Broadcasters are expected to head to Wisconsin this September for the Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic.
The annual educational and networking gathering for broadcast engineers will again be heavily focused on hot-button issues facing broadcast technologists.
While the clinic will cover new technology like AI, IP, etc., legacy broadcast technology remains the focus, according to event organizers.
The Wisconsin and Minnesota Broadcasters Associations team up to host the clinic, which has spanned nearly 70 years. This year’s dates are Sept. 15–17, with the event being held at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton, Wis.
“We typically draw attendees from more than 30 states and have around 50 exhibitors,” says Kyle Geissler, vice president of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.
Sam Metheny, executive VP and chief technology officer for the NAB, is featured on the opening-day session list. His presentation will focus on tectonic trends impacting broadcasters, including metadata and connectivity.
“For radio broadcasters, there is an evolving automotive landscape with great opportunities for engaging listeners in new ways with metadata and connectivity, as well as threats to longstanding services such as AM radio,” according to the session’s online description. “This talk will explore the digital and legislative realities and options.”
Other broadcast engineering topics on the agenda include a discussion of advances in FM antenna technology with Nicole Starrett of Dielectric. She is expected to discuss emerging advancements that will bolster broadband performance while eliminating technical limitations of previous designs, such as high wind load, poor circularity, narrow-band components and power-limiting geometry.
Chris Tarr from Magnum Media will host a session that looks at the rebuild of WRDB(FM) in Reedsburg, Wis. After an ice storm took down its 300-foot guyed steel tower, the station chose a fiberglass pole as a replacement. Tarr will discuss swapping in the Valcom antenna.
The hardening of transmitter sites will be the focus of a session featuring Jeff Welton from Nautel. Welton, who has visited hundreds of sites over 35 years, will share ways to improve infrastructure — like grounding, cooling physical security — and how to maintain data integrity.
Day one of the clinic concludes with Radio World contributor John Bisset of Telos Alliance leading a group discussion on troubleshooting scenarios “with a brew and brat,” according to the show’s agenda.
Day two of the broadcaster clinic includes another round of sessions of interest to broadcast engineers. Notably, the session “Electrical Safety: Studio and Transmitter Site” will be hosted by Roger Strand from the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
The session description says: “Learn about electrical hazard-shock and arc flash. Topics include mitigation-current limiting, arc flash engineering, NFPA 70E PPE, working clearance, housekeeping, electrical service (main circuit breaker, fusible disconnect and maintenance), generators and transfer switches, labels, one-line diagrams, inert gas and toxic gas safety.”
Paul Stewart of Summit Technology Group will wrap up day two of the conference with a discussion on effective project planning for studio and transmitter installations.
The presentation will outline the critical steps needed to design, budget and execute broadcast facility projects with efficiency and reliability; from site selection and equipment procurement to system integration and regulatory compliance.
A golf outing has also been added to this year’s schedule, taking place the day prior to the first day of sessions. The Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic also plays host to the Upper Midwest SBE regional meeting.
You can register through Sept. 6 here. Early bird rates are in effect until July 1.