Radio World

Jim Hendershot

This is one in a series of interviews about legal, unlicensed low-power broadcasting and how these systems are being used during the coronavirus crisis in the United States. 

Radio Design Group in Oregon is planning to introduce a low-power AM transmitter to support current interest in specialized, very local radio broadcasting. It calls the project Parking Lot Radio.

Jim Hendershot is president.

“After the lockdown order for Oregon, I got a call from an old friend who is a retired missionary,” he said. “The congregation where he attends was looking for a solution to holding services while maintaining social distancing. Many churches have gone to online broadcasting, but many of the folks at this church are older with limited or no internet capability. The thought of a drive-in church appealed to the congregation, and so they were looking for a transmitter solution to send audio to car radios.”

[Related: Look for FCC Certification When Buying a Part 15 FM Transmitter]

Hendershot said he wasn’t satisfied with the legal range of available low-power FM transmitters, “and the church was unwilling to buy one of the higher-power illegal units.”

“The AM Part 15 rules allow for a stronger signal than the FM rules. Since super hi-fi stereo isn’t really necessary, and AM can be made to sound really good if done right, I decided to go with AM.” The unit will come with a basic wire antenna but could be attached to a whip up to 3 meters per FCC regulations. “We’re still investigating the range, but we figure it will be enough to cover the average parking lot,” he said. “If more area needs to be covered, more units can be used, and we are designing the system to work well in that environment.”

Units will be sold direct at first. Hendershot projects a price of under $250, though that is not set yet.

The company is documenting the project on a website. The design of the Parking Lot Radio includes a balanced audio input, which Hendershot says is compatible with professional sound boards, rather than a 1/8 inch stereo plug that hooks up to a computer or MP3 player. “We did this knowing that the average user would more likely have a ‘real’ sound system rather than a cheesy karaoke machine or some other such piece.” The system will be manufactured in the U.S.

[Read more: Low-Power Radio in the Parking Lot: What You Need to Know]

The post Oregon Firm Plans to Introduce “Parking Lot Radio” appeared first on Radio World.

Jim Houser

Educational Media Foundation has hired Jim Houser as chief content officer, a newly created role. He will report to EMF CEO Bill Reeves beginning next month, when he will begin to split his time between Rocklin, Calif., and Franklin, Tenn.

Houser will work on streaming and marketing strategies, oversee its podcast platform and the integration of its digital and programming initiatives. He will also supervise the future vice president of radio and vice president of marketing, the K-LOVE and Air1 program directors, as well as other directors and senior managers.

According to the announcement, Houser has three decades of experience working in Christian-formatted radio and music, beginning with college radio and then joining Colorado-based Focus on the Family, where he edited the organization’s daily broadcast and then created a weekly syndicated Christian music program. He then was hired to Capitol Christian (formerly known as Sparrow Records) and later became a managing partner at Creative Trust.

The post Jim Houser Named EMF Chief Content Officer appeared first on Radio World.

The author is director of engineering for Leighton Broadcasting.

CLOUD, Minn. — St. Cloud is ranked as market number 187 by Nielsen. But for those of us at Leighton, it might as well be market #1. This is home to our six stations and the headquarters for Leighton Broadcasting, which owns stations in six other markets in Minnesota and North Dakota. 

As a college town, the population of around 70,000 skews mostly on the younger side. There are around 75 stations that can be picked up on the dial here, and competition for listenership can be fierce, especially for our top 40 station KCLD(FM) 104.7. 

INSTALLATION

A few years ago, we installed the Wheatstone X3 FM audio processor on KCLD and have been pleased with the performance. KCLD is known to draw a large audience, billed as the most listened-to station in central Minnesota. We regarded the X3 as the best processor on the market at the time, until Wheatstone came out with the X5. 

We had heard about some of the new X5 advancements — better highs, in particular — and in July 2019, we decided to take it out for a test drive. 

PROCESSING

The unit arrived on a quiet weekday. We know our way around Wheatstone processors, having owned X1s, AM-55s, FM-55s and, of course, the X3. But we immediately saw that the X5 was different. It is probably the company’s most complex processor yet, although the UI is surprisingly easy to navigate. Within a half hour, we had the X5 up and running and our settings dialed in for the most part.

Then we started listening. We had heard about the X5’s new LimitLESS clipper, that it was an innovative approach to clipping and HF pre-emphasis that lets you turn up the highs while controlling peaks. But we were in no way prepared for the actual difference it can make on-air. Suddenly, the high-end was very transparent, much more transparent than anything in the market. We were listening to a much wider, fuller sound and most incredible, we couldn’t detect any additional IM byproducts as a result of processing. 

We drove around and listened to it in our homes, cars and everywhere, including the overheads at the gas station. 

This thing really kicks it up a notch or two on the dial. Also impressive is the processor’s automatic logger feature, which logs every change to the unit, from remote log-ins to audio failover to preset changes. That feature will come in handy for troubleshooting and for dayparted presets, for example. 

The X5 exceeded our expectations. The official stamp of approval came when we not only purchased the X5 for our top 40 station in St. Cloud, but also additional X5s for several other stations in this and other markets. 

For information, contact Jay Tyler at Wheatstone in North Carolina at 1-252-638-7000 or visit www.wheatstone.com.

The post User Report: Leighton Gives Wheatstone X5 the Ol’ College Try  appeared first on Radio World.

Mike Kerken

Crawford Broadcasting’s Detroit cluster has a new market chief engineer. Mike Kernen took on the role earlier this week. 

Crawford Detroit consists of WCHB(AM), WMUZ(AM/FM) and WRDT(AM).

Prior to this appointment, Kernen served as director of engineering for Beasley Detroit (formerly Greater Media, which Beasley acquired in 2016) for three decades. 

Before joining Greater Media, Kernen served as an assistant engineer for Ron Rose Productions of Southfield, Mich., after training to be a radio/television broadcast technician at the Specs Howard School of Media Arts, according to Kernen’s LinkedIn profile.

“Crawford is excited to have this very capable and experienced engineer leading our technical operation in Detroit,” Crawford Director of Engineering Cris Alexander wrote in an email announcing Kernen’s designation. 

The post Crawford Names Kernen as Detroit Market CE appeared first on Radio World.

Fox News Radio is one of many U.S. broadcast organizations now “working from home.” It was not a sudden decision.

“We had been monitoring the spread of the coronavirus and continued to enforce cautious and prudent measures across our entire business,” said Vice President John Sylvester. “We began to take additional steps to ensure programming continuity throughout our platforms late February into early March. Our planning was always for the worst-case scenario and unfortunately, we needed to implement a large portion of remote actions for each platform. Right now we have close to 80% of our staff working remotely daily.”

Depending on their job, each staff member has been given remote access to Adobe Audition, Amazon Workspace, Slack, Zoom, iNews for writing and editorial newsgathering, and VPN access to the broadcaster’s ENCO automated audio systems, plus various other tools and software applications. All audio feeds are sent to and managed by the company’s network operations center in New York and backed up in Washington, using a cloud-based platform that gives everyone access to the content in real-time.

“Our network radio reporters and anchors are spread out through the country in LA, Chicago, Miami, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and London from home locations, with a large portion designated with Comrex Access units along with headset microphones,” Sylvester said. “Also, we supplied our teams with additional Blue yeti microphones for stories to be filed and uploaded.”

Roy helps out with Guy Benson’s remote work.

Host Guy Benson is one of many employees creating remote content for the Fox News Radio Affiliate News Network, Fox News Headlines 24/7, Fox News Podcasts, Fox News Talk and associated online platforms during the pandemic. They are doing so using laptops, internet access, and BRIC-Link, Comrex Access and Tieline IP audio codecs.

“We moved to broadcasting from my house the third week of March,” Benson told Radio World. “We are mostly live, with some segments and guests pre-taped. The White House Coronavirus task force briefings often start during our final hour, so we’ve been monitoring those and sometimes taking portions of it live.”

“I’m just feeding my voice to New York, where our technical producer mixes all the elements,” said Benson. He’s doing his show using “a simple Tieline machine, a sportscaster-style headset mic, and my laptop.”

Fox News Radio’s “working from home” solution is an evolving “work in progress” for this broadcaster. “We look at best practices and procedures so we can continue producing the most reliable news products and services for our affiliated stations, listeners and partners across the country,” said Sylvester. “As we all experience this pandemic globally, we will continue giving the latest news, information, and entertainment to our audience, while providing some comfort as our country and world move forward.”

Meanwhile, broadcasting at his house is working for Guy Benson, even if his only colleague is his dog Roy.

“Doing the show from my own home is convenient and comfortable in several ways, but I miss being at Fox with my colleagues,” said Benson. “The shift isn’t impacting the quality of the content, but it certainly feels more isolating. I’m talking to myself in a room for three hours every day, which has required me to adjust in order to keep my energy and focus high.”

The post How Fox News Radio Is Working From Home appeared first on Radio World.

The COVID-19 crisis has forced many broadcasters to send their employees home, minimizing infection risk to vital employees while keeping programming, engineering, sales and back office functions in service.

This approach is a responsible ad hoc response to COVID-19, but it doesn’t address a long-term issue: How can broadcasters ensure that their facilities remain virus-free or at least as minimally contaminated as possible?

The answer to this question is disinfection: Using cleaning techniques developed for schools and other institutional settings, broadcasters can kill COVID-19 and other threats that may be on their premises and equipment today or be brought in by employees and clients tomorrow.

The information in the following article explains how to achieve this goal. It is drawn from various sources, including a detailed and helpful webpage hosted on CloroxPro.com. 

CLEANING IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP

The road to disinfection starts with cleaning, namely removing obvious surface dirt and grime from surfaces, equipment and floors. It ensures that germs are not hidden in dirt or organic matter from the disinfectant when it is applied. 

As a result, broadcasters need to proceed with their existing cleaning regimes, but they must do more, including keeping food and drinks out of control, production, office and engineering spaces as much as is humanly possible. Since on-air talent often needs to refresh their parched throats, liquids should be allowed in reusable water bottles. But the days of eating lunch over the console have to end.

Warning: Once something has been cleaned, it has to be rinsed to remove the cleaning solution so that it does not interact with the disinfectant. Otherwise, toxic gases can occur. For instance, when an ammonia-based cleaner interacts with bleach, it can produce deadly chloramine gas. Similarly, mixing vinegar and bleach can create toxic chlorine gas.

DISINFECT AFTER CLEANING

After surfaces have been properly cleaned, it is time to disinfect. This means using the right cleaning fluids to do the job, such as CloroxPro and similar bleach-based professional products, Lemon Quat (Quaternary ammonia) and Virox 5 liquid/wipes (accelerated hydrogen peroxide).

The secret of using these products is time: Liquid disinfectants have to be left on surfaces for a certain length of time and then wiped away for the germs to be killed. A case in point: The free downloadable disinfection chart offered for CloroxPro and Clorox concentrated bleach products specifies a wait time of five minutes before rinsing. 

Once the disinfectant has been applied, it will have to be rubbed into the surfaces to ensure proper distribution. To minimize wear and tear on cleaning staff, try handheld surface scrubbers.

Remember: The staff who apply disinfectant will require gloves, eye shields and breathing protection. In some cases, protective clothing may also be needed; check the manufacturers’ labels for information before usage.

WIPE, DON’T SPRAY

Disinfectants need to be applied using reusable, washable microfiber cloths or disposable paper towels/wipes, not sprayed. Spraying disinfectant can dislodge germs from surfaces and put them into air. This can lead to these germs contaminating already-disinfected areas and being inhaled by cleaning staff and others in the immediate vicinity.

The only exception to this rule is when the entire area can be safely disinfected at once. When this is the case, a spraying option like the Clorox Total 360 System with electrostatic spray gun can be used, without the need for rinsing afterwards. Electrostatically charging the bleach droplets (and firing them using compressed air) ensures that the spray will cling to all surfaces consistently for maximum disinfection power. 

WHAT ABOUT COMPUTERS?

Electronics including computers don’t take kindly to having cleaning solutions dumped into their circuits. 

In many cases, products like Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol Disinfectant Wipes can be used for disinfection wipe downs — but only after broadcasters have verified this assumption with equipment manufacturers (who may have their own products and procedures to suggest). As well, the equipment needs to be powered off first.

In a pinch, rubbing alcohol on microfiber cloths can be used to computer keyboards, mice and touchscreens, but only after this assumption has been checked with equipment manufacturers. Again, turn off the device first and use liquids sparingly.

FINAL POINTERS

Disinfection is just the beginning. Wherever possible, broadcasters need to do whatever they can to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection.

 A case in point: At iHeartMedia, before staff was dispatched to work at home, “we gave staff their own removable foam microphone covers, for use in the studio,” said Charles Wooten, director of engineering and IT in Panama City, Fla.. “We also kept gallons of hand sanitizer everywhere and encouraged everyone to maintain social distancing at all times.” Whenever radio returns to “normal,” it seems likely such practices will be a standard part of everyone’s operating procedure.

As well, you can hire outside cleaning companies with the expertise and equipment to disinfect broadcast facilities and equipment properly, using electrostatic spraying and steam cleaning machines.

“Once the full disinfection has been down, stations can do maintenance themselves to keep germs down,” said Reuven Noyman, owner of NYC Steam Cleaning in New York City. (One of his disinfectant products, Noroxycdiff, is used by hospitals to kill the C.Diff virus in just two minutes. It also works on COVID-19.) 

“We recommend keeping a sign-in logbook in each room, by the way, so that management can see who’s been using the space in case an outbreak occurs.”

Comment on this or any story to radioworld@futurenet.com.

The post Disinfecting Studios in the Age of COVID-19 appeared first on Radio World.

Attorney Richard Hayes sent a letter last week to the FCC’s Enforcement Division asking that the FCC suspend EEO Public File Reports and Responses to Audit Requests. He also has called for the commission to suspend collection of regulatory fees. Radio World asked him to comment on his latest request.

We have no choice but to embrace the idea of thinking outside of the box because they took the box away. It’s not business as usual, and it won’t be for a while. We need to reinvent what we are and what we do, especially during the next six months.

Many businesses are closed and some may never re-open, unless this economy reopens, soon. It’s purely Darwinian; the strong survive while the weak perish. None of this is our fault, yet we are forced to live with the consequences. Small businesses, the lifeline of the American economy and the American radio station, will not re-emerge as quickly as larger enterprises.

So we have a choice: Do we wait for the economy to return or do we invest our time and considerable creative energies in building our businesses for the future? I suggest that we all look toward the investment opportunity which stares us right in the face. I’ll dive deeper into this idea in a moment.

We have no choice but to embrace the idea of thinking outside of the box because they took the box away.

Broadcast attorneys are in no better shape than the broadcasters they represent. If radio station owners don’t make money, they are not very entrepreneurial and are less likely to make improvements to their facilities. Ergo, the lawyers don’t make any money, either. This is trickle-down pain which everyone in the economy is experiencing.

Station owners are not focused on FCC compliance when the threats to their businesses are existential. Consequently, I have some time on my hands. Instead of sitting on my hands and treating this crisis as an excuse to work in the garden, I thought my time would be better spent finding ways to help eliminate some regulatory expenses and compliance issues that broadcasters don’t need, right now.

I’ve been in the radio business since I was 14. This is my industry. This industry is worth protecting. I want to use this time to help make life a little bit easier (and affordable) for the people who keep this industry going, every day. 

I had a good meeting with the staff of Indiana Congressman Jim Banks (R-Indiana 03), on Friday, who has promised to help us find a way to try to eliminate the 2020 Mass Media Regulatory fees in September. I also wrote to Sen. Susan Collins’ office to elicit the support of my own Senator.

The only way to eliminate the 2020 regulatory fees is to temporarily amend the Communications Act. Jim Banks’ office is looking into this and will meet with member of the Energy and Commerce Committee to discuss the proposal. It is hoped that such an amendment to the Communications Act could be added to upcoming stimulus legislation.

ANOTHER IDEA FOR THE FCC TO CONSIDER

Last week, I also wrote a letter to Lewis Pulley, the chief of the equal employment opportunity division at the Federal Communications Commission. I suggested that it would be appropriate to suspend all EEO Public Inspection File Reports, suspend all responses to EEO audit letters and suspend all requirements to recruit or keep records.

Aside from the fact that the EEO program is a complete waste of time in a booming economy, it is a totally pointless exercise when there is no economy. Is this really a good time to host a social-distancing compliant job fair? We can’t keep all the employees we need on payroll, so does it make any sense to widely recruit for jobs which don’t exist? Is this really a great time to entice applicants to work in the radio business?

The FCC needs to suspend this program for the rest of 2020 and, perhaps, beyond. It is a pointless, time-consuming, bureaucratic, make-work program which cannot demonstrate that any of its policies have had any measurable effect on preventing discrimination. Besides, whom at the station will have the time to fill-out all of that meaningless paperwork? When our business is on a respirator it probably isn’t the best time to ask us to jump through hoops.

In the weeks ahead, I’ll be looking at other areas where rule suspension makes sense during this crisis. If you have any ideas, I would like to hear them.  

Now, about that box which was taken away and the investment opportunity it presents. I will sum it up, this way: If you can’t make money…make friends.

My client in Hawaii will auction rolls of toilet paper on the air. The highest bidder will walk away with 1,000 sheets, one whole roll, of brand new toilet paper! All auction proceeds will go to first responders. It will sound fun on the air, it will make some money for the first responders and it makes friends.

Another station airs the Pledge of Allegiance several times each day and this is sponsored by a local power company. A station down south airs the National Anthem twice a day and sells tasteful adjacencies.

These efforts bring people together. Most stations are offering bonus spots (just don’t call them bonus spots or it could mess up your political lowest unit rate), and this helps struggling businesses. There are a lot of examples, and you have probably done a few creative things, yourself. Here are a few more ideas.

CREATIVITY FOR A CAUSE

It’s entirely likely that your salespeople are bored. It’s time to mobilize them in a slightly different direction. First, make a list of the top ten charities and non-profits in your community. These big charities are run by the business leaders in your community. They donate time to these causes and charities are under the gun now, too. Have your salespeople contact the heads of these charities and have them work up promotions to showcase the charity on the air. Do remotes where appropriate. Be visible with each charity.

Coming this spring are a number of opportunities: 

• Mother’s Day. Interview new moms and dads and have them tell you all about the great experience they had at the hospital during the birth of their new baby. Interview hospital staff and members of the hospital board. Father’s day is another opportunity to do something similar. 
• Cancer Survivors Day. Record interviews for later playback about the work the local cancer center has been doing and how survival rates have improved over the years. Interview the board members and cancer survivors. 
• Breast Cancer Awareness. Get behind this but make sure you speak with the organizers and the the board members. Put these people on the air.
• Memorial Day. Memorial Day celebrations and remembrances are organized. They don’t just happen. Local business leaders organize these events. Put these business leaders on the air to talk about their efforts, made especially difficult during these crazy times.

Oh, but it won’t work with my format! Your format, right now, has about as much integrity as your rate card.

Remember, the board members who run these charities own car dealerships, food stores, department stores, fast-food chains, hospitals, banks and distributorships. You help their charities, by putting their feel-good stories on your air, and the board members will listen to your station. Other listeners will tell these board members that they heard a lot of good things about the charitable organization on your stations.

What should you expect from doing this other than a warm, fuzzy feeling? You will get buys. You will get buys you have never had. Your salespeople will have developed relationships with the movers and shakers in your communities, through their charities. These community leaders and business people will be much more inclined to hear your sales proposals when the crisis is over because you were there for them when they needed you. They know your station gets results because they experienced those results with your charitable assistance efforts! Win-win. 

For now, conserve your cash, apply for the government loans and please contact the office of Congressman Jim Banks and ask him to please do everything in his power to suspend the 2020 Mass Media Regulatory Fees. Also, send an email to Lewis Pulley at the FCC Lewis.Pulley@fcc.gov and ask him to suspend the EEO rules for the reminder of 2020. 

Good luck, and remember, it’s a great life. (If you don’t weaken).

The post FCC Rule Suspensions Could Help Broadcasters Now appeared first on Radio World.

The author is WorldDAB project director.

LONDON — The Covid-19 pandemic has caused radio listening to peak, but at the same time we’re hearing alarming reports from broadcasters about the huge loss in revenue being faced by many.

Bernie O’Neill addresses the audience at the WorldDAB General Assembly.

The presence of DAB+ has nonetheless remained constant, with its place as the core future platform for radio reflected in the many ongoing developments in major European markets.

Highlights include Germany’s plans to launch a second national commercial DAB+ multiplex, France’s ongoing preparations to launch national DAB+ services, and in the UK the announcement of a major program for licensing small-scale DAB.

We’re seeing some interesting developments in several newer markets too, including Sweden, Austria, Czech Republic and Poland.

DAB+ developments are not just limited to Europe though, with broadcasters in Africa and Asia also launching new DAB services, reflecting the increasing interest in DAB+ on a global scale. This long read provides an overview of the more significant developments we’ve seen across Europe and beyond over recent months.

GERMANY — 18 NEW NATIONAL DAB+ CHANNELS

The planned second commercial DAB+ multiplex will reach 83% of the population with up to 16 new national radio stations. The EECC directive has been successfully transposed into national legislation, covering also consumer receivers capable of displaying a station’s name. 54% of new cars sold in Germany in 2019 were equipped with digital radio — a 34% increase compared to 2018.

FRANCE — NATIONAL DAB+ MUX ON THE WAY

France is in the process of rolling out national DAB+ services and the country’s current legislation on digital radio is being amended to align with the EECC directive. The new regulation will require new cars sold across the country – as well as a number of consumers receivers – to include broadcast digital radio.

SWEDEN — RENEWED INTEREST in DAB+

In February, Bauer Sweden announced they plan to launch 10 DAB+ digital radio services reaching 40% of the population, saying they see DAB+ as the natural step to future-proofing and developing radio for listeners. In November 2019 the public broadcaster — Swedish Radio — submitted an application for a national DAB+ license for the period 2020-2025 for 10 channels.  Back in June 2019 the commercial group NENT had already announced the expansion of their existing national DAB+ network and their plans to launch more new channels.

U.K. — NEW NATIONAL AND LOCAL DAB LAUNCHES

The UK has seen a significant increase in the number of listeners on DAB / DAB+, where three national multiplexes host over 50 commercial stations, of which 20 are now on DAB+. The UK government is conducting a digital radio and audio review to examine future trends and consider how radio should adapt to changing listening habits. This month has seen the launch of a new national DAB station with Global’s Smooth Chill, while the regulator Ofcom set out licensing plans for small-scale DAB.

ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE

In Switzerland, DAB+ listening figures have now surpassed listening on FM, as the country prepares to switch off FM services no later than the end of 2024. All stakeholders are working together toward the planned DSO and planning is underway for a comprehensive DSO communications plan.

In Norway, radio listening has returned to similar levels as before FM switch off. By February 2020, DAB’s weekly reach was 86-88%, and 75% of people have at least one DAB+ radio in their home, while 58 % have a DAB radio, line-fit or adapter in their car.

Italy was the first country to introduce regulation mandating all new receivers (consumer and automotive) to include DAB+ from January 2020. New vehicles produced before January 2020, which are not factory-fitted with a DAB+ receiver can only be sold up to 21 December 2020. Italy has three national and over 20 local DAB+ multiplexes on air, covering over 83% of the population.

In Belgium, following the launch of regular DAB+ services in Flanders in 2018, French-speaking Belgium launched regular services in November 2019. The official marketing launch at the end of 2019 had a significant impact on listener awareness, receiver sales, radio listening reach and share. Consumers’ increasing interest in DAB+ radio – particularly among 25-44 year olds – means it is now the only growing radio listening platform in the region.

In The Netherlands, discussions are taking place regarding the potential launch of a new national multiplex in 2021, while DAB+ receiver sales continue to grow. The country is also working on transposing the EECC directive into national regulation.

Austria launched national DAB+ services in May 2019 and major broadcasters and industry bodies have joined forces to petition for the introduction of regulation to bring Austria in line with the EECC directive.

In Spain, some regional governments — including Asturias, Navarra and Valencia — have urged government to implement legislation on the deployment of DAB+, while in Portugal, some commercial broadcasters have shown interest in launching DAB+, with key stakeholders closely monitoring the development of DAB+ digital radio taking place elsewhere in Europe.

DAB+ developments continue in Eastern Europe. In Czech Republic, a national DAB+ multiplex reaches 80% of the population. Poland is also stepping up the expansion of its DAB+ network, with new multiplexes planned for Warsaw, Gdansk, Krakow, and Poznan. DAB+ services have recently launched in Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia.

BEYOND EUROPE

In Australia, all major cities are already serviced by DAB+ digital radio. There are approximately 400 DAB+ stations on air in the country, and over 73% of new cars now come equipped with DAB+, with commercial radio stakeholders across the country now calling on Federal Government to increase spending in order to further accelerate the rollout of DAB+.

Thailand and Vietnam have ongoing significant DAB+ trials, in Bangkok, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh respectively.  In Tunisia DAB+ was launched in 2019, now reaching 51% of the population, while in Algeria, a DAB+ trial launched in 2018 reaches two thirds of the capital city Algiers’ population.

The post Broadcast Digital Radio Endures With DAB+ appeared first on Radio World.

Read about emergency planning and due diligence. See the next in our series about building with Single Board Computers. And celebrate radio technology history as we approach the 100th anniversary of the commercial radio industry.

Read it online here.

Prefer to do your reading offline? No problem! Simply click on the Issuu link, go to the left corner and choose the download button to get a PDF version.

TECH MANAGEMENT
Checklist for a Good Due Diligence

Due diligence is a crucial part of buying and selling stations. And for engineers, the term has a particular set of meanings.

BAKING WITH PI
Isolation Is the Key to Reliable Pi Usage

Stephen Poole offers steps to help you protect the inputs and outputs of your Arduino or Pi.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

• When Brute Force Transmitters Ruled the Air
• Are You Prepared for the Worst?
• TechMart

The post Inside the April 22 Issue of RW Engineering Extra appeared first on Radio World.

Radio Marti began Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) shortwave transmissions on Feb. 4. Part of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Radio Marti broadcasts news and other programs to Cuba. The DRM shortwave transmissions are from USAGM’s Greenville, North Carolina, site.

Gary Koster, USAGM’s broadcast radio technician, Gerhard Straub, USAGM director of broadcast technologies division, and Macon Dail, USAGM chief engineer at Greenville stand in front of the transmitter and other equipment being used for the DRM transmissions.

USAGM has transmitted in DRM before. There were some transmissions from Briech, Morocco, in the early 2000s. Greenville tested DRM in 2009 in partnership with what was then known as HCJB Global Technology. So why are they back now after an absence of over a decade?

“We want to experiment a bit with different modes and services available on DRM. We also want to help push the development of low-cost receivers and the best way to do that is to put some transmissions on the air, explains Gerhard Straub, director of USAGM’s Broadcast Technologies Division.

An RFMondiale reference receiver is shown with a Transradio DM0D3 DRM exciter and a RFMondiale LiveWire audio router. The large screen is the user interface for a 1RU content server situated behind the screen.

Greenville is using a Continental 617-A transmitter, along with a Transradio DMOD3 DRM modulator and RF Mondiale RFMondial content server. The antenna is a rhombic aimed at 174 degrees. The average power on DRM is 5,000 W. The schedule is daily from 1700–0200 UTC on 7345 kHz.

The Radio Marti broadcasts are in xHE-ACC, the latest and standard DRM codec. “We need the lower bitrates because we are running pretty low power and we are trying to keep the signal robust,” explains Straub.

Although these are regular transmissions, USAGM is making adjustments along the way. The first few days tests consisted of two audio streams, with Voice of America in English in addition to Radio Marti. Now Radio Marti is the sole audio service. The transmissions are using the text box and there are plans to transmit images (MOT Slideshow) and Journaline, an RSS type feed.

For the time being, Greenville will be the only USAGM site broadcasting in DRM.

As for Greenville, “There is no definitive time period for the transmissions. We will continue the transmissions until we need to devote resources to other projects or feel we have achieved what we needed,” said Straub.

Hans Johnson has worked in the shortwave broadcasting industry for over 20 years in consulting, frequency management and sales.

The post Radio Marti Begins Shortwave DRM Transmissions appeared first on Radio World.

Getty/Kirill Rudenko

An effort is underway to distribute washable cotton masks to essential employees of U.S. broadcasters, those responsible for maintaining operational continuity of operations, during the coronavirus pandemic.

In Georgia, members of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters received an email this week that stated, “FEMA is providing every broadcast facility in Georgia the opportunity for free cotton masks to protect their employees as they perform their broadcast responsibilities during COVID-19. Please click the link below to fill out the form to request masks for your station.” It added that masks would be sent in packages of 10.

In New Jersey, Paul Rotella, president/CEO of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association, told Radio World that FEMA plans to ship him a supply for broadcasters, and he has been communicating with member stations about how to distribute these once they arrive. He said NJBA will make them available to non-member stations as well.

Rotella said the National Association of Broadcasters has been helpful in coordinating this effort between the federal government and state broadcasters.

NAB spokeswoman Ann Marie Cumming told RW Tuesday, “We appreciate the effort by the Department of Homeland Security in support of broadcasters and other communications providers keeping people informed and safe during the COVID-19 crisis. The timing and logistics of distributing the masks is still being worked out, but the intention is for the masks to be distributed to essential employees of broadcasters — those responsible for maintaining the operational continuity of stations — in each state through the state broadcasters associations.”

RW reached out to FEMA for more info and will share any reply.

The post FEMA Effort Provides Masks to Broadcasters appeared first on Radio World.

Nautel LookingGlass

Nautel has acquired LookingGlass, a specialized FM monitoring product created by Leif Claesson and Alex Hartman.

The company stated on its website that it was “wowed” by the capabilities of the product when it was demonstrated at the spring NAB Show a year ago. “We are pleased to say it is now the Nautel LookingGlass, manufactured and supported by Nautel.”

According to Nautel Product Manager Matt Herdon, LookingGlass was acquired from Modulation Arts. “Nautel felt that it was a strategic fit and a valuable contributor to our mission of ‘worry-free transmission’ for our customers.” Terms were not disclosed. Co-creator Alex Hartman now works full-time for Nautel.

LookingGlass is a 3 RU unit that monitors, records and analyzes up to 30 discrete frequencies simultaneously. It captures the spectrum of analog FM; then a powerful processor and 13 TB hard drive turn the airwaves into recordings, to be analyzed with software tools available on the front-panel touch screen or remotely using its Windows-based software.

Herdon called it an “amazing” tool. “We believe people will find even more creative uses for it once they get their hands on one. The likely fit is larger organizations and consultants, but let’s see what happens. Two ways you could view the usage are inward and outward facing: You could use it monitor your own stations or analyze the eco-system your stations operate in.”

[Read RW’s 2019 interview with Alex Hartman]

“The original design by Modulation Arts was excellent, so Nautel’s value-add is production, QA, distribution and support,” Herdon said. “The beta units were manufactured at our Hackett’s Cove facility. Over time we will expand its functionality, but for now let’s see what people use it for and then show us where they want it go.”

The original system was priced from $15,000 to $23,000 depending on configuration. The Nautel system is in beta and its pricing has not been finalized. Herdon said a limited run of beta units are available.

Nautel has scheduled a webinar to introduce it to the industry on May 7.

The post Nautel Acquires LookingGlass appeared first on Radio World.

Getty/PashaIgnatov

Off-site operations can increase the risk to your cyber safety, and the Society of Broadcast Engineers wants to help stations protect their equipment, particularly emergency alerting gear. 

It has published an article by Larry Wilkins, the chair of the SBE EAS Advisory Group, to help engineers fend off such hacking before it happens.

For instance, he writes, “Although it is tempting to place the EAS equipment on an outside static IP address, this gives an open door to those wishing to do harm. If you don’t have an IT staff or someone who understands IT systems, you might ask, ‘How can I check to see if my EAS device is directly accessible from the Internet?’” Wilkins goes on to explain.

He also covers software updates including FCC compliance updates, security patches and bug/functional updates. 

Wilkins, who retired from Cumulus Media in 2007, writes the technical newsletter for the Alabama Broadcasters Association and has been active in EAS, Amber Alerts and Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program; he is a past recipient of the Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award.

Read Wilkins’ SBE article about EAS security.

The post Is Your EAS Equipment Secure? appeared first on Radio World.

People are turning more to local radio right now, says Cox Media Group.

The company, which owns radio and TV stations, streaming video and digital platforms, said it conducted a research study the week of March 30.

“During this time of crisis, consumers are turning to local radio for information, entertainment and companionship more than any other media source.”

[Read: Amidst Stay-at-Home Orders, Radio Listenership Remains Strong]

It found that one-third of participants are listening to radio more since the outbreak. “Since the outbreak, 94% of participants indicated that they have tuned into local radio more than any other streaming service for music, talk and information, demonstrating that as radio continues to evolve, ‘local’ ranks as one of the most important differentiators.”

The study sought to measure the impact of radio and other audio content during the coronavirus crisis; it was conducted online with some 11,000 respondents 18 to 54 years of age.

Cox said that with consumers having more options to move from one device to another, audiences since the outbreak are listening more or the same amount of time with a smartphone (81%), desktop/laptop (67%), radio station app (57%), car radio (55%) and home radio (54%) almost evenly split, a tablet (48%) or a smart speaker (36%).

“As always, content is key regardless of the delivery platform,” the company stated. “The topics listeners are most interested in receiving from their local radio stations include feel-good stories, things to make them laugh and local virus updates.”

 

The post Cox Assesses Radio Listening appeared first on Radio World.

KTBI engineer Bill Glenn operates the Orban XPN-AM.

The author is president of American Christian Network, ACN and LBS Radio Networks.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Our part of the country is dotted with large farms located great distances from any size city. Therefore, our AM stations, which are affiliates of our faith-based radio network, are critical for reaching our listeners. Our terrain encompasses many high hills and mountains, so FM does not work well for the large areas that we need to serve.

Our programming comes to us from many sources and at a huge variance of overall volume. Our old processing simply couldn’t keep up with the changes that well. In attempting to maintain a high level of modulation, I could not eliminate the rushing sound or what listeners say is “heavy breathing.” Frankly, those artifacts drive me nuts and have to be avoided!

When I heard through Broadcast Supply Worldwide that Bob Orban had developed a new AM processor that would allow correct modulation, balance low- and high-input signals without distorting, all without the rushing sound of breathing, I wondered how that was possible technically. But having met him when I was a director of the NAB, I knew he was brilliant and if anyone had found an answer to this problem, it would be Bob.

I asked BSW if I could test the new Orban XPN-AM processor at KTBI, our 50,000 watt clear channel daytime station on 810 kHz, located in the Wenatchee/Ephrata region of Washington state. They agreed and sent Orban’s Mike Pappas to assist with the installation. When Mike arrived, I told him I was somewhat doubtful that all of my concerns with AM modulation could be solved, but I was ready to learn.

Mike installed the XPN-AM at KTBI and trained Bill Glenn, our engineer, on its use. Not only did the XPN-AM ensure proper modulation and eliminate the “heavy breathing” artifacts, it improved our coverage! While I could always tell KTBI was on the air in my car around Spokane (about a two-hour drive from the transmitter), now I could actually listen to KTBI there … and areas where I was not able to hear KTBI well at all, were now listenable. 

On a recent trip back from California, I was amazed at areas in Oregon where KTBI, once hardly audible, was now really listenable. I drive that same area several times a year so I knew what our 810 signal was like.

Needless to say, I was immediately “sold” and told BSW to forget the test, I was keeping the XPN at KTBI.

Next, I wanted to see what the XPN-AM would do for a great low AM frequency, 630 kHz, that was hampered by limited daytime power, 600 watts or so. Mike was again enlisted to install the unit at KTRW (known as KTW) in Spokane. We had a loyal listener in a rocky area in a little town to the northwest of Spokane who could receive our 630 signal, but with a lot of noise. I contacted that listener the day before Mike installed the XPN-AM and told her I wanted a comparison with her reception the next day.

After Mike got the XPN-AM on the air, I emailed our listener  and learned she was thrilled that now she could hear 630 without all the background noise.

In case you’re wondering, when we were testing the XPN-AM we wanted to make sure that we were comparing our former processing when it was operating at its peak performance, so I asked Mike to adjust the old processor before he switched over to the XPN-AM so that it would be a fair comparison. Without a doubt, the XPN-AM has outperformed the older processor. Our audio quality is also cleaner than it was. It has always been good, but the XPN-AM is very clean and is able to handle a wide variation of gain from a range of programming sources without distortion. I am fussy about our audio because I still find time to do some on air work as “talent.”

I don’t know what sorcery Bob Orban developed for AM processing, but it is magical. We run the same program on one of our FMs and an AM with the XPN-AM and it is difficult to tell the difference in audio quality. I don’t hear that from other stations.

I have to say, too, that Orban’s customer service is second to none. I could not have conducted these tests without their expert help. A little “mom and pop” operation like ours — a growing rarity these days — really needs this kind of expertise and it’s greatly appreciated. I can’t say enough about their support.

Bottom line? The XPN-AM is worth the price for both high- and lower-power licensed AM stations.

For information, contact Mike Pappas at Orban in New Jersey at 1-856-719-9900 or visit www.orban.com.

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What do listeners want during this time of coronavirus and stay-at-home mandates? According to several recent surveys, they want reliable information, entertaining hosts, a little less COVID-19 coverage and a healthy dose of local coverage.

Several recent surveys reveal what listeners want right now from AM/FM radio. These include a listener survey conducted by the Radio Advertising Bureau and Jacobs Media; the March 2020 Nielsen Portable People Meter Survey; and a Westwood One survey that polled more than 1,150 listeners between March 31 through April 8, 2020, about their listening habits.

The key takeaways: Listeners are still tuning in. They are flocking to their home stations. But many listeners aren’t aware of exactly how to tune into their AM/FM station on a secondary device like a smartphone or laptop computer. That presents stations with an opportunity to intensify education efforts around how to access AM/FM radio on different devices — particularly now that many of those listeners may be sheltering at home.

[Read: AM/FM Holds Fast in a Volatile Media Landscape]

One key finding as part of the Westwood One survey was that listeners may be a bit tired of round-the-clock coronavirus updates. By nearly a four to one margin, listeners say they prefer normal programming over coronavirus updates. Among regular listeners to a variety of AM/FM radio formats, between 72% and 78% said they preferred to hear normal programing. The survey revealed that listeners to urban format stations reported the strongest desire to hear programming focused on coronavirus.

The survey also found that listeners like what they like: They still want to hear their favorite music, and they still want to be entertained by funny, lively AM/FM radio personalities. The Westwood One survey found that music, personalities and information continue to draw listeners. When asked about why they listened to their favorite AM/FM radio station in the past seven days, 56% of heavy AM/FM radio listeners chose “they play my favorite music” as the main reason.

Radio also scored high marks when it came to providing localized programming. According to the Westwood One survey, AM/FM radio is closely linked with local news and information. A total of 27% of listeners surveyed said they consider AM/FM radio as the media most likely to provide information specific to their locale.

AM/FM radio was also considered to be a key outlet for reliable, enlightened information about current events. The RAB and Jacobs Media study found that for coronavirus information, consumers place their greatest trust in government medical organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health followed by their favorite AM/FM radio station. Social media ranked lowest on the trust scale — at 1% versus 54% for the CDC and 48% for a listener’s local radio station.

The survey also found that radio is still reaching a wide swath of commuters despite the shelter-in-place orders that exist around the nation. The Westwood One survey found that 60% of heavy AM/FM radio listeners who normally work outside the home are still commuting to work. Though might come as a surprise, 47% of those who normally work outside the home are still making the commute to work.

“AM/FM radio is the soundtrack of the American worker,” according to the Westwood One survey. “Those who are still working away from home are power AM/FM radio users. The more people listen, the more likely they are still working away from home.”

Radio stations should also be aware that a sizable number of those surveyed still do not know how to listen to AM/FM radio on certain devices like a smart speaker or desktop computer. The Westwood One survey found that one out of four smart speaker owners do not know how to listen to AM/FM radio stations on their device. The same is true for smartphone owners — one out of five of those individuals don’t know how to listen to AM/FM radio on their phones. The trend continues when it comes to laptop/desktop users as well as tablet owners: 17% of laptop/desktop owners and 26% of tablet owners do not know how to tune in to an AM/FM radio station on those devices.

There’s one listening format in particular that could use a dose of smart speaker education: country radio listeners. But those listeners are not alone. A large swath of listeners of oldies/classic hits, adult contemporary and rock formats also do not know how to listen to AM/FM radio stations on their smart speakers.

The Nielsen survey also revealed a happy trend: Even after states like California issued shelter at home orders in mid-March, listenership to AM/FM radio proved to be much stronger than some have predicted. According to Nielsen, when comparing March total audience deliveries to February, the survey found that American AM/FM radio maintained nearly all of its audience.

Specifically, AM/FM radio retained 96% of its reach and 90% of its average quarter-hour audience between February 27 and March 25, 2020. Cume and average quarter-hour audience retention was consistent across demographics, race and ethnicities, the survey said.

 

The post Amidst Stay-at-Home Orders, Radio Listenership Remains Strong appeared first on Radio World.

Radio World will launch a free four-part series of weekly webcasts exploring how major broadcasters are reinventing their workflows and air chains to support remote operation. The first will stream April 28.

“The world of radio has just changed dramatically,” said Editor in Chief Paul McLane. “Remote broadcasting isn’t just an option anymore. It’s a mission-critical part of the industry because of the global health crisis.”

[Read: 2019 NAB Show Product Report]

The series is called “Broadcasting From Home.” Each 45- to 60-minute webcast explores how prominent broadcasters moved fast to create new solutions in the face of the unprecedented threat to their normal business practices.

The first episode, available April 28, explores how Bonneville’s Sacramento cluster built its remote workflow. Featured are Jason Ornellas, director of engineering for Bonneville Sacramento, and Nate Mumford, director of sales engineering for sponsor RCS.

 

The post Radio World Launches “Broadcasting From Home” Web Series appeared first on Radio World.

Getty Images/Sean Gladwell

David Julian Gray is NPR’s senior product manager, content production. Before the coronavirus crisis hit, he was preparing to lead an NAB Show session about radio metadata including the value proposition for metadata through the content lifecycle 

Radio World: Let’s start by updating our understanding of what the term means in 2020. How do you define radio metadata in this context?

David Julian Gray: A classic definition of metadata is “everything but the thing itself,” meaning all the descriptive and technical information about an object. 

In terms of radio, and media production and distribution in general, “the thing itself” is a media file or a stream, often called the “essence.” 

All the information that helps identify and describe the essence is its metadata. The station ID, the origination producer, program, season, episode, story, by-line(s), voices, subject tagging, production data such as component files and production staff. Technical metadata includes container format (e.g. MPEG-4), encoding format (e.g. AAC), sample rate, bit rate, etc.

RW: The description for the session that didn’t happen called metadata “both the glue and lubrication of digital workflows and distribution.” Expand on that.

Gray: That something can be both “glue and lubrication” may seem counter-intuitive, but that’s how metadata enables and enhances media workflows, and why it’s essential for digital workflows. 

To take a step back: In ancient times “the thing itself” was a reel or cassette of tape, or sheets of copy; something material we could hold in hands. How do we get ahold of a digital essence? With metadata. The name of the file, its storage location, that’s “lubrication” — getting the system to flow. 

But to go from an idea to a program stream to the listener requires a multitude of systems, and that’s where metadata as glue becomes important. Assigning Guaranteed Unique Identifiers (GUID) and other standardized identifier conventions that can be shared across systems “glues” media objects across systems and contributors, ensures the correct media is used through its lifecycle, production, distribution, reuse. Standardized semantic tagging helps with discoverability, aids end users to find the content they want. 

RW: What role does metadata play at NPR?

Gray: At the most basic level, again, metadata answers the question: “Where’s my stuff?”  

As a modern media organization we present and collaborate with our members and other partners across a variety of platforms: broadcast, podcasts, smart speakers, mobile apps. To navigate this multiplatform landscape, NPR uses a variety of systems for production, distribution, archiving, and support functions like analytics, identity management, etc. 

Metadata is essential for integration and efficiency. Our most mature systems automate capture and generation of descriptive metadata to ease the burden on users; and we’re also starting to automate use of semantic tagging from controlled lists curated by our team of information scientists. Not every system is this developed, but as our systems evolve and mature, increasing use of standardized metadata from common, authoritative sources, improves that efficiency and enables new opportunities.  

[Related: Put Your Best Foot Forward in the Digital Dash] The Artemis archive system used by NPR Research Archive and Data Strategy shows auto-tagging of semantic metadata.

RW: Can you discuss another example of the kind of application that typifies metadata trends?

Gray: A key focus of the North American Broadcasters Association’s Future of Radio and Audio Symposium is hybrid radio. That is an umbrella term to refer to a range of technologies melding broadcast and internet. 

Last year NABA published “The Value Proposition of Radio in a Connected World,” which addressed how metadata is essential for success with hybrid radio, connected cars and apps on mobile devices. There are a variety of technologies, RDS, IBOC, RadioDNS, available for broadcasters to link additional data and images to broadcast streams. These can range from whatever they can put in RDS’ 128 characters all the way to entire interactive websites synchronized to the broadcast stream. Many folks are already familiar with artist name, title and album art available from the HD Radio Artist Experience. With emerging technologies like 5G and smart speakers moving to cars, media producers can link content across platforms — so a song or interesting story they hear in their car can be tagged to be finished on a mobile device later, or additional, related material can be tagged to be explored on another platform or device.

RW: What would you say is a key takeaway from this discussion?

Gray: Capture your metadata early and often, and keep it handy; it’s the glue that ties your supply chain together and the lubrication that moves your content through it. We talk a lot about the importance of metadata to enhance the listener experience and create opportunities for audience and revenue growth. That assumes metadata is available. Consider the entire lifecycle, from initial idea to audience discoverability to long-term preservation, and best practices in the care and feeding of enabling metadata.”

Comment on this or any story. Email radioworld@futurenet.com with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject field.

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BRUSSELS — Extraordinary situations require innovative solutions.

Since March 13 Belgian Dutch-language broadcaster VRT introduced safety measures in view of the Covid-19 crisis. In addition to the station’s radio editorial and technical staff, some 10 presenters plus a number of sidekicks have been working from home.

Daan Masset uses the On-Hertz LUMO virtual radio studio with a little help from his son. All photos courtesy of VRT.

All of the VRT’s radio channels are making use of remote technology to continue the program content flow, from alternative/rock Studio Brussel to the Klara classical channel, MNM, Radio 1 and Radio 2.

“Alongside its national programs, Radio 2 continues to work from the regional centers, informing and entertaining the Flemish audience,” said Kris Van Veeckhoven, of the VRT’s production facilities department.

Daan Masset uses the On-Hertz LUMO virtual radio studio.

“As part of the safety measures, we have a minimum occupancy in our offices. Our editorial staff continues its work work from home — in addition to the usual software package with Dalet, Pluxbox and MusiciMaster, we have provided every staffer with a Skype For Business account. This allows them to record interviews and store them directly in a Dalet folder.”

Whereas some presenters are using AETA’s Scoopfone via 4G or LAN, Radio 2 Limburg’s Daan Masset morning DJ hosts his program using LUMO, the virtual radio studio developed by On-Hertz.

“We may continue to use these applications in the future,” continued Van Veeckhoven. “That’s the advantage of this situation: You start to use new systems, simply because you have to. And we learn things rapidly. In the case of Radio 2, we see the growing popularity of the Radio 2 app and the use of Quicklink. This VoIP solution was meant to be introduced step by step, and is now used all over the VRT’s radio channels.

Guy De Pré produces his Sunday morning show from home.

Quicklink provides an easy link between studio and user/interviewee. We have been using the technology for Radio 2’s living room concerts, who were then were streamed over the Radio 2 app to some 50,000 users per day.”

The “teleworkers” are using Pulse Secure connectivity a secure link between radio staff and the VRT.

Radio 2 “Radio-inspector” Sven Pichal enjoys the view from his living room.

Radio 1 presenter Ayco,  and StuBru host Fien Germijns worked from their bedroom studios, KlaRa host Bart Stouten produced his program in his living room, like Daan Masset. “You actually smell and feel when you make radio at home. Another advantage is that I don’t have to get up at 04:30 to catch a train,” added Stouten, who uses the AETA Scoopfone.

Guy de Pré, host of Radio 2’s iconic “De Préhistorie” Sunday morning radio show, produces his program in his home studio. “The program isn’t broadcast live, although this would be possible,” De Pré explained.

KlaRa presenter Bart Stouten says “You can smell and feel when you make radio at home.”

“Instead, I puzzle all elements like audio fragments, jingles, music and presentations together. It’s quite time consuming as it takes about four days work to put together a two-hour radio show.” The final version is routed to VRT’s DaletPlus system and then broadcast on Radio 2.

Radio 2 studios are continuously disinfected for health reasons.

Christophe Delplace, head of VRT’s technical radio support division, said that in the case of an emergency, the regional broadcast hubs are able to serve as broadcast centers. “When the emergency plan is activated, the Radiohuizen (radio houses) in Ghent and Louvain serve our five

The post VRT Gets Creative With Remotes appeared first on Radio World.

Ben Barber is president/CEO of Inovonics, based in Felton, Calif. This is one in a series of interviews about how industry people are managing during the health crisis.

Radio World: Well Ben, normally we’d be chatting in the aisles at the NAB Show today. What is the world like at Inovonics right now — are you open for business?
Ben Barber: Very unique. No one alive today has seen a worldwide pandemic like the one we are currently going through, so everything is different.

We are open for business. Inovonics does not interact with the public in any way so there is no fear of infecting the community that we live in. As long as UPS, FedEx and USPS are still picking up and delivering, we are able to ship product.

[Read: Exploring the Inovonics 674 AM Monitor Receiver]

RW: You sent an email Monday to your customer list. What was the main point?
Barber: We had three reasons for sending it.

One, to let our industry know that we are still in business, both shipping gear and supporting our customers who already have our products. Two, to let our industry know that Inovonics has not abandoned our employees. We sent everyone home five weeks ago as a safety measure. Those that can work from home are doing so, and those that can’t work from home, Inovonics continues to makes sure their financial needs are met.

Three, to publicly show our appreciation for radio engineers who are keeping their stations on the air, and for those in the healthcare industry as well as stores that are continuing to serve the population. You have our thanks!

RW: How has your manufacturing process been affected?
Barber: Our production has stopped. Years ago we made the decision to build for stock and not for orders. This means we have all of our products on the shelf, rather than scrambling to build something when we get the order. Under normal circumstances this makes work life less stressful and we can plan out our builds. This has worked well over the years, though there will be a push to ramp things back up quickly on products that may have gotten low during this shutdown.

RW: Are you as a supplier affected by any problems in access to supplies of components?
Barber: Not currently. Again since we build for stock, we buy our components in advance so we have them in inventory when we’re ready to build. I can’t think of anything we are behind on or waiting for in order to put product on the shelf other than the green light to once again have our team in the office building gear.

RW: Are Inovonics products being used in different ways than before, as a result of the pandemic?
Barber: I would say no. Inovonics’ products are ones “that go with transmitters,” so unless stations are expanding their signals (which I don’t think many currently are) then our equipment would not necessarily see an uptick in sales or applications. The segment of our industry who are making microphones, headphones and audio codecs are probably a different story!

RW: What else should readers know?
Barber: I want your readers to know that we are grateful to them for all the work they do, every day, not just during a pandemic. I have not talked to one engineer who is sitting on his hands doing nothing. Instead, most are working harder than ever to not only keep their signal on the air but to keep the air talent connected to the stations so they have meaningful content. To them I want to say, thank you, job well done! We are going to make it through this time together.

 

The post At Inovonics, Shipments Continue appeared first on Radio World.