The 2005 Radio Show Insight on Sessions

Sep 1, 2005 12:00 PM

The technical sessions at this year’s NAB Radio Show have an emphasis on HD Radio, which is not surprising. All the sessions are held in room 201B of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The longest session, presented in a workshop format, sees a return of Ben Dawson of Hatfield and Dawson and Ron Rackley of du Treil, Lundin and Rackley, and will be held on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon. The two parts, titled AM Directional Antennas in a Digital World, will examine the operation of directional antenna systems and detail the needs of these systems to operate efficiently with IBOC signals. The session summary notes that this workshop should provide a refresher for those with AM experience and provide a solid foundation for those who are new to AM systems.

From noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Andy Laird, CPBE, of Journal Broadcast Group and Frank Foti of Omnia will present Processing Audio for AM, FM and Digital Radio. Between Foti’s manufacturing and design experience and Laird’s current work with his stations, the two will explain their ideas on getting the best possible sound from a station’s processing. The presentation will include an overview of audio processing fundamentals and a discussion of the processing needs for hybrid IBOC operation.

Following Thursday’s sessions, the Society of Broadcast Engineers will host an SBE Certification exam opportunity. The SBE unveiled the AM Directional Specialist Certification (AMD) at NAB2005, and the two-day workshop from Dawson and Rackley may be suitable preparation to sit for this exam. To apply for the SBE AM Directional Specialist certification you must already hold SBE Certification at the Broadcast Engineer, Senior Broadcast Engineer or Professional Broadcast Engineer level. Advance exam registration through the SBE National Office is recommended, but a limited number of on-site registrations for the AMD will be available at the convention. Contact the SBE for registration information at 317-846-9000.

On Friday, two sessions round out the technical offerings. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Mike Starling of NPR and Joe D’Angelo of Ibiquity Digital will present Data Technologies and Applications for Digital Radio. The pair will explain the progress being made in datacasting and how some broadcasters are planning to develop ancillary revenue-producing opportunities based on data applications.

From 10:30 a.m. to noon, David Maxson of Broadcast Signal Lab will present Measuring Broadcast Signals. He will discuss several new techniques to measure analog and digital broadcast signals to help stations verify their operation for best performance and compliance with FCC rules.

Other Sessions of Note

Several sessions outside the technical track relate to technical and regulatory issues. As a Radio magazine reader you might find something interesting in some of these events. Check the session schedule for the locations of these events.

Wednesday, September 21

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Future of Radio

Where is radio going to be in the three to five years? Just as importantly, where are our competitors going to be? This session will provide a best-guess look at the overall landscape of the future.

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
NRSC Meetings

The National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) is jointly sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Its purpose is to study and make recommendations for technical standards that relate to radio broadcasting and the reception of radio broadcast signals. The NRSC is a vehicle by which broadcasters and receiver manufacturers can work together toward solutions to common problems in radio broadcast systems. All attendees are welcome to attend the NRSC meetings at the NAB Radio Show.

2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Tech that Helps, Tech that Hurts

Technology is a powerful tool. What has been a boon to radio’s progress and what has been the bane of positive development? This session will explore the affects all those little buttons have had on your station’s operation.

Thursday, September 22

10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
HD for PDs

Despite the poor choice in title that further confuses the HD Radio trademark with IBOC, this session will help programmers understand HD Radio and how it will affect programming. Perhaps the first step will be explaining that digital radio is not HD.

10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
The 411 on 911 Emergencies

This session will discuss ways for a station to cover emergency events when it does not have a news department or wire service. It will detail the adjustments needed for music formats, and discuss the effectiveness of EAS and how to handle AMBER alerts.

10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Steering Clear of FCC Fines and Forfeitures

Steering clear means knowing what the FCC expects. Learn the basic federal regulations so you aren’t wasting your money on unnecessary fines, or more importantly, in danger of losing your station’s license.

3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
PPM for PDs

This will provide a look at the Arbitron PPM from the programmer’s point of view. It will include an update on the device’s progress in Houston, and comment on expectations for the future.

Friday, September 23

10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Regulatory Hot Topics: LPFM and FM Streamlining

This summer, the FCC again looked at LPFM and its technical and ownership aspects. The Commission also began a proceeding to streamline the FM allotment procedure.

1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Profiting from New Technology: Ideas from Around the World

The adoption of digital technology will open new revenue streams for terrestrial broadcasters, but there’s even more money to be made in the convergence of radio with other emerging technologies. Several radio operators share their successes in profiting from the new technologies.

Outside the convention

Several exhibitors plan tutorials and seminars separate from the NAB’s convention schedule. Broadcast Electronics will hold an HD Radio Seminar on Sept. 21 at the Philadelphia Marriott. The main point of discussion will be second-generation deployment issues: multicasting and data. The seminar is free, but registration is required. E-mail [email protected] to register.

Stay connected during the convention

While you’re inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center, you have access to free Wi-fi service from the Convention Center. The free service covers the entire convention space.

If you venture away from the Convention Center, the City of Philadelphia has begun implementing a plan to cover the city with free Wi-fi access. While the entire 135 square miles of the city will be covered by Fall 2006, only certain parts have service available right now.

You can access the free service in Love Park, Ben Franklin Parkway, the Historic Square Mile, and the Norris Square and Olney sections of the city.

The Radio Show Exhibitor List

615 Music Library 308 ABC Radio Networks 209 AEQ 216 Air Force Recruiting 306 Ando Media 922 APT- Audio Processing Technology 208 Arbitron 419 Armstrong Transmitter402Army National Guard 607 Arrakis Systems304AST (Application Science & Technology) 613 ATA Audio 702 ATI – Audio Technolgies Inc.819Audemat-Aztec116Audio Science118Audioarts311Axia Audio112Belar Electronics Lab 106 BIA Financial Network 505 BMI 214 Boost Communications 212 Broadcast Electronics319Broadcasters General Store 112 Burk Technology 502 Burli Software120Business Talk Radio Network 914 CMBE 602 Coaxial Dynamics302Collette Vacations 309 Communication Graphics 912 Comrex508Continental Electronics 513 Continental Vista Broadcasting Group 211 Control Concepts 203 Dielectric Communications 409 Dmarc/Scott Studios/Maestro717Dolby Laboratories 805 Enco Systems 108 Energy-Onix 405 ERI-Electronics Research310Federal Communications Commission 1022 Fibrebond 305 Harris519Harvest Info 708 Ibiquity Digital 406 Inovonics509IVP New Media 926 Jampro Antennas/RF Systems 511 Kelly Music Research 1001 Klotz Digital Audio 813 Larcan USA 205 LEA International 606 Linear Acoustic 206 Liquid Compass104Logitek Electronic Systems110Media Monitors 207 Media Professional Insurance 404 Megatrax 908 Miller, Kaplan, Arase 1025 Moseley Associates506Musicam USA 200 Musicrypt/DMDS 611 NAB Membership 1019 NAB Membership Services 1021 National Campaigns 1020 National Weather Service 608 Nautel 219 Non-Stop Music 218 Omnia Audio112Omnirax122OMT707Orban/CRL710Practical Promotions 811 Precision Communications 928 Preston-Patterson 100 Promo Only 906 Propagation Systems 902 Prophet Systems Innovations619Radian Communications Services 102 Radio Ad 920 Radio Advertising Bureau 1023 Radiomagazine 1002 Radio Music License Committee 1024 Radio Systems713Radiosophy 303 RCS918Roll a Sign 503 S.W.R. 407 Sabre Towers 706 Safe Assured 605 Scarborough Research 419 Shively Labs612Sierra Automated Systems & Eng.504SMI 924 Spark Network Services 603 SRS Labs 410 Stainless 604 Statmon Technologies 704 Superior Electric 609 TARPAC 1018 Telos112The Media Audit 703 Tickets Now 807 Tieline Technology817Traffic Pulse 202 Trafnet 904 UN Minutes/UN Foundation 307 Valcom 910 V-Soft Communications403Westar Music 815 Wheatstone311WideOrbit 801 Wirecad 213 Wireready 916 Information current as of Aug. 23