Society of Broadcast Engineers, Chapter 82

Are you ready for the National EAS test on Nov 9^th?  Doubtless, you have at least a few unanswered questions regarding this nationwide effort to improve the reach and reliability of the national alerting system.

Please join us next Wednesday night, October 26^th, at the studios of WKBD and WWJ-TV in Southfield for a presentation by state EAS chairman Larry Estlack and WJR chief engineer Kevin Hawley as they brief us on the latest developments and wrinkles with the state, national, and southeast Michigan EAS scene. There are some known issues with a number of the EAS endecs currently in production by the leading manufacturers. Some of these are set up issues, others are software issues that could lead to an unsuccessful test. We’ll discuss the ones they know about and your experiences with your gear should help give us all a better picture of where the problems are and what can be done about them. There should be a good sized brain-trust present. Please be part of it!

The meeting time is 7:30P, but we’ll have some pizza and pop at 6:30P. Come and renew acquaintances, talk shop, or just talk with friends, then learn more of the details of EAS 2011. We need to do this right to help retain our value for emergency communications in the public’s eye. A little effort now should help mitigate avoidable screw-ups on Nov 9^th.

The studios are located at 26905 W. 11 Mile Road in Southfield between Inkster and Franklin roads. Parking will be in the rear of the studio building (the one on your left as you come down the driveway).

Please R.S.V.P. to Jim Totten at jmtotten@cbs.com so we can get an idea of how much food and beverage to purchase. Thanks.

See you there!

Our June chapter meeting will be a “shootout” of two mid-range studio/handheld HD cameras. It’s hosted by CBS Television (WKBD & WWJ-TV), 26905 West 11 Mile Road in Southfield.

Sony will be bringing the HXC-100K and Ikegami will bring their HDK-77EC/CT. Each has a 1920×1080 2/3 inch sensor and is capable of handheld or fixed operation. They will be configured for triax studio use with mid-range lenses, viewfinders and control panels.

This will be a joint meeting with our colleagues in SMPTE Detroit Section. Members and guests of both organization are welcome; there is no charge, and please invite your co-workers and anyone interested.

SBE members are invited to join SMPTE folks at their Manager’s Dinner, at 5:30 at Buddy’s Rendezvous, 31646 Northwestern Highway at Middlebelt in Farmington Hills. Cash bar; food check divided equally among all diners. All are welcome. If you plan on coming, send us a message.

This month we are meeting jointly with the Detroit Section of SMPTE. The program will feature a discussion of the technology specified in the ATSC Mobile DTV Standard, adopted in October 2009. It defines the technical specifications for broadcasters to provide new services to mobile and handheld devices using their digital television (DTV) transmissions. These services are carried along with current DTV services without adverse impact on legacy receiving equipment. ATSC Mobile DTV was developed to support a variety of services including free (advertiser-supported) television and interactive services delivered in real-time, subscription-based TV, and file-based content download for playback at a later time. The standard can also be used for transmission of new data broadcasting services.

• Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 7:30 PM
• Location: WKBD-TV & WWJ-TV, Southfield
• Presenter: Dave Benco, National Key Accounts Manager, Rohde & Schwarz

Light refreshments will be served, courtesy of Rohde & Schwarz. A brief business meeting will be held prior to the presentation.

If you would like to attend, please respond using the online RSVP form.

At its meeting on October 26, the SBE Board of Directors approved a $5 increase in membership dues, to $68, for the Member, Senior, Associate and Fellow membership categories, effective January 1, 2011. The increase will be the first in four years. SBE president, Vinny Lopez, at the Annual Membership Meeting held the following day, cited normal increased costs of operating the Society as the reason for the increase.

Detroit Public Television has had the following Cartoni Master Head with sticks and spreader stolen from outside the Filmore Theater in Detroit. The serial number of the head is MS 0428. It was in a Nalpak NATP1139WH TP-1139WH 11″ Tuffpak Series Hard Tripod Case with Wheels.  If you have information, please contact John Mark, Engineering Manager, Detroit Public Television at 248-305-3760 or jmark at dptv.org

Chapter 82 will be holding elections for Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary-Treasurer this fall. Needed are individuals interested in furthering the educational mission of the Society here in the Detroit area.  If you are interested in helping your profession advance and advancing your own professional standing, please consider serving in one of these positions. Contact Secretary-Treasurer Jim Totten at jmtotten at cbs.com for more information.