Evan Stanek
December 2003
Job Title: Broadcast EngineerEmployer:Family Educational Broadcasting (WPFF and WRGX radio)
Job Description:
I work for a non-profit radio station fulfilling various duties including radio and studio design and wiring, researching new technological upgrades (HD radio), transmitter maintenance/repair, antenna design and propagation studies, keeping the stations operating within FCC requirements, consulting other engineers to solve interference issues, constructing towers, hanging antennas and transmission line, and in general basic electronics work. As it is a non-profit station with a limited budget, I regularly find myself taking on other duties such as audio production, web design, promotions, etc.
UWP Experience:
At UWP, I was originally interested in working with software. However, I quickly discovered the excitement and challenge of electronics in my first circuit design course. I preferred the hands-on aspect of EE course work so I enrolled in the program and found my interests and skills laid in the power, electronics, and communications fields. My favorite courses were typically lab oriented where I could reinforce the text/lecture style learning with actual hands-on practice. Fortunately, most of the courses at UWP included a significant lab portion with professors willing to take the time to make sure each student was achieving proficiency in their respective projects and areas of study. Many of the skills and theory I learned in class apply directly to my job as I encounter power electronics, electromagnetic theory, circuit design/debugging, and the use of various test equipment (spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, etc).
TYPICAL WORK DAY:
Every day is different, some days I am out in the field for a full day taking measurements and running tests, tuning/fixing transmitters, or visiting one of our translator locations for testing or installation of new equipment. Other days I am in the office making phone calls to other engineers to solve problems while other days are spent studying RF theory to solve interference issues or working to understand a certain piece of equipment that may be causing problems. My job is typically project oriented, meaning I have one or two major tasks to work through at a time, so each day involves a different phase of the given tasks and is rarely routine. There is a great sense of fulfillment seeing a project come together with tangible results in the form of a new radio station, better signal quality (clear audio), better signal coverage, or seeing a broken piece of equipment work properly after taking time to fix it.
Sample Project Description:
The most fulfilling project I worked on to date was constructing a new translator in the city of Sheboygan. A translator is a station outside of the main signal's reach that rebroadcasts the original station's program content on a different frequency. Our main signal for WRGX at 88.5 MHz has an effective radiated power of 50,000 Watts and spans a radius of about 75 miles. On our first day at the tower site, we installed a special antenna to receive our main signal at 88.5, which would then be rebroadcast on a frequency of 96.9 MHz. We connected the coax from the tower to our spectrum analyzer and were pleased to observe a spike at the correct frequency. However, when we tested audio, it turned out to be a different station that was blocking our station out. I logged onto the FCC's frequency search database and found a station also at 88.5 MHz located across Lake Michigan with a power of 3000 Watts. After checking program content, I confirmed that it was in fact this station from lower Michigan coming across the lake. I consulted another engineer on the matter, since a 50,000 Watt station should clearly overpower a 3,000 Watt station from farther away. He informed me of a phenomenon known as "ducting propagation" which happens when a temperature inversion occurs, especially near large bodies of water. Stark temperature contrasts create a sort of "tunnel" which easily transmits the waves well beyond their normal range. This was in fact the case, and on a later trip, we found our signal coming through loud and clear, and the new translator was officially on the air a short time later.
Additional Pictures:
Left: The RCA BTF-20E1 20kW transmitter.
Right:A view from our tower while performing maintenance to the antenna system.
Other Comments:
The field of broadcast engineering was unbeknownst to me prior to working in the field. Broadcast engineers typically work in either television or radio, maintaining many facets of the technical side of station operation. Pay is good, and experience pays off since most broadcast engineers eventually become independent and work on a contract basis for various stations in their respective areas. In my experience, entry into the field is best attained with an ample background in communications, analog and power electronics, and electromagnetic theory (Smith charts!). An antenna design course would also be advised, as well as entry into the HAM radio club and, if possible lending a hand to technical operations at WSUP, the college radio station at UWP. Opportunities also abound with various transmitter and antenna design companies such as Broadcast Electronics, Harris, JAMPRO, VSWR, and more. You can also get plugged into the local SBE (Society of Broadcast Engineers) chapter as a student member and gain from the wisdom of professionals.