With its Germanic traditions such as cheese, beer and sausages, what destination could be more enticing around Oktoberfest time than Wisconsin? Throw in a broadcast engineer’s clinic and Society of Broadcast Engineer’s annual meeting, and the Madison, Wis., area is the place to be Oct. 26–28.
The Madison chapter of the SBE will host its annual Broadcasters Clinic, and the Society of Broadcast Engineers brings its national meeting to town, doing its official business and handing out its annual awards.
For the Broadcasters Clinic, Tuesday, Oct. 26, is “radio” day. Topics of interest to radio broadcasters: “Push Radio,” “Elevated HD Power — Look Before You Leap!,” “Not Just Audio Over IP, All of It Over IP!,” “Efficient Use of FM Composite,” “Engineering FM Translators for AM Stations,” “IP Audio Untethered: Harnessing IP Microwave Links for STL” and “Who Moved My Battleground?”
Most of the subject matter of these discussions should be obvious. “Push Radio” concerns changes brought to traditional radio practices and formats brought on by continuing digitization. “Who Moved My Battleground?” focuses on the changes in radio’s receiving end brought on by markets such as mobile phones.
Speakers include Jeff Welton of Nautel, Dave Hershberger of Continental Electronics, Jeff Zigler and Barry Hill of RCS, Frank Foti of Omnia Audio, Mark Hile of CommConnect and Greg Dahl of Second Opinion Communications.
More relevant sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 27 include “Broadcast Tower Failures: Causes and Cures” (with David Davies of ERI), “Coax vs. Coax” (Steve Lampen of Belden, an RW contributor), “Keeping Your Eye on Your Tower and RF System” (Richard Wood of Resonant Results) and “Discover How SBE Can Help Take Your Career to the Next Level” (with half-a-dozen SBE staffers on hand).
An exhibit floor will be open with radio-friendly exhibitors such as Broadcast Electronics, Comrex, Continental Electronics, Dielectric, ERI, Gorman-Redlich, Logitek, Nautel, RAM Systems, RCS, Stainless, WideOrbit, Clark Wire and Cable, Switchcraft, Kathrein, Broadcasters General Store and Full Compass.
Early bird registration ends Aug. 27.