The broadcast professionals thread!
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mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
I call "not me"... but my Old Man was a broadcast engineer in the 1950s at both WITH-AM (and FM) and WAYE-AM in Baltimore, MD. He engineered the first AM-FM stereo simulcast in Baltimore.
EDIT: I've posted this before, but here's the Old Man helming an Ampex 600 tape recorder at a remote. The man holding the mic is then-Baltimore mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. Interestingly, Tommy Jr's daughter is also in politics. Her name is Nancy Pelosi
EDIT: I've posted this before, but here's the Old Man helming an Ampex 600 tape recorder at a remote. The man holding the mic is then-Baltimore mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. Interestingly, Tommy Jr's daughter is also in politics. Her name is Nancy Pelosi
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KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
I have been a broadcast engineer for over 35 years beginning as an assistant at the tender age of 9 years old. An old gentleman believed in a gimpy kid and his dreams of advancing himself in life. Still in the industry with pride. And I have been with many stations.
dshoaf
That high voltage buzz
I actually started my career intending to become a radio/TV station engineer. Got my 1st Class Radiotelephone license and was ready to go. There were 3 Voice of America sites around Greenville, NC, and I wanted one of those federal jobs.
The problems began when I found out that the VOA jobs required extensive experience in your regular TV stations first - 10 years worth. The local stations had engineers who were so happy to be doing what did that they would have come to work even if the station stopped paying them! I got interviews but basically I had to wait for someone to die or leave and even then, I'd be the first guy sent up the big transmitter tower.
Then I found out about this computer thing and put my resume out to IBM, HP, TI, DEC and a host of other big names back then. TI offered me a job, with a car, and a whole lot more $$ than I'd ever expected to repair computers and peripherals. I ended up doing ~30 years riding the computer wave instead of radio/TV.
I never looked back to radio/TV transmitters - well, until I finally got around to getting my ham radio license about 10 years ago. All that original analog training finally came back to help out a bit.
Outside of that, my repair bench experience while in engineering school at a local audio shop is what I lean on for folks here.
Cheers,
David/KG6IRW
The problems began when I found out that the VOA jobs required extensive experience in your regular TV stations first - 10 years worth. The local stations had engineers who were so happy to be doing what did that they would have come to work even if the station stopped paying them! I got interviews but basically I had to wait for someone to die or leave and even then, I'd be the first guy sent up the big transmitter tower.
Then I found out about this computer thing and put my resume out to IBM, HP, TI, DEC and a host of other big names back then. TI offered me a job, with a car, and a whole lot more $$ than I'd ever expected to repair computers and peripherals. I ended up doing ~30 years riding the computer wave instead of radio/TV.
I never looked back to radio/TV transmitters - well, until I finally got around to getting my ham radio license about 10 years ago. All that original analog training finally came back to help out a bit.
Outside of that, my repair bench experience while in engineering school at a local audio shop is what I lean on for folks here.
Cheers,
David/KG6IRW
Arby
Active Member
For the last 30 years I've been a Tele/Post Production Engineer in NYC.
The 1st 20 years was with a company that at one time was the largest independent facility of it's kind with divisions in NYC, LA and a mobile fleet out of Pittsburgh. They went Bankrupt.
The last 10 as the Chief Engineer for a facility that shoots and edits a daytime Soap Opera that will be going off the air after 55 years this coming September. It's sad, I thought I'd retire from this job... The last day of shooting is scheduled for June 21st. My last day is scheduled for July 30th.
It'll be strange to be without a job for the first time since I got out of the Army in 1980 :worried:
The 1st 20 years was with a company that at one time was the largest independent facility of it's kind with divisions in NYC, LA and a mobile fleet out of Pittsburgh. They went Bankrupt.
The last 10 as the Chief Engineer for a facility that shoots and edits a daytime Soap Opera that will be going off the air after 55 years this coming September. It's sad, I thought I'd retire from this job... The last day of shooting is scheduled for June 21st. My last day is scheduled for July 30th.
It'll be strange to be without a job for the first time since I got out of the Army in 1980 :worried:
Got sucked into the radio vortex in college back in '68...left college, hit 5 stations within 30 miles of my hometown and got hired PT ($1.40/hr!!) at the 5th one. Started right after Christmas in '69...guy got fired a couple months later & voila! I was fulltime. The station needed an engineer & the owner offered me an extra $100/mo if I'd get my FCC 1st Phone (another relic of the past). I enrolled in the Avionics program at a local tech college...a 2 year program. 1st year was devoted to theory & getting your FCC 2nd class license...2nd year was hands-on work. The 2nd Class was the tough part...all theory. The 1st Class portion wasn't covered at the school but it was mostly rules & regs so it was easy to bone up for. I only did the 1st year since all I needed was the ticket. Worked at that first station for over 5 years...then it was the life of a radio nomad for me. Fargo, Duluth (twice), Rochester, the Black Hills...10 years in Minneapolis. All the time as an on-air personality in a variety of formats...with engineering duties thrown in at a number of stations. I've helped build a couple directional AMs...maintained FMs from 3kW up to 100kW...a varied career for certain. Even was part-owner of several stations along the way. Switched careers against my will about 12 years ago...but still at it as #1`parttimer at a 100kW country blowtorch. Not particularly a fan of country...but I make it sound like I am!
So...where's Holst in this thread? He has a long career goin' on, too.
Oh...and mhardy: an Ampex 600 like your Dad's running was the main production machine at my first station. Lugged one around to record HS choir concerts & the like, too.
So...where's Holst in this thread? He has a long career goin' on, too.
Oh...and mhardy: an Ampex 600 like your Dad's running was the main production machine at my first station. Lugged one around to record HS choir concerts & the like, too.
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It's not my 'day job' but I'm deeply involved in a local effort in my area to have a community owned and operated radio station. Our mission includes making the airwaves available to all in the furtherance of democracy, and we also will teach radio production to those wanting to develop their own programs.
At this point, we've got FCC licenses for constructing our primary, and because we obtained a translator license first, we are re-broadcasting another signal until we are on-air with our own. We have held some radio production workshops and are trying to raise funds to make the rest happen.
We are fortunate in that there are several real radio and television professionals that are helping us with the technical aspects. I've learned a bunch from these folks.
At this point, we've got FCC licenses for constructing our primary, and because we obtained a translator license first, we are re-broadcasting another signal until we are on-air with our own. We have held some radio production workshops and are trying to raise funds to make the rest happen.
We are fortunate in that there are several real radio and television professionals that are helping us with the technical aspects. I've learned a bunch from these folks.
jimmymagick
Active Member
Retired after 35 years in broadcast. My last 12 were as a producer for a tv show here in Chicago.
DougMac
Super Member
Well, it all started at a 50 watt AM station... Sorry, wrong speech.
When I was 16 I applied at the largest of the local TV stations as a part time audio/cameraman. It turns out I did sound for a play at the local little theater and the play's floor director, the senior director at the TV station, remembered me and my professional attitude.
I worked there throughout high school. I also shot, developed and edited newsfilm and worked in the videotape room. I went to college, moved back home and went back to work as a director. At one time I was the director of the 6:00 pm news, leading into Walter. Back then at local stations the director was also the technical director (video switcher). That's where I learned to multitask!
I also did a little voice work at the station. A few years ago, my family got together and pledged on the local PBS radio station, which bought me a chance to be "DJ for an Hour". I plumbed the depths of my collection and produced the show at home. I just sent them the show on CD. It was well received.
I've also been a professional photographer and spent the last 20 years in IT. Of the jobs I've had, I had the most fun in TV.
When I was 16 I applied at the largest of the local TV stations as a part time audio/cameraman. It turns out I did sound for a play at the local little theater and the play's floor director, the senior director at the TV station, remembered me and my professional attitude.
I worked there throughout high school. I also shot, developed and edited newsfilm and worked in the videotape room. I went to college, moved back home and went back to work as a director. At one time I was the director of the 6:00 pm news, leading into Walter. Back then at local stations the director was also the technical director (video switcher). That's where I learned to multitask!
I also did a little voice work at the station. A few years ago, my family got together and pledged on the local PBS radio station, which bought me a chance to be "DJ for an Hour". I plumbed the depths of my collection and produced the show at home. I just sent them the show on CD. It was well received.
I've also been a professional photographer and spent the last 20 years in IT. Of the jobs I've had, I had the most fun in TV.
I was a radio news anchor in four markets: WMAY Springfield, IL (1997), WMBD Peoria, IL (97-99), WTVN Columbus, OH (99-00) and WBEN Buffalo (00-02). Learned so much at SUNY Fredonia, great audio production program...of course, everything we learned (splice editing, etc) is now obsolete...but if the computers of the world ever die...we'll be there to get the story on the air.
Even though I was "talent," I always admired the work of the engineers. It was stuff that I could never wrap my brain around. It amazed me how they always got things working under extreme pressures, or got my tape deck revived after dropping a can of diet pepsi on it, or unfroze my computer...well, you get the picture
Melanie
Even though I was "talent," I always admired the work of the engineers. It was stuff that I could never wrap my brain around. It amazed me how they always got things working under extreme pressures, or got my tape deck revived after dropping a can of diet pepsi on it, or unfroze my computer...well, you get the picture
Melanie
DougMac
Super Member
Of course. I had a pretty good idea as soon as you mentioned you were "talent". ;-)It amazed me how they always got things working under extreme pressures, or got my tape deck revived after dropping a can of diet pepsi on it, or unfroze my computer...well, you get the picture
OLDisGOLD
Well-Known Member
I worked for an NBC affiliate in Mid-Mich for 31 years from March 1973 to November of 2004.
While there I edited 32MM film shows with optical audio track, news film with optical & magnetic audio track. Ran audio board for live studio news, live & taped studio shows. Operated Chyron generator for supers & graphics. Field sound for commercial production. Studio & hand held / tripod mount field cameras (these weren't any light minicams in the earlier days). I took care of the studio lighting for the News, Sports, Weather & interview sets.
I took a technology layoff & retirement in 2004 because they replaced the studio cameras with ParkerVision. They needed temporary part-time help (90-days) in MCR (master control room) in February of 2009 ............ 15 months later I'm still there.
I met & mic'd lots of celebrities, movie stars, TV & sports personalities, local & national politicians.
I've done it all ........ seen it all ........ heard it all & I could write a book about the Mid-life of the local TV industry. The time that it thrived & grew personnel-wise.
Basically before automation and the economy took it's toll & the business became cut-throat like the radio industry.
While there I edited 32MM film shows with optical audio track, news film with optical & magnetic audio track. Ran audio board for live studio news, live & taped studio shows. Operated Chyron generator for supers & graphics. Field sound for commercial production. Studio & hand held / tripod mount field cameras (these weren't any light minicams in the earlier days). I took care of the studio lighting for the News, Sports, Weather & interview sets.
I took a technology layoff & retirement in 2004 because they replaced the studio cameras with ParkerVision. They needed temporary part-time help (90-days) in MCR (master control room) in February of 2009 ............ 15 months later I'm still there.
I met & mic'd lots of celebrities, movie stars, TV & sports personalities, local & national politicians.
I've done it all ........ seen it all ........ heard it all & I could write a book about the Mid-life of the local TV industry. The time that it thrived & grew personnel-wise.
Basically before automation and the economy took it's toll & the business became cut-throat like the radio industry.
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colortrakker
Thinking in color...
Broadcast, yes. Professional...that depends on the situation.
I got started in college radio about 15 years ago and got so caught up in it I said, "I don't need the classes, I have all the education I need right here at the station." In about 3 years, I ended up at the local AM station, starting as the remote tech and every-other-Saturday-from-1-'til-signoff guy, then doing middays (until I got satellited out of that slot), and ultimately every other Saturday morning.
I also did some time at a small AM in the Poconos, which kinda got me into TV. Got bored one shift, looked for sut'm to read, found the paper, and lo and behold there was a position for a master control operator at the local TV station. I applied, got the job (and my SBE certification), and kept it for 3 1/2 years. Man, could I tell you some stories about that place. Just keep the money out of it. They did, and that's why I hopped over to the PBS station. My time got cut sadly short there because of another opportunity...
And so for the past 4 years I've been a master control operator for a group of cable networks: specifically, one your kids love, one that you enjoy for the fights it airs, one that used to have great classic shows but now has a lot of reality, and soon, one that has more reality shows than music these days (but to its credit, does still air music).
I miss the things that can only happen on live and local TV (and radio), but this was too good of an opportunity to pass up, so I'm here for the duration.
I got started in college radio about 15 years ago and got so caught up in it I said, "I don't need the classes, I have all the education I need right here at the station." In about 3 years, I ended up at the local AM station, starting as the remote tech and every-other-Saturday-from-1-'til-signoff guy, then doing middays (until I got satellited out of that slot), and ultimately every other Saturday morning.
I also did some time at a small AM in the Poconos, which kinda got me into TV. Got bored one shift, looked for sut'm to read, found the paper, and lo and behold there was a position for a master control operator at the local TV station. I applied, got the job (and my SBE certification), and kept it for 3 1/2 years. Man, could I tell you some stories about that place. Just keep the money out of it. They did, and that's why I hopped over to the PBS station. My time got cut sadly short there because of another opportunity...
And so for the past 4 years I've been a master control operator for a group of cable networks: specifically, one your kids love, one that you enjoy for the fights it airs, one that used to have great classic shows but now has a lot of reality, and soon, one that has more reality shows than music these days (but to its credit, does still air music).
I miss the things that can only happen on live and local TV (and radio), but this was too good of an opportunity to pass up, so I'm here for the duration.
