July 2016 Meeting: Tour the New NBC Plant

On July 22nd, 2016, SBE Chapter 36 toured the new KNSD/Comcast NBC plant on Granite Ridge Drive in San Diego.

The new KNSD
The new KNSD – NBC Universal TV San Diego

They showed off:

  • Ross automation assist production room with extensive multiviewers,
  • A news studio with Ross robotics,
  • Spacious server room with computer flooring and hot and cold aisle HVAC
  • Big maintenance shop with conference room outfitted with multiviewers
  • Newsroom with assignment desk in the round

All sales, news, and administrative personnel operated in shared space divided by cubicles with acoustic ceilings and shared offices available for private phone calls.

 

Many thanks to KNSD Director of Technology and Operations Dave MacKinnon for setting this up for us, and to Ross for lunch pizza. We had such great response, the group was divided into two dates.

FCC Launches EAS Test Reporting System

The FCC EAS Test Reporting System (ETRS) is up and running. The system is for EAS participants to file identifying information, day of test data, and post-test data related to a nationwide test. The ETRS provides several new features that ease the data-entry burden on EAS participants, encourage timely filings, and minimize input errors. The ETRS also offers new data fields that are responsive to stakeholder comments.

Read more about the new system at the SBE website.

FCC Fines KURS

The FCC has issued a $12,000 monetary forfeiture and short-term renewal for Station KURS(AM), 1040 kHz, San Diego for failure to prepare issues and program’s lists in the Station’s public file and to file biennial ownership reports. The station is owned by Quetzal Bilingual Communications, associated with Jaime Bonilla Valdez of Chula Vista.

The same station was issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for violating output power limits in June 1999.

Bonilla’s group Media Sports de Mexico owns stations XHPRS Tecate (operated by Broadcasting Corporation of America as Max 105.7), XEPE 1700 kHz (also operated by BCA), XESDD 1030 kHz Tijuana, and XESS 620 kHz Rosarito, Mexico.

June Meeting: Lectrosonics to Talk About Wireless Mic Spectrum

With the FCC auctioning UHF-TV broadcast spectrum to telecom, “white space” is destined to be a mostly obsolete concept.lectrosonics

  • Will there be replacement spectrum for our wireless microphones?
  • How soon will we have to change channels again?
  • Will broadcasters and other users be reimbursed?
  • Can we use Part 74 spectrum for wireless mics and IFB?

Kelly Fair of Lectrosonics will discuss wireless microphone and IFB spectrum at  a Chapter 36 SBE meeting 12 noon on June 15, 2016 at KFMB Stations, 7677 Engineer Road, San Diego. Kelly will provide a lunch in the station deli, then move on to Studio A for the presentation. SBE members and guests are welcome.

About Kelly Fair

Kelly has been in technical broadcast audio sales for 27 years, representing Sennheiser, Riedel, Wohler, and most lately, Lectrosonics. Kelly lives, and occasionally beats a set of drums, in Los Angeles.

Society of Broadcast Engineers