HD Is A Bust...Again!

Check out this interesting article from businessinsider.com which lists the top 15 Overhyped Products of the Decade. The Zune...complete with HD radio...is one of 'em. Does this surprise anyone? No one wants it.

A Sour Note!

Music...it's NOT what radio is all about. Let's all convert to all talk and local news and information formats and kiss music goodbye rather than waste our time on expensive farces such as HD radio. Let the greedy artists and record companies suck the lifeblood out of some other industry, there is no need to let them into our pockets.

The EAS Boondoggle

EAS...what a joke. Do you ever wonder why it wasn't activated on 9/11? If that wasn't a good enough reason, what is? In this day of interconnectivity there's no need for an expensive EAS system any longer. Why waste a lot of money on a new system when no one will activate it anyway?

Off The Air..But Not For Long

It happened this morning...that dreaded silence caused by transmitter failure. I hadn't heard it for a few months. I tossed aside my morning DJ and general manager's hat...I donned by engineer's hat, jumped into my S-10 and made the mile long trip to the tower site (you probably don't see this scenario at WCCO or WLS). I opened the door to the building and sniffed the air....nothing smells real hot, that's a good thing! The main breaker on the power supply vault was off. That's not a good thing. I flipped it back on...only to be met with sounds of arcing, the sight of dimming lights and the sound of a contactor that really had no desire to remain on. I had a pretty good idea what the problem was as I have experienced it before. I opened the back door to the transmitter, popped the cover off the RF cabinet to take a look at the final tube (the ONLY tube) and sure enough..there it was...a blocking capacitor which had self-destructed. I have some spares. I replaced the faulty capacitor (after making a thorough run through with the shorting stick)...closed things up powered up the transmitter and "pow"...it came back up to full power (I always dread that period of anticipation while the transmitter is running through the paces before the high voltage kicks in!) After returning to the main studio I became the morning DJ once again. How long were we off the air? About 20 minutes.

This Is Why We Are Here!

I had a listener stop in a couple of days ago who asked me to mention on the air that he had lost the transmitter unit for his dog training collar system. It was found by another listener who dropped it off at the radio station. I called the owner and he was extremely grateful that he did not have to spend a couple hundred bucks for a new unit! This is REAL public radio....I doubt if MPR or NPR offers the same service! We take pride in reuniting dogs and cats with their owners on a regular basis, too!

Another Comment on Licensing

When a station is licensed to a particular community it should be operated from that community. Period. That is not a difficult concept to understand. Licensing a station to a small town and operating from a larger nearby city not only does a disservice to the city of license, it makes a complete joke of the intent of the law. Paynesville, Minnesota...Clear Lake, South Dakota...Atwater, Minnesota...Pelican Rapids, Minnesota...are four communities, for example, which should have radio stations located within their borders since there are licenses assigned to those locations. My partner and I could successfully operate a station from any of those communities (just as we have from Madison, Minnesota for 26 years), I don't know why any other respectable owner couldn't do the same. Unfortunately most people in those towns don't even know they have a radio station. I guess they missed it when it was mentioned in passing at the top of hour. You have to go the St. Cloud, Brookings, Willmar and Detroit Lakes to find their "home" studios.

Some Of My Favorite Stuff!

It's time to get off the soap box and offer a little practical advice. Whether you're the station engineer...or the GM who needs to do some minor repairs on to the door knob on occasion...here are a couple of item's I'd recommend. I have a big box full of tools...but if I had to choose one tool kit it would be the little hand-held Radio Shack Deluxe Computer Toolkit with zipper case. (Cat. No. 64-1990, I'm not sure if they still sell this particular one or not). It contains a couple of flat and a couple of phillips screwdrivers, a tweezers, a part retriever, a chip puller which I love, a chip inserter which I've never used, a couple of computer-size nut drivers and a plastic tube with a cover for keeping track of parts. That kit, in conjunction with my Ace Hardware GDT-190A 19-range multi-tester (which is my all-time favorite digital meter at a cost of about $18.00) will solve a lot of problems. Add a wire cutter, a needle-nose pliers a soldering gun (my Radio Shack 100-watt model is my favorite) and a roll of solder.....you're set to take on just about every problem that arises...unless, of course, you have to change some bolts in the tower or something like that. I'm talking about approximately fifty-bucks worth of tools here. I think just about every station can fit that into the budget.

Leave The License Where It Is Supposed To Be!

This little story popped up in my e-mail today from "Inside Radio"

Minority groups reject move-in proposal.The FCC is currently considering rule changes that would make it more difficult for owners to move stations from small towns into bigger cities. But dozens of groups are telling the FCC the change would “set back the clock” since most minority owners are only able to enter radio by buying outside the big cities.

Well, to that I say....why can't the minority groups license the station to the smaller community and operate from there? They'd be helping economic development in a small town and they'd still be putting a signal on the air. The idea of licensing a station to a community is to serve that community...not to serve the licensee. When are the so-called "broadcasters" of the world going to figure this out. Why is the FCC having difficulty understanding their own rules? Operate from your community of license damn it! The whole system of licensing stations is a joke...but I'm not laughing.

How Do They Pick These People??

I just got done looking at my latest edition of Radio Ink. It contains a list of radio's "40 Most Powerful People". How do they pick these lists? Half these guys are captains of sinking ships...downsizing, laying people off...one guy even brags about the fact that his company's revenues are only down 11 percent....apparently he thinks that's success! If these dudes are powerful....I'm glad I didn't get picked. By the way, they keep missing me on Cosmopolitan's list of Sexiest Men, too. I'm going to look into how to get nominated! The powerful people in radio are the owner/operators who work seven days a week...wearing several hats! They serve their communities and occasionally put a little money in the bank, too!

Up..Up..and eBay!!

If you're a broadcaster and you're not an eBay fanatic, you are really missing the boat. Not only is eBay a good source of everything from computer supplies, to cheap CD players and stereo cassette decks, it's also an excellent way to turn that junk in the backroom into cash! What do you have that people might want? One thing collectors like is old broadcast equipment catalogs....your old 4CX250B's and assorted other vacuum tubes are hot items...as are variable capacitors, NOS (new old stock) repair parts for a tape deck you probably don't have any more...those old QRK turntables in the corner will sell quite readily as do old cart machines. Do you have an old console or two lying around? It doesn't matter whether or not they work...somebody wants 'em! Let me repeat, an item does not have to be working...it doesn't even have to be complete...somebody somewhere probably wants it. Whatever you do, do NOT bring in a dumpster and toss out your old stuff, sell it on eBay. If you want to see what broadcasters are selling just go to ebay.com and type "broadcast" in the search box...or type in the brand name and model number of something you have in your possession. WARNING: Once you start delving into the world of eBay you'll have a hard time stopping.

The FCC Should Be Ashamed of Themselves

Does it bother anyone else that the FCC punishes licensees for honesty? I cannot believe how many stations have been fined thousands of dollars for admitting that they were missing a few pages in the public file. Apparently in this day of budget reductions the FCC is making up the difference on backs of broadcasters and other licensees. What ever happened to a warning and a chance to set things straight? I can understand fines for repeated flagrant violations but to use licensees as "cash cows" to line the pockets of the Feds is disgusting. They should be ashamed.

The Artists Should Pay Us! A Letter to Congress

I sent an e-mail to my Congressman, Collin Peterson, today. I thought I'd share it with you.


Dear Representative Peterson: I am writing to ask you to sign on with many other Congressmen who are expressing their opposition to the imposition of a tax on broadcasters which would go to artists whose music is played on the radio. Here in Madison, Minnesota my partner and I built KLQP-FM 26 years ago and have been providing local service to a 5-county area. Our profit margins are minimal. The record companies are suggesting a $5,000 annual fee to small stations such as ours for the privilege of playing their tunes. They should be paying us! If anyone else comes in with a three minute long commercial they pay to get it on the air. Every song we air is nothing but a three-minute commercial for the artist and the record company...why should we pay them? I have played in a variety of local bands during the past 40 years and I, as as musician and broadcaster, believe artists should be grateful to radio stations for not charging them to promote their product. Incidentally, we already pay $500 to $600 monthly to ASCAP and BMI which goes to the composers. When does this insanity end? When does greed in America come to a halt? I would appreciate some feedback from you on this issue as to where you stand on this and as to whether or not the radio industry can count on your support.

Brand Names Are Not Always Better

Harris, BE, Nautel and the other big boys make good equipment...no doubt about it....but you can stay on the air very nicely without spending the dollars they're asking for. Energy-Onix and Bext, for example make excellent equipment which will cost thousands of dollars less and you'll enjoy excellent factory support. I once called Bernie Wise, owner and CEO of Energy-Onix, at 3:00 AM with some questions and he gave me the answers. I don't get to talk with the factory folks very often because their equipment works so well. My Energy-Onix ECO-10 has been on the air for around 10 years now and it's still going strong. My Bext STL and a Bext VJ-10,000 transmitter I installed for another station are pumping out the RF day in and day out.

I would also suggest the use of "consumer" audio gear to save hundreds or thousands more. I have a dual cassette deck in my control room which I bought off eBay for $35.00 a couple of years ago. I use a Stanton dual-CD player with a price tag of about $150. Radio Shack is my favorite store.

If you want a great automation system...talk with Smarts Broadcast Systems in Emmetsburg, Iowa. I'm on my third Smartcaster now...and the only reason I've replaced an older unit was a desire to upgrade to a newer model. The price is right and the support is excellent. My second Smartcaster is still in use at another station.

Don't be sucked in by glossy magazine ads and the advice of contract engineers who think you have to buy the highest priced gear. It's just not necessary.

HD Radio Is An Idea Whose Time Has Not Come!

I'm not a fan of HD radio technology and it makes absolutely no sense in a small market...it takes a long time recover $100,000 when you're selling spots for $5.00 each. Here's one of my many comments on this issue. Be sure to click on the link for more exciting reading!

"A little feedback on HD Radio"
"Is anyone surprised to see stations shutting off their HD signals (12/29/08 RBR #250)? It's a flawed technology designed only to line the pockets of iBiquity. We didn't have to pay Edison to use the incandescent light bulb...we bought the bulbs but didn't have to pay to use them."
Maynard Meyer, Chief Engineer/GM KLQP-FM Madison, Minnesota
http://www.rbr.com/features/viewpoints/12024.html

The Environmentalists Are Not Our Friends!

Here's a response I sent to MPR a while back concerning the need for new energy sources in this country. It's not directly about broadcasting but it IS about the fuel that runs our operations day in and day out. (Or maybe we should just be on the air when the sun shines or the wind blows!)


"Get ready for expensive electricity and blackouts! Alternative energy may give everyone a fuzzy, warm, "green" feeling but it cannot provide the amount of power required by the present and future population. If no new coal and nuclear plants are built we will soon be facing high costs and energy shortages on an unprecedented scale. [MPR News: Judge delivers setback to Big Stone II project] We will not see hundreds of community based generation systems spring up because they are too expensive and inefficient. Local communities, even with government subsidies, will not be able come up with the money. Local communities can't even come up with enough money to fix potholes in the street these days. If Big Stone II is not built this is the beginning of the end of a dependable supply of electricity. Keep your candles and flashlight handy. We have a 600 year supply of coal within the borders of the United States. To abandon it is sheer stupidity. Let's spend our energy research dollars on finding ways to burn coal cleaner instead of chasing windmills. "

This One's For The Birds!

Through May 29th the FCC is accepting comments on a petition by from the American Bird Conservancy, Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon society asking for expedited rulemaing on the effect of radio towers on migratory birds. Give me a break! When does the nonsense end? I have been in radio for over 40 years....much of the time spent wandering around underneath towers of varying heights. I have never, I repeat NEVER, seen a dead bird near a radio tower. This is, to quote the old bard himself, "Much ado about nothing". Furthermore, I read somewhere that the number of birds those groups are talking about is a percentage of one-percent of the total number of migratory birds. Besides, if we thin 'em out a bit they won't end up in the engines of airplanes. Some folks need to get a life.

Another Good Day in Small Town Radio!

A listener sold his pontoon boat thanks to our "Rummage Report" program...another one found the fencing material he was looking for. We also helped two lost dogs find a home. The only bad news is that we currently have seven obituaries in our local news.

What the #@$!! Were They Thinking!

The Supreme Court, as you probably know, just upheld a lower court ruling giving the FCC the ability to fine stations for "fleeting expletives". The vote was 5-4. Hopefully, it will go down if it gets back to them for a ruling on constitutionality. In the meantime, I'd better tell my sports guy to watch out. He was covering a town-team baseball game on a nice summer day when he said, "It's a beautiful day for a ball game, look at all those people shittin' under a tree over there!" I wonder what that one would have cost us?!! I still think it was funny.

Multi-Tasking Makes Radio Fun!

I do my own engineering at KLQP-FM, Madison-Dawson, Minnesota and I do the engineering for KSCR-KBMO in my hometown of Benson, Minnesota. I'm also president, general manager, news director, program director and sales rep at KLQP-FM. That's what I love about small market radio...you can do it all! Life is always interesting and fun. My hobby? You guessed it, radio, ham radio, that is. Here's the link to my amateur radio web site...take a look! http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/madisonmn/

Pending Localism Rulemaking

As you probably know, the FCC is currently formulating some new rules on localism. If you read my comments at the link on the previous post you will find that I am in agreement with many of their suggestions...including a requirement for at least some origination of programming from the city of license. I also agree with proposed rulemaking which would make it much more difficult to move a station from a small community to a larger city. I do, however, have a serious problem with the possibility of a requirement for 24 hour staffing. This would absolutely devastate small market radio service making it virtually impossible for a small station to provide 24 hour broadcast service.
Not so many years ago we shut the station down around 10:00 PM and came back on the air at 6:00 AM. That's what we will be doing again if the 24 hour staffing requirement is put in place.
The automated weather updates, hourly network news updates and automated EAS alerts which are all available to our listeners during the night time hours will all disappear. How that is supposed to improve local broadcast service is beyond my understanding.
If this requirement is put in place, I will be on the front lines fighting it....I hope a few other broadcasters will join me.

My Comments on Localism

In May of 2004 I was invited by the FCC to be a panelist at their hearing on localism which was held in Rapid City, South Dakota. My comments may be found in their entirety at the link posted below. I'm sure many broadcasters were not happy with me...but I call 'em like I see 'em and this is what I feel the same way today.

http://www.fcc.gov/localism/052604_docs/meyer_statement.pdf

Welcome To My Radio World!

Welcome to my blog! I have over 40 years of experience in small market rural radio, all in communites with a population of 5,000 or less. I have made a living in this environment and I have a lot of stories to tell....a lot of tips to pass along...which may be of use to others in this business. Come back often and see my story. Visit my station's web site at www.klqpfm.com if you want to see what I've been up to for the past 26 years since we put the operation on the air from the ground up.