Veteran broadcast engineer Al Resnick passed away this week of pancreatic cancer.
He turned 66 in April.
Resnick had been a professional engineer for Carl T. Jones Corp. since 2003, primarily working on engineering projects for the ABC-owned television stations. Tom Jones, owner of Carl T. Jones Corporation, credited Resnick with doing much of the engineering design of those ABC digital TV facilities, as well as antennas and associated microwave and satellite facilities. Resnick also conducted RF field measurements to determine compliance with RF safety rules and prepared and filed license applications in his work at CTJC.
“Al was very knowledgeable and an excellent engineer,” said Jones. “Al was a good friend and a wonderful person to spend time with.”
Resnick was a great teacher as well, according to Jones. “You could hear him on the phone with clients, giving them a feel for why things were the way they were, so they could make educated decisions.”
Jones said Resnick had taught electrical engineering at his Penn State alma mater when he was a student.
Geoff Mendenhall of Harris Broadcast also described Resnick as a teacher, saying he was the kind of customer that asked good questions that ultimately made the product better. “You always learned something from him.”
The Gainesville, Va., resident began his technical career in radio as chief engineer for WLS(AM), Chicago, in 1980, managing a staff of 15. He moved onto vice president and director of engineering for ABC’s radio division in 1986, where he was responsible for, among other things, 13 major antenna projects and 19 new AM and FM transmitter installations and construction of 12 studios.
He segued to television in 1997, becoming director of digital transmission engineering for the ABC-owned television stations. In 2001, Resnick was responsible for the rebuild of ABC(TV) in New York after the 9/11 attack of the World Trade Center. He then went on to consult the Metropolitan Television Broadcasters Association, a group formed to restore other TV facilities lost in 9/11.
Resnick also was a president of the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers from 2005 to 2006, according to Jones.
Tom Jones’ colleague and friend John Hidle knew Resnick since the 1970s. He said much of what he and Al did was to improve the signal and coverage area for their television and radio clients. Hidle and others said Resnick also was an avid ham radio operator.
Resnick is survived by his wife Carol. There will be a visitation to express condolences for friends and family at the Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, Va., 20110, between 4–7 p.m. this Saturday, May 14.
— Leslie Stimson
