TWiRT 810 - Speaker Design & Technology with Lars-Olof Janflod

Few studio monitors are as instantly recognizable—or as trusted—as those made by Genelec. On episode 810 of This Week in Radio Tech, our guest is Lars-Olof Janflod, Genelec’s Strategy Advisory Officer and a member of the company’s team since 1992. 

We trace Genelec’s story from its origins in Finland through the development of the distinctive, rugged monitor designs that have become familiar sights in studios and broadcast facilities worldwide. Lars-Olof explains the thinking behind Genelec’s unusual speaker designs and how the company has maintained its reputation for accuracy and reliability across three decades of technological change. 

We also explore today’s Smart Active Monitoring systems, which combine onboard DSP with automated calibration to optimize each loudspeaker for the room in which it is actually installed. 

It’s a fascinating conversation about loudspeaker engineering, acoustics, innovation, and the pursuit of truly trustworthy monitoring. Join us for TWiRT episode 810—listen or watch wherever you enjoy This Week in Radio Tech.

Show Notes:
How to Select the Correct Monitors - Genelec website
How to Place Your Monitors - Genelec website
Monitor Focusing Template (PDF)
Speaker mounting accessories - Genelec websites
Audio Test Signals - downloadable audio files
Genelec Loudspeaker Manager - Software for Genelec SAM monitoring systems
Genelec Speakers Factory Tour - YouTube video

Guest:
Lars-Olof Janflod - Strategy Advisory Officer at Genelec

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

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Angry Audio and the new USB Phone Gizmo - Put VoIP callers on-the-air
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TWiRT 810 - Speaker Design & Technology with Lars-Olof Janflod

TWiRT 809 - Public Radio Studios in Knoxville with Tim Berry

Our guest on This Week in Radio Tech episode 809 is Tim Berry, Chief Engineer at WUOT-FM, the public radio station at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. WUOT combines NPR news with classical and jazz music, much of it still played live from CDs and occasionally from the station’s enormous collection of LPs. 

Tim gives us a tour of the control room, performance area, technical center, and an extraordinary music library that also includes thousands of historic 78 RPM records. We’ll see one of Tennessee’s earliest Audio over IP installations, built around Axia Livewire technology and operating for about 15 years. 

Tim also maintains more than 20 analog and digital amateur radio repeater sites throughout East Tennessee. Join us for a fascinating look at preserving broadcasting’s rich history while planning the technical upgrades that will carry WUOT into the future. 

Show Notes:
Pioneers & Engineers - The WUOT Story

Guest:
Tim Berry, CBRE, CBT - Chief Engineer at WUOT-FM & WUTK-FM "UT's College of Rock!"

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

Follow TWiRT on Twitter and on Facebook - and see all the videos on YouTube.

TWiRT is brought to you by:
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.
Aiir, providing PlayoutONE radio automation, and other advanced solutions for audience engagement.
Angry Audio and the new USB Phone Gizmo - Put VoIP callers on-the-air
The new MaxxKonnect RMT416 Multi Tuner - 4 to 16 AM/FM/WB/HD web-connected tuners in 1 RU

 
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TWiRT 809 - Public Radio Studios in Knoxville with Tim Berry

TWiRT 808 - When the Chief Engineer Becomes CEO with Brett Gibson

Brett still has one foot firmly planted in the engineering world, even as he steps into the broader leadership responsibilities of running a radio ministry. That gives him a valuable perspective: he understands transmitters, studios, IP links, automation, remote sites, monitoring, redundancy, and after-hours recovery — but now he also has to think about budgets, staff, listeners, board expectations, and the mission of the network.

On this episode, Brett joins Kirk Harnack and co-host Chris Tarr, for a practical conversation about what it takes to build and maintain a reliable broadcast operation today. Brett shares how Voice of the Master’s technical plant has evolved over the years, what systems and standards have made the biggest difference, and how deeply IT has become integrated into modern radio engineering.

You’ll hear discussion about working at transmitter sites, improving reliability across multiple facilities, using technology wisely, securing remote access, documenting systems, and preparing for the inevitable late-night trouble call. Brett also talks about the transition from engineering leadership into the CEO role, and what broadcast engineers should learn if they want to grow beyond the rack room.

It’s a conversation about engineering, leadership, stewardship, and keeping radio stations operating smoothly and reliably — all on This Week in Radio Tech.

Show Notes:
Chris Tarr likes this Work Platform & Folding Step Stool

Guest:
Brett Gibson, CBRE/CBNT - CEO at The Voice of the Master Radio Network

Hosts:
Chris ‘Doc’ Tarr, CPBE, AMD, DRB, CBNE - Field Engineer at K-LOVE and Air1
Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, South Seas, & Akamai Broadcasting

Follow TWiRT on Twitter and on Facebook - and see all the videos on YouTube.

TWiRT is brought to you by:
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.
Aiir, providing PlayoutONE radio automation, and other advanced solutions for audience engagement.
Angry Audio and the new USB Phone Gizmo - Put VoIP callers on-the-air
The new MaxxKonnect RMT416 Multi Tuner - 4 to 16 AM/FM/WB/HD web-connected tuners in 1 RU

 
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TWiRT 808 - When the Chief Engineer Becomes CEO with Brett Gibson

TWiRT 807 - Today's FM Radio Technology with William Harrison

William got his start in public radio in the 1990s at WAMU-FM, where computer work quickly expanded into audio and electronics. Since then, he’s worked with PBS, NPR, The Metropolitan Washington Ear, and a number of FM and TV broadcasters. He also chairs SBE Chapter 37 in D.C., serves on the Virginia SECC, sits on the board of the Association of Public Radio Engineers, and occasionally writes for Radio World.

In this episode, we talk about real-world FM engineering, including Capital Concerts fireworks show coordination, HD Radio timing and “ballgame” mode, receiver metadata behavior, liquid-cooled transmitters, HLS streaming for broadcast STL use, and dynamic range control in xHE-AAC.

Join us for a practical, wide-ranging conversation about broadcast engineering, public radio operations, and the listener experience on This Week in Radio Tech.

Show Notes:
SBE Chapter 37 - Washington, DC - ANTENNAFEST! - October 6, 2026
Graphics for HD Radio Ballgame Mode
William likes the Fluke PRV240 Proving Unit
William recommends a radio panel-based comedy series, The Unbelievable Truth

Guest:
William Harrison - Chief Engineer at WETA-FM, Washington, DC

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

Follow TWiRT on Twitter and on Facebook - and see all the videos on YouTube.

TWiRT is brought to you by:
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.
Aiir, providing PlayoutONE radio automation, and other advanced solutions for audience engagement.
Angry Audio and the new USB Phone Gizmo - Put VoIP callers on-the-air
The new MaxxKonnect RMT416 Multi Tuner - 4 to 16 AM/FM/WB/HD web-connected tuners in 1 RU

 
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TWiRT 807 - Today's FM Radio Technology with William Harrison

TWiRT 806 - Engineer of the Year, Terry Harper

This Week in Radio Tech is on location for episode 806 at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa in Opelika, Alabama, where the Alabama Broadcasters Association is celebrating its 80th anniversary with one of several regional receptions around the state.

This episode brings together three conversations that say a lot about where broadcasting has been, where it is now, and where it may be headed. First, we visit with Terry Harper, the ABA’s 2026 Engineer of the Year. Terry’s broadcast career reaches back nearly six decades, beginning in 1967 at WABT in Tuskegee, continuing through years of engineering work at Auburn University, and then into decades of contract engineering service for Alabama broadcasters.

We also talk with Lee Perryman, owner of RadioAlabama, about the practical use of artificial intelligence in local radio. Lee is not just speculating about AI; he is putting generative AI and curated synthetic voice tools to work in real station operations, including story writing, announcements, commercial production, and other content workflows — while keeping a broadcaster’s judgment in the process.

And we spend a few minutes with Sharon Tinsley, president of the Alabama Broadcasters Association, about the significance of honoring Terry Harper, the value of broadcast engineering to local stations, and the ABA’s decision to take its 80th anniversary celebration on the road to broadcasters across Alabama.

It’s a field trip episode, a celebration episode, and a forward-looking conversation all in one. Join us from Opelika, Alabama, for episode 806 of This Week in Radio Tech.

Show Notes:
ABA Names Terry Harper Its 2026 Engineer of the Year from Radio World
The ABA Anniversary Reception Tour is ongoing: Here’s the schedule

Guests:
Terry Harper - 2026 Alabama Engineer of the Year
Lee Perryman - President & CEO at RadioAlabama
Sharon Tinsley - President at Alabama Broadcasters Association

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

Follow TWiRT on Twitter and on Facebook - and see all the videos on YouTube.

TWiRT is brought to you by:
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.
Aiir, providing PlayoutONE radio automation, and other advanced solutions for audience engagement.
Angry Audio and the new USB Phone Gizmo - Put VoIP callers on-the-air
The new MaxxKonnect RMT416 Multi Tuner - 4 to 16 AM/FM/WB/HD web-connected tuners in 1 RU

 
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TWiRT 806 - Engineer of the Year, Terry Harper