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NAB Show 2020 Canceled

The National Association of Broadcasters said this morning they would cancel the NAB Show, but CEO Gordon Smith said he hoped they could hold the show later in the year. Several major exhibitors, including Ross Video, Canon, Avid, and AJA had already called off their participation due to concerns about spreading COVID-19, the virus that the World Health Organization today labeled an “international pandemic.”

EAS Update

Stations: Confirm Your Station is Compliant with EAS Updates

By Larry Wilkins, Chair, SBE EAS Advisory Group

The FCC and FEMA are in the process of making changes in the EAS and CAP system. Most of these changes concern security issues. To aid stations in understanding these changes and what will be required to keep your EAS units compliant, we have put together the following information.

Continue reading EAS Update

2019 EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) Update

June 5, 2019

Larry Wilkins, CPBE, CBNT, AMD
Chair, SBE EAS Advisory Group

The Federal Communications Commission has announced that all EAS participants must renew their identifying information in the EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) Form One on or before July 3, 2019. This is in conjunction with the nationwide test of the EAS scheduled for Aug. 7, 2019, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

EAS participants must renew their identifying information required by ETRS Form One on a yearly basis. The ETRS site is online and available now at the FCC site:
https://www.fcc.gov/general/eas-test-reporting-system.
It can also be reach by going to fcc.gov and clicking on ETRS under the licensing and database tab.

All the information for logging in and completing the form is on the ETRS home page. Make sure you have the company Federal Registration Number (FRN), station Facility ID, along with correct login information from last year available before you visit the site.

Additional information is available in the Public Notice:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-19-505A1.docx

Review all the information and make any corrections or changes before submitting the form. You will receive a confirmation email after it has been successfully submitted.

On or before 11:59 p.m. EDT, Aug. 7, 2019, EAS participants must file “day of test” information sought by ETRS Form Two. On or before Sept. 23, 2019, EAS participants must file the detailed post-test data sought by ETRS Form Three. ETRS Forms Two and Three will become available in the ETRS at the time of initiation of the 2019 nationwide test.

Regional Transmitter Site Copper Theft Continues

From the Southern California Broadcasters Association:

Two LA-based SCBA members have been robbed of all copper and copper connectors at their transmitter sites. Both crimes occurred within the past 30 days This was not the work of kids as all they were after was the copper, and knew to cut the video security cables.

L.A. police are not making this damage to a public service resource a priority, so we must.

If you have been robbed as well, please let us know ASAP.

If this is a ring targeting SoCal Radio station transmitter sites, none of our member sites are safe. If they are a ring, we want to escalate this crime to the FBI and the Mayor’s office. Having a number of break-ins makes our case for federal inspection, protection, and prosecution stronger.

ATSC 3 Roadshow Coming to Las Vegas, Phoenix

The IEEE Broadcast Technology Society will be hosting the ATSC 3 Roadshow at locations throughout the United States.  BTS will be hosting the one-day course on the new ATSC 3 digital television (DTV) transmission system, taught by expert Gary Sgrignoli of Meintel, Sgrignoli, and Wallace, the noted digital TV transmission consulting firm. 

This course will develop a fundamental understanding of the ATSC 3 digital transmission system’s Physical Layer, provide attendees with practical application ideas and update them regarding the progress of the spectrum repack and ATSC 3 deployment.  Attending the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society’s ATSC 3 Roadshow will earn attendees SBE credit towards re-certification and can facilitate preparation for the upcoming SBE ATSC 3 Specialist Certification exam. 

Dates               Location               Venue               Registration Link

March 7, 2019  Phoenix, AZ         Arizona PBS             Register Now

April 6, 2019   Las Vegas, NV      Flamingo Hotel       Register Now