This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

Episode 776 of This Week in Radio Tech brings a heartfelt and energetic conversation titled “Thankfulness with K-LOVE Engineers.” Joining Kirk are four outstanding engineers from K-LOVE and Air1—Chris Tarr, Jack Roland, Tommy Presite, and Bill Jackson—who share real experiences where gratitude has shaped their work and even their success. This episode blends lively banter with meaningful reflections on how being thankful affects everything from troubleshooting transmitters to strengthening family life. Together we explore how thankfulness transforms the one who practices it, even in the secular workplace where its power is often overlooked. It’s an uplifting and authentic discussion you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, Kirk welcomes Keith Pelletier, President of Dielectric, to explore the newest advances in FM transmitting antenna design. Keith explains how Dielectric engineers are now combining custom bay spacing, including innovative mixes of full-wave and half-wave spacing within the same antenna aperture, to deliver precise coverage patterns with dramatically improved efficiency. These hybrid designs can achieve the same or better performance while using about one-third fewer parts, reducing weight, wind load, cost, and long-term maintenance challenges. We also dive into how modern modeling tools, materials, and manufacturing techniques are pushing FM antenna technology further than ever before. If you care about smarter RF design, better coverage, and future-ready FM infrastructure, you’ll want to watch this one. Join us for TWiRT 775 and see where Dielectric is taking FM antennas next!

This week on This Week in Radio Tech, we’re joined by Adam Robinson, Director of Sales & Marketing at MaxxKonnect and Triple Helix Technologies. Transmitter sites have evolved far beyond just RF gear — they’re now fully IP-centric ecosystems where slow, hidden failures often do the most damage. Adam and Kirk discuss how smart monitoring, redundancy, and unified visibility are redefining how engineers manage their sites remotely. From HVAC degradation to IP jitter and network security, we explore why data over time is the key to preventing downtime. Tune in and learn how the next generation of site management — predictive, cloud-integrated, and AI-assisted — is already here!

This week on This Week in Radio Tech, host Kirk Harnack welcomes broadcast engineer and on-air talent Steven Zagony, a man who finds joy in bringing classic broadcast gear back to life. Steven restores beloved analog equipment from the golden era of radio—think Studer, MCI, Auditronics, ITC/3M, PR&E, Orban, Texar, and more. From cleaning and recapping to precision alignment, he shares the process and satisfaction of hearing vintage gear sing again. We also dive into his work on KFRC’s legendary remote vehicle, “The Sturgeon,” where Steven rebuilt its PR&E console and revived its ITC cart machines to full glory. It’s a nostalgic and technical journey celebrating the art and heart of analog broadcast engineering.

Before Angry Audio, Michael “Catfish” Dosch helped redefine how audio moves through radio stations. In this episode, Catfish joins Kirk to revisit the early 2000s when he, Steve Church, and a small development team in Riga, Latvia, built the world’s first practical Audio over IP system — Livewire. From his PR&E console-design roots to creating the Telos SmartSurface and the first Livewire mixing engine, Catfish shares behind-the-scenes stories, engineering breakthroughs, and lessons that changed broadcast infrastructure forever. It’s a fascinating trip back to the dawn of AoIP — where analog met Ethernet and radio changed for good.

Isn’t it great when a growing broadcaster makes good on the company’s expansion plans? The last time Randy Gardner was our guest - about 3 ½ years ago - he described some of the projects and initiatives going on at JVC Broadcasting. Now we see that the company - and Randy - have been carrying out those plans and projects. Randy Gardner is JVC’s Director of Engineering. He directs and executes improvement projects at studios and transmitter sites, while watching every dollar to make sure there’s good value in every investment. Randy joins us to show us a few project results and he gives wise advice on work and life balance.

There’s something special about breathing new life into classic analog audio gear, and Jordan Tuck has turned that passion into beautiful and functional results. In this episode of This Week in Radio Tech, Jordan takes us inside his meticulous process of reviving vintage broadcast audio equipment—especially the legendary Pacific Recorders & Engineering RadioMixer console. From initial triage and circuit restoration to lamp replacement and detailed cleaning, Jordan shares how he transforms “retired” gear into studio showpieces. He’s even installed a fully refurbished PR&E RadioMixer in his brand-new home studio and gives us a first-hand look at the results. Join us for this delightful conversation celebrating craftsmanship, classic design, and the timeless sound of analog radio consoles.

Scott Cason is a seasoned radio contract engineer and Director of Engineering for the Kentucky Broadcasters Association. Scott shares his insights as the ABIP (Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program) inspector for both Kentucky and Indiana, highlighting the most common violations and how stations can easily correct them. He also discusses his pivotal role in modernizing Kentucky’s newly approved EAS Plan, bringing the state’s emergency alert system up to current standards. Scott takes us behind the scenes of the University of Louisville Sports Radio Network, explaining the equipment and processes that make home and away broadcasts possible. Packed with practical advice, industry insights, and real-world examples, this episode is a must-watch for broadcast engineers and radio professionals. Tune in to learn from one of the field’s most knowledgeable - and friendly - engineers.

We’re coming to you live from the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers Convention (WABE 2025) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada! This episode of This Week in Radio Tech takes you right to the heart of one of Canada’s premier broadcast engineering events. Kirk Harnack talks with a range of broadcast industry professionals — from seasoned engineers to manufacturer representatives and even a broadcast student — capturing the pulse of our ever-evolving industry. Featured guests include Jeff Welton of Nautel, Cameron Thompson with Alberta South, Michael Peterson from Stingray Digital, Randy Opperman of Rogers Communications, and Grant Bebrick of PTS. Join us for candid conversations, fresh perspectives, and valuable insights straight from the WABE show floor.

Artificial intelligence isn’t here to replace radio — but it is coming for the audience’s attention, and it’s doing so on radio’s most important turf: deep personal connection. Dan McQuillin, Managing Director at Broadcast Bionics, joins Kirk to explore how AI and large language models can augment radio production rather than compete with it. Dan shares the fascinating “DanGPT” experiment — an AI version of himself so convincing it won over his wife of 34 years — as proof that AI can be just as personal and engaging as traditional radio. Together, they discuss how radio’s greatest strengths — shared experience, belonging, and community — remain central, and how embracing AI as “Augmented Intelligence” can amplify those qualities. With a growth mindset, AI becomes more than a cost-cutting tool; it’s a creative partner that makes the once-impossible possible. As Dan puts it, we used to have more ideas than time — now, thanks to AI, ideas are the only limit.

The Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic is where broadcast engineers and technologists gather each year to learn, share, and connect. Hosted in Wisconsin, this premier event features deep-dive sessions on both cutting-edge and legacy technologies, a vibrant trade show floor, and plenty of opportunities to network with peers from across the Midwest and beyond. Jointly organized by the Wisconsin and Minnesota Broadcasters Associations along with SBE chapters from both states, it’s a true collaboration for the industry. This year, TWiRT is once again going live from the trade show floor—right in the middle of the action—bringing you the latest insights, innovations, and conversations from one of the broadcast community’s most valuable gatherings.

On This Week in Radio Tech, we’re joined by veteran broadcast journalist Scott Fybush, publisher of NorthEast Radio Watch and Fybush.com, and the well-known Tower Site Calendar. Scott unpacks the FCC’s new deregulation initiative, popularly nicknamed “Delete, Delete, Delete”, which proposes removing a range of legacy rules. We also explore the sobering reality of declining radio station values, what’s driving the trend, and how it’s reshaping the broadcast landscape. On a lighter note, Scott shares details about a different kind of stage performance — a comedy act with his wife that will soon debut at Rochester’s Fringe Fest. It’s an episode that blends policy, economics, and a dash of humor — all through the eyes of one of radio’s most trusted observers.

We tend to live, work, and observe within the circles of friends and colleagues that we already know. The TWiRT podcast strives to introduce radio engineers and creators who bring new ideas, technologies, and techniques to our thinking. Juan Punyed and Caroline Delamarque are visiting and talking with Latin American broadcasters every day, and frequently visit radio stations with huge audiences in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Brasilia, Panama City, and Bogatá, among others. What are broadcasters doing technologically in these places? And how are engineers implementing and supporting these advances in broadcasting? Juan and Caroline give us a taste of what broadcasters are doing - and perhaps not doing - in Latin America.

Stereotypically speaking, broadcast engineers may not fit the “leadership” mold. Many of us are perfectly comfortable dealing with equipment, and not with leading other people. While some engineers are naturally also fine leaders, many who aspire to a leadership role may need a mentor, or an example, or perhaps a “baptism by fire”. Kevin Trueblood has leaned toward filling responsible positions throughout his career, and he brings his thoughts and advice on the topic in this episode Moreover, Kevin was just elected by his peers as President of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE). We discuss some SBE plans as well, and get some great advice on backup (or primary) Internet service for critical infrastructure sites.

Brett Gibson explores the topic of vertical real estate and tower leasing on this episode of TWiRT. What are the structural concerns for adding antennas and feedlines to existing towers? How can a structural analysis set the course for seeking tower space clients? And what should renters be looking for in a tower situation, including the lease agreement? Plus, Brett shares insights on IP connectivity among studios and transmitter sites.

Explore the broad array of virtual processing platforms available for Radio broadcasters and hear the real-world experience of planning, installing and operating a cloud-based audio processing and distribution system from someone who’s already done it. Clay Walker is here to talk about what Audacy is doing now with cloud-based broadcast operations. Clay’s unique position at Audacy places him squarely between broadcast content and broadcast engineering and IT. He and Chris Tarr compare notes and progress regarding virtualized broadcast operations, when it makes sense to implement it, and whether to go with public cloud services, local data centers, or on-premises deployments.

TWiRT is live at the Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB) 2025 convention. This year TAB chose the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Round Rock, TX, for their convention location. What a huge turnout of radio and TV broadcast engineers! It’s a social event, learning event, BBQ eating event, and a time to meet with broadcast technology manufacturers. Join us as we talk with nine broadcast engineering and tech professionals who are attending, speaking, and displaying the latest tech at this year’s TAB Convention.

Dave Anderson, Chief Broadcast Engineer at WUSF, Tampa - brings us two tales of two fibers. One tale surrounds the fantastic utility, capability, and flexibility of using fiber to connect different radio studios to the central rack room. The other tale describes the dangers of having diverse IP connection services that all use the exact same cross-country or last-mile fiber bundle. Either way a fault in the fiber can take out multiple services that were thought to be “diverse”. Dave shares his recent experience and advice for using fiber’s clear advantages while avoiding service pitfalls.

Most of us radio people - whether engineers, owners, programmers, or sales reps - tend to work in the same market for quite a while. It’s rare that we get a chance to listen to many other stations in other markets to see what’s going on in programming, processing, transmission, and so forth. Nick Dee, however, is making a career of traveling thousands of miles every month and listening - really listening - to hundreds of radio stations on each trip. This exposure to many stations in many markets gives Nick a unique perspective on what’s right and what’s wrong with radio programming, audio, and transmission. With his engineering education he understands when something isn’t right, and even carries a spectrum analyzer to make quick analyses on stations that seem to be transmitting a little more than they should.

Chris Tarr is one of the busiest broadcast engineers you’ll ever meet. He loves radio engineering, and he’s highly motivated to work hard and keep learning more about his profession. Chris has assembled some recent experiences into some lessons for all of us on this episode. From guiding some new broadcasters into legal and effective operations to modifying an older FM transmitter for additional years of reliable service, Chris has a lot to share this week.