Guest Commentaries
We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Power Plant
Radio managers need to take the coming threat more seriously
Charles “Buc” Fitch, P.E., has been a consulting engineer for 40+ years. He is a senior member of the AFCCE and SBE; holds SBE CPBE with AMD certification and electrical contractor licenses; and is a former radio station owner and TV DOE. He is a past recipient of SBE’s Writer of the Year and Educator of the Year awards.
Columns and Views
Worth the Read: The Mathematical Radio
In this review, Buc Fitch says "this book fills a big gap in literature"
Columns and Views
Only We Can Change the Landscape of Radio
Frankly, artificial intelligence is somewhat underwhelming
Tech Tips
A Composite Demodulator for Troubleshooting and Discrete Audio
This home-brew device turns composite baseband into discrete left and right
Tech Tips
Build a Customizable Thermal Sensor
I used it for a purpose-built low-power FM transmitter
Tech Tips
Your Power, Your Transmitter and You
Factors to consider in creating a power utilization plan
Roots of Radio
WCBS: A Radio Island in the Stream
How a powerhouse AM station ended up with a distinctive tower on a little...
Tech Tips
Build an Unbalanced-to-Balanced Adaptor
Buc Fitch provides an easy solution to an everyday engineering problem
Headlines
Hunt Down Those PPoFs in Your Power Provision
Consider potential points of failure when seeking to “harden” your transmitter site
Tech and Gear
Tips for Good Due Diligence
The buy/don’t-buy decision often hinges on a factual, complete due diligence report
Business and Law
From the Archives: Fires, Your Station and You
Fire prevention never goes out of style
Tech and Gear
Amprobes and Their Ilk: An Essential Tool
The clamp-on ammeter is one of the most useful items in a radio engineer’s...
Tech and Gear
Putting It All Together: The Big Picture of the Small End of Power Generation
Buc Fitch concludes our discussion of the importance of backup generators
Tech and Gear
Pragmatics 101: The Big Picture of the Small End of Power Generation
Time to consider practical aspects to enhance safety and performance
Tech and Gear
Sizing and Selection: the Big Picture of the Small End of Power Generation
Buc continues his exploration of small power generators
Tech and Gear
The Good, the Bad and the Noisy
Small power generators, Part 1: The big picture of the small end of power...
Tech and Gear
Repairing a Damaged Mod Monitor
Even a junked piece of equipment can be brought back to use with a...
Columns and Views
FM Slide Rule Is a Treasure From the Past
To bolster the enthusiasm and brio that came out of WWII, RCA sent customers...
Roots of Radio
How FM Stereo Came to Life
FCC did not settle for the industry’s ad hoc standardization
RW Contributors
Surge of Certification
Buc Fitch issues the call for broadcast engineers to get SBE Certification or upgrade...
Columns and Views
The Body of Knowledge: Use It or Lose It
Achieve your highest potential by imagining, speculating, reaching
Columns and Views
The Entire Universe, Divided Into Two Parts
It seems like all of existence comes down to either connectors or adapters
Miscellaneous
Come Here, Mr. Watson, CBNE!
Sometimes the expression ‘lost in transmission’ really means that
Columns and Views
Fires, Your Station and You
Thoughts from Buc Fitch for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7–13
Miscellaneous
The Flexible Meter
Circuit design allows simple meter to measure a wide range of values
Miscellaneous
At RF It’s Only Skin Deep
Inductance the Reason Current Flow Moves to the Conductor Surface
RW Contributors
What to Do When the Fake Crowd Goes Quiet
Buc Fitch recalls how a young Al Michaels handled the situation
Tech Tips
Make Cheap Talk Even Cheaper
Here’s a cost-effective design for a computer mic/headset interface
Miscellaneous
What’s the Frequency, Rollo?
Certification Corner: Test gear is near worthless unless calibrated
RW Contributors
Audio, Out and Back
I can’t help but find it thrilling how easily audio can move around the...
Roots of Radio
Clack-Clack-Clack-Clack-Clack
Buc fondly recalls the staccato tattoo of the radio teletype