Four Engineers Retire from KPBS

June 3, 2024 Gary Stigall

KPBS-TV/FM this year is undergoing a great turnover, with four broadcast engineers leaving to retire. Their professional experience totals over 150 years, 90 of that at KPBS.

Kevin Birch, Broadcast Engineer, left January 31 this year. He had joined the station in 2000 after having worked at KUSI (TV).

Kevin Schrader, Senior Engineering Manager, left January 31 as well. He joined in 2013 after stints at Cox Cable, XETV, and KGTV.

Rockley Curless, RF Engineering Manager, left January 31 after 22 years at KPBS. Unfortunately, he passed away March 14, 2024, only six weeks after retirement.

Leon Messenie, Director of Engineering since 2001, says he’s scheduled to retire June 30, 2024 after 32 years of technical work at KPBS.

National

FCC to Open LPTV Channel Change Filing Window

June 3, 2024 Gary Stigall

The FCC announced in late May a filing window beginning August 20, 2024, during which Class A and LPTV stations will be permitted to file Major Change applications to move to a different TV channel to improve viewer reception. The opportunity is subject to limitations in location change and spacing from existing stations.

Meetings

SBE Chapter 36 Meeting – May 22 at iHeartMedia

April 27, 2024 Gary Stigall

We’re having a no-presentation meeting on Wednesday, May 22, at 12:00 noon. Please join us at iHeartMedia, 9660 Granite Ridge Drive.

Expect pizza with a side of shop talk, as well as discussion about broadcast engineering and the future of SBE. Members and guests welcome.

Meetings, National, Seminars

The SBE and L.A. Chapter 47 present an Ennes Workshop on Saturday, May 4

April 26, 2024 admin

[From SBE Headquarters] Don’t miss the SBE Ennes Workshop by SBE Chapter 47-Los Angeles on Saturday, May 4. Breakfast and registration open at 8 am and the workshop starts promptly at 9 am and takes place at KPCC Headquarters, 474 South Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105. Register TODAY!

Registration includes light breakfast and lunch

The cost is only $20 for SBE members and $30 for non-members. Register HERE. Students can register for FREE by clicking HERE.

In addition to the SBE Ennes Workshop, the event includes a sponsor showcase, a special message from SBE President Ted Hand and an optional facility tour following the end of sessions at 3 pm.

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Commentary, National

MFJ Enterprises to Quit Manufacturing

April 26, 2024 Gary Stigall

Apologies to those of you not involved in the allied field of ham radio, but this news is huge to those who are. The founder of MFJ Enterprises, Martin F. Jue, announced yesterday that the company would cease manufacturing on May 17, 2024, after 52 years of operations. The company, based in Starkville, Mississippi near Mississippi State University, represents a kind of throwback operation. Local Americans manufactured and sold relatively inexpensive accessories, antennas, and amplifiers for the ham radio hobby. Given the labor costs relative to imported goods from China, businesses like this are nearly impossible to keep afloat. Mr. Jue is 80 years old and said he has been looking for a buyer without success and is ready to retire.