Industry News

A new FM translator for an AM station may be on the horizon in Durham, N.C., despite concerns from another local station about interference. It’s a case that will be of interest to those paying attention to how the commission plans to handle translator interference claims under its new rules.

The petition to deny was stymied, the FCC said, by a series of incomplete claims and half-finished maps that are needed to pinpoint areas of interference.

In the fall of 2019, Radio One Licenses filed against a translator application from WDNC(AM) LLC, claiming the station would be violating FCC rules because its proposed 1 mV/m contour would overlap an area covered by Radio One’s WFXK(FM), based in Bunn, N.C.

[Read: Massachusetts FM Translator Nixed After Interference Concerns]

In the halls of the FCC, however, steps were being taken to revise the commission’s translator interference rules; and as a result, the Media Bureau would process Radio One’s petition under those new rules.

Among other things, the new rules require the petitioner to show that granting the application would be against public interest. The rules also require the petitioner to submit at least 15 valid listener complaints, create a map that plots the specific location of the alleged interference, draft a statement that the complaining station is operating within its own licensed parameters, provide proof that the station has attempted private resolution of the problem, and showcase data that demonstrates that the undesired-to-desired signal strength — at each and every listener location — exceeds certain limits.

Radio One failed to meet several of those requirements, the Media Bureau stated in its response. It failed to submit appropriate description of the alleged interference locations. Only three of the listener complaints contained a clear, concise and accurate description of the location where interference would occur.

Descriptions cannot be described as “Downtown Durham” or “near the UNC campus,” the Media Bureau said. The petitioner must instead provide a pinpoint location in specific detail — such as a cross-street or mile maker — so that the location can be properly mapped. Although Radio One did submit maps with hand- and computer-drawn marks, the mas are not signed and cannot be proven to belong to the listeners themselves. Those missing requirements include a shortfall on the minimum number of complaints, a map with the location of each alleged interference and proof that the new translator’s station signal strength would exceed proper limits.

The FCC also noted that many of the interference areas provided by Radio One are outside the 60 dBu contour of WFXK but are within the contour of the station’s sister station WFXC. Since both stations are branded as “FOXY” and both broadcast the same program, the Media Bureau wondered if there is some consumer confusion going on.

“Therefore, we direct Radio One, if it chooses to pursue any further interference claims regarding these stations, to ensure that its standardized listener complaint makes a clear distinction between these two stations,” wrote Albert Shuldiner, chief of the Audio Division within the Media Bureau, in a statement.

As a result, the Media Bureau denied the Radio One petition and moved to grant the new cross-service FM translator application to WDNC. Radio One had 30 days to revise its petition if it wishes to.

 

The post FCC Gives Green Light to Durham Translator appeared first on Radio World.

NEW Delhi, India — At a time when people are confined to their homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic lockdown, community radio stations play a vital role in spreading and advocating awareness on social distancing, sanitization, and fake news.

Alfaz-e-Mewat presenter Anuradha broadcasts in the studio

Several community radios are working tirelessly to inform the communities in their respective regions, and some are the trendsetters like one radio station, Alfaz-e-Mewat.

This community radio first started airing the awareness program in the beginning of February, before the coronavirus outbreak in India, and after many others broadcasters followed the path.

ALL WOMEN

Alfaz-e-Mewat FM’s team is made up of only women. These women are managing all their RJ’s by zoom meetings, telephone and WhatApp conversation and using the modern information technology as a tool to inform the community and share correct information via their community radio Alfaz-e-Mewat.

Director of Communication, S M Sehgal Foundation and Radio Chief Pooja Murada leads the staff. Arti Manchanda Grover, program leader routinely guides the RJ’s and presenters of the program to broadcast and writing scripts. Anuradha records programs, announcements and also writes script, etc.

A radio volunteer sanitizes the studio and epuipment

Located in in district Nuh of Haryana and part of the the Sehgal Foundation, Alfaz-e-Mewat reaches 225 villages and is playing an instrumental role in broadcasting information received from the district collector, chief medical officer, and other govt. authorities, including the entitlements of the extended schemes.

The station started a program “21 din 21 baatein” (“21 Days 21 Topics”) with a message by an expert along with a thematic poem on frequent hand washing, access to healthcare services, physical distancing, the importance of yoga, and the time for self-learning on a daily basis to spread positivity in people.

Discussions on contemporary issues, including the coronavirus outbreak, and local folk songs on social isolation are presented to listeners.

A special program, “Savdhaan,” focusing on cautioning people from believing fake news and myths about COVID-19, shares the prerequisites needed to identify the authenticity of news. The “Áaj Ka Hero” program showcases a personal account highlighting a change made in lifestyle/behavior that protects oneself and others from spreading the coronavirus.

CONNECTION

With scare and panic all around, community listeners share in daily live phone-in programs, saying that radio is their only source of information and entertainment during this period. Radio connects callers with experts via telephone. The station answers a lot of questions that the community raises — how long the lockdown is in the area and about their entitlements based on the information received from district administration and the health department.

The station also broadcasts informative jingles shared by the District General Hospital, Nuh. “Due to high illiteracy in our area, only audio can ensure effective communication,” said Fakat Hussain, RJ at Alfaz-e-Mewat.

“We review the situation daily and follow the advice of the relevant authorities. Our main focus is on providing daily updates regarding the lockdown, government initiatives, and what all essential services are available. We are regularly updating our listeners about the announcements by district administration,” added Pooja Murada, director of communications, S.M. Sehgal Foundation.

“We disseminate only official announcements and refrain from airing information related to alternate sources. Our RJs are working on rotational basis to fulfill their responsibility, and they also work from home where possible. If this had happened twenty years ago, it would have been difficult, because we didn’t have the technology we have now,” she said.

Alfaz-e-Mewat is using social media, IEC materials like posters, and the community newsletter, “Vikas Patrika,” to keep villagers informed.

 Sonia Chopra, is program leader, communications, at S.M. Sehgal Foundation, a rural development organization, registered since 1999.

The post How Community Radio Is Helping India appeared first on Radio World.

Find out about the latest audio processors from Wheatstone, Omnia, Orban, Inovonics, DEVA and JT Communications in the Buyer’s Guide section. Learn how churches and hospitals can use unlicensed transmitters to cover their parking lots. And read how volunteers from a local SBE chapter helped renew the facilities of a reading service for the blind and visually impaired.

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.

TECHNOLOGY
“ZoneCasting Will Level the Playing Field for Radio”

On March 13, GeoBroadcast Solutions asked the FCC for a rule change to allow radio broadcasters the ability to air geo-targeted programming. The company’s chief technology officer explains why this is notable.

RADIO AT 100
Lee de Forest, Pioneer Broadcaster

This radio scientist was playing a key role years before KDKA’s historic broadcast.

HISTORY SPECIAL

• Metadata Is Both Glue & Lubrication
• Low-Power Radio in the Parking Lot
• New Gear and SBE Volunteers Boost Reading Service

The post Inside the April 15 Issue of Radio World appeared first on Radio World.

The Alabama Broadcasters Association will not hold its annual conference this August, according to an announcement from the ABA board of directors Wednesday.

The board said they expect stations will find it “difficult to commit financial resources to attending the meeting” because they will instead “be focused on economic recovery.” 

However, the ABA also took this opportunity to announce the dates and location of its 2021 event: the 75th Anniversary of the Alabama Broadcasters Association will be celebrated during the conference  Aug. 13-14, 2021, at the Ross Bridge Resort & Spa in Birmingham.

The association says it will shift resources to focus on offering more virtual training and resources. The ABA also said they want feedback from members to learn what would be helpful during this time. 

Additionally, the press release encouraged members to contact congressional representatives to lobby them to seek aid for local media outlets from President Trump. The deadline for lawmakers to sign a letter with this sentiment is Friday morning.

The post ABA Cancels Annual Conference, Shifts Funding to Virtual Resources appeared first on Radio World.

If you’re looking for new audio spots to boost morale during the pandemic, Grace Broadcast Sales has created some 30-second audio clips to address self-care during the age of coronavirus.

Grace Broadcast says these features are available as market exclusives and can be aired as standalone or sponsored content. They are the second series of these clips, the company says they added the second installment in response to station requests.

Listen to the “In This Together” demos here. 

The post Grace Broadcast Is Selling Self-Care Audio Clips appeared first on Radio World.

Synthax Inc. is kicking off a webinar series to help A/V pros stuck at home bone up on their audio networking knowledge and skills. Audio networking is part of the content.

The company is the U.S. distributor for Digigram, RME, Appsys, Ferrofish, myMix and ALVA. It says it plans to offer online learning opportunities during the normal workweek through at least the month of May. The webinars are free with registration and hosted via Zoom. 

Those who tune in to the Friday 11 a.m. (ET) session titled “Reliable Audio Over Unreliable Networks” and the 1 p.m. “Unravelling Audio Networking: Dante, AVB & MADI” webinar may be eligible for two Certified Technology Specialist RU credits.

The release quoted Synthax Director of Sales Derek Badala as saying the webinars are intended to help attendees “make most of their time and advance their knowledge of different audio networking systems and solutions as well as receive up to four CTS RU credits for some of the sessions in the process.”

Check out the Synthax webinar schedule here. 

The post Synthax Launches Webinar Series appeared first on Radio World.

Find the ready-to-edit-and-then-run python program here:

#!/usr/bin/python

# These are libraries used by the program.
import smtplib
from gpiozero import Button
from time import sleep

# The “gpiozero” library calls an input a “Button.” If it goes LOW,
# we assume that the input has been turned on. Note that we assign
# the “genrun” Button to GPIO 22, which is actually pin 15 on the
# 40-pin connector.

genrun = Button(22)

# Other values to try might include pin 7 for GPIO 4 (“Button(4)”),
# or pin 13 for GPIO 27 (“Button(27)”).

# These are simple “flag” variables that I use to keep from sending
# the same email over and over.
running = 1
sent1 = 0
sent2 = 0

# IMPORTANT: Change these to your needed values. You’ll need a
# valid email account for the Pi, and a valid recipient. Replace
# “pi” and “recip” below with the correct values.
msg1 = “””From:pi@yourserver.com
Subject: Generator Is RUNNING! \n
To: recip@yourserver.com\n”””
msg2 = “””From:pi@yourserver.com
Subject: Generator Is NOT Running! \n
To: recip@yourserver.com\n”””

# This subroutine takes care of actually sending the email. You
# must edit this with a valid server name; you may need to change
# the port number. Note that this will also need “pi’s” password
# to log in, and that I’m using a secure SSL/TLS connection.
def sendmsg(mstr=””):
server = smtplib.SMTP_SSL(‘mail.yourmailserver.com’,port=465)
server.ehlo()
server.login(‘pi@yourserver.com’,’password’)
server.sendmail(‘pi@yourserver.com’,’recip@yourserver.com\n’,mstr)
server.quit() # exit the connection

# The main program loop, which runs forever, or until you
# press CTRL-C in the terminal that’s running this program.
while(1):

# Check the genrun “Button” object. The “running” flag
# prevents sending the same email if it has already
# been sent.
if genrun.is_pressed:
if( running == 0 ):
running = 1
print(“Gen running.”)
if not sent1:
sent1 = 1
sent2 = 0
sendmsg( msg1 )

# Same, but check for Button “genrun” NOT being pressed —
# i.e., the generator isn’t running.
if not genrun.is_pressed:
if( running == 1 ):
running = 0
print(“Gen idle.”)
if not sent2:
sent2 = 1
sent1 = 0
sendmsg( msg2 )

# Go to sleep for 60 seconds, then run again.
sleep(60.0)

Remember to change the email addresses, password, the email server and port numbers as needed.

Once you’re done, save the file as genwatch.py, then copy it onto your Pi. In a terminal, in the same directory as that file, enter the command

“chmod +x genwatch.py”

to make the file executable. Now you can run it by entering

“./genwatch.py”

at the terminal prompt, while still in the directory containing the file. The program will continuously check the assigned pin at 1-minute intervals, sending an email if the generator’s status changes. Press CTRL-C to stop the program.

The post Raspberry Pi Python Program appeared first on Radio World.

The author is chief technology officer of GeoBroadcast Solutions.

The prospect of geotargeting radio transmissions to better serve the public has seemingly been a pipedream for OTA broadcasters, as they’ve watched their television and mobile competitors improve their revenues through technology that seemed beyond reach. And, although radio still maintains the highest audiences for sources of entertainment, news and information, the elusive goal of localizing its content has been a hurdle it can’t leap until the FCC allows separate single-frequency network content. 

A single-frequency network can be designed to the necessary specifications for geo-targeting, as illustrated in how our deployment for WXLO(FM) in Boston added a million potential listeners to its signal.

Think of the highest-powered, largest radio stations in the country and consider their reach and popularity. Now consider how better served their millions of listeners would be —  through the very same call letters on the dial — if they could receive a localized early warning weather alert or, simply, a news update or traffic report that was more specific to their region than it is today. 

Now recognize the competitive disadvantage radio has to ATSC 3.0 TV or mobile apps because its advertising is too cost-prohibitive for small business or regional political advertisers who only need to reach a limited audience in the broadcaster’s signal. 

On March 13, GeoBroadcast Solutions requested from the FCC a minor rule change to allow radio broadcasters the ability to air geotargeted programming, including emergency alerts, news and advertising, on a voluntary basis through technology we developed called ZoneCasting. 

[FCC Seeks Comment on Geo-Targeting for Radio Stations]

For radio, localization is a sort of holy grail. With technological abilities to improve signal strength and reach, the only impediment is providing a personalized experience for each listener at every exit on the airwave highway. That elusive “last mile” has just recently been a boon to TV, internet and mobile devices, and it should now be granted to radio. 

TESTED TECHNOLOGY

GeoBroadcast began in 2011 to explore and design an FM single-frequency network that would create geotargeted coverage areas, or zones, that could deliver separate audio content to those zones. 

As an outgrowth of this research we discovered new design parameters and processes that could use the same technology to help stations improve coverage in low signal areas. Since the main program audio would be unchanged, and therefore is fully compliant with all FCC rules, GeoBroadcast rolled out MaxxCasting, which further allows the Radio Data System (RDS) screen to carry zoned data for targeted on-screen advertising.

Put simply, MaxxCasting is a system of FM on-channel boosters, otherwise known as a single-frequency network deployed similar to cellular technology, with transmitters fully synchronized to boost the signal from the main transmitter with seamless transitions from the main to the booster nodes. Since the signal level is vastly improved in otherwise spotty areas, the host station enjoys higher listening — and greater recovery of Nielsen PPM decoding.

If we take a MaxxCasting system and add some additional equipment, we can actually geotarget programming from the station — this is ZoneCasting. The process is made by arranging transmitters in a cluster to allow programming in the zoned area break away from the main signal and transmit geotargeted content. 

One of MaxxCasting’s recent deployments was at Cumulus’s WXLO(FM) just outside of the Boston market. Until implementing the technology the station didn’t get a listenable signal into central Boston. Now in place, the signal added about 1 million potential listeners to the WXLO signal and changed the profile of the station virtually overnight. With the installation of its new highly-directional antennas WXLO has added geotargeted RDS information, which will change what the listener sees on his screen. This adds a new revenue source to the WXLO signal and poises it for using ZoneCasting if the FCC agrees with the petition.

We estimate that geotargeting will be active about 5% of the overall time, and will be primarily used during commercials, local news, weather or emergency alerts. Stations can also operate in multiple zones and generate local revenue in each one. When ZoneCasting is not active, the boosters often revert to MaxxCasting, for improved coverage. 

As for the listener experience, tests have shown that the transition areas do not cause interference and there is no noticeable change in audio. Transitions are not long enough to be noticeable. For the average listener the change-over would appear as if the station would be switching to a network news feed or different programming.

For station groups and owners, the costs of embracing this new technology would be elective. If the rule change request was accepted by the FCC, there would be no changes to the interference rules requested, and participation would be entirely voluntary. 

PROOF OF CONCEPT IN FRANCE

We traveled to France in the summer of 2019. Its national highway system has been using a ZoneCasting-like system. 

In France the 107.7 MHz frequency is dedicated to broadcast solely along the roadways and operated by different stations through 1,100 transmitters set up to broadcast on a SFN. When not broadcasting the required local traffic and emergency information as needed to drivers, it has music, news and other programming that vary by region.

Station 107.7 is broadcast along the roadways by many different operators, with each operator required to bring local traffic and emergency information as needed to drivers. Its system uses over 1,100 transmitters to create zones every 8 to 10 kilometers on average. When not broadcasting localized information, the network provides music and news that may vary by region or operator. Sometimes it’s the same programming and sometimes it’s different.

What we learned from the models in France was that the ZoneCasting concept is feasible and that it can be successfully deployed. In France this system of entertainment and zoned information has been very successful. 

DO LISTENERS CARE? DO ADVERTISERS?

Yes, and yes. In 2018 Edison Research found that 77% of listeners say they would pay more attention to ads on the radio if they were for local products or businesses, and 72% said they would actually listen more to their radio station if the commercials they heard were better targeted to their local area. 

GeoBroadcast Solutions has performed three ZoneCasting tests under FCC experimental operation. For WIIL(FM) in Milwaukee the main zone is shown in red on the left and the increased zone is shown in green. This successful design is being used full-time in France.

Generations of radio listeners embrace their favorite stations but are used to filtering out the ads, traffic reports and news that do not pertain to them. A geotargeted broadcast would surprise and awaken their listening experience.

Advertisers have begun embracing geotargeting in television and mobile to localize their reach and are looking forward to using radio to reach specific communities. Stations with geotargeting capability would be able to offer lower-cost advertising opportunities to small businesses, restaurants, medical centers and even local political races. 

BIA Advisory Services estimates the impact of zoned radio advertising could provide more than $750 million in needed added revenue to the industry. Its recent survey with Advertiser Perceptions found that more than 90% of local retailers and two-thirds of national advertisers are poised to put more money into FM radio when geotargeting becomes available.

PASSING ALL TESTS

The GeoBroadcast Solutions technical team has been involved in SFN design and deployment for many years. Our patented multiple node FM analog stereo and analog/ HD Radio SFN design has now been successfully deployed across the United States.  

In order to obtain design parameters on what listeners will accept for interference, Geo contracted NPR Labs and Towson University for a subjective analog FM listening study (one of the largest ever) to determine objective target parameters Geo used both for Maxxcasting and ZoneCasting geotargeting research and development. 

The results were instrumental in the now field-proven successful design for Maxxcasting, and we believe we can now leverage the Maxxcasting specifications to implement Zonecasting when approved by the FCC.

NEXT STEP: PUBLIC COMMENT

This is a forward-moving initiative that now requires industry and public support. Tell the NAB and FCC what you think. The commission is taking comments at www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings (use proceeding RM-11854). Comments must be uploaded in a .doc or .pdf format.

Bill Hieatt oversees GBS technology operations including system architecture definition, network infrastructure design, single-frequency network, RF coverage/field measurements/model tuning, project management, intellectual property development, patent applications and field trials.

The post ZoneCasting Will Level the Playing Field for Radio appeared first on Radio World.

A former head of FEMA says the FCC should allow geo-targeted radio programming in the United States.

Craig Fugate was administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2009 to 2017. He told Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai in a letter this week that he supports a rule change that would permit radio broadcasters to deploy geo-targeted programming.

The change was requested by technology company GeoBroadcast Solutions, which has been advocating the idea for years and recently made a formal request for a rule change. The FCC is taking comments through May 4 on the idea.

[Read “FCC Seeks Comment on Geo-Targeting for Radio Stations”]

Geo-targeted radio programming would include locally targeted advertising — which is a significant selling point to the radio industry — as well as targeted informational programming. But it is the emergency alerting aspect that Fugate focused on. “I have witnessed first-hand that our oldest form of broadcast, radio, remains the most reliable, stable form of communicating,” said Fugate, according to a press release from GBS.

He told the FCC that “localized” radio broadcast updates of the COVID-19 crisis would serve the public good. “Consider the benefit of reaching a 25-mile portion of a radio signal about local test sites or shelters versus informing that same station’s 100-mile audience that do not need those specifics but require their own, zoned, details,” Fugate wrote.

Fugate has often spoken publicly, both during and after his tenure at FEMA, about the value of radios and radio broadcasting in emergency preparedness.

[Read what Craig Fugate said about radio and the coronavirus pandemic.]

The system GeoBroadcast wants to use is based on FM booster networks. “Radio is currently the only mass medium that cannot geo-target its content,” the company has argued.

The FCC is taking comments here. Use proceeding number RM-11854.

 

The post Former FEMA Head Backs Geo-Targeted Radio appeared first on Radio World.

Broadcast content management system developer ATX Networks has released Version 7 of its XDS content management system.

ATX General Manager and CTO, Media Broadcast, Jose Rivero laid out a chief reason for the new whole number version — centralized control. He said, “The fact that most broadcast platforms are made up of a series of discrete components that must be managed and controlled separately, rather than a fully-integrated solution, is a significant operational challenge — and cost concern — for network operators.”

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

An added benefit, “It’s imperative that today’s audio distribution and content management systems offer flexible and open APIs that facilitate the integration of the back-office business solutions that are so crucial to the network’s financial health,” Rivero said.

According to ATX, the new version supports the latest versions of Microsoft Windows Server and SQL Server, .Net Framework 4.0, enabling network operators to deploy their audio distribution and monitoring operations in virtualized server- and cloud-based environments. ATX says that will improve “benefits of server virtualization include reduced hardware costs, improved network resiliency and recovery, deployment flexibility and significant operational savings.”

Furthermore, “The new version of the XDS Content Management System also provides additional centralization capabilities and openness, further facilitating the simplification of complex operational environments and network health monitoring.

Back office features streamline “the sales organization, empowering account managers to sell spots in multiple markets or even regions, but still offer their clients the ability to customize their ads, station IDs, interstitials and programming to specific markets.”

Info: www.atx.com

 

The post ATX Releases New XDS CMS appeared first on Radio World.