“To me, running an efficient plant is more of a mindset than it is selecting the right equipment.”
That’s Kevin Trueblood talking. He’s the associate general manager of technology and operations for WGCU Public Media and the owner of KTrue Media Services, both based in Fort Myers, Fla.
Kevin also is the president of the Society of Broadcast Engineers. He shared with me his insights about operating radio technical operations efficiently as part of a new Radio World ebook.
“The approach is to keep your operations as flexible as possible, with every purchase being considered for maximum value and return,” he said.
“A couple of webcams can take your morning show from just an audio show to a video podcast that can open up new revenue opportunities. You may not be able to run a full AoIP plant, but even just a couple of ‘nodes’ or ‘blades’ can give you a great deal more flexibility to distribute and route audio in your facility, and it gives you the tools to control it all remotely.”
Across radio, managers today are required to do more — usually much more — with less — often much less.
“Budgets get smaller while costs go up. For engineers it means you may have to delay capital purchases, take on additional stations or territory, and get creative with your solutions because doing a proper fix may not be doable,” Kevin said.
“More and more, what were temporary repairs become permanent because the budget isn’t there to fix it properly.
But this goes back to my previous statement that every dollar being spent needs to carry maximum value and return, so plan wisely.”
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
“Spending $500 to maintain your AC unit twice a year sounds like a lot, but it costs way more than $500 to have a tech dispatched at 5 p.m. while you’re off the air due to an overheated transmitter caused by a busted AC unit. Similarly, that 10-year-old laptop still works, but runs unsupported operating systems that present security risks, and it takes longer to do things than a modern laptop would.”
How can a user extend, say, the life of older transmitters?
“Keep them clean! Take an hour, shut it down, and wipe down and vacuum the insides. Inspect elements for fatigue or damage. Replace air filters. Keep the building clean, cool and free of pests. And actually listen to the station! Check the audio quality, and scan the band for spurs or other interference that may be incoming or outgoing from your site.”
He notes that remote monitoring and automation help engineers be more efficient and reduce the number of site visits.
“Modern transmitters will let you remotely drill down to very specific parameters such as PA voltages, fan speeds and temperatures. So instead of a general ‘fault’ you have a pretty good idea of what the problem is before you get to the site. Similarly, having cameras will let you visually confirm status, circumstances or faults.”
Even with an older transmitter, he said, you can train a camera on the front to help you identify different meters and faults, which can be helpful to understand why it won’t restart.
“This gives you a better understanding of what tools and parts you will need to correct a problem before you set foot at the site. Combined, being able to take readings and visual confirmations from afar can reduce the needed site maintenance visits and reduce the time spent on site during trouble calls.”
You can read our Q&A and learn from other experts including Joe Tymecki, Tim Neese, Cris Alexander, Geary Morrill and John Whyte in your latest free Radio World ebook here.
