FCC News
27 NCE FM MX Groups
Part 74 LPTV rules update
‘Franken FM’ 5th NPRM
FCC Affirms No Reserved Channels for White Spaces & Wireless Mics
More LMS Online Filing
FCC Opens Inquiry on Receiver Performance
FCC Seeks Further Comment on FM Booster Program Origination
Status Update on Incentive Auction Reimbursement Program – Final Allocations, Site Visits, and Filing Deadline Reminder
FCC Updates Broadcast Radio Technical Rules
Gary and Rafael recently completed several days of classes at Flir's Infrared Training Center in New Hampshire - both are now certified as Master Thermographers!
On May 20, 2022, our own John Kean will present
"AM Skywave Signal Research In Support of Carrier Synchronization"
during the May AFCCE meeting here in Washington DC
Summary: AM broadcasters with nighttime operation have the ability to synchronize their transmitter with a GPS frequency standard, which may improve reception quality by minimizing signal beats with other cochannel stations. The NRSC's AM Improvement Working Group is developing a hardware solution and hopes that stations will decide to upgrade. John Kean and Dave Hershberger, members of AIWG, are completing a model to determine the potential benefit of carrier synchronization for any station. Research for the model required computer analysis as well as core AM signal propagation data collected in 1934, which will be discussed. Audio samples prepared by computer simulation will be used in a listener test to finalize the model parameters. Samples of the skywave reception will be played for the members.
Background on John: Before joining Cavell, Mertz, John was Senior Technologist for National Public Radio from 2004 until 2015, where he was developed projects, procedures and standards and supervised all technical projects of NPR Labs, the only not-for-profit broadcast engineering laboratory in the U.S. Mr. Kean also was a Senior Engineer at NPR from 1980 to 1986, where he supported new broadcast technology and pioneered expansion of FM transmission services. John currently serves on the AFCCE Board of Directors.
Another recent project - thermal (IR) scanning of transmitting antennas using sUAS (drone) equipment. A good way to check for uncharacteristic heating while the device is in normal operation.