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Local News

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.

Seminars

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        

National

SBE Leader Barry Thomas Passes

(From SBE National Headquarters) We are deeply saddened by the passing of Barry Thomas, CPBE, DRB, CBNE, who died on Dec. 6, 2018. Barry devoted a great deal of his time and talents to the Society of Broadcast Engineers. He joined the SBE in 1986 and served the SBE with involvement in several local SBE chapters and on the national level. His national involvement included two terms on the SBE Board of Directors from 2002 to 2005, and two terms as treasurer from 2005 to 2007. He served as the society’s 25th president from 2007 to 2009 and immediate past president from 2009 to 2011. In 2017 he was elected to serve on the board again but decided to step down early in his term. In 2011, Barry was elevated to the membership grade of Fellow.

Barry Thomas, past SBE President

On Barry’s passing, SBE President Jim Leifer, CPBE, said, “Barry served the SBE in many capacities and has been a voice for many engineers in our industry for decades. After hearing this news, I remembered so many occasions where Barry spent time developing younger engineers and being that mentor so many of us talk about. He was a devoted father, son, brother and fellow engineer who will be sorely missed by all.”

Local note: Barry was Corporate Director of Engineering for Lincoln Financial Broadcasting when that company owned San Diego broadcasters KIFM 98.1, KBZT 94.9, and KSON 97.3 FM. Eric Schecter, local market DOE in the mid-2000s, remembers Barry. “I have a fond memory of driving the KSON signal with Barry and getting sushi. Barry loved good sushi. He gave us the resources to do our jobs and build out great studios, as well as permission to purchase new transmitters for Mt. Soledad.”

Local News

ARRL Adds Dick Warren Scholarship

(Adapted from ARRL.ORG) The ARRL Foundation has announced that the Dick Warren, K6OBS, Memorial Scholarship will join the growing list of scholarships administered by the ARRL Foundation. The scholarship is funded through the generosity of the family of San Diego longtime broadcast engineer, announcer, and ham radio operator Dick Warren, K6OBS, who passed away earlier this year. Intended exclusively for educational use, this scholarship will provide assistance with the costs of tuition, room, board, books, and other fees essential to the recipient’s higher education. The scholarship award will be $500 annually, with the first scholarship expected to be awarded in 2019.

An applicant must be a US citizen, but without regard to gender, race, national origin, or disability. The applicant must be performing at a high academic level or be an at-risk youth with at least two counselor or teacher recommendations describing why the applicant is deserving. All applicants must hold a valid FCC-issued Amateur Radio license and be attending, either part-time or full-time, a regionally accredited technical school, community college, college, or university in a program leading to an undergraduate degree education, science, math, engineering, technology, or a health care-related field.

Applicants must demonstrate activity and interest in radio service or some technical proficiency by participating in some form of radio-related activities such as emergency communication, equipment construction, community radio service, or scouting. Award preference will go to applicants residing in San Diego or Imperial County.