Society of Broadcast Engineers

Chapter 16, Seattle, WA

Our chapter picnic and transmitter tour was a great success this year.  We had over 50 people attending.  The weather was perfect as the day began and ended for all of us with the ferry trip across Puget Sound.  Our transmitter tour began mid morning at our host transmitter site, KOMO-AM.  We then visited the KJR and KGNW site near downtown Vashon, on the picturesque KVI transmitter site.  The third stop was KTTH and KPTK and the final visit was to the historic KIRO transmitter.  We returned to the KOMO transmitter for a hamburger and hotdog barbeque.

Jim Hatfield of Hatfield and Dawson Engineers provided some colorful history that few of us knew.  Jim and his family lived on Vashon Island for many years.  Ben Dawson shared some interesting experiences with transmitters and antennas on the Island as well.

Our thanks to the Fisher Radio staff who provided their wonderful hospitality and facility this year.  Special thanks to John Barrett, Fisher Chief Engineer, and his staff including Tim Moore and Brady Aldrich.  Other SBE engineers participating in the tour include Ken Broeffle, Tom Pierson, and Tom McGinley.

This years event was also made possible by our SBE friends at BSW Broadcast Supply World Wide including BSW Sales Manager Shannon Nichols.

In other July news of interest, Congress is getting into the PPM fray.  House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers has asked the Government Accountability Office to study the PPM and its effect on ad revenue for stations.  The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is also looking into complaints that PPM undercounts minorities  Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission has an open Notice of Inquiry on the topic.

iBiquity is again asking the FCC to immediately allow broadcasters to increase the power for FM HD Radio transmissions tenfold (a 10 dB increase), with an intermediate increase of 6 dB. iBiquity has the support of some 18 owners and four transmitter makers.

Best Buy is selling what is claimed to be the first ever HD Radio receiver under their house brand “Insignia.”  The player is about the size of a small cell phone and has the capability of receiving HD multicast channels just about anywhere.  The price is about $50 cheap, but they have been sold out for the several weeks since they introduced it.  Will it replace the ubiquitous Ipod?

Thursday August 13, Noon
Hosted by BSW, First Choice Marketing and Genelec
“DSP and Monitor Speakers”

Our guest luncheon speaker will be Scott Esterson of Genelec, manufacturer of professional monitoring speakers
systems. Scott will talk about how to maximize your near field speakers using DSP technology.  Scott will also demo
Genelec’s new 6010/5040 compact speakers.

NEW COURSE ADDED TO SBE UNIVERSITY
The latest offering within the SBE University series of on-line, on-demand Web-courses is now available. Voice Telco Networks and Studio Interface Systems will be of interest to those at both television and radio station facilities.

Telco lines and circuits are integral parts of most broadcast installations. We use regular phone lines for talk shows and contests, we use ISDN lines for remote broadcasts and STL backup, and we use T1 lines for STL applications and business telephone service. The broadcast engineer must have a good understanding of the various types of lines and protocols in order to deal with the telephone companies. It is also helpful to understand telco terms and "lingo" so that he or she can "speak the same language" when talking with testers, installers and field repair people.

This course, written for SBE by Steve Church of Telos Systems, provides a complete overview of all these topics, giving the student a working understanding of how the signal gets from end to end, how to troubleshoot telco problems and how to properly interface broadcast equipment to the telco world.

SBE University courses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are all completed independently.  They are similar to text books. You register by going to the SBE website, www.sbe.org/education/seminars  and clicking on the course title. You’ll be taken to a course description page that has a link to the registration page.

There is a special introductory price for the new Voice Telco Networks and Studio Interface Systems course; just $59 for members of the SBE and $79 for non-members. A Certificate of Completion from the SBE is available to those completing the course. Completion of the course can also be used towards meeting SBE recertification requirements.  

Other courses available in the SBE University on-line, on-demand series include:
AM Antenna Computer Modeling
8-VSB
FM Transmission Systems
Matching Networks and Phasing

=========================================
You Can Join SBE Online

Did you know that the National SBE has an automated member application on the SBE website?  Payment is accepted using VISA, MasterCard and American Express. You can find it under the "Join SBE" button on the blue and white horizontal tool bar near the top of the page. Click on that and you'll see several options.
The URL is: https://www.sbe.org/cgi-bin/sbe_member_app.pl?goto=form

SBE will start a test run soon accepting PayPal. If it goes well, that will become a normal payment option as well.

Members can support the SBE and receive a discount on next year's membership renewal by recruiting a new member.  Renewals are done by mail in the Spring of each year. 

SBE Chapter 16 Secretary Report

Wednesday July 8, 2009
Executive Board Meeting at KING-FM studios

Chapter Chairman Jim Dalke called the meeting to order at 6:30PM.  Also present were Treasurer Terry Spring, interim Secretary John Price and Directors Clay Freinwald and Tom McGinley.

First order of business was the Vashon Island Transmitter Tour and Picnic coming up on Saturday July 25.  Jim handed out a tentative schedule for the event.  The suggested time to arrive at KOMO is at 10:45AM.  Arrival time at KGNW/KJR is 11:30AM, KVI at 12:15, KTTH/KPTK at 1PM, KIRO at 1:45PM and back to KOMO at 2:30PM for the picnic.  Jim reminded everyone that if they want dessert that they should bring their own.  He suggested too that if people wanted tables and chairs that they should bring their own.  Jim and Clay said that they’d attempt to find tents that stations might be able to make available for the event.  Jim said he’d order the “porta” potty.  Terry Spring will provide the grill, Art Willets will be the cook, and Hatfield and Dawson will provide the ‘adult’ beverages.  It was suggested that Mike Gilbert get in touch with any Vancouver BC engineers he might know and have them spread the word.
 
The next item to be discussed was the Thursday luncheon at El Eclipse.  The presenter will be Harris talking about their new 950MHz HD STL.  There are no plans for an August meeting.   A presentation by Logitec is scheduled for September and the Taste of NAB Roadshow is still on for October.  Ideas for possible future meetings were discussed, including trips to the Washington State Department of Emergency Services Camp Murray facility and KOMO’s Fisher Plaza.

Last on the agenda was the Chapter website.  Jim wondered if a template could be made available to make it easier to update the site.  Clay suggested we set up a way to send out Email notifications to all Chapter members that the Waveguide was available for viewing on the web.  He cited how Kent Randles sends out notifications about the Portland Chapter’s Watercooled Newsletter.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15PM.  

_______________________________________________     

Shannon Nichols and husband Mark at the Picnic

Thursday July 9, 2009
Chapter Meeting

The El Eclipse Mexican Restaurant in Bellevue was to be the site of the Thursday lunch, but about an hour before meeting time, it was learned that the venue was closed.  So, the meeting was moved across the street to the Red Robin restaurant. 

Chairman Jim Dalke called the meeting to order around 12:30.  He first apologized for the sudden venue change.  He then introduced Steve Kawasaki from BSW (Broadcast Supply Worldwide).  That was followed by a brief Secretaries report from the previous nights Board meeting and an even briefer Treasurer’s report.  

After lunch orders were taken, Jim introduced Al Jason, West Coast Sales for Harris who in turn introduced Bob Band who gave a few brief remarks on the new Harris/Intraplex HDLink 950MHz STL.  Bob took a pause after lunches were served, allowing the members to converse and enjoy their lunch.  After everyone had had their fill, Bob resumed his presentation.  The new STL is the first 950MHz STL designed from the ground up for HD and FM and has a lot of interesting features. 

At the conclusion of Bobs’ presentation, Steve Kawasaki handed out headphones and cans of Almond Roca as door prizes courtesy of BSW.

The meeting adjourned around 1:45PM.

Respectfully submitted,
John Price
Interim Chapter 16 Secretary   

We have had some really nice weather over the past month, but something has been on your mind – Yes – those “Specialty Certifications” that you have been meaning to get since your basic level up-grade. Remember the ‘Ship Radar’ endorsement that you added to your ‘ticket’? As technology has changed – so has the need for specialty certifications. Have a great summer ….

Specialist Certifications

To establish a benchmark of individual strengths, the National Certification Committee created the concept of Specialist Certifications. To apply for a specialist certification, you must currently hold certification on the Broadcast Engineer, Senior Broadcast Engineer or Professional Broadcast Engineer Certification level. Exams consist of 50 multiple-choice questions. One essay-type question will be selected for each designation. Each essay question is worth 20 points.

Certified 8-VSB Specialist
The SBE Program of Certification designed the 8-VSB Specialist Certification to help evaluate an individual’s ability to perform the necessary tasks to keep facilities operating properly. The exam will cover these areas of competency: transport stream, audio (AC-3), video (MPEG-2), PSIP, DTV standards documents and transmission systems.

Certified AM Directional Specialist
The SBE Program of Certification designed the AM Directional Specialist Certification to help evaluate an individual’s ability to perform the necessary tasks to keep facilities operating properly. AM radio stations can operate as non-directional with a single tower or directional using more than one tower. While both require knowledge and skill to maintain in proper working order, the directional antenna system involves a higher degree of skill and understanding of RF theory.
The exam will cover the operation, maintenance and repair of a directional antenna system. These are the tasks common to the station engineer charged with maintaining these systems. The exam will also gauge a person’s knowledge of AM radiators, understanding of the principles of phase addition and cancellation, familiarity with the various components used in a directional antenna system, and ability to correctly make necessary measurements and take proper procedures to make repairs and adjustments to the system. In addition, the exam will cover the FCC rules concerning directional operation, test equipment and safety procedures.

Certified Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist
The SBE Program of Certification designed the Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist Certification to help evaluate an individual’s ability to perform the necessary tasks to build and keep facilities operating properly. It will qualify an individual's knowledge of digital radio broadcasting including audio processing, studio-to-transmitter links and transmission of multi-channel digital program streams.
The specialist exam will include knowledge of  importers, exporters, the various methods of combining analog and digital transmitters to antenna systems, delivery of digital audio signals and data to transmitter sites, transmitter emission mask measurements, AM and FM FCC rules, monitoring of digital signals and bandwidth requirements for AM antenna systems.

Dates to Remember in 2009
Certification Application Deadlines:

September 18, 2009    @Local Chapters        Test Date: November 6-16, 2009
December 31,2009      @Local Chapters        Test Date: February 5-15, 2010
March 26, 2010           @NAB                        Test Date: April 13, 2010
April 16, 2010             @Local Chapters        Test Date: June 4-14, 2010
June 4, 2010                @Local Chapters        Test Date: August 6-16,2010
September 17,2010     @Local Chapters        Test Date: November 5-15,2010

     CERTIFICATION OBJECTIVES
   To raise the professional status of broadcast engineers by providing standards of professional competence in the practice of broadcasting engineering. To recognize those individuals who, by fulfilling the requirements of knowledge, experience, responsibility, and conduct, meet those standards of professional competence. To encourage broadcast engineers to continue their professional development.

For more information and/or application forms please feel free to contact Michael Scott, CPBE.
E-Mail okscott@halcyon.com ; Voice (253) 680-7756 ; FAX (253) 845-5882

Welcome to summer in the PNW.  For those of us that live here, we know…all too well, that this is usually our shortest season.   Mother nature is really giving us the works this summer with a very long dry spell coupled with lotsa record setting hot weather. On July 29th we have the highest low temperature and the highest temp ever recorded.  In fact it was hotter in Seattle than it was in Tucson !  I note the local TV weather-guys were saying that in July we have had less rain than Denver, Phoenix, Albuquerque, etc.   In a recent email exchange with a fellow from out of the area I was again reminded just how strong the urban legend is that it rains all the time in Seattle.  My prayer now is that we are not face with some major forest fires.   In past dry years, it’s been so bad that we have been denied access to West Tiger Mt.   For those of us that go up there, it’s time to load up on the required fire fighting equipment and be prepared for shutdowns.  In fact, DNR issued their warning letter on the 29th also.

If you did not attend the Chapter 16 picnic on Vashon this year…You missed a great event.  The weather was perfect (thanks to the prevailing winds and being near the north end of the island) The food was great and the location was great.  Our thanks to John Barrett and the crew at KOMO for letting us use their backyard and to Shannon Nichols of BSW for being our official sponsor.   Let me be the first to cast my vote for going back to the same place next year.   I’m sure that you will see some pictures in this issue of the Wave Guide.

A couple of personal notes this month –

1 – It’s very hard to believe, but I received my First Class Radiotelephone FCC license – 50 years ago.   Still have that piece of, now worthless, blue paper was dated Aug 5, 1959.  (P1-14-3173)   Wow how time flies.   Hard to believe that I am still working.   Well then there is Ben Dawson who is, not quite, two years older than me!

Skotdal Appointed to NAB Radio Board

Andy Skotdal has been appointed to the NAB Radio Board.
Skotdal is chairman of the Washington State Association of Broadcasters board. He takes the seat vacated by BMG Billings CEO Peter Benedetti, who is no longer associated with stations in District 25.

2 – In October I will be attending my final SBE Board of Directors meeting in Syracuse, NY.   This will end my terms on the BOD.   It’s been 10 years.  Looking back, I joined SBE back on Feb 5th, 1968. (Member # 714)  That’s 41+ years.

So what now? …..Well I plan to continue a few things…

> Work with our local Chapter in any way I can.
> Write this column…If you can continue to put up with me.
> Work with our States EAS system
> Continue to assist SBE’s national EAS efforts, if asked to do so.
> More Ham Radio
> …Oh ya….Work !

The other hot local story is what in the world caused the electrical melt-down at Fisher?  Some high powered engineers are looking into the matter and, hopefully, we will get to hear first hand what caused the problem as well as a good discussion of what was learned that we can apply at our own stations at an up-coming Chapter Meeting.  We will let you know.    If this issue did not prompt you to dust off your emergency plan, it should have.  What would your station do in a similar circumstance?

The extreme heat cause a number of power failures, apparently due to drooping power lines.  In one case a large power failure in the SE Tacoma area impacted KPLU at their brand new studio facilities on the PLU Campus in Parkland in a bad way.   Their new generator failed to operate properly, as did equipment at their STL transmitter location on campus, as did an ISDN device at their Seattle studios….The result was lotsa silence on 88.5 on the 29th. 

For those of us involved with FM Radio….The issue of a power increase for HD Radio is a really hot topic.   Several broadcast companies, Ibiquity and manufacturers are asking the FCC to grant a power increase.   Meanwhile NPR is doing a lot of work to study the impact that such a power increase would have on adjacent channel stations.  Just recently they distributed a tool that permit us to quickly see what the impact would be on those adjacent stations.  This tool takes all the work out of issue by telling you exactly how much HD power you could operate without causing interference to the contours of these stations.  If the FCC were to adopt rules along the lines of the NPR tool, some stations would not be able to increase HD-R power at all, while others could do so substantially.   NPR’s position is that some sort of power increase is warranted, but protection of existing stations must also be a factor.    Certainly this issue is not concluded with a lot of debate to come. We need to remember what IBOC means – In Band –Others-Channel.  In some cases, interference may be a greater factor to one side of an existing station.  This is creating the call for considering operating with greater digital power on one side of the host FM than the other.   Locally one station in our market is experimenting with increased HD power and their engineer reports significant improvement in some of Seattle’s many tunnels.   A lot of money is on the line in this game and everyone is watching the dealer and counting cards.  I would be surprised if there is a decision this year, however.

As I have been doing in recent columns…Lets take a look at the economic situation and how it is impacting our industry –

According to Interpublics Magna Group 2009 will be a bummer with a 21+% decline in local radio revenue.  TV revenue down 14.4 %, Magazines down 18.3%, Outdoor off 12.9% and the biggest looser, Newspapers, off by almost 25%

Clear Channel, who probably found themselves owning some AM Radio stations that were liabilities, is reported to be giving 4 of them away.  

A lot of media income has come from pharmaceutical advertisers.  This revenue has been falling, expect for those buying time to battle what they fear will be federal intervention in their business model.   Meanwhile, there are rumblings from Congress who has members that are trying to cut off drug advertising feeling that it contributes to higher prices.

Sumner Redstone is facing some huge debt payments with some forecasting that his empire may be crumbling in the wake of these tough times.  It’s reported that Viacom’s Q2 Revenues are down 14%

One impact of the economic situation is the change in value of broadcast properties. 
Back in 1996, Entercom purchased an FM station in NYC (WAXQ), reportedly for $93 Million, and then promptly traded it for 97.3 and 107.7 FM and 1210 AM in this Seattle..  Now, some 13 years later…. The financially troubled New York Times Company sells WQXR, New York (96.3) to Univision for $33.5 million.

Sam Zell is reported that Tribune expects to exit bankruptcy, perhaps by the end of the year.  No word on how this will impact Tribunes two TV stations in Seattle.

For many years, Dave Biondi, via his Broadcast.net enterprise, supported many activities of SBE by hosting remailers for the national organization, chapters, EAS work etc.   Apparently the economy negatively impacted this operation as well causing many to scramble for a new host for their systems.   Here in our state, B-Net hosted our EAS Remailer as well as Chapter communications for some time.

Recessionomics are in play at Bonneville with the announcement that they are cutting some salaries and benefits including less vacation time and fewer holidays.

To good news this month is that we are starting to hear some good news, news about things not getting any worse.  Certain the stock market, which is usually an early indicator of economic health is looking better.   There are many that believe that we may never see things the way they were as saving and spending habits have been reset.

Radio has something else to be concerned with, in addition to internet listening…It’s WiFi Radio.  Toss that term – WiFi Radio – into your favorite browser and see what I am talking about.   Even radio makers like C. Crane, who have long made AM radios for those that love Talk-Radio have jumped into the race.

We were chatting in the office the other day when a co-worker asked about this column…He entered Clay’s Corner in is browser and came up with –

All I can say is  - 1) Go ahead and take a look….and 2) No relation…I never met the man, I don’t know them………….

Remember a while back when a certain school in Spokane turned on a cell phone jamming transmitter?   Well the FCC found no humor in this case.  Now our state is officially asking the Commish for permission to use these communication wrecking tools to prohibit cell phone communications with those in prison.  Washington State is not alone in this effort, 24 states and 3 cities are asking for the same thing for the same reason.

Recent changes were announced at the FCC  - William Lake is the new chief of the Media Bureau and Kris Monteith becomes an assistant.   Suzann Tetrault is the new Enforcement Bureau deputy chief and Sharon Gillet is the new leader of the Wireline
Competition Bureau.

Rumors are that 91.7 FM/KXOT in Tacoma may be back on the market looking for a buyer and/or operator.   From what I understand, KUOW may end their relationship with the Indian Hill FM.   Some in the City of Destiny that are calling for someone to step forward with the goal of making the station a voice for Tacoma.

What’s up with VHF DTV?  Around the country there are a number of stories where stations are asking for power increases, or, in one case, a station moved their DT operation back to their UHF channel. In El Paso, KVIA, has set out to discover exactly what’s going on by running a lot of tests comparing the coverage of their VHF vs UHF signals.   My question is why was it impossible to know this PRIOR to the big switch?  Apparently it was not until these stations turn DT on at their VHF channel did they discover that it did not have the penetration/coverage ability of their UHF DT system.  Not only is there a building penetration problem with VHF, but there is the matter of the portable hand-held receiver that was the big topic at this last NAB.  Again, why has this, apparently, caught so many folks off guard?   Around Seattle we have channels 9, 11 and 13 operating DTV.   For some reason I have not heard the level of complaints that other markets have experienced.   Anyone got some scoop on this item, let me know.

From a recent issue of the Seattle Times – (Thanks Donn Harvey)

Broadcast and sound engineering technicians give us entertainment and information

Outlook: Overall employment of broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators is expected to grow 17 percent over the 2006-16 decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Pay: The 1,250 broadcast and sound engineering technicians in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area earned a median wage of $45,700 in 2008. The job: Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators set up, operate, and maintain a wide variety of electrical and electronic equipment used in almost any radio or television broadcast, concert, play, musical recording, television show, or movie. There are many specialized occupations within the field.

Looks like they have failed to mention the blood letting that has also taken place since the economy turned south?

This item forwarded by Ben Dawson –
PORTLAND (AP) — Gov. Ted Kulongoski has signed a bill into law that requires scrap metal dealers to pay for their material with a check mailed to the seller's home instead of cash on the spot.

The dealers would also have to keep a record of each transaction for a year, and notify police if they suspect metal is stolen.   Metal thieves, many seeking quick cash for drugs, have been ravaging Oregon for years, stealing everything from gutters and bleachers to
sculptures and catalytic converters. The legislation faced little opposition on its way to the governor's desk
Let’s hope that that law makers across the country will adopt some of these measures.

Now that radio ratings are being determined in the Seattle area by PPM, there are some changes that have caught my eye –

• For the first time we have a means of measuring in vehicle listening as well as the impact of streaming.
• 5 market stations have their streaming showing in the ratings. However, despite all the talk about the impact of streaming, in this market, listening to this mode only is just over 1%.  This means that about 99% of radio listeners, listen to the radio.
• Legacy stations with non-mass appeal formats have significantly lower ratings.
• The Non-Com’s are now listen along with everyone else.
• The rate that stations change position or rank is considerably increased.
• AM stations continue to struggle with only a 7 of the top 30 in that band

• Signal does make a difference.  Of the top 30 station, 23 are FM’s and 18 of them are transmitting from Cougar or Tiger Mt.  On the AM band 6 of the top 7 AM’s are 50 Kw.
• The listen audience is split a zillion ways with the top rated station only having 5.6% of the total.  Hardly a commanding lead.
• So far – No HD-2 facility has made the list.

Meanwhile, several members of the US House have asked the GAO to look into how Arbitron’s system works.   Arbitron remains confident that their methods are sound.
Not all is gloom and doom in the employment world, here are some job opening info I’ve received this past month-

Everett Helm from PDX forwarded this item about this job opening at the University of Oregon in Eugene - http://hr.uoregon.edu/jobs/unclassified.php?id=2694.   Contact is -

Thomas E Williams
Chief Engineer, Oregon WIN
Transmission Engineer, Oregon State University
Oregon University System
109 Kidder Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331
541.737.3822/ fax 541.737.2159
 www.oregonwin.org 

How about something in Spokane?
ION Media Networks is seeking a self-motivated individual to manage and maintain complex integrated systems. Position includes maintenance and repair of all technical equipment in studio and transmitter facilities/towers, satellite downlink and microwave transmission systems. Candidates must have 3+ years experience maintaining modern broadcast equipment.  FCC license or SBE certification as well as RF engineering knowledge a plus. Submit resume with salary history to:

ION Media Networks
Ref:  Chief Engineer-Spokane
601 Clearwater Park Road
West Palm Beach, FL  33401
Fax:  (561) 655-7343
E-mail:  employmentinquiries@ionmedia.com
EOE
And this one, close to home –
Chief Broadcast Engineer - FSN Northwest

FSN Northwest is seeking a Chief Broadcast Engineer. This position will support all Broadcast and Post Production/Editing equipment in a digital television facility.  This position is located Bellevue, WA. For more information, please visit www.libertysportsgroup.com.

Something you don’t hear about very often – A fire causes a tower to fall.  In this case KIID, in Sacramento,  lost a 200 footer when the non-metal guy wires failed due to the fire.    

Jim Dalke and Jim Hatfield

This past month saw the passing of a giant with the loss of Walter Cronkite.  For folks my age, his work is legendary as a broadcaster.    Many folks don’t know that Walter was also a Ham (Amateur Radio Operator).   The follow was published by the ARRL about Walter and is used with their permission.

Legendary CBS newsman Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD, who held the title of ''Most Trusted Man in America,'' passed away Friday, July 17 after a long illness. He was 92. The avuncular Cronkite anchored the CBS Evening News for 19 years until 1981 when he retired. During that time, he reported on such subjects as the Kennedy assassinations, the Civil Rights movement, the Apollo XI lunar landing, Vietnam and the Vietnam-era protests, the Arab-Israeli Six Day War, Watergate and the Begin-Sadat peace accords.

Cronkite, an ARRL member, narrated the 6 minute video ''Amateur Radio Today'' (http://www.arrl.org/ARToday/). Produced by the ARRL in 2003, the video tells Amateur Radio's public service story to non-hams, focusing on ham radio's part in helping various agencies respond to wildfires in the Western US during 2002, ham radio in space and the role Amateur Radio plays in emergency communications. ''Dozens of radio amateurs helped the police and fire departments and other emergency services maintain communications in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC,'' narrator Cronkite intoned in reference to ham
radio's response on September 11, 2001. ''Their country asked, and they responded without reservation.''

Walter Leland Cronkite was born in St Joseph, Missouri on November 4, 1916, the only child of a dentist father and homemaker mother. When he was still young, his family moved to Texas. ''One day, he read an article in ''Boys Life'' about the adventures of reporters working around the world -- and young Cronkite was hooked,'' said his obituary on the CBS Web site. ''He began working on his high school newspaper and yearbook and in 1933, he entered the University of Texas at Austin to study political science, economics and journalism. He never graduated. He took a part time job at the Houston Post and left college to do what he loved: report.''
(http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/17/eveningnews/main5170556.shtml)

In 1963, it was Cronkite who broke into the soap opera ''As the World Turns'' to announce that the president had been shot -- and later to declare that he had been killed.'' CBS called it a ''defining moment for Cronkite, and for the country. His presence -- in shirtsleeves, slowly removing his glasses to check the time and blink back tears -- captured both the sense of shock, and the struggle for composure, that would consume America and the world over the next four days.''

One of Cronkite's enthusiasms was the space race. In 1969, when America sent a man to the moon, he couldn't contain himself. ''Go baby, go.'' he said as Apollo XI took off. He ended up performing what critics described as ''Walter to Walter'' coverage of the mission -- staying on the air for 27 of the 30 hours that astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were on the moon. In 2006, NASA honored Cronkite by giving him their Ambassador of Exploration Award. ''His marathon, live coverage of the first moon landing brought the excitement and impact of the historic event into the homes of millions of Americans and observers around the world,'' NASA said in a news release announcing the award. Cronkite was the first non-astronaut and only NASA outsider to receive the award.
(http://www.arrl.org/?artid=6130.)

Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML, was Cronkite's radio engineer at CBS for many years. ''I had many chances to discuss my favorite hobby, ham radio, with 'the world's most trusted anchor man,''' Mendelsohn helped Cronkite make his first Amateur Radio contact: ''Having passed the licensing test, Walter was now ready to get on the air. His first QSO was on 10 meters about 28.390 MHz. He was nervous and I called him on the phone to talk him through his first experience. As we talked on the air, a ham from the Midwest come on and called me. Acknowledging him, I asked the usual questions about where he was from, wanting to give Walter a bit of flavor of what the hobby was about. I turned it over to Walter, and following his introduction, the gentleman in the Midwest said, 'That's the worst Walter Cronkite imitation I've ever heard.' I suggested that maybe it was Walter and the man replied, 'Walter Cronkite is not even a ham, and if he was, he certainly wouldn't be here on 10 meters.' Walter and I laughed for weeks at that one.''

In 2007, ARRL Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, presented Cronkite with the ARRL President's Award. This award, created in 2003 by the ARRL Board of Directors, recognizes an ARRL member or members who ''have shown long-term dedication to the goals and objectives of ARRL and Amateur Radio'' and who have gone the extra mile to support individual League programs and goals. Cronkite was selected to receive the award in April 2005 in recognition of his outstanding support of the ARRL and Amateur Radio by narrating the videos ''Amateur Radio Today'' and ''The ARRL Goes to Washington''
(http://www.arrl.org/pio/VTS-video.wmv.) ''It was quite a thrill to make this presentation to Cronkite,'' Fallon said. ''He has long been recognized as the 'most trusted man in America,' so linking our causes to his face, name and voice has been a great help.''

Cronkite is the recipient of a Peabody Award, the William White Award for Journalistic Merit, an Emmy Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the George Polk Journalism Award and a Gold Medal from the International Radio and Television Society. In 1981, during his final three months on the CBS Evening News, Cronkite received 11 major awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1985, he became the second newsman, after Edward R. Murrow, to be selected for the Television Hall of Fame.

A private memorial service was scheduled for July 23 in New York City. Cronkite will be cremated and his remains buried in Missouri next to his wife Betsy, who passed away in 2005. A public memorial service will be held within the next month at Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Walter and Betsy Cronkite Foundation through the Austin Community Foundation (http://www.austincommunityfoundation.org/), which will distribute contributions to various charities the couple supported.

As Cronkite said on March 6, 1981, concluding his final broadcast as anchorman: ''Old anchormen, you see, don't fade away, they just keep coming back for more. And that's the way it is.''

Well, my friends, that’s it for this month – Thanks for the read – Lord willing we will do it again next month.

Clay, K7CR, CPBE