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.

RSVP so that we have a planning headcount.

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.

FCC LPFM San Diego Window Applicants – July 1, 2024 Update

FCC New 2020 Logo

After the close of the FCC’s December LPFM Construction Permit filing window, applications began showing up among the 2,819 filed nationally.

You can search for the applicants from the usual LMS Search page, but the winning effort goes to Michelle Bradley of RECNet.com. Check out the California page in the REC Filing Window Application Tracking System. Let’s list the San Diego County applicants with REC’s comments:

Continue reading FCC LPFM San Diego Window Applicants – July 1, 2024 Update

Society of Broadcast Engineers