All posts by Michael D. Rhodes

Meetings & Events, News

October, 2019 Luncheon Meeting

Friday, October 25, 2019

Rigid Coaxial Transmission Line Systems for the UHF Television Repack

Stephen J. Kolvek, Director of Engineering, MYAT, Inc.

This presentation will cover Critical Frequencies due to repetitive Line Lengths that must be avoided when used in a broadcasting system. The anchor insulator connector which is a building block of all flanged rigid coaxial transmission systems. Broadcast industry standard line lengths that are used for single channel applications. Multi-channel uses of standard line lengths where possible. Customized line lengths specific to broadcasting multi channel needs. Optimization of inner conductor support structures for specific on channel performance and multi channel performance. Myat Broad Band SpectraLine Technique scattering the response of flanged connections across a needed broad band operation specification / application with enhanced optimization method of inner conductor support structures. Some example broadband SpectraLine designs will also be included. All of these system types are currently being used for the current US UHF Broadcast Repack needs.

Stephen has worked for MYAT, Inc. since Sept 1990, as an Electrical Engineer for Transmission Line products. His knowledge of transmission line theory, RF combiners, and feed systems have aided MYAT in developing numerous products and operations. Stephen’s educational background includes a BSEET Degree in 1987 from DeVry Institute of Technology, Chicago Illinois and an Advanced Electronics Engineering Diploma From DeVry Technical Institute, Woodbridge, NJ. He is co-author of a patent for the Myat EStar power combiner and co-author of a few non-broadcast industry RF design patents.

Luncheon meetings are open only to AFCCE members and their guests. The cost of the luncheon is $55.00 per person or $65.00 for reservations not received prior to the deadline.

AFCCE Members may register to attend the luncheon meeting below.

Networking starts at 11:45 AM with Lunch beginning at 12:30 PM

Please RSVP online with the form below by 5 pm Monday, October  21, 2019. To RSVP directly to John Reiser by phone at (703) 780-4824, or email rsvp@afcce.org.

All reservations requests and online payments will be confirmed by an email message or phone call. If you do not receive a confirmation email please email rsvp@afcce.org to verify it was received.

Meeting Location
Holiday Inn at Key Bridge
1900 North Fort Myer Drive
Arlington, VA 22209

Driving Directions: The Holiday Inn provides free parking however, they have recently installed gates on the parking garage. You will need to take a ticket on the way into the garage and pick up a validation ticket at the meeting which you will use in lieu of payment on the way out.

Metro: The Holiday Inn is two blocks north of the Rosslyn Metro Station – Orange, Blue and Silver lines. Exit the station through the “back door” (up the stairs) and turn right onto North Fort Myer Drive.
Map & Directions

Lunch Menu

If you have special dietary requirements or allergies, please send a separate email to rsvp@afcce.org.

Main Course (Select one choice for all attendees in the form below)

  • Pork Champignon
  • Roast Top Round Sirloin
  • Stir-Fry Vegetables

With:
Tossed Salad
Pasta
Seasonal Vegetables
Carrot Cake

Register separately for the AFCCE Fall Social here

Register separately for the AFCCE Fall Social here

Meetings & Events, News

2019 AFCCE Fall Social and Celebration of Life

Friday evening, October 25, 2019

This year in addition to our annual fundraiser for the AFCCE Scholarship Fund, we are having a Celebration of Life for our friend, mentor, and former AFCCE President Ronald D. Rackley.

Ron touched so many lives during his time with us and all who had a chance to meet or work with Ron truly benefited. Many members of the Rackley family will be joining us for this celebration and we hope that you will as well. Continue reading →

Meetings & Events, News

September 2019 Luncheon Meeting

Friday, September 20, 2019

Repack from the Manufacturer’s and Tower Owner’s Perspective

Jay Martin, Dielectric and Jim Stenberg, American Tower

AFCCE Members Jay and Jim will discus the current status of the Television Repack. How has the weather effected the progress, deliveries from the manufacturers, installation at the tower site and what lies ahead.

Jay Martin has been working in the broadcast industry for 39 years starting with Shively Laboratories in 1980. In 1985, Jay went to work for Dielectric as an Electrical Engineer with emphasis on the FM product line.  He assumed roles at Dielectric as FM Product Line Manager, TV Antenna Product Line Manager, Senior Director of Marketing and VP of Sales and Marketing.  In 2008 Jay transitioned to RFS as Director of Broadcast Sales and Business Development and went on to become CEO RFS Australia and Global Broadcast Sales Manager. He returned to Dielectric in December of 2015 as VP of Sales.

Jay has presented at IEEE Broadcast Symposium, IBC (Amsterdam), SET (Sao Paulo), IWPC (Barcelona) USTTI (Washington, DC) and several regional shows. Have authored articles for Broadcast Engineering, TV Technology, Digital TV and Radio World and is a member of AFCCE, SBE, IEEE Broadcast Technology Society.

Jim Stenberg is a principal broadcast RF engineer for American Tower Corporation. He is a technical resource for the broadcast sales and operations departments within the company regarding single and multichannel RF system installations at their sites throughout the country.  Immediately prior to his current position, Jim was a broadcast account manager responsible for leasing tower space to TV and FM clients. Prior to joining ATC he ran his own broadcast consulting and RF field service business, JS Engineering, from 2005 to 2013 where his primary customer was Qualcomm FLO-TV.

Previously Mr Stenberg worked at several RF system manufacturers including Dielectric Communications, Jampro RF Systems, Passive Power Products and MicroCommunications from 1987 to 2005 performing sales, research, and development functions for high power broadcast antennas, combiners and filter products. He is responsible for numerous; RF system product designs, multi-tenant RFR studies, technology reports and is the holder of eight patents. Jim earned his bachelor of science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and lives in Portland, Maine.

Luncheon meetings are open only to AFCCE members and their guests. The cost of the luncheon is $55.00 per person or $65.00 for reservations not received prior to the deadline.

AFCCE Members may register to attend the luncheon meeting below.

Networking starts at 11:45 AM with Lunch beginning at 12:30 PM

Please RSVP online with the form below by 5 pm Monday, September 16, 2019. To RSVP directly to John Reiser by phone at (703) 780-4824, or email rsvp@afcce.org.

All reservations requests and online payments will be confirmed by an email message or phone call. If you do not receive a confirmation email please email rsvp@afcce.org to verify it was received.

Meeting Location
Holiday Inn at Key Bridge
1900 North Fort Myer Drive
Arlington, VA 22209

Driving Directions: The Holiday Inn provides free parking however, they have recently installed gates on the parking garage. You will need to take a ticket on the way into the garage and pick up a validation ticket at the meeting which you will use in lieu of payment on the way out.

Metro: The Holiday Inn is two blocks north of the Rosslyn Metro Station – Orange, Blue and Silver lines. Exit the station through the “back door” (up the stairs) and turn right onto North Fort Myer Drive.
Map & Directions

Lunch Menu

If you have special dietary requirements or allergies, please send a separate email to rsvp@afcce.org.

Main Course (Select one choice for all attendees in the form below)

  • Chicken Marsala
  • Pan Seared Peppered Salmon
  • Tricolor Cheese Tortellini

With:
Tossed Salad
Cheesecake

News

WWV/WWVH Listener Survey

From the ARRL News:

08/19/2019

Through Saturday, August 24, WWV and WWVH will transmit a US Department of Defense (DOD) message in conjunction with the COMEX 19-3 interoperability exercise in Tennessee. The broadcast also urges listeners to complete a survey on WWV/WWVH listenership and listening habits. The messages are broadcast on WWV at 10 minutes past the hour and on WWVH at 50 minutes past the hour. WWV and WWVH transmit on 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 MHz.

In addition to asking for the name, email address, and location of those completing the “WWV/WWVH Reception Report,” the survey seeks information on which station (i.e., WWV or WWVH) was heard, the frequency, the transmitted audio quality, whether the information was relevant or useful, how often the respondent monitors WWV/WWVH broadcasts, whether the respondent uses a clock or other device that synchronizes with the low-frequency (60 kHz) WWVB time transmissions, and any other information the respondent would consider useful to hear on WWV/WWVH broadcasts.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — part of the US Department of Commerce — is using the information gathered to determine “how often their stations are monitored and how the various timing signals and messages are used by the listeners,” Chief of US Army MARS Paul English, WD8DBY, said on the US Army MARS Facebook page. “As the saying goes, ‘every vote counts,’ and your input to this survey is being used to help demonstrate the importance of these stations.” Listeners may file multiple reception reports, and anyone may complete the survey.

Earlier this year, the Defense Department began making use of the provisional time slots on WWV and WWVH to announce upcoming HF military communication exercises and to explain how the Amateur Radio community can become involved in them. Use of the time slots has corresponded with Department of Defense communication exercises (COMEX); COMEX 19-3 takes place this month. The announcements will resume during COMEX 19-4 in October.

Following a proof of concept this year, DOD anticipates making use of the WWV/WWVH broadcast time slot full time, all year.

Concern arose in 2018 after WWV and WWVH were included on a list of proposed cuts in the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget request for NIST.

Original ARRL News post can be found here.

In Memoriam, News

Wes R. Weis

Founding member of the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) and founder of the MIKAB Corporation, Wesley (Wes) R. Weis passed away on July 13, 2019. Wes was a champion of tower safety as evidenced by his work on NATE’s OSHA Relations Committee.  He was instrumental in the development of the ANSI/ASSP A10.48 Standard, which established criteria and safe work practices for personnel working on communication structures.

“Wes influenced and mentored many people in the industry. Wes was a constant at NATE in the early years and had a reputation for always greeting colleagues with a smile and following through on his volunteer commitments. He was known for being a quiet and thoughtful volunteer who you could always count on. He was a true friend to those in the industry and NATE who were blessed to know him,” said NATE Chief Operating Officer and friend Paula Nurnberg. Wes founded the MIKAB Corporation in 1971, naming the company after his children, Michael, Katherine and Brian. Wes was a member of IBEW Local 164, the National Railway Society, National Corvette Restorer’s Society and numerous other organizations.

Wes is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mimi, his children and 9 grand-children Madison, Julia, Connor, Zachary, Carson, Riley, Nicholas, Lucas & Jake. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the local IBEW164 Scholarship Fund – 205 Robin Road Suite 315 Paramus, NJ 07652, or to the ARC of Bergen/Passaic, 223 Moore Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601.

News

2019 President’s Letter from John George

Dear AFCCE Members,

First let me state that it is an honor and privilege to serve as your President for the 2019-2020 term.  We have a great group of Officers and Board Members and look forward to continuing the successes of our former President and now Secretary John Lyons.

The 71st Annual Meeting was held June 20-22 in Atlanta, Georgia with over 35 members and guests participating.  Highlights included tours of the Briarcliff American Tour site and the Tuner Network facilities.  We also wish to thank Jon Edwards, Sterling Davis and Mark Fehlig for their efforts in making the Annual Meeting a great success. The Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center was our venue and they provided excellent service and accommodations.

The 2018–2019 Annual Report is under review, and a PDF copy of the final version will be sent shortly.

During the past year the Board approved the following for membership:

For Full Membership:

James A. Dalke, Owner, Dalke Broadcast Services, Inc.
Michael Francis Violette, P.E., CEO, Washington Laboratories LTD
William Patrick Magliocco, P.E., Nexstar Media Group (WRIC-TV)

For Associate Membership:

David Lee Zack, Radio Frequency Systems, Broadcast Sales Manager
David Howard Cole, Associate, Widelity, Inc.
John Stephen Lynch, Electronics Research Inc.- Broadband Business Development Manager
Mark Heller, President/Owner, Metro North Communications, Inc.

Three new Board members were elected by ballot of the membership, and I would like to welcome   Ben Evans and Jim Leifer as new members to the Board and John Lyons back to the Board to serve another term.  I would also like to thank Mark Fehlig for his service on the Board and to the organization.

Following the Annual Meeting, the incoming Board elected new officers. The new officers for the 2019–2020 term are (the board member’s class term is shown in parenthesis):

2019 – 2020 Officers

President: John George (2022)
Vice President: Jon Edwards (2020)
Secretary: Stephen Pumple (2021)
Treasurer: John Lyons (2023)

Directors

Anne Goodwin Crump (2020)
Sterling E. Davis (2022)
Ben Evans (2023)
Chris Horne (2020)
Jim Leifer (2022)

I want to thank Bob Weller for taking on the responsibility of Treasurer a year ago to help with financial continuity after Ron Chase. I also want to thank John Lyons for stepping into this position for the coming year.  I also want to acknowledge the work of John Reiser for, organizing the monthly luncheons, and dedicated efforts of Marshall Cross, Chairman of the AFCCE Scholarship Fund’s Scholarship Committee.

We still need to secure a replacement for the Program Coordinator. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact me ASAP by phone or e-mail.

Luncheon Meetings for 2019-2020

September 20 (Friday) – Luncheon Meeting (Holiday Inn-Dogwood)
October 25 (Thursday) – Luncheon Meeting (Holiday Inn-Dogwood)
October 25 (Thursday) – AFCCE Fall Social (Holiday Inn-Vantage Point Restaurant, 6-9 PM)
November 20 (Wednesday) – Luncheon Meeting (Holiday – Inn Shenandoah)
November 20 (Wednesday) – FCC Reception (National Press Club, 5-8 PM)
January 24 (Friday) – Luncheon Meeting (Holiday Inn-Dogwood)
February 21 (Friday) – Luncheon Meeting (Holiday Inn-Dogwood)
March 20 (Friday) – Luncheon Meeting (Holiday Inn-Dogwood)
May 8 (Friday) – Luncheon Meeting (Holiday Inn-Dogwood) NOTE: Day change due to existing conflicts.
June 25-28 – Annual Meeting – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
May will be our last luncheon at the Holiday Inn.  The hotel will undergo renovations after our May meeting.  We would appreciate the membership’s input on a new location for our luncheon meetings.  Please feel free to contact me by phone or email.

Upcoming events of note include:

Fall Social

AFCCE’s Fall Social will be held on October 25th at the Vantage Point Restaurant, atop the Holiday Inn. The Fall Social benefits our scholarship fund and raised over $16,000 last year. We are looking to exceed that number this coming year.

AFCCE Scholarship Program

The AFCCE Scholarship Program administers over $60,000 in scholarship funds for tele-communications students for their baccalaureate or graduate degree programs. Applications are presently being accepted for spring semester (2020) awards. We thank all members of the Scholarship Committee for their hard work and also thank AFCCE member Tom Silliman and his replacement Stephen Lockwood, for their work on the joint AFCCE/IEEE Jules Cohen Scholarship program and Mark Fehlig for his coordination with IWCE. We are working with the National Translator Association to launch the scholarship in memory of Byron St. Clair,

AFCCE/FCC Staff Reception

The Annual AFCCE/FCC Staff Reception will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on November 20th from 5 to 8 pm. The FCC Reception is a popular event among FCC technical staff, and allows us to honor and celebrate with the recipient of the 2019 E. Noel Luddy Award. Please plan on joining us for this enjoyable event.
AFCCE continues to need your support both in attendance to events and support of the scholarships we award.  While our membership is stable we need to continue growth.  We should all work on recruiting new members to our organizations.  I look forward to working with each of you and accepting your suggestions and recommendations to make our organization better.

Sincerely,

John George, President

News

2019-2020 AFCCE Board Members Announced

AFCCE is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 officers and directors:

President, John George

Vice-President, Jon Edwards

Treasurer, John Lyons

Secretary, Stephen Pumple

Pictured L-R John George, John Lyons, Stephen Pumple, and Jon Edwards

In the recent Board of Directors general election, John Lyons, and Ben Evans  were elected to four-year terms as Full Members and Jim Leifer to a three year term as an Associate Member.  They join directors Anne Crump, Sterling Davis, and Chris Horne who are already serving on the Board.  Mark Fehlig and Bob Weller depart the Board as their terms have ended. The election of officers occurred at the Annual Meeting this past weekend in Atlanta, GA.  The new term begins July 1, 2019.

In Memoriam, News

Arno Meyer

To AFCCE Members:

We have received word that Arno Meyer, co-founder of Belar in 1964 with his wife Isobel (BEL), Arno (AR), has passed away at his home after a period of diminished health.

The name Belar is ubiquitous with monitoring equipment from the FMM-1 FM Monitor, released in 1966, to a full line of AM, FM, TV and shortwave monitors.

From the Belar website: Arno Meyer is president of Belar Electronics Laboratory, Inc. in West Chester, Pennsylvania which he founded in 1964.  Belar modulation monitors are used by radio and television engineers to monitor important technical aspects of their broadcast signal and have become the industry standard.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) first used Belar monitors to verify their measurement of commercial FM broadcast stereo performance standards in the mid-1960s.  Mr. Meyer’s technical contributions significantly improved the quality of AM and FM radio transmission systems through the continuous improvement of the state-of-the-art in modulation measurement technology.

He developed and marketed the first DSP-based AM, FM and TV broadcast modulation monitors and his company’s SCA monitors were the first all digital units in the industry.

He was the developer of the AM stereo system proposed by RCA and played a role in the development and rollout of TV Multichannel Television Sound Systems.

His inventions and products have played an important role in keeping radio broadcasting a competitive and viable medium. He holds a patent for a modulation monitor.

Meyer obtained a BA in Physics from the University of California and was a member of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Society of Broadcast Engineers.

Arno Meyer was the 2001 NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award Honoree.

Meetings & Events, News

May, 2019 Luncheon Meeting

Friday, May 17, 2019

Use of drone based technology for antenna system assessments

Gary Cavell and John Kean of Cavell, Mertz, & Associates

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) based systems will be explained for use in antenna pattern, RF measurements and IR (thermal) imaging.

Techniques and challenges of drone technology for RF and antenna measurements will be presented along with how these methods compare with historical techniques.

The speakers will also show two of their equipment systems.

 

Luncheon meetings are open only to AFCCE members and their guests. The cost of the luncheon is $55.00 per person or $65.00 for reservations not received prior to the deadline.

AFCCE Members may register to attend the luncheon meeting below.

Networking starts at 11:45 AM with Lunch beginning at 12:30 PM

Please RSVP online with the form below by 5 pm Monday, May 13, 2019. To RSVP directly to John Reiser by phone at (703) 780-4824, or email rsvp@afcce.org.

All reservations requests and online payments will be confirmed by an email message or phone call. If you do not receive a confirmation email please email rsvp@afcce.org to verify it was received.

Meeting Location
Holiday Inn at Key Bridge
1900 North Fort Myer Drive
Arlington, VA 22209

Driving Directions: The Holiday Inn provides free parking however, they have recently installed gates on the parking garage. You will need to take a ticket on the way into the garage and pick up a validation ticket at the meeting which you will use in lieu of payment on the way out.

Metro: The Holiday Inn is two blocks north of the Rosslyn Metro Station – Orange, Blue and Silver lines. Exit the station through the “back door” (up the stairs) and turn right onto North Fort Myer Drive.
Map & Directions

Lunch Menu

If you have special dietary requirements or allergies, please send a separate email to rsvp@afcce.org.

Main Course (Select one choice for all attendees in the form below)

  • Roast Top Round Sirloin
  • Pan Seared Peppered Salmon
  • Stir-Fry Vegetables

With:
Tossed Salad
Potatoes
Seasonal Vegetables
Cherry Pie

In Memoriam, News

Ron Rackley

Letter from AFCCE President John Lyons

To the members of AFCCE:

Photo credit: Radio World

It is with profound sadness that I report the passing of a long time friend, associate and mentor, Ron Rackley.  I first worked with Ron in the early 1970’s in a project at WWRL(AM) in New York.  Since that time, we worked on several projects over the years and spoke regularly about issues affecting broadcasters.

Ron served as AFCCE President in 1987-88 and was the 2006 co-honoree with Ben Dawson of the NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award. He also served as a board member and as Vice President of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society.

In 1983, Ron co-founded duTreil-Rackley, which later merged with A. D. Ring & Associates to form duTreil, Lundin and Rackley.

I was last with Ron on Tuesday at the NAB convention where we honored this year’s Engineering Achievement Award honorees Gary and Cindy Cavell .  Ron passed away on April 12 at his home in Florida.

Please take a moment to reflect on the life of our long time member, past President and friend, Ron Rackley.

John M. Lyons
AFCCE President