Tech Notes from the Field

So you all saw the updates of the week via Tweets.  Some also have seen the latest post regarding the STL.  Here is a summary of stuff that will help those troubleshooting (STL) and planning (software updates) in the coming weeks.

1.  The STL.  The symptoms were quite surprising on the Moseley aural STL.  We noticed the failure via audio drop outs.  It was somewhat periodic, too, which was quite interesting.  As we had planned to drop the system to 32 quam from 64 quam to make it more robust in the first place, we began to do that from the far end (receivers at transmitter sites) back to the near end (studios).  No bit errors were being received at the transmitter site, so there was no real need to worry, yet the problem was there.  When we got to the transmitter at the studio, and after visiting the mid-point, we noticed the issue after making our Quam adjustment.
As we are running 32 Quam now, an issue like this will not show itself unless you are diligent on routine maintenance.  Now we are going to schedule monthly tests of the backup STL system by placing it on air for at least 1 hour.  We will also make sure we check the units themselves for any parameters out of range.

2.  Harris HTHD+:  Amazingly this thing will drop when you least expect it.  After spending a better part of the day Friday with tech support we are experimenting with the Exgine buffer.  The premise is the buffer is overflowing or having some issue causing a system restart.  During the restart RF is muted.  I will know more tomorrow when I hit the site and see how are buffer is doing after doing recommended adjustments to buffer timing.  If we remain unlocked, then we are looking at some issue.  If it is a data stream issue, then we may have something up with our Intraplex STL.  It would be odd if this was our issue and I would conclude that the Flexstar processing system and Exgine would need some sort of overhaul.  On a side note it also shows how critical a good network path to the transmitter site is for iBiquity HD radio.  Nuts considering many transmitter sites have little or no network access.

3.  UPSs (Uninterruptible Power Supplies):  Never purchase a consumer grade UPS even if it is a “true” UPS.  If possible purchase an online UPS large enough to handle the plant or a section thereof.  I have 15 more batteries to replace in the next day or two.  They are running my budget up and it is killing me.  It is worth the money to protect your systems, but a maintenance nightmare.  Try to keep it simple.

4.  Remote Controls:  More monitoring is a definite requirement for major markets.  Reliable, too.  I need something reliable, versatile, and flexible.  Will it be Davicom, Audemat, Burk, or Statmon?  I am tending towards Statmon, but the cost may be too steep.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress on this one.

Enough rambling, back to more fun!