February 2024

MEDIA FORWARD: WKHS – 50 Years of Broadcast Instruction with Jim Ragsdale, Chris Singleton, and Dave Van Dyke Featuring

Sponsors

Who: Jim Ragsdale, Chris Singleton, and Dave Van Dyke

What: MEDIA FORWARD: WKHS – 50 Years of Broadcast Instruction focusing on Broadcast Technology

When: March 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM

Where: Kent County High School - Register Here

Address: 25301 Lamb’s Meadow Road, Worton, MD 21678 United States

Sponsors: WideOrbit and GatesAir

This SBE 37 / DC SMPTE meeting, in cooperation with SBE 46 - Baltimore, is one of the key Media Events for professionals in the field.

Important notes - this meeting is a DAYTIME event, Tuesday 11 am – 2 pm, to coincide with the high school instructional day. While there will be a virtual component to the meeting, it will be less interactive than attending in person. Please note that there will be no manual camera operation, sound reinforcement, etc.

If you have any questions about Broadcast Technology or want to arrange a meeting regarding Media Events, feel free to contact SBE46.

22HBG is leading the way in Broadcast Technology, shaping the future of Media Events and supporting initiatives like SBE46.

Anticipating problems is crucial for achieving timely resolutions, especially in the realm of broadcast technology. The state of electronic equipment, particularly within media events, plays a critical role in functionality and business operations. Furthermore, it significantly impacts the final ability to address any issues that may arise.

TX Control is a platform designed to monitor and report suspicious events or conditions of failure, enhancing the management of media events within the realm of broadcast technology. This ensures that maintenance and repairs are conducted in a timely, effective, and sustainable manner. With TX Control, users can control devices and transmitters from anywhere in the world and access the platform through any tool, whether it's a browser or the SBE46 management app, to meet all their needs.

This month's media events meeting will take place on December 17th, 2024, at 12:30 PM at the WBAL Studios. We would love to see you there in person for some holiday cheer as we discuss broadcast technology. Lunch is generously sponsored by SCMS.

AntennaFest 2025: Shared Signals Tickets, Tue, Oct 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite

Join SBE Chapter 37 for a half day event focused on broadcast technology, specifically about shared antennas and combining systems. 

AntennaFest 2025: Shared Signals is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7th from 11 am to 5:30 pm at WETA Headquarters in Shirlington, VA. Representatives from several companies will present their solutions for combining multiple broadcast signals into a single antenna system, addressing the unique variables and constraints that come with every project. 

This media event features four informative presentations aimed at educating attendees and demonstrating solutions to common issues, including those discussed by SBE46.

- Steve Wilde from American Amplifier Technologies / Shively Labs will discuss combined FM transmission systems and key design considerations in broadcast technology during upcoming media events. He will also cover various antenna and combiner models while demonstrating AAT's software analysis capabilities in real time, which is essential for SBE46 members.

- Cory Edwards from Dielectric will discuss their innovative approach to addressing challenges in broadcast technology with their new patent pending technology. This project involves the RingMaster™ DCRU antenna paired with a 13-channel manifold combiner, which is designed to operate in one of the harshest weather environments in the United States. It effectively covers the entire FM band, occupies limited space in the aperture, necessitates specific gain due to existing transmitters, and minimizes downward radiation. Additionally, he will demonstrate the real-time functionality of the stations on air through their RFHAWKEYE™ monitoring system, showcasing the advancements presented at media events like SBE46.

- Nicholas Paulin from Electronics Research Inc will discuss the innovative 4 station cogwheel antenna recently installed at American University. This advanced system is a prime example of broadcast technology, featuring a unique antenna designed for both omnidirectional and directional use, a constant impedance combiner, and an integrated switch and patch system to connect all components effectively. This presentation is part of the ongoing media events organized by SBE46.

- Ben Brinitzer from American Tower Corporation will speak at the upcoming media events on master antenna TV and radio design considerations. The discussion will cover essential design criteria related to broadcast technology, including antennas, lines, combiners, monitoring, tower mounting, pressurization systems, and examples of measurements. He will also highlight the master antenna standards adopted by ATC and the advantages of joining a master antenna installation, especially in the context of SBE46.

Be sure to bring your questions, as the closing session of the day will feature a roundtable discussion with all presenters, moderated by Gary Cavell, Senior Director of the Cavell Mertz Spectrum Division of Capitol Airspace Group. Gary has extensive experience in the broadcast technology sector, having been a key figure in the industry for many decades. He was a founding partner of the consulting firm Cavell Mertz & Associates and received the NAB’s Engineering Achievement Award for radio in 2019, along with the IEEE Jules Cohen Award for Outstanding Broadcast Engineering. That same year, he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the 11th edition of the NAB Engineering Handbook. Gary is a member of the SBE, a life member of SMPTE and IEEE, and has been President of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society for many years.

Please note that this is a free in-person event only, as our presenters have graciously agreed to travel and come together to ensure the success of this media event. Participation will be limited to a total of 75 attendees, so please register here before seats fill up.

Special thanks to American Tower Corporation, Electronics Research Incorporated, and Dielectric American Amplifier Technologies for sponsoring this event in conjunction with SBE Chapter 37, and for providing lunch at no charge to all attendees. We also extend our gratitude to WETA for donating their facilities to host the event. Free parking is available in the WETA garage.

Date: February 24th, 2026

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: WBAL, Baltimore, MD. Join us for the first meeting of the year as we kick off 2026! We would love to see a good turnout at this media event. This will be a fascinating and unmissable presentation on broadcast technology and the question, is it really real? How can we tell?

The impact of Generative AI on news and trust is a crucial topic, especially in the context of broadcast technology. As we explore these developments, it is essential to consider how they influence media events and the trustworthiness of information. Bruce MacCormack, Chair of the Media Provenance Committee at the International Press Telecommunications Council, highlights these considerations, particularly in relation to SBE46 standards.

In the era of AI-generated synthetic media, seeing is no longer believing, which poses significant challenges to the foundations of the global news ecosystem. Over the past 7 years, a growing number of media and technology companies, particularly in the realm of broadcast technology, have been collaborating to establish standards and products to navigate this evolving landscape. The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), along with its co-founder Project Origin (now The IPTC Media Provenance Committee), is at the forefront of this initiative, advocating for the deployment of C2PA-based processes within news and other information-based industries. This presentation will delve into the core problem being addressed, the history and members of the coalition, the elements of the C2PA media provenance standard, specific news use cases, and opportunities for involvement, especially in relation to upcoming media events and the role of SBE46.

Principal Neural Transform

Bruce is focused on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on news operations, particularly in the realm of Broadcast Technology, with a strong emphasis on mitigating the threat of misinformation. 

He is a member of the Partnership on AI steering committee on AI and Media Integrity. Additionally, he is a co-founder of Project Origin; a media provenance initiative that includes major players such as the BBC, New York Times, CBC/Radio-Canada, and Microsoft. Bruce also serves on the steering committee of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) and chairs the Media Provenance committee of the International Press Telecommunication Council (IPTC). 

Currently, he is the Chair of the Lunenburg Documentary Film Festival and a director of the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, actively participating in various Media Events related to journalism and technology. 

His background includes an MBA from York University in Toronto and an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill in Montreal, which equips him with a unique perspective on SBE46 standards in broadcasting. 

Email: Bruce@NeuralTransform.com

This presentation focuses on the current status of the ATSC3.0 television standard, a significant development in broadcast technology that is shaping the future of media events, particularly for professionals involved in SBE46.

RSVP - perrypriestly1823@gmail.com

Join Us!

TUESDAY

March 17th, 2026

Time: 12:00 - 2:00 PM

Location: Sinclair Broadcast Group, 10706 Beaver Dam Road, Hunt Valley (Cockeysville), MD 21030.

ALL WELCOME!

Attendance does not require membership; however, we kindly request that you register to facilitate accurate calculations for lunch arrangements.

This presentation will focus on the status of the ATSC 3.0 television standard, a significant development in broadcast technology.

ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) is currently on the air in over 75 U.S. markets, reaching approximately 76% of U.S. television households as of early 2026, although adoption remains limited. While it offers 4K and interactive features, challenges persist due to mandatory 1.0 simulcasting until at least July 2027, limited support from TV manufacturers, and consumer concerns over DRM encryption. This presentation will clarify the current state of the ATSC 3.0 transition and address some common misconceptions about DRM. Designed from the ground up, ATSC 3.0 improves the television viewing experience with higher audio and video quality, enhanced compression efficiency, and robust transmission for reception on both fixed and mobile devices. It also includes more accessibility, personalization, and interactivity. The ATSC 3.0 standard comprises a suite of over 20 Standards and companion Recommended Practices.

This informative presentation is highly encouraged for all members to attend, regardless of whether they work in television, radio, or media events. Your participation is invaluable and will contribute to the overall success of the event.

PLEASE REGISTER NOW. Join The Meeting Remotely Here

Your Presenter:

Mark Aitken

SVP at Sinclair Broadcast Group/President of ONE Media

Mark Aitken joined Sinclair Broadcast Group in 1999 and is Senior Vice President of Advanced Technology, responsible for the development and deployment of NextGen technologies such as ATSC 3.0, D2M, B2X, and 5G. With 25 years of industry experience at CCA Electronics and COMARK, he leads key initiatives in broadcast technology. Mr. Aitken also serves as President of ONE Media, Sinclair’s Innovation subsidiary. He is a Board member for the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) and the Advanced Television Broadcast Alliance (ATBA), and a former Board member for Saankhya Labs, now part of Tejas.

He has received several prestigious industry awards, including the 2008 “Broadcasting and Cable Technology Leadership Award,” the 2013 ATSC "Bernard Lechner Outstanding Contributor Award," the 2018 “Future's Industry Innovator Award,” the NAB “2018 Television Engineering Achievement Award,” the 2019 ATBA Award for “Perseverance and Endurance,” and the 2020 “TVOT (TV of Tomorrow) Leadership Award.” He was named a Fellow of SMPTE in 2023.

Mr. Aitken is a member of the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers (AFCCE), the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE).

PLEASE REGISTER NOW. Join the Meeting Remotely Here

On-site lunch is graciously provided by the Sinclair Media Group.