Insight to Sessions
Sep 1, 2006 12:00 PM, By Chriss Scherer, editor
The exhibit floor and the sessions are the two main activities during any convention, and this year’s NAB Radio Show has a full agenda of sessions slated. With the NAB’s and the industry’s interest in HD Radio, it’s no surprise that this topic is prominent in the technical sessions.
With the show heading to Dallas this year, the organizers of another Dallas-based conference decided to band with the NAB and not hold its own convention. The Society of Broadcast Engineers Dallas Chapter 67 worked with the NAB to provide technical session on the morning of Sept. 20. In addition, the chapter will proctor an SBE Certification exam session on Wednesday afternoon. The SBE recommends that anyone interested in taking an SBE Certification exam should register with the national office in advance (contact 317-846-9000 or [email protected]); however, a limited number of on-site exam registrations will be accepted before the afternoon exam session.
While we will profile the technical sessions here, there are plenty of non-technical sessions to attend as well. To get a complete picture of all the session activity, consult the NAB Radio convention guide at the show.
Tuesday, Sept. 19
2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Miro Room
HD Radio: All the Basics and More
Broadcast Electronics has arranged a three-part tutorial on HD Radio. Each one-hour portion will cover a different aspect of implementing HD Radio and start on the hour. Each session focuses on items of interest to everyone involved in the HD Radio transition, but specific interests will be included and are noted in parenthesis. The HD Radio conversion topics (in order) are processes, pitfalls, strategies and successes (managers and programmers); technical planning and realization (engineers, business staff, owners); and nuts and bolts technical issues (engineers).
This seminar will be repeated on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 20
9 a.m. to 9:55 a.m., Metropolitan Ballroom
Planning Considerations for Upgrading to HD
Presenter: Alan White, Continental Electronics
White will review the basic elements to consider when planning an HD Radio installation, including general site considerations, STL and audio path requirements, audio processing, studio equipment needs and transmitter equipment needs. Stations that have not begun an HD Radio installation will find this session helpful.
10:10 a.m. to 11:05 a.m., Metropolitan Ballroom
Transmitter Installation, Setup and Tuning Process
Presenter: Richard Garrett, Continental Electronics
The transmitter side of an HD Radio installation can be the largest physical portion of the effort. Garrett will cover more details of site preparation and planning and review the installation process. From there he will cover the operational characteristics of tuning an HD Radio amplifier and how it differs from tuning an analog amplifier, monitoring and evaluating the HD Radio transmitter operation and maintaining the HD Radio system.
11:05 a.m. to noon, Metropolitan Ballroom
System Verification and Measurement Procedures
Presenter: Daniel Dickey, Continental Electronics
Going deeper into the test and measurement details, Dickey will discuss the test equipment needs of a station transmitting an HD Radio signal, and describe the required measurements to ensure that the system is operating within the spectrum mask and at its best efficiency. He will also review several measurement techniques and ways to document these measurements.
2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Metropolitan Ballroom
SBE Certification Exams
To take an SBE exam during the NAB Radio Show, it is recommended to submit a certification exam application to the SBE National Office in advance. Some on-site exam registrations will be accepted. Download and complete the SBE Exam Application from www.sbe.org before arrival to save time. On-site applications will be accepted beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 21
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Radio Technology Forum Part I
9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Metropolitan Ballroom
Real Time Adaptive Correction Explained
Presenter: Geoff Mendenhall, Harris Broadcast
An explanation of the basics of how linear and non-linear pre-correction works in HD Radio or DRM systems without a lot of math so the typical radio station engineer can understand the concepts.
9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Metropolitan Ballroom
Radio Studio Buildouts: Tools, Process� Results!
Presenter: Steve Davis, Clear Channel Radio
An overview of the process of planning and overseeing radio studio construction projects, from the architectural and equipment selection process, through installation and move-in.
2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Radio Technology Forum Part II
2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., Metropolitan Ballroom
Networking and Link Issues When Implementing Multicasting
Presenter: Richard Hinkle, Broadcast Electronics
This will be a practical approach to understanding the issues encountered when implementing multicasting for your HD station. The focus of this paper will be how to set-up networks to ensure a robust multicast system without compromising your main network. In addition he will provide insight into STL link issues, limitations and possible solution.
3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m., Metropolitan Ballroom
Adventures in AM IBOC Implementation
Presenter: J.S. Sellmeyer, Sellmeyer Engineering
A discussion of some of the RF issues involved with properly implementing AM IBOC issues together with examples of the steps necessary for an optimum load on the transmitter.
4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Metropolitan Ballroom
Audio Processing In Transition
Presenter: Frank Foti, Omnia Audio
As broadcasting moves closer to a full digital transmission system, the requirements for audio processing have changed dramatically. There is an effect on FM and AM within the traditional analog channel and the digital path. This discussion will provide comprehensive insight about the implementation of audio processing in a digital broadcast facility.
4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Metropolitan Ballroom
HD Radio Coverage and Interference Issues
Presenter: Doug Vernier, V-Soft Communications
This review will cover the major signal issues facing the transition to HD Rradio. Where will my coverage go? Will my analog station receive interference? What new research is being done and where will it take us?
NAB Radio Product Preview
Check out the 2006 NAB Radio Show product preview….
Get ready for the convention
The summer is ending, so it’s time to plan for the fall conventions. While the NAB convention in the spring is the main event for broadcasting, it covers…
Friday, Sept. 22
9 a.m. to noon, Metropolitan Ballroom
Digital Radio Measurement Workshop
Presenter: David Maxson, Broadcast Signal Lab
Broadcast engineers familiar with analog signal measurements are now challenged to master new techniques for evaluating their digital signals. To ensure good signal quality and minimize interference, it is necessary to make accurate measurements of hybrid IBOC signals. In this session, David Maxson will review scalar measurement techniques with spectrum analyzers and power meters, and will provide an introduction to vector measurements of IBOC signals. He will also attempt to answer the vexing question, �Is my spectrum analyzer up to the task?� The session will also touch on the effects of amplifiers, filters and antennas on AM and FM IBOC signal characteristics.
25-Seven Systems 322 ABC Radio Networks 621 AEQ521Air Force Recruiting 619 Airshift Media227APT- Audio Processing Technology 316 Arbitron 505 Armstrong Transmitter714Army National Guard 717 Arrakis Systems14Audemat-Aztec 623 Audioarts615Audio Science317Axia208Barix Technology224BIA Financial Network 516 Bid4Spots.com620 BMI 618 Boulder Blimp 700 Broadcast Electronics305Broadcasters General Store 400 Burk Technology 519 Burli Software201Business Talk Radio Network 803 Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network 819 Coaxial Dynamics817Communication Graphics 500 Comquest Callout 805 Comrex513Continental Electronics 605 D.A.V.I.D. Systems 206 Dalet Digital Media Systems 20 Dielectric Communications309Digigram 217 Docsoft 527 Dolby Laboratories 318 Enco Systems 616 Energy-Onix 600 ERI-Electronics Research414Exhibit Arts 719 FCC 115 Feed the Children 626 Firstcom Music 701 Global Security Systems 709 Google705Harris405HayHouseRadio.com221 Hippie Radio 809 Inovonics715Isee Radio 323 Jam Creative Productions. 422 Jampro Antennas/RF Systems 417 Klotz Digital Audio Systems326KLZ Innovations 718 Lan International 209A Larcan 522 LEA International423Liquid Compass Streaming Media 427 Logitek Electronic Systems314Magic Egg Software 614 Mayah Communications 220 Media Monitors 720 Media Professional Insurance 418 Mediaspan Online Services 421 Micro Communications, Inc. 320 Mid-Atlantic RF Systems 419 Moseley Associates 301 NAB PAC 111 National Campaigns 116 National Weather Service 18 Nautel 205 Neural Audio 405 Non-Stop Music 215 Omnia208OMT512Orban/CRL 413 Practical Promotions 827 Prophet Systems Innovations209PTEK 723 Pulsecom 612 Radian Communications Services 526 Radio Advertising Bureau 109 Radio Express 108 Radiomagazine 107 Radio Membership 112 Radio Music License Committe 10 Radio Systems300Radio Traffic.com820 Radioad.com204 Radiodifusion.com327 Radyne-Tiernan-Xicom 716 RCS 722 Rohde & Schwarz 321 Roll a Sign 315 Sabre Towers 319 Scarborough Research 505 Shively Labs501Sierra Automated Systems & Eng.520Stainless 426 Stream the World 811 Studer Soundcraft 219 Superior Electric202Telos Systems208The Media Audit 609 TicketsNow 821 Tieline Technology807USA Radio Network 223 Valcom Limited 601 Vorsis615V-Soft Communications523Warner Concept System 226 Wheatstone615Wide Orbit 627 WireCAD 816 Wireready NSI 800
