The Radio World editorial team is sharing stories that we found particularly newsworthy, meaningful or fun to cover.
Radio World’s heritage is technical, and we celebrate radio engineering every day. But as its editor for almost 30 years, I have also sought to provide you with stories about radio’s people, its history and the fun or intriguing radio stories you might not read elsewhere. Here are some of the ones I found most interesting; Elle and Nick will share theirs in the next couple of days. Happy holidays!
Andy Gladding Champions Radio’s Future
We created the Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award 22 years ago to honor people who are doing outstanding work, particularly those who are in the midst of their careers. I am particularly excited about what Andy is doing to help develop excitement for radio among younger people, and then helping them find jobs.
Shulins Makes a Career by Staying a Step Ahead
Speaking of award-winning engineers, click the link above to read our profile of Paul Shulins, who was honored this year by the NAB with its Engineering Achievement Award.
This Connecticut LPFM Is a Community Safeguard
Elle Kehres tells the story of WSIM(LP), which is licensed to Simsbury’s volunteer fire department, and the broadcast engineer who is helping the station with its technical upgrade.
Ham Operator Must Pay in First Responder Interference Case
Reader interest in this story was a clear reminder of how many people in our industry circle are active in amateur radio. Jason Frawley acknowledged that he’d operated on a frequency without authorization but said he did not interfere with government communications and was only trying to help. This was the largest penalty issued by the FCC in such a case.
Trump Presidency Will Bring Sweeping Change to FCC
“Broadcast regulatory experts expect ‘fast and furious’ changes at the Federal Communications Commission with Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office,” Randy Stine wrote. Here was our attempt to anticipate what Trump 2.0 would do as president and how an FCC led by Brendan Carr would regulate. How did we do?
How Mount Wilson Survived Another Scare
Nick Langan has been writing for us for three years and joined our editorial staff full-time one year ago. Here, he tells the story of how broadcast infrastructure was threatened by the Los Angeles wildfires, and how engineers responded.
Check Out What draw.io Can Do for You
I grabbed this one because I like really nifty problem-solvers, I’m a sucker for a nice documentation tool and, well, I just love Workbench.
I Love the Sticks
Few stories have prompted more letters to me than a column in which I shared my love of broadcast towers, including my memory of looking out a station’s back door on a summer Saturday to enjoy the towers standing in a cornfield at sunset.
My Conversations With Bob Orban
Orban’s first FM audio processor was introduced 50 years ago. Radio World is partnering with the company for this series of conversations with Bob, who provides fascinating insights into his important early days. Read the first two parts here.
A Belt From Gates Radio
Readers loved this throwback story by Criss Onan. He wrote about a time when Gates Radio sought to simplify operations by developing a control storage device using a wide audio tape belt for spots, promos and PSAs. (Put THAT in yer cloud and play it!)
Questions for a New Year
Finally, what questions about our industry are on your mind as we head into a new year? I’m curious to know. Here are some of mine.
