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In this document, the Commission announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collections associated with the carriage election procedures adopted in the Commission's 2019 CEN Order, FCC 19-69, and that compliance with the modified rules is now required. This document is consistent with the 2019 CEN Order, FCC 19-69, which states that the Commission will publish a document in the Federal Register announcing a compliance date for the modified rule sections and revise the rule accordingly.

The FCC initiates the survey soliciting industry input necessary for the statutorily required report on cable industry prices. Responses due May 15, 2020

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In these days of USB mics and microphones phantom powered by broadcast mixers, needing a separate phantom power supply may seem like a trip in the Wayback Machine.

But should an engineer find themselves in in need, Countryman’s Phantom Power Supply module provides low- noise, balanced phantom power.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

Powered by 9 V batteries or wall wart, it offers 12 V, 24 V and 48 V power. anytime. The Phantom Power Supply comes in a rugged diecast aluminum box, ideal for rattling around in a kit for when needed.

Countryman Associates President Chris Countryman said, “Condenser microphones need rock solid power for maximum performance, particularly for low noise and high overload. Many mixers and audio inputs provide no phantom power, questionable power, or only provide it in switchable banks. We developed our Phantom Power Supply to deliver the cleanest power and the most options in the smallest possible size.”

Info: https://countryman.com

The post Countryman Provides Phantom Power appeared first on Radio World.

Telsat says its new Broadcast Smart Platform (BSP) offers all the hardware of a complete broadcasting site in a single portable or in-fill unit.

Invented and manufactured by Telsat and its partners TRX Innovate and Plisch, the compact unit provides DTV and FM transmitters with an onboard satellite receiver to provide program material. Housed in a weatherproof shell, BSP is suitable for use outdoors and can be easily mast-mounted thanks to its small size.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

According to the company, BSP features include low-power consumption and low electromagnetic field emissions, as well as quick and easy installation by just one technician. The technology is designed to allow operators to set up a self-sufficient transmission site by using mono-directional satellite distribution. It’s also possible to power the system by means of alternative energy-sources, such as solar panels and/or batteries.

In addition, adds Telsat, the cell-based network-model uses of “smart” topology approach for the efficient coverage of critical territories. The solution transmits the signal over the critical area using low-power transmitters, and thus is able to avoid coverage of unwanted areas. This, the firm says, results in power savings and cost reduction.

Info: www.telsat.it

The post Telsat BSP Efficiently Covers Critical Areas appeared first on Radio World.

The Federal Communications Commission has stepped in and stripped away operation authority from the owner of four AM radio stations in St. Louis, thereby deleting the stations from existence after a years-long series of enquiries into alleged violations of commission rules.

In a ruling reported by the FCC on March 20, the commission said Administrative Law Judge Jane Hinckley Halprin permanently dismissed the applications to renew and the consent to assign licenses of four AM radio stations in the St. Louis area — KFTK(AM), WQQW(AM), KZQZ(AM) and KQQZ(AM). The application to renew and assign had been requested by Entertainment Media Trust (EMT).

But according to the commission, EMT was allegedly actually controlled by Robert S. “Bob” Romanik, a shock jock convicted of obstruction of justice and bank fraud. According to FCC rules, persons convicted of felonies involving dishonesty are generally disqualified from holding attributable interests in broadcast licenses.

[Read: St. Louis Broadcaster Allegedly Controlled by a Felon]

According to the Media Bureau, Romanik was not actually listed as a party in any of EMT’s applications, although he was said to have established EMT and provided the funds to buy the stations.

Now, according to the FCC, all authority to operate the four stations has been stripped and the call signs will be deleted. But the commission is also looking ahead and said it will take steps to protect the four stations.

In anticipation of a future decision potentially allowing for the acceptance of mutually exclusive applications for those four frequencies, the Media Bureau said it will require “continued protection of the four formerly-licensed facilities” and announced a related filing freeze on accepting any AM minor change applications that would conflict with any of the four stations’ expired licenses.

That freeze will remain in effect until the close of the window or an announcement otherwise modifying or lifting the freeze. “The bureau will dismiss any AM minor change application filed during this freeze that does not protect the most recently licensed facilities of the four stations,” the Media Bureau said in a statement.

One industry group calling on the FCC to take action was the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC), which asked the commission to preserve those four radio stations outright by giving MMTC’s broadcast subsidiary operating responsibility for the stations. The MMTC, however, pulled back that offer a week after learning the FCC Enforcement Bureau had some legal and policy concerns surrounding the proposal.

Instead, MMTC proposed that the commission invite other qualified entities to apply for interim licensure and that a permanent licensee should be selected by public auction.

MMTC also proposed that the commission contemplate creation of a policy on interim operations like this one that could apply not just to revoked licenses, but also to the number of stations whose owners voluntarily turn in their stations’ licenses.

 

The post FCC Hands Down Decision on Four St. Louis AM Stations appeared first on Radio World.

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iHeartMedia says all of its more than 850 radio stations, regardless of format, will broadcast “The Star Spangled Banner” at noon Eastern Time today to promote solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Italian broadcasters came together for their own musical solidarity event Friday. Other nations across the European Union informally opted for a pop culture touchstone — “You’ll Never Walk Alone” — for their own COVID-19 unity broadcasts, rather than the European anthem.

According to an email from iHeartMedia Communications Director Danielle Vitucci, the musical gesture is intended to express solidarity and “to celebrate our collective strength as a nation and recognize the heroic efforts of so many workers on the frontline – including our doctors, nurses, health care professionals, caregivers and other critical responders who are working night and day to get us through this. ”

If you’d like to learn more about the historical relationship between the USA’s national anthem and radio, check out this article we published around the 200th anniversary of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

As RW reported last week, many U.S. stations have also donated airtime for PSAs to educate the public about COVID-19.

The post iHeart Announces Star-Spangled Solidarity Broadcast appeared first on Radio World.

Ed Bukont

One in a series about how radio enterprises are responding to the coronavirus-driven emergency, with an emphasis on technology teams and operations.

Edwin Bukont is owner of consulting firm E2 Technical Services.

Radio World: As an experienced engineer and contractor, what are you hearing from organizations about how they are reacting in their technical operations and processes?

Ed Bukont: Because of voice tracking, many stations were already shifting production both in chronology and geographically. The challenge now is to do so remotely, and for an extended period of time.

I have been encouraging my clients for years to build with this thought in mind, “What if you can’t use your studio building for an extended period of time?” Certain products, such as the Comrex Opal, are proving to be the perfect answer to at least getting a voice into the remote production realm.

RW: What kinds of solutions are engineers and stations finding, for programming or remote audio chain problems?

Bukont: The military likes to say, “Damage control first, improvement second.” This is a hard one for some to swallow, but getting it done means improvise, adapt, overcome.

You don’t need a Neumann and you don’t need to say “We can’t broadcast because we don’t have phantom power for the mic.” Let’s not play music while the Titanic is sinking. Solutions are out there, the challenge is, can your station use the solution? Z/IP One, Opal, Access, MaxxKonnect, Marti. Every station is different, even if they share some facilities.

Now that we have the attention of Homeland Security, I expect we may see some help from other telecom services in adapting network endpoints to accommodate broadcast-related traffic such as VPN.

Post 9/11, Katrina, Dodd-Frank and other recent impacts, many stations have already put into place the mechanisms to handle this situation.

Many stations have already put into place the mechanisms to handle this situation.

RW: How has the situation affected your own business and daily life? 

Bukont: I don’t know yet. I did have a small swell of client communications, to be sure that folks could do what they needed. Not too many hiccups. Seen various conferences and training cancelled, but so far, no impact on life except for everything is closed or empty shelves.

But again, adapt, improvise, overcome. The grocer had no onions. I went looking … and found that in the pre-made meals, they had pre-sliced onions.

RW: Any lessons learned in the past week or two, or best practices freshly appreciated?

Bukont: Being prepared is what you do before a crisis, not during the crisis.

What I have found is that folks in stations either are not aware of what capabilities they have, or worse yet, they want everyone to have equal access to all remote functions. That’s not needed nor helpful either.

This isn’t too different than the Y2K proactive measures. Review what you have, understand what you have and regulate the access to those assets. That will tell you where you may need or want to fill in gaps.

I think sales is generally in a more precarious position now than technology. This is radio’s moment to shine as the local resource. I think there is the greater challenge: How do you get the local mayor on, remotely, rather than how do you keep receiving a national news feed?

RW: What else should we know? 

Bukont: My rule is such situations is, “Needs we accommodate. Wants we discuss.”

I have already heard some horror stories about managers demanding access to a VPN, with no idea what that is, or how to use it, but they think its direct access to their office PC. That’s not what a VPN is.

There was a situation today with regard to some tower service tomorrow, for which a radio station would have to reduce power. I suggested to the other party that the FCC is aware their timelines are about to be busted and they should consult their consulting engineer or comms lawyer before confirming any tower work. Problem solved.

Communication, patience, trust your engineer, are what will get you through this.

Radio World wants to hear about how the coronavirus situation is affecting your radio business operations. Email radioworld@futurenet.com.

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The author is membership program director of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. NFCB commentaries are featured regularly at www.radioworld.com.

A wave of city and state shutdowns in response to the spread of COVID-19 have brought education, leisure and industry to a virtual stop nationwide. And, as part of local life, college and community radio stations are facing tough questions that could resonate for months to come.

Spring is a fertile time for community media. For stations, this is traditionally when on-air fundraising takes place. However, with anxieties high and attention elsewhere, many outlets are pressed to make choices about the pledge drives they depend on. There are no easy options.

The National Federation of Community Broadcasters hosted an online nationwide COVID-19 response meeting with community radio stations. Many are opting to delay on-air fundraising. Others have chosen to move forward with fundraising broadcasts. All have bottom lines they must consider before making the call.

[Read: Community Broadcaster: COVID-19 Concerns]

There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to pledge drives in the midst of a crisis. Many of these decisions come down to local conditions. A station’s internal urgency does not make the choices comfortable ones.

For those going forward with on-air fundraising, the reasons are quite clear. During a major news story, attention is on media like a radio station for analysis, updates and breaking coverage. In short, people know right then why their stations matter so much. And when a station offers music, they’re providing shelter from stress and uncertainty more than ever. It stands to reason why a station would choose to speak up now and remind audiences how much these stations make a difference.

Economically, while there are shaky stocks, employment jitters and worries about a recession now, in a month to two months’ time, whatever storm clouds we forecast today will likely be fully upon us. The gamble of asking today rather than tomorrow does not seem unreasonable.

For a station opting to postpone on-air fundraising, such a call makes just as much sense. Listeners are very upset by the news cycle. Some may be looking at a layoff or furlough. Kids are at home, adding expense to a household. As a result, asking for money can feel unseemly for some stations. Compelling people to donate when they may not have the money can also feel uncomfortable.

There are alternatives of course. Some community radio stations are modifying their approach, focusing their energies on direct mail, online and email to solicit dollars, while minimally interrupting the regular schedule to make appeals.

Every community radio station, though, is grappling with the effect the coronavirus will have on their local economies. In some cities, some of community radio’s most loyal underwriters, such as bars, restaurants, promoters and event spaces, are all adversely impacted by COVID-19-related closures. Even if your town is one of the rare ones not closing down businesses and public gatherings, most of our area businesses are dependent on commerce, air travel and enterprises that serve the public. With warnings about unemployment and no end in sight, many community radio managers are rightfully worried about future fundraising.

NFCB and Greater Public have offered fundraising guidance to stations in the wake of the coronavirus. Ultimately, success may lie in community radio’s ongoing relevance to its audience.

The post Community Broadcaster: To Pledge or Not to Pledge appeared first on Radio World.

JT Communications gets serious in the broadcast processor market with the launch of the SEPsoniX FM broadcast processor.

The 19-inch rackmount hardware box features dual-band stereo compression, compressor-derived AGC, compression “freeze,” “ultrafast” per-emphasis high-frequency limiter, pilot level and phase controls, stereo generator with adjustable transient suppression (composite clipper), master composite output drive level, 6 pole 15 kHz low-pass and 19 kHz audio notch filtering and 50/60 Hz operation.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

The company says that there should be no processing delay.

There’s also an SCA/RDS input and a stream/processor output. There’s also optional PLL programmable FM signal generator for local monitoring of processed audio.

The SEPsoniX has a microprocessor-free design with all adjustments made via front-panel controls.

Price: $1,049.95; with FM tuner — $1,249.95.

Info: http://sepsonix.jtcomms.com

 

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