TWiRT 662 - Solar & Wind Powered FM Translators with Becky Meiers and Pete Tridish

How do you provide electric power to your FM translators when, 1) It’s really expensive, 2) Commercial power isn’t reliable, 3) The public depends on your service working? KCAW-FM is installing both solar- and wind-generated electrical systems at their translator sites, serving tiny towns and villages in the archipelago of Southeast Alaska. Becky Meiers with KCAW, and Pete Tridish, a longtime consultant to low-power, community, and startup broadcast radio stations both join Chris Tarr and Kirk Harnack to explain the motivations for and approaches to renewable power sources for these FM translators.

Show Notes:
SuperWind - Micro Wind-Powered Generators
Pete mentioned Paul Gipe as a resource for wind power info. Here’s Paul’s website.
KCAW Radio, Sitka, Alaska
“BUILDING A RENEWABLE ENERGY POWERED TRANSLATOR FOR KCAW” by Pete Tridish
Radio World article - “Powering an Off-Grid translator With Renewable Energy” by Pete Tridish

Guests:
Becky Meiers - Operations Director at KCAW-FM, Sitka, Alaska
Pete Tridish - Director of Electromagnetism at International Media Action

Hosts:
Chris Tarr - Group Director of Engineering at Magnum.Media
Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, & South Seas Broadcasting

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Broadcast Bionics - making radio smarter with Bionic Studio, visual radio, and social media tools at Bionic.radio.
Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console.
The new MaxxKonnect Broadcast U.192 MPX USB Soundcard - The first purpose-built broadcast-quality USB sound card with native MPX output.

 
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TWiRT 662 - Solar & Wind Powered FM Translators with Becky Meiers and Pete Tridish

TWiRT 661 - Workbenching from a New Studio with John Bisset

For thirty-two years John Bisset has uncovered and shared some of the best ideas in broadcast engineering techniques, useful supplies, and best practices. Every few months John joins us on TWiRT to share the best tip and tricks. Today we’re with John in-person in the new “Wolf” control room of WIWF-FM in Charleston, South Carolina.  Cumulus Regional DoE, Justin “JT” Tucker is here, too, for a quick tour and story about this new studio, built on Audio over IP technology from Axia. 

Show Notes:
Gas cylinder storage requirements
Milwaukee 2381-XL X-Large M12 Cordless Lithium-Ion Black Heated Hoodie Kit
HotHands Hand Warmer Value Pack
Rechargeable LED Work Lights with Magnetic Base and 360° Rotation
Danger Do Not Touch Hurt While Dying SIGN

Guests:
Justin Tucker - Regional Director of Engineering Southeast at Cumulus Media
John Bisset - Director, Western US Sales at Telos Alliance & “Workbench” columnist at Radio World

Host:
Kirk Harnack - Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, Oxford Media Group & South Seas Broadcasting

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TWiRT is brought to you by:
Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.
Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at BGS.cc. 

Broadcast Bionics - making radio smarter with Bionic Studio, visual radio, and social media tools at Bionic.radio.
Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console.
The new MaxxKonnect Broadcast U.192 MPX USB Soundcard - The first purpose-built broadcast-quality USB sound card with native MPX output.

 
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TWiRT 661 - Workbenching from a New Studio with John Bisset

TWiRT 660 - LPFM Tools & Application Window with Michelle Bradley

The LPFM (Low Power FM station) filing window is almost here.  Hundreds of organizations are expected to apply for new licenses to serve their local communities. LPFM is a curiosity to many, and a very serious undertaking to many others. Michelle Bradley is an LPFM expert, amateur radio operator, software developer, and a real advocate for FCC Rules and legislation designed to support community-level radio broadcasting. Our conversation is fascinating and informative! We’re delighted to have LPFM radio advocates like Michelle, whose technical knowledge informs her regulatory advocacy work.

Show Notes:
2023 Grassroots Radio Conference - October 19-22, 2023, Charleston, WV
REC Networks - A leading advocate for a diverse dial & home to LPFM and other radio-related technical and operational resources
FCC.today - a real-time website showing today’s FCC application activities
LPFM.app - a comprehensive starting point for all interested in LPFM information & applications
FCCdata.org - Comprehensive search and station information for broadcast stations in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, UK, Australia, and Japan

Guest:
Michelle Bradley, CBT - Founder of REC Networks

Host:
Kirk Harnack - Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, Oxford Media Group & South Seas Broadcasting

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TWiRT is brought to you by:
Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.
Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at BGS.cc. 

Broadcast Bionics - making radio smarter with Bionic Studio, visual radio, and social media tools at Bionic.radio.
Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console.
The new MaxxKonnect Broadcast U.192 MPX USB Soundcard - The first purpose-built broadcast-quality USB sound card with native MPX output.

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TWiRT 660 - LPFM Tools & Application Window with Michelle Bradley

TWiRT 659 - The Transmitter We Got for Christmas with Rob Grayson

How did YOU get started in broadcasting? We each have a story. Rob Grayson’s older brother, Walt, received an AM transmitter kit for Christmas in the 1960’s, and that got both Walt and Rob started on careers in radio and TV. Rob even took his 3rd Class FCC license test with Bob Pittman, who went on to be CEO at iHeart. So many twists, turns, and stories to tell, both from the engineering and the operations and programming sides of radio.  

Show Notes:
Kirk mentioned MultiPing software from Pingman Tools

Guest:
Rob Grayson - Program Director at WKBL & WKBQ-FM, Covington, TN & Owner at Wilkerson Sound Studios

Host:
Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, & South Seas Broadcasting

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TWiRT is brought to you by:
Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.
Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at BGS.cc. 

Broadcast Bionics - making radio smarter with Bionic Studio, visual radio, and social media tools at Bionic.radio.
Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console.
The new MaxxKonnect Broadcast U.192 MPX USB Soundcard - The first purpose-built broadcast-quality USB sound card with native MPX output.

 
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TWiRT 659 - The Transmitter We Got for Christmas with Rob Grayson

TWiRT 658 - Fountain of Engineering Youth with Andy Gladding

We often ask and worry about the next generation of broadcast engineers. Andy Gladding leverages his ties to Hofstra University in New York to encourage students to prepare for careers in broadcasting, including broadcast engineering. And he’s helped a number of Hofstra students move into broadcast careers. Chris Tarr, a popular SBE Mentor, and Andy discuss finding and encouraging our next broadcast IT and engineering professionals.

Show Notes:
New York SBE Chapter 15 announced their Engineer of the Year earlier this summer.
Andy mentioned Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC.org) for free university-level learning.
Chris likes this USB Power Meter USB 3.1 Tester for about $70 on Amazon
Kirk said “WHRU” when he meant to say “WRHU” - the radio station of Hofstra University

Guest:
Andy Gladding, MsED - Chief Engineer at Salem Media Group

Hosts:
Chris Tarr - Group Director of Engineering at Magnum.Media
Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, & South Seas Broadcasting

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TWiRT is brought to you by:
Nautel brings you Transmission Talk Tuesday Discussions. Easy, free registration is here.
Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at BGS.cc. 

Broadcast Bionics - making radio smarter with Bionic Studio, visual radio, and social media tools at Bionic.radio.
Angry Audio and the new Rave analog audio mixing console.
The new MaxxKonnect Broadcast U.192 MPX USB Soundcard - The first purpose-built broadcast-quality USB sound card with native MPX output.

 
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TWiRT 658 - Fountain of Engineering Youth with Andy Gladding