Just Radio Only: Radio Managers: Please Forward This To Your Engineer

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Radio Managers: Please Forward This To Your Engineer

Radio Managers: Please forward this to your chief engineer

The Rapidly Changing Job of the Radio Engineer

A Note from Radio Ink Technology Editor Skip Pizzi

Dear Radio Engineer:

Though your manager may not have noticed, your job has changed significantly over the past few years. We both know that the skill set required to run a radio station's technical operation is radically different today than it was in 2001, or even 2007.

Do you remember the days when your only responsibilities were to keep the transmitter running and the studios working? Times sure have changed. Not only are you responsible for more facilities and more studios, you're typically also the go-to person for all the internal IT stuff.

OK, maybe you're at one of the lucky operations with a dedicated IT person or staff, but if not, you're probably responding to every possible tech issue as it relates to on-air operations, streaming, PCs and networking, and much if not all the other technical infrastructure of at least one -- and probably many more -- stations. And even if you do have IT people available, they often need your help to work on many of the specifically broadcast-related IT processes, which there seem to be more of every day.

To address these changes in your life -- which everyone else seems to be ignoring -- we at Radio Ink are doing two things: First, we've launched a monthly radio technology publication called techINK, which is delivered as part of Radio Ink. Second, we've created a companion conference to Radio Ink's Convergence (the industry's annual digital media conference) called the RadioTech Summit.

The RadioTech Summit starts the day before Convergence 2010, and is designed to help you address the tech issues you face today. This isn't about all the transmitter and studio operations like the old days, though we will discuss some of that as part of the overall agenda. This is about the new tech world you're expected to manage.

In case your manager is reading this, a note to him or her: Chances are you as a manager may not fully understand the complexity of the role your technical staff has undertaken in the last few years. If you also attend the RadioTech Summit, you'll be able to embrace and manage this change -- and that benefits everyone.

We hope you'll consider attending. The registration fee increases May 15, so you can save $200 if you register before 5 p.m. ET on Friday. We're also offering a two-conference package so you can attend both the RadioTech Summit and Convergence 2010. You can also obtain TEAM discounts, so you and your manager can attend together at reduced rates -- a great idea. I hope to see you there.

Regards,

Skip Pizzi

P.S. Here are some of the agenda items we'll be addressing and some highlighted speakers:
· New delivery platforms (online, handheld device, mobile broadband)
· Radios with screens -- what do we put on them?
· HD Radio power increase -- what does it really mean?
· Changes in RF spectrum regulations -- how will it affect radio?
· Networked audio -- the new studio environment
· Remote backhaul -- the latest tricks
· Changes in emergency alerting systems
· Mobile apps, tagging, electronic program guides for radio, RadioDNS -- what can they all do for stations?
· Speakers include internationally renowned radio futurologist James Cridland, KCRW GM Jennifer Ferro, Jelli CEO Mike Dougherty, broadcast attorney John Garziglia, SomaFM founder Rusty Hodge, tagging maven Allen Hartle, RadioDNS chairman Nick Piggott, HD Radio and EPG specialist David Maxson, RadioTime CEO Bill Moore, representatives of Triton Digital, Comrex, Harris, Broadcast Electronics, Axia Audio, Fraunhofer, and many more.