Monday Morning Coffee and Technical Notes
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Updated National EAS Handbook
The FCC has issued an updated version of the National EAS Handbook. All stations are required to download this handbook and keep a copy at each operator position. To download the new handbook go to https://www.fcc.gov/general/eas-test-reporting-system then click on “EAS Operating Handbook”. In order to optimize the value of the 2021 EAS Operating Handbook for EAS Participants, the 2021 Handbook provides blank spaces in a writeable format for EAS Participants that may wish to tailor the handbook to accommodate their individual procedures.
Stations should discard any outdated EAS Handbooks.
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Preparing for the National EAS Test
FEMA and the FCC has scheduled the National Periodic Test (NPT) for Wednesday August 11th, 2021 at 2:20 EDT (1:20 CDT). First each station must register with the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) by July 6th, 2021. By this date stations must compete “2021 ETRS Form One” setting out information about each station’s EAS decoders, encoders, or combined units. ETRS is the system that reports on the results of the EAS tests. Test results will need to be filed on Form Two in ETRS on August 11 or 12, with more detailed information about the results of the test to be submitted in a Form Three by September 27, 2021.
The test itself will distributed via the Primary Entry Point (PEP) system and will not be available via the IPAWS network. This test will be conducted using the over-the-air “daisy-chain” system, where the message is passed from station to station based on monitoring assignments set out in each station’s statewide EAS plan.
Engineers should review their EAS operations to insure you are monitoring the correct “two legacy EAS sources” as assigned by the State Emergency Communication Committee (SECC). Listen to the audio from both sources on your EAS unit to make sure the audio is at the correct level and broadcast quality (no crosstalk, noise, or hum). Review your station logs (which you are required to do weekly) to make sure you are receiving Required Weekly Test (RWT) from both sources. Verify the clock is correct and locked to a national time server.
In addition, ensure that EAS equipment has the NPT code loaded in the incoming filter section and set up to receive and process the NPT code, with the “six zeroes” national location code, and otherwise operate in compliance with the Commission rules. Also verify that the EAS equipment is operating with most up to date firmware. Contact your equipment vendor if you are not sure about the firmware version.
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The annual ABA Convention will be held Friday and Saturday August 13th and 14th at Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa in Birmingham. As usual the ABA Engineering Academy will be hosting a special “Engineering Seminar” from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Friday the 13th. Special guest speakers include:
Wayne Pecena: Internet Security Issues 8:45 AM
Kirk Harnack: trouble shooting audio over IP issues 10:00AM
Time to visit with vendors 11:00 AM
Lunch provided by ABA 12:00 noon
Jeff Welton: Proper Grounding Techniques 1:30 PM
John George/Larry Wilkins: Reviewing ABIP Inspections 2:45 PM
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NRSC Measurements
Engineers that maintain AM broadcast facilities are reminded of the requirement to conduct NRSC measurements annually.
NRSC measurements are required to ensure that the emissions of stations in the AM service are attenuated in accordance with the requirements specified in section 73.44.
These measurements must be conducted annually, for AM stations, with not more than 14 months between measurements
Measurements made of the emissions of an operating station are to be made at ground level approximately 1 kilometer from the center of the antenna system. The data, together with a description of the equipment and procedure used in making the measurements, signed and dated by the qualified person(s) making the measurements, must be kept on file at the transmitter or remote control point for a period of 2 years.
Now that most states are beginning to conduct ABIP inspections again (after the pandemic) engineers sure make sure they have the last two years of NRSC measurement available.
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Listening and Watching
As an engineer do you listen to your radio station or watch you television station. I come across engineers that comment, “I don’t listen to my station cause the music is awful, anyway someone will let me know if something is wrong”. That’s not necessarily true. Regardless if you like the format or not, you should listen or watch you station to hear and see what your customers are getting. Things like level differences, hum, or noise, switching errors, pixelating, or dropped audio, graphics, and bug placement.
Make notes of what you observe and take steps to correct and fine tune to make your station looks as professional as possible. Television needs to pay attention to audio issues like switching and levels. One thing that is distracting is where intros and outros of a news package are recorded, sometimes it sounds like the audio was recorded in the shower stall.
Small issues like this can be a turn off to the public.
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ABA Annual Convention:
The ABA has scheduled its 2021 convention for August 13th and 14th. The ABA Engineering Academy will hold a special engineering day on Friday the 13th. Guest speakers will include Kirk Harnack, Jeff Welton, John George and Wayne Pecena. Mark this date on your calendars and we will keep you informed of any changes.
NAB Convention:
The NAB annual convention in Las Vegas has been moved from April to Oct. 9-13, 2021. The show will co-locate with the SBE National convention, Audio Engineering Society fall convention, the Radio Show and NAB’s Sales and Management Television Exchange. For complete details, visit www.nabshow.com.
Upcoming Engineering Webinars:
July 20th, 2021 - Wayne Pecena, Texas A&M Cyber Security at Broadcast Stations.
August 17th, 2021 - Mike Patton, Michael Patton & Associates discussing AM directional systems and MoM.
Engineering Jobs:
Birmingham, AL Summit Media Radio Chief Engineer
Dothan, AL Radio Chief Engineer.
susan@himanagement.net
Seattle WA Chief Engineer 3-station radio cluster.
Macon, GA WGXA television Assistant Chief Engineer www.wgxa.tv and click on Careers icon.
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Quote of the Week
" Stop Thinking so much, it’s alright not to know all the answers.”
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Inspirational Thought of the Week
“The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.”
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