Archive
Networking, IT, IP, and RF
Been spending a lot of time in the modern world of broadcast engineering. As we keep moving forward we keep doing more of what people call IT. What do we do as broadcasters, we pass information. Why not group us into IT?
First I have been spending time with Burk and Nautel on a Burk PlusConnect-NV disconnect issue. Seems the PlusConnect is working fine. Nautel does say there is a little issue with the SNMP agent as it is slow to respond at times. I understand a few customers have this issue. Rest assured both parties are aware of this and both parties are working together to resolve this issue. I’m glad I get to work with both. Right now I have been informed there is a new version of the Nautel AUI in the works. This version will address many concerns including the SNMP agent. As they are being so diligent on making sure all the “bugs” are worked out, we all must be patient on the release date as there is none at the moment. I say great, make sure it works before getting it out there. Anyone beta testing? I’m not.
As for the Burk system, it is working pretty well. I did have them re-write the version 3 of the ARC Plus, so ask about the latest version that is not posted on their website. 😉 I see 3.0.0.25 still there. I am still waiting on a new build of the AutoLoad Plus to address another minor issue.
As for the overall problem I am going to seriously look into the RF situation and network cabling. Though I use shielded cable, I suspect a bit of RF causing some headaches. Not sure exactly how I will attack this, but as we move more into the networked systems realm, I want to make sure future installs do not exhibit RF issues. What is very interesting is the shielded cable is actually giving me more problems than unshielded. This makes me wonder about the integrity of the connectors on the former cable.
More RF fun is my old Moseley Starlink. Seems I have a “special” unit. For one it shows a received signal in the mid- -50’s. WTF? When a different receiver is installed it shows a more realistic -75 dBm. The spectrum analyzer shows a -80 dBm. I think the dish that the landlord relocated needs to be re-sighted. The fun never stops. I’m working with Moseley regarding this odd reading and I suspect they will take the unit back and have it calibrated.
Next week we dive deeper into our network as we install a new Layer 3 switch. This is going to be great!
Cheers!
Hell Week or Just Plain Busy
As promised a recap of a busy week. If you follow my tweets, your sure already know we had a busy week. Harris, RCS, AT&T, and the regular stuff just piled on.
My Harris Flexstar RF mute issues sprung up on me this week. It has been on hiatus for a couple of months and then an outage on Monday and two within 15 minutes on Tuesday. So, in answer to a phone call today, no there is nothing really to do but make sure the latest and greatest in software/firmware release is installed. If you do not have that, you will not get much in return from tech support. I updated the Flexstar to Exgine 4.40 and DSP to 8.33. Since this had to be done, I had to upgrade the Exporter to 4.3.1 and the Importer to 4.3.2. This now sets the clock on if I continue to have issues, and knock on wood I have not had an issue since the update. On that note I still need a good answer to why HD data should be able to knock me off the air? So if you have issues with your Flexstar, update it. Then document exactly what the issue is. Once you have all that ammunition, give tech support a shot and see what answers you get. Do not be surprised if you feel a bit helpless. The HTHD+ as an RF amplifier is great, they just need to fix the most critical piece, the exciter.
While transmitter issues were occurring we were hit with an RCS NexGen crash. All 3 station decided to play the game. Console control stopped, database communications became sketchy, and the whole system was just sluggish. No apparent reason. We noted it had to do with network traffic, so some box is flooding the network or we have a physical device that has an issue. On that assumption we changed out the brand new Cisco switch purchased from RCS with an old 1GB Dell switch used on the old DAD network. Everything began to run much more smoothly. IT and RCS check the switch and all seems good. We still have yet to switch back.
If this was not enough, concurrent failure of a T1 to a transmitter site happened. I was on the phone with AT&T when the Flexstar decided to drop off. It must have been a funny picture having me on the phone with AT&T while I was poking the remote control switching us to our Aux transmitter. Multitasking at its best. AT&T replaced a repeater and a snap-jack in the CO. No dispatch to the site. This particular CO seems to be having many issue of late. We seem to cycle through which T1 goes down. Annoying, but they were on it and problem is solved for now.
In addition to running around dealing with this, I still am working details on the Burk remote control system. I have the sites up and in theory they should all see each other. Reality is a different story. I can see one site from the shop, but not another. While at the “offending” transmitter site, I was unable to see the other sites from the ARC Plus. Here is the odd part. With AutoPilot I can see all the sites. I get readings and all the good stuff. With AutoLoad I can see all the sites. Even at the transmitter site I had to visit I was able to see all the sites. Why the ARC Plus does not see the others, and the site list is in it, is beyond me. I have an inquiry to Burk on that one. I am also going to contact Moseley to delve into a potential issue with the LanLink. I need something a bit more robust. A 6 mile shot should not be that difficult.
I can say at least I was busy and not bored. Mix this with home life and it was quite a week. I’m glad to be able to sit down and spew this out. If you have experience with any of the items discussed or have any items you wish to see a discussion, please drop a line, leave a comment, or give a call. Now let’s see what next week brings!
Cheers!
Tech Notes from the Field 