transmitters can be upgraded for HD Radio and DRM+, and all
include hot-pluggable and redundant power supplies.  

The STXe-5 and STXe-6 are smaller and lighter than the previous STX-LP
series transmitter, according to BE. Additionally, they include SNMP level
3 remote control, web browser remote control and integrated RDS generator.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

The STXe range boasts efficiency values of up to 80%, including the cooling system. BE said the adaptive efficiency optimization feature ensures
maximum energy cost savings even after channel changes or output power adjustments. 

“The new VPeXgine, featuring PTV Inside technology, provides maximum performance and efficiency in HD Radio operation,” BE stated. “Both the STXe-5 and STXe-6 maintain their very high efficiency, even at lower
powers.”

These models will be released in two versions including Dual
Controller/Exciter and Single Controller Exciter with an add on amplifier.
BE notes that STXe series models include two RF power supply modules that
are accessible from the front and hot-pluggable, providing quick
serviceability in the event of a power issue without going off air.

The post BE Releases New FM Transmitters appeared first on Radio World.


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Rosenworcel Scheduled for NAB Show, But Has COVID

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 08:38 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/show-news/nab-show/fcc-chair-rosenworcel-will-speak-at-nab-show


For the first time as chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission, Jessica Rosenworcel is scheduled to appear at the spring NAB Show. Whether
she will be able to keep that appointment in person is not clear however. Jessica Rosenworcel speaking at a prior NAB Show. (Photo by Jim Peck)

On the same day that the NAB announced that she was scheduled to appear at
the convention in two weeks, the chairwoman tweeted that she is home with COVID-19. Her press secretary told Radio World it is too soon to say
whether she will be able to attend.

Rosenworcel has been a speaker at broadcast conventions before, having
joined the commission in 2012. However, if she can make it to the
convention it would be her first NAB Show appearance as chairwoman.  She
was named the FCCs acting chair in January 2021 and, in December, she officially took the role, making her the first woman to hold the post.

Rosenworcel, a Democrat, presides over a commission that is split 2–2 politically. The nomination of Gigi Sohn that would give the party the
usual majority under a Democratic administration is held up in the Senate.

[For More on the Convention See Our NAB Show News Page]

National Association of Broadcasters President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt is
scheduled to participate in a fireside chat with Rosenworcel on Monday
April 25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, immediately after the show
welcome session. This will also be LeGeyt’s first NAB Show since succeeding Gordon Smith.

“In today’s hyper-competitive media landscape, a regulatory framework that allows local radio and television stations to evolve, adapt and better
serve their audiences is of vital importance,” said LeGeyt in an NAB press release. 

Before coming to the FCC, Rosenworcel was senior communications counsel to
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. She also had worked at the FCC for the Wireline Competition Bureau and as a senior aide
to then-Commissioner Michael Copps.

Contacted for comment, NAB spokeswoman Ann Marie Cumming said, “We wish the chairwoman a speedy recovery. Our primary concern is her health.”

The post Rosenworcel Scheduled for NAB Show, But Has COVID appeared first
on Radio World.


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Letters: AM in EVs, and Genset Mandates

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 08:26 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/readers-forum/letters-am-in-evs-and-genset-mandates


These are among the latest letters to the editor of Radio World. (Read more letters.) Submit letters to radioworld@futurenet.com.
AMs in Electric Vehicles

Regarding Pooja Nair’s commentary “Control EMI, Don’t Dump AM Receivers”:

I don’t see a reversal of the trend unless the FCC demands Part 15
compliance of EVs. 

It’s cheaper to omit an AM unit than to design and install filters. 

Filters, although not very heavy, do add weight, and adding weight reduces range.

On second thought, SDR might rescue AM in EVs by allowing algorithmic
filters tuned to reject the particular EMI spectrum of each model of EV, instead of physical filters on noise-generating sections of EVs.

There’s a cost though to EV manufacturers. They would initially need a spectrum analyzer and someone to program filters, after which firmware
would be updated on a production line. 

Is there enough consumer demand for AM radios in EVs that car manufacturers would be willing to accept the costs?

Paul Sagi

Malaysia
Let’s Be Realistic

As Tom Taggart pointed out in his commentary “A Genset Mandate? Only if
Uncle Sam Pays”, financial obstacles will prevent many smaller-market broadcasters from meeting any FCC genset mandate.

I might add that local and state planning and air quality authorities will
also get in the way.  

In California, anti-fossil fuel zealots have been able to enact rules administratively precluding new installations of permanent gasoline and
diesel generators.  

In my county of Monterey, you cannot get an operating permit for those
kinds of generators from our local air pollution control district. And now
we see there’s a move to ban the use of natural gas and propane in many
areas of this state.  

The only two ways a genset requirement from the FCC will work in smaller markets is, one, for the feds to pick up the tab for the equipment and installation, and two, issue a mandate that can trump any and all state or local laws against the installation and operation of this equipment. 

Mark Carbonaro 

Monterey, Calif.

The post Letters: AM in EVs, and Genset Mandates appeared first on Radio
World.


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AEQ Lays Out NAB Booth Plans

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 08:15 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/aeq-lays-out-nab-booth-plans

AEQ Forum Lite

AEQ says it has a whole bunch of new products to show off at the NAB Show
this month. 

Xpeak is a matrix-less intercom system for remote production. It supports
up to 28 user terminals in different formats: desktop, rack, wired
belt-pack, wireless belt-pack and PC application. All terminals
interconnect with maximum operational flexibility and without the need for
a matrix.
Atrium is a digital IP audio console for radio and TV broadcast and
production, particularly those applications with heavy workflow demands. It supports management of up to 1,000 channels of local of IP audio,
controllable through one or more surfaces, each with up to 90 motorized and pageable faders. Its new X_Core engine can be shared bby up to six consoles. X_Core is a mixing, processing and distributing audio matrix for broadcast applications.


“It can work as a general-purpose audio matrix, as an audio matrix for intercom, or with combined functionalities. It also acts as the engine of a console, or set of consoles.”

[For More News on the NAB Show See Our NAB Show News Page]

For intercom systems and audio consoles, it can handle up to 1,024 inputs
and outputs. For audio matrix, in combination with the Titan router, up to
5 X_Cores can be linked up to the non-blocking matrix dimension of 5120 x
5120 circuits. It is modular and redundant.

Talent is an audio codec with Bluetooth connectivity. 


It provides connectivity for professional microphones and headphones for
the host or guests of a program, “from home or anywhere.” AEQ says audio is studio-quality.

An external stereo audio source can be connected physically and through a high-quality Bluetooth connection. “These sources are added to the
microphone signal, allowing you to broadcast and comment on concerts,
sports or other events, or individual audio files or play-lists from a
phone or PC and present them.”

And Forum Lite is a compact console that combines the Forum IP Split
surface with four, eight or 12 faders with the M_Core compact engine with
two rack units.


It can handle up to 92+ channels of audio on a modular surface of up to 12 faders with four direct routing keys per channel. “Its M_Core engine is compact and independent, for processing, inputs and outputs, with mixing, dynamics, equalization and filter functions.”

Available options include 16 or 32 Dante-AES67 AoIP inputs and outputs, 64
AES 10 MADI inputs and outputs, two telephone hybrids, and redundant power supply.



NAB Show Booth: C3205

The post AEQ Lays Out NAB Booth Plans appeared first on Radio World.


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FCC Hands Two FM Translator Licensees $1,500 Forfeitures

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 08:03 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/industry/fcc/fcc-hands-two-fm-translator-licensees-1500-forfeitures


The Media Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission continues to
remind licensees of their duty to file their license renewal applications
on time.

The bureau said licensees from the California cities of Moreno Valley and
Death Valley were both liable for a monetary forfeiture of $1,500 for not submitting a license renewal on the fourth full calendar month before the expiration of their FM translator license. 

In both cases —for K204BW, which is licensed by the Death Valley Natural History Association, and K293CF, licensed by RFEngineers Inc. — the bureau said the licensees should have renewed their license by Aug. 2, 2021. That
day was the first business day of the fourth full month prior to the stations’ license expiration date. 

[See Our Business and Law Page]

In both of these cases, the applications weren’t submitted until Nov. 29, 2021, only two days before the license was set to expire on December 1.

Neither licensee gave a reason for the late filing, the bureau said. 

As a result, the bureau moved to penalize the two licensees and looked to
its own forfeiture policy for guidance. According to the rules, a base forfeiture for failing to file a required form is $3,000. The bureau does
have the ability to adjust that base forfeiture up or down considering the nature of the violation. In both of these cases, the licensees did file
their applications prior to the expiration of the station’s license;
however, applications were still filed late. 

Since the service that a translator provides is considered a secondary
service, the bureau said both licensees are required to pay a $1,500
forfeiture instead of the full $3,000. Each licensee has 30 days to pay the forfeiture or file a written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of
the proposed forfeiture.

The post FCC Hands Two FM Translator Licensees $1,500 Forfeitures appeared first on Radio World.


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ERI Concerned About Directional FM Modeling

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 07:50 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/eri-concerned-about-directional-fm-modeling


Electronics Research Inc. has been in the business of manufacturing FM
antennas for nearly 80 years, so the company’s opinions on broadcast transmission equipment carry a lot of weight within the broadcast industry.

The company recently expressed concerns about a proposed rulemaking being considered by the FCC to allow use of computational FM broadcast antenna pattern modeling technology. And that hesitation to endorse the idea is
based on ERI’s experience with computer modeling, which shows it as only a good starting point.

“Still, the final design of directional and nondirectional FM and
television antennas should be completed and verified with measured azimuth patterns on either an Antenna Test Range or in an anechoic chamber,” ERI
told the FCC.

ERI told the FCC it worries the proposed changes would allow computer
studies to confirm compliance with no verification that the performance of
the computer simulation is accurate and correct.

The ERI filing included details and testing to support their position that approving the proposed changes would be detrimental to the public and the
FM broadcast service, which has a history of station growth and increasing congestion.

The proposal would relax the requirement for directional FM antennas
operated by full-service and low-power FM stations in the United States to submit measured azimuth pattern data, taken at either full-scale or
fraction scale model. The elimination of the FCC requirement to provide measured horizontal plane pattern data with directional FM antenna license applications would reduce costs for broadcasters, experts say.

The broadcast transmission equipment manufacturer continued: “The proposed changes would allow computer studies to be used to confirm compliance with authorized facilities with no verification that the performance of the
computer simulation is accurate and correct. In addition, the changes
proposed are a relaxation of the rules applied to full-service FM stations. These facilities do not have an obligation to immediately cease operation
if they cause interference to other full-service FM stations, as is the
case for secondary services, FM translators, FM Boosters, and Low Power FM stations.”

The most common reason to use a directional antenna by a commercial
full-power FM is to allow it to “short-space” to another FM station while maintaining contour protection to that station. Using electromagnetic
modeling software can save time and expense for broadcasters, say industry experts, and the NAB in general supports the FCC’s NPRM.

Currently, applications proposing the use of directional FM antenna systems must include a tabulation of the antenna pattern through measurements
performed on a test range of full scale or scaled model setup, commonly
4.1:1 or 4.5:1, according to the FCC.

ERI says it believes the proposed changes in the proceeding have the
potential to “create protracted and contentious interference disputes” since the disputes would involve full-service FM stations that are licensed
as a primary service.

The company also worries about the “overall noise floor and technical integrity of the FM band” should the FCC proceed.

[See Our Business and Law Page]

In addition, the antenna maker notes the FM Broadcast Band has a history of changes and additions to the types of services authorized, the power levels
at which they have been allowed to operate, and the criteria used to site
new facilities through modifications to the table of FM allotments. “The result has been an ever-increasing number of authorized facilities and a continuing impairment of fringe coverage,” it commented.

The number of full-service FM radio stations has grown from 2,306 in 1968
to 10,880 at the end of 2021, ERI says, which, combined with secondary
services like on-frequency boosters, translators and LPFM stations, has
reduced fringe area coverage for all full-service FM stations.

“And, in some cases, have caused interference that has resulted in the loss of service,” ERI wrote the FCC.

The FCC adopted a Notice for Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in November 2021
based on a joint petition from Dielectric, Jampro Antennas, Radio Frequency Systems and Shively Labs. The antenna manufacturers were joined by
Educational Media Foundation in proposing the rule changes.

ERI in its comments takes issue with the FM directional antenna example
used by the proponents in their petition, which ERI claims is not representative of the majority of directional FM antennas in service. The
FCC says there are about 900 directional FM stations licensed in the U.S.

“The antenna is identified as a directional FM antenna built for WHEM(FM), licensed to Eau Claire, Wis. The antenna is a single bay FM antenna mounted
to a 10-inch OD pole; this is not representative of most directional FM
antenna systems in use. The vast majority of the proposals generated and
orders filled by ERI for directional FM antennas are for multi-bay arrays mounted on lattice structures below the tower top of steel,” ERI said in comments filed by Tom Silliman, president and CEO of the company, and
several other ERI employees.

However, ERI did acknowledge in its reply comments that “simple
pole-mounted directional FM antennas without significant nulls are not
complex and can be modeled, by a competent software user with considerable experience with the tools and their application, with good results.”

FM radio is the only remaining broadcast service in the United States that requires physical measurements, thereby preventing manufacturers and broadcasters from relying on computer modeling to verify directional
antenna problems, according to the proposed rulemaking. The FCC in 2008 approved the use of the computer modeling technique known as the method of moments (MoM) to allow AM stations to do Proof of Performance of
directional AM antenna patterns without the use of actual field strength measurements.

The ERI filing to the FCC’s MD Docket 21-422 includes details and testing
to support its position that approving the changes to the FCC rules would
be detrimental to the public and to FM broadcast services. You can also
read more opinion on the computer modeling NPRM in the April 27 issue of
Radio World.

The post ERI Concerned About Directional FM Modeling appeared first on
Radio World.


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Burk Offers Customization Service

Posted: 11 Apr 2022 06:00 AM PDT https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/burk-offers-customization-service


Burk Technology introduced the ARC NOW customization service. It says ARC
NOW delivers “remote control systems ready to plug in and turn on.”

The idea is to save users from dealing with the details of setup and configuration.

“Advanced capabilities that can help manage an ever-increasing engineering workload often remain untapped. ARC NOW makes it quick and easy to achieve
the benefits and efficiencies of a well-designed site management system,”
the company stated.

“Burk ships ARC NOW systems ready to run with controls, alarms, logging, reports, Jet Active Flowcharts and AutoPilot custom views. Calculated
functions and alarm relationships are matched to the unique requirements of each station. Engineers and managers get easy access to the data they need
to keep stations running smoothly.”

ARC NOW is available for new or existing ARC Plus Touch, ARC Plus SL or ARC Solo remote control systems.

The post Burk Offers Customization Service appeared first on Radio World.

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