This issue of SBE-news includes an invitation to watch, via live Internet stream, the upcoming SBE Annual Membership Meeting and, information about the next SBE webinar - this one discussing the FCC Self-Inspection Checklist. For those who didn't see our SBE Regulatory Alert last Friday about FEMA's IPAWS announcement, a similar message is also included in this issue.
Vinny Lopez, CEV, CBNT
SBE President |
SBE Annual Membership Meeting to be streamed live
Last year the 2009 National Membership Meeting streamed live from Verona, NY |
Can't be in Madison, Wisconsin for the SBE National Meeting later this month? Watch the live streaming of the SBE Annual Membership Meeting from the comfort of your own home or office. The Annual Membership Meeting of the Society of Broadcast Engineers will be held at 5:00 pm EDT (2:00 pm PDT) on Wednesday, October 27, and will be streamed live so members across the country may view it. The one hour meeting will include brief reports from the national secretary, treasurer and president and updates on the Society's activities. The meeting will conclude with the induction of the newly elected directors and officers who will serve for the following 12 months. The Annual Membership Meeting is part of the SBE National Meeting, being held October 26-27th in conjunction with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Clinic in Madison. The "Clinic" is sponsored by SBE Chapter 24 and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. Attendees at the Clinic will provide a live audience for the Membership Meeting. To view the meeting, go to the SBE website and click on the "SBE Annual Membership Meeting" icon on the home page, which will be posted by October 15. The meeting will also be archived on the SBE website for later viewing. 
SBE to present FCC Self-Inspection Checklist Webinar
Webinar will be presented by Dennis Baldridge, CPBE, AMD, 8-VSB, DRB, CBNT |
The SBE will present a live webinar about the FCC Self-Inspection Checklist on Thursday, November 18 at 2:00 pm EST. The webinar is part of the Webinars by SBE series and will last approximately two hours.
The FCC publishes a self-inspection checklist for TV and radio stations to help them determine their level of compliance with FCC rules and regulations. An affirmative response to all 100+ questions on the list implies substantial compliance. This webinar will cover the purpose, scope and limitations of the self-inspection checklist. It also addresses the technical and non-technical aspects, as well as the public inspection file, antenna structures and the Emergency Alert System. Participants of this webinar will benefit by having the ability to verify substantial compliance with the FCC Rules and Regulations for the Radio and TV stations they serve, making them better equipped to serve the facilities. This webinar will be helpful to technical and non-technical people alike, including those who are designated as the station's chief operator.
Our presenter will be Dennis Baldridge, CPBE, AMD, 8-VSB, DRB, CBNT. Dennis has worked in the broadcasting field for more than 30 years and is a Senior Member of the SBE. He operates his own contract engineering firm, Baldridge Communications, LLC, based in the Madison, Wis. area. Dennis is a past chairman of SBE Chapter 24 and has authored several articles for Radio Guide magazine. Dennis has been associated with the Alternative Inspection Program of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, as an inspector, for the past four years. The cost for the webinar is $39 for members of the SBE and $55 for non-members. Registration may be made on-line at the SBE website using most major credit cards. You may also register by calling the SBE National Office at (317) 846-9000, Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Eastern Time. Completion of the SBE FCC Self-Inspection Checklist webinar qualifies the participant for SBE recertification credit.
FEMA announces digital message format for IPAWS
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on September 30th the adoption of a new digital message format for the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). FEMA refers to IPAWS as the nation's next generation emergency alert and warning network. The announcement was not clear on whether the 180 day clock had begun, counting down the days when stations will be required to have the capability of receiving messages using the CAP system. Suggestions have been made to extend the clock but an adjustment is not assured. Instructions on how to handle the messages, once the 180 day clock expires, have not been released. A CAP/EAS profile has not been fully established so the actions stations must take on CAP messages is still in flux. Delivery of CAP messages will be over a data path. The nature of the path will be determined locally. SBE recommends that members be in the process of developing their plans and budgets to purchase and install equipment and connectivity assuming they will need to comply at the end of the 180 day period. SBE is preparing a "FAQ" on this subject, which it expects to post on the SBE website by next week. Hopefully, more definitive information about the status of the 180 day clock and other details will be forthcoming soon from the FCC or FEMA. Click here for the complete announcement from FEMA made on September 30.
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