[IRCA] Meeting with SBE Chapter

["Les Rayburn" <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We had an opportunity to speak with approximately twenty members of the local

SBE (Society of Broadcast Engineers) chapter yesterday. The program consisted

of a brief discussion about DXing, some sound clips of distant receptions, and

more clips of DX tests.

 

We then progressed to discuss DX tests, QSLing, etc. Questions were taken,

and I stuck around for at least an hour after the meeting answering questions. As

part of my "sales pitch" I had already made up CD's with test material and

:60 "Inventory Inserts" as Fred V. has suggested. These were presented to

the engineers of the stations of interest.

 

We also handed out copies of both IRCA and NRC bulletins. Since some

of the engineers were TV station types, I touched briefly on TV DXing.

 

The really good news is that Frank Giradina, CPBE and Director

of Engineering for Citadel Broadcasting has already agreed to run tests

on both WAPI 1070 and WJOX 690 in Birmingham. We're working together now

to set up dates.

 

Some observations:

 

1. Most engineers said their relationships with DX'ers were very

cordial. The only real complaint was reception reports lacking

in enough detail to verify reception from station logs.

 

Most said that they were very interested in getting recordings

of their stations, and e-mail was cited as the best way to send

in reception reports by most. All of them stressed that they

had limited time, so e-mail might be the "QSL route" of choice.

 

2. There was a lot of interest in hearing about how DXing had

changed. Lots of questions about the use of unattended recording

via computers, and phasing antennas. In hindsight, I might have

been more technical in my discussion.

 

3. Many expressed being DX'ers as kids...and certainly understood

our love of radio. Out of 20, I'd say we had 8 or 9 amateur radio

ops, so that was a good point of connection. Their faces all

lit up as we played recordings of RJR and ZNS. Likewise when

they heard WAPI "nulled" and KNX 1070 traffic reports come up

out of the noise.

 

4. Best news, no one reported any problems with DX'ers.

 

5. After the meeting, some expressed surprise that I didn't mention

IBOC. Most of them seemed very skeptical about it's long term

success.

 

Also in attendance was the Chairman of the SBE Atlanta Chapter. We're

now trying to arrange a chance to speak with their group as well.

 

If other members are interested in reaching out to their local chapters,

I'd be happy to help out with presentation materials, Program

test CD's, etc.

 

You can find a contact name at:

http://www.sbe.org/

 

Scroll down on the left, and click the link marked "Chapter Meeting Information".

This beats writing letters that are rarely answered any day!

 

73,

 

Les Rayburn, N1LF

IRCA CPC Chairman

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Les Rayburn, director
High Noon Film
100 Centerview Drive Suite 111
Birmingham, AL 35216-3748
205.824.8930
205.824.8960 FAX
205.253.4867 CELL
http://www.highnoonfilm.com
205.253.4867

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