National

SBE Offers New IT Certification

The Society of Broadcast Engineers offers a new engineering level Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE) networking certification. Eligible engineers may now apply to take the CBNE exam to become certified.

This exam is intended for those in the broadcast engineering field who work closely with networking. The CBNE is an advanced level certification and therefore the content is more complex than the Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist certification. The CBNE does not replace the CBNT, which is a relevant certification for entry-level networking individuals.

The CBNE requires a minimum of 5-years of broadcast engineering experience in order to qualify for the certification exam. The first exams take place during the June 1-11 exam session with local SBE chapters. Examinees must answer 50 multiple-choice questions and one essay question during the exam.

“The successful completion of CBNE will demonstrate to employers the advanced level of knowledge their employees have in building and maintaining a modern broadcast plant,” said SBE President Ralph Hogan, CPBE, DRB, CBNT.

Hogan and Terry Baun, CPBE, AMD, CBNT lead the efforts to create the new certification level. This is the first time in 12 years that a standalone certification has been released by the SBE.

The SBE CertPreview study tool, quizzes users on over 50 questions similar to those on the actual exam. After the examinee takes the sample test, he or she may reexamine any missed questions. The user is then provided the reference book information used to create the question for additional study purposes. SBE CertPreview for CBNE is available for download or on CD on the SBE website.

The complete list of certification requirements, exam topics, and applications are available in the Certification section of the SBE website.

For additional information contact the SBE National Office at (317) 846-9000 or email SBE Certification Director Megan E. Clappe at mclappe@sbe.org.

Local News

April 2012 Member News

Dean Imhof started April 2 as engineer at KFMB-AM/FM. He reunites there with Scottie Rice, who worked with Dean at Clear Channel. Dean’s previous gig was at BCA.

Steve Schwartz moved to TBC Integration where he supports the Trinity Broadcast Network master control and production efforts as engineer. He leaves TV Magic, where he held a number of roles, including TBN support.

Meetings

March 2012 Meeting – Orban

The first time I laid eyes on an Orban product was when we had moved a newly purchased FM station in Eugene, Oregon in 1977, upgrading it to stereo, raising it by 1500 feet elevation, and dropping the elevator music in favor of a new brand of FM top 40. I set the new Orban 8000 at about 5 dB of compression and walked away. That, and a set of new heads for the Revox tape decks made “K-Sound” really sparkle, even though my successor would turn up the gain to trade off some of the fidelity for loudness. He understood the business better than I did.

Orban’s chops in the broadcast radio and TV realm are certainly undisputed. The company continues to address the needs of current broadcast technology, with processors to address specific needs for digital side channels, streaming, and the new TV loudness rules. Our next meeting features two of the rock stars of broadcast audio. Orban Founder and VP of Engineering Bob Orban will discuss the workings of the new Orban Optimod-TV 8685 for Surround Sound and loudness control. Also, Orban VP of New Product Development Greg Ogonowski will discuss the latest in streaming technology offered by Orban.

This is your chance to meet Bob and Greg and ask those nagging questions you have about audio processing. Let’s give these guys a big welcome Wednesday, March 14 at noon at TV Magic, 8112 Engineer Road in Kearny Mesa, San Diego. As always, members and guests are welcome.

Meetings

March 2012 Meeting – Orban

The first time I laid eyes on an Orban product was when we had moved a newly purchased FM station in Eugene, Oregon in 1977, upgrading it to stereo, raising it by 1500 feet elevation, and dropping the elevator music in favor of a new brand of FM top 40. I set the new Orban 8000 at about 5 dB of compression and walked away. That, and a set of new heads for the Revox tape decks made “K-Sound” really sparkle, even though my successor would turn up the gain to trade off some of the fidelity for loudness. He understood the business better than I did.

Orban’s chops in the broadcast radio and TV realm are certainly undisputed. The company continues to address the needs of current broadcast technology, with processors to address specific needs for digital side channels, streaming, and the new TV loudness rules. Our next meeting features two of the rock stars of broadcast audio. Orban Founder and VP of Engineering Bob Orban will discuss the workings of the new Orban Optimod-TV 8685 for Surround Sound and loudness control. Also, Orban VP of New Product Development Greg Ogonowski will discuss the latest in streaming technology offered by Orban.

This is your chance to meet Bob and Greg and ask those nagging questions you have about audio processing. Let’s give these guys a big welcome Wednesday, March 14 at noon at TV Magic, 8112 Engineer Road in Kearny Mesa, San Diego. As always, members and guests are welcome.

Local News

KBRT to Move from Avalon

The FCC on January 26 this year authorized KBRT (AM) to move from Santa Catalina Island to Sierra Peak between Irvine and Corona, and increase its daytime power to 50kW directional. With KFMB-AM San Diego on 760kHz and KBRT Avalon on 740kHz, the two stations have had interference issues since 1962 when the FCC gave KBRT the class D daytime-only allocation. The two are unusually close-spaced in both frequency and geography. But the matter heated up in 2007 when KBRT began broadcasting Ibiquity digital sidebands, essentially wiping out coverage of KFMB-AM north of San Diego.

The FCC said KBRT owner Kiertron must continue to operate its AM IBOC channel upper sideband at -29dB from Ibiquity standard levels of -28dBc (28dB below carrier), as it had volunteered in March of 2010 to do. The new day and night pattern gives KBRT a major lobe south-southwest toward south coastal Orange County and moderate nulls northwest toward co-channel KCBS in San Francisco and southeast toward San Diego. The FCC gave KBRT a low nighttime power that it will continue to maintain.

In correspondence filed with the FCC in 2008, KBRT owner Kiertron did not deny the interference it was causing, but claimed that KFMB had no protection of its signal outside of the San Diego metropolitan area due to the wording of the original KBRT authorization to broadcast in 1962.

According to the terms of their FCC Construction Permit, KBRT has until January 2015 to complete their move to the mainland.

Society of Broadcast Engineers