The author, WØMH, is an SBE Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer, now retired after more than 60 years in radio broadcast engineering, including 44 years in business. He started by turning the dials of broadcast transmitters at age 11 and stays active by mentoring four radio broadcast engineers. He is a member of the National Radio Systems Committee and a recipient of the John H. Battison Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Society of Broadcast Engineers. His website is www.mwpersons.com.
Tech Tips
Let’s Talk About Some Basics of Audio for Radio
It’s important to understand audio as it is used in the facilities we work...
Tech Tips
Your Mentorship Matters
Award-winning engineer Mark Persons celebrates a time-honored tradition
Tech Tips
Does Anyone Know What the Correct Level Is?
Consistency is the key to good radio audio. Take pride in yours
Tech Tips
Alike, but Not Alike: Broadcast vs. Ham Radio
Experience in amateur radio can be a boon to the radio engineer
Reader's Forum
Letter: Sept. 11, 20 years ago
A sobering reminder that the War on Terror is not over
Radio IT Management
Analog Veterans in the Digital World
Contract engineers reflect on their experiences during the digital evolution
Columns and Views
Ohm’s Law Answers Your Questions
Understanding these concepts will help you solve more than theoretical problems
Tech Tips
Quick, We Need a Temporary AM Antenna
Here’s what happened after a crew declined to climb WJMC’s old stick
News Makers
Mark Persons: “I Never Had a Plan B”
Recipient of lifetime achievement award is a mentor and inveterate storyteller
Headlines
What Happens When Lightning Hits? A Case Study
KRJM in northwestern Minnesota knows the answer to the question
Headlines
More Best Practices for AM Directional Systems
Practical ideas to help keep these engineering marvels running
Tech and Gear
Best Practices for AM Directional Systems
DAs are marvels of engineering but can seem daunting. Here are useful tips!
Tech and Gear
Find Your Modulation Sweet Spot
Give your AM listeners a pleasant experience with natural-sounding audio
Tech and Gear
Understand Your Dish to Keep Your Audio Online
Satellite receivers present some unique challenges; here’s how to address them
Tech and Gear
Take a Step Back in Time in Kilgore, Texas
We dropped into the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications
Columns and Views
Making Sense of Component-Level Troubleshooting
Dig inside those devices and figure out what’s going on to save time and...
Tech and Gear
A Sampler of Common-Sense Helpers
With the holidays coming up, our intrepid author offers a cornucopia of useful suggestions
Tech and Gear
Power Generators: The Rest of the Story
How the unit performs is where the rubber really hits the road
Tech and Gear
If You’re a Professional, Look Sharp, Be Sharp
Being a successful broadcast engineer requires you to look and act the part of...
Tech and Gear
Repair It Correctly the First Time
This tip might seem basic, but it’s key to long-term success
Columns and Views
Yes, You Can Build Your Own
It might make more sense than you think to go the “old school” route
Tech and Gear
Consider These Field Service Tips
Think ahead about repairs and save yourself plenty of headaches
Tech and Gear
Lessons of a Major Guy Line Project
Here’s what we did after a nasty windstorm damaged the insulators of a Minnesota...
News and Business
Calibrate Analog Audio Consoles
And educate your hosts so that they stay that way!
News and Business
Take Pride in Your Workmanship
I advocate for a facility maintained and updated to the standards on which it...
News and Business
Testing and Using Power Transformers
Tips including a good procedure for drying a high-voltage power transformer
News and Business
RF Spectrum Analyzers Not Just for Consultants
These tools can be your eye on the RF spectrum
News and Business
Bench Techniques and Tools of the Trade
Use common sense to save time and money when servicing equipment
News and Business
Get Your Stuff There in One Piece
Take care when packing your precious gear for service and repair
Columns and Views
The Ocean Is Cruel to Broadcasters
One businessman recounts his experiences working with Radio Nord and Radio Caroline
News and Business
58-Plus Years of Broadcast Adventure
Dick Witkovski has lived the ins and outs of the broadcast world
News and Business
Going Tubing? Find the Sweet Spot
More tips to keep your transmitter tubes in tip-top shape
Columns and Views
Pavek Museum Celebrates Broadcast Legends
Head to Minnesota to see radio history come alive
News and Business
Capture the Sporting Spirit, Get in the Game!
Don’t be afraid to use crowd noise in your audio mix for that in-the-stands...