Radio takes center stage, the sessions at the 2003 NAB Radio Show

Sep 1, 2003 12:00 PM, By Chriss Scherer, editor

The NAB Radio Show is radio’s big chance to stand on its own withoutbeing overshadowed by other media segments. This convention focuses ondelivering audio entertainment to a mass audience. The event goesbeyond the borders of traditional radio by integrating informationabout non-traditional radio topics, such as streaming and a station’sonline presence.

Philadelphia hosts the convention this year; a city that has notseen the Radio Show in a long time. Speculation as to the convention’ssuccess varies in opinion, but the new location offers easy access forthe eastern seaboard and parts of the Midwest.

The sessions and show floor offer something for almost everyone atthe station. Radio magazine’s NAB Radio Show preview provides plenty ofuseful information to help you get the most from the convention.

By the way, the show floor has been given a new name this year. Itis called the Radio Exchange by the NAB. Keep this in mind when usingthe NAB materials to plan your time at the convention.

Session spotlight

The NAB Radio Show has a strong programming and management feel, butthere are also three full days of technical sessions, which featureknowledgeable presenters and topics relevant to the current state ofradio. In addition to the technical program, there are sessions in themanagement track that cover radio technology and topics of interest totechnology managers. Between the exhibit floor and the sessions,attendees will have plenty to do to keep busy for three days.

The Technical Workshops concentrate on radio transmission for analogand IBOC digital systems. Each full-day workshop features speakers whoare recognized in their field. The sessions provide practical andtheoretical information that should help attendees improve theirstations today and prepare for the changes tomorrow. Workshop attendeesalso receive a certificate signifying their attendance. Attendance mayalso be used to earn SBE recertification points.

Technical Workshops

Whether your interest is in the latest digital technologies, such asDAB and networked facilities operations, to the optimization of an RFfacility, the technical workshops provide practical information tooperate the station today and plan for its operation tomorrow.

AM/FM Antenna Certification Workshop

October 1, room 201B

The antenna system is the final link between a station and thelistener’s receiver, and proper maintenance of this system is importantto a station’s success. This workshop will provide engineers withhelpful tips on maintaining antenna systems and troubleshooting RFproblems related to the antenna, transmission line, coupling andmonitoring systems. In addition, the presenters will also providesuggestions on dealing with the FCC when a transmission system problemis encountered or changes in the RF system are required.

The presenters for this day-long session are Charles A. Cooper,engineer, du Treil, Lundin and Rackley; Benjamin Dawson, president,Hatfield and Dawson; Ronald Rackley, partner, du Treil, Lundin andRackley; Thomas Silliman, president, Electronics Research; and BobSurette, manager RF engineering, Shively Labs.

Session schedule

8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
FM Antenna Systems Overview

9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
FM Antenna System Maintenance

10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Break

11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Working with the FCC

11:30 a.m. to 12 noon
Questions & Answers

1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
The RF Components of an AM System

1:45 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
AM Directional Antenna Troubleshooting

2:20 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.
AM Directional Antenna Repair

2:50 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Break

3 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.
Bandwidth Concepts for AM Antenna Systems

3:25 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Dealing with the FCC

3:50 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Questions & Answers

Digital Radio Certification Workshop

October 2, room 201B

Everything is turning to digital and radio is no exception. Whilethe final details on digital transmission are still in the works,converting a station’s studio facilities to digital today is realisticand practical.

Session Schedule

9 a.m. to 12 noon
Ethernet for Studio Audio Systems
Presenter:

Steve Church, CEO, Telos Systems

1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
HD Radio Conversion 101
Presenters:

Jeff Detweiler, broadcast technology manager, Ibiquity Digital;Scott Stull, director of broadcast business development, IbiquityDigital

4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m
New Methodology for Presenting AM Coverage and InterferenceData
Presenter:

E. Glynn Walden, consultant

AM/FM Transmitter Certification Workshop

October 3, room201B

This session complements the Broadcast Antenna Workshop and presentsa thorough discussion of transmitter troubleshooting. The 8th annualtransmitter workshop will provide insight to new RF technicians and arefresher to seasoned engineers. It will cover the basic buildingblocks of transmitters and investigate a variety of real-worldtransmitter failures. A panel of representatives from the majortransmitter manufacturers will be on hand to discuss maintenance tipsfor their products. Practical disaster examples will be discussed, aswell as the solution for recovery. In the Chief Engineer’s LessonsLearned panel discussion, attendees will review a checklist oftransmitter site maintenance duties, which is useful for helpingstation management understand the depth of an engineer’sresponsibilities. A workbook will be provided to each attendee.

Presenter:
John Bisset, RF district sales manager, Harris

9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Principles of Transmitters

10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Break

10:45 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Basic Troubleshooting

1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.
A Discussion with the Transmitter Manufacturers

3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Living through the Nightmare – You’re Off the Air

More Sessions of Note

Here are some sessions that cover technical and legal issues thatmay be of particular interest to Radio magazine readers.

October 1
Grappling with New Ownership Rules

8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., room 201C
This session will look at the new ownership rules and the newdefinition for radio markets in particular.

October 2
FCC Breakfast
7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Salon E
Bruce Reese, president and CEO of Bonneville International, willmoderate this session with FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy.

Keynote Address
9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center Ballroom A
member of the NAB Broadcast Hall of Fame and Marconi Radio Awardwinner, Rush Limbaugh will deliver this year’s keynote address.

Ownership Etc.: The Changing FCC Regulatory Environment
10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Session moderator Jack Goodman, senior VP/ and general counsel of theNAB, will host panelists Ken Ferree of the FCC, John Fiorini of WileyRein and Fielding, attorney Brian Madden of Leventhal Senter andLerman, and Melodie Virtue of Garvey Schubert and Barer as they discussthe new ownership rules, spectrum use, IBOC and more.

What You Always Wanted to Know About IBOC but Were Afraid toAsk
10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
This session for managers will discuss the various aspects of IBOC fromfinance to formats. Planned panelists include manufacturers, digitalexperts and industry leaders.

How Can Arbitron’s Portable People Meter Help You?
4 p.m. to 5 p.m., room 204C
Representatives from Arbitron will discuss the methods behind thesystem that has been undergoing tests in Philadelphia.

October 3
Congressional Breakfast
7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Salon E
Congress has focused on issues delving into issues of broadcastownership, Internet streaming and copyright, advertising regulation andpolitical ad costs. Members of Congress will be on hand to discussthese topics and more.

New Technology: Gadget, Godsend or Gotcha?
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
New technology offers new opportunities, but it also offers newdistractions. This session will discuss how to best use breakthroughtechnology to be more efficient and effective.

The People Meter: Does It Measure Up?
1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m., room 204C
This candid discussion of the Arbitron Personal People Meter will coverthe system’s potential effects on management and ad rates and alsodiscuss how it works.

More IBOC outside the convention

Broadcast Electronics will host an IBOC seminar on October 1 at theDowntown Courtyard by Marriott hotel from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thecompany has conducted similar sessions around the country over the pasttwo years.

The session will be conducted by Broadcast Electronics’ engineeringand marketing departments. There is no charge to attend, butreservations are required. To register, e-mail [email protected].