All posts by Gary Stigall

Meetings, Seminars

Learn About Spectrum Analyzers at Our September 17th SBE Chapter 36 Meeting

It’s quite possible that in the 21st century, you came to your broadcast engineering job through the IT portal, responding to workstation issues, configuring routers, and setting up streaming devices. That’s okay, but you could be missing out on all the radio frequency fun and opportunity for career growth.

We’re offering a free introduction to the spectrum analyzer, that device that gives you a graphical window into the world of radio frequency transmission. I first learned spectrum analysis on a Tektronix 7L12 in 1979 (variable persistence—ooh!) and will demonstrate the principles of setting up bandwidth and amplitude to measure real-world signals. We’ll have on-hand several makes and models of spectrum analyzers to play with—hobbyist-level TinySA, pro field RF Explorer, and lab-grade Rigol and HP—and their owners to help you navigate the controls. No excuse to miss this opportunity to learn!

Regardless of whether you’re an SBE member or have experience with RF, please join us on Tuesday, September 17, at 6:00 PM at iHeartMedia, 9660 Granite Ridge Drive, San Diego. We’ll have pizza to share. This is a perfect opportunity to dip your toes into the RF world. 

We have a TinySA to give away as a door prize for a lucky participant.

Local News

XEPRS Reverts to Spanish Language

On August 1, 2024, at midnight, XEPRS 1090 at Rosarito, BCN, Mexico, began its Spanish-language Catholic “Monte Maria” religious programming, apparently ending a contract with BCA. 

The station had operated as “The Mightier 1090” with ESPN radio sports programming that included play-by-play NFL, MLB, and NBA games, local sports talk on the Jim Rome Show, SportsGrid, The Rich Eisen Show, Scott Kaplan, and SportsMap programming.

According to Wikipedia, this ends a run of “border blasting” mostly English programming that began with the Wolfman Jack Show in 1965 using the callsign XERB. Mexican broadcasting of US-originated content is increasingly challenging since the Mexican government requires carrying a substantial load of public service announcements that supersede commercials.

The station was built with a 3-tower array that maximized their 50,000 watt (transmitter output) signal up the Pacific Coast. The station could readily be heard daytime in Los Angeles and at night as far as Oregon.

National

Richard Burden, Veteran Los Angeles Engineer, Dies at 92

Richard Burden, AES photo

Longtime broadcast engineer Richard Burden passed away June 22, 2024 at the age of 92. A post on the SBE Chapter 47 Facebook page said, “It is not often in life that you meet someone who loves his family, friends and profession like Richard Burden. He gave 200% to everything he did with a smile on his face and love in his heart. We are all better people having known him.”

Richard’s notable career started in 1950 with his serving as Chief Engineer at his Lafayette College radio station, then his attendance at the RCA Institutes. He went on to participate in research at technology junctures that included FM stereo, TV stereo, and Traveler’s Information Service. He befriended the likes of Saul Marantz, Avery Fisher, and Rudy Bozak, but always had time for you.

Burden became a charter member of the SBE in 1966 and was still active this past year. He was elected as a Fellow in 1999, then received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

An article in the Radio World magazine has more information. You can read a fascinating transcript of an oral history interview on the Energy and Technology History Wiki website.