Issuu

A tube vacuum?

Microwave

Cumulus vs. Nielsen

Their legal fight could affect the future of ratings.

Buyer’s Guide

Transmitters are in the spotlight! We feature products from 11 suppliers.

Radio competes in the digital stream

The spring NAB Show will explore monetization strategies for managers.

Vol. 50 No. 6 | March 11 2026

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CONTENT

Managing Director, Content & Editor in Chief Paul J. McLane, paul.mclane@futurenet.com, 845-414-6105

Content Producer Nick Langan, nicholas.langan@futurenet.com

Technical Advisors W.C. “Cris” Alexander, Thomas R. McGinley, Doug Irwin

Contributors: Michael Baldauf, David Bialik, John Bisset, Edwin Bukont, James Careless, Ken Deutsch, Todd Dixon, Mark Durenberger, Charles Fitch, Donna Halper, William Harrison, Alan Jurison, Paul Kaminski, John Kean, Mark Lapidus, James O’Neal, Jim Peck, Mark Persons, Jeremy Preece, John Schneider, Gregg Skall, Dan Slentz, Randy Stine, Tom Vernon, Chris Wygal

Production Manager Nicole Schilling

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Senior Art Editor Will Shum

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One less option

The deadline to purchase repaired Econco tubes is approaching

Paul McLane

Editor in Chief

An important source for rebuilt power tubes is going away.

Microwave Power Products plans to close operations at the former Econco facility in California, ending its program for rebuilding the tubes used in vacuum tube-type transmitters. Our Nick Langan reported this on the Radio World website last month.

MPP said operations at the Woodland manufacturing site will cease on Sept. 1 as it consolidates operations to Palo Alto. As part of the transition, the company will discontinue repair services for Econco Power Grid tubes, though it will continue to manufacture new tubes. (You can read the company’s announcement in its ad on page 25 of this issue.)

The move also ends Econco’s “bank” program, which allowed customers to store non-working power grid tubes at the Woodland facility to be rebuilt and made available for future purchase.

The deadline to purchase repaired Econco Power Grid tubes is May 12 at close of business. According to the release, failure to confirm a purchase or request the return of non-working tubes by that date will be treated as consent for MPP to dispose of property remaining in the Bank program.

According to a timeline on MPP’s website, Econco was founded in 1968 and held the first contracts awarded by the U.S. government and the U.S. Navy to remanufacture microwave devices, twice receiving the Navy’s Award for Excellence.

Communications & Power Industries acquired Econco in 2004. In June 2024, Microwave Power Products Inc. and the CPI Electron Device Business spun off from CPI to become an independent entity.

Dwindling options

As Nick wrote in his story, the development is significant for stations using transmitters that require tubes such as the EIMAC 4CX20000E.

“Several readers have expressed concern regarding the dwindling number of companies offering rebuilt power tubes, which provide a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new tubes, or a solid-state transmitter,” he wrote.

Massachusetts-based Kennetron advertises vacuum tube rebuilds. And some readers have inquired about options on Alibaba, including those from Chinese manufacturer Jingguang, though some expressed concerns about sourcing from China including reliability and import tariffs.

Dave Morgan is the director of engineering at Sinclair Telecable in the Hampton Roads region of southeast Virginia. Among his properties are two AM sites using tube-type transmitters and a Gates/Harris FM model (which our own John Bisset sold him some 27 years ago).

“These are excellent transmitters when properly operated, maintained and understood,” Morgan told us.

The Econco closure, Morgan said, was a major development.

Vacuum power tube technology is proven and still somewhat reliable, he said, though less efficient than solidstate. He has observed over the years that Gates/Harris, Collins/Continental and Broadcast Electronics built their tube transmitters to last.

Morgan acknowledged that some engineers have reported quality control or lifespan issues from rebuilders in recent years.

“I understand that the power tube rebuilders and manufacturers might be having a harder time nowadays sourcing elements like tungsten and thorium,” he said.

But Morgan’s Sinclair properties — no relation to the large Sinclair Broadcast Group — have had no significant problems with rebuilt tubes over the decades.

His stations follow the rebuilder’s break-in procedures to the letter, paying close attention to filament voltages, aiming for proper tuning, monitoring stack temperatures

“Like everything else after 2020, the costs for tube rebuilding shot up,” Morgan told Nick. As a result, the cost for brand-new tubes followed suit.

Jim Shelden, chief engineer of a six-station cluster in Bozeman, Mont., and operator of Sweetgrass Engineering, agreed that the plant closure is a “serious issue.”

Shelden said he has two 4CX15000As on the shelf that need to be rebuilt. He opted for a new Eimac tube in one of his cluster’s transmitters, but at the cost of $5,200 each, he said it was a tough pill to swallow.

“Our highest-billing station runs a Continental Electronics 816R-2C at 20 kW,” Shelden told Nick. “The Continental has been very reliable and we have no intention of replacing it — particularly when comparing the cost of a new solidstate transmitter.”

Longtime Bay Area engineer Bill Ruck, who performs maintenance for the historic maritime coastal radio station KPH, said the station relies on vintage transmitters, most of which use ceramic power tubes. Because it is a National Park Service Historic Site, the station is unable to switch to solid-state.

“We do have a few spare tubes, but without Econco, at some point we won’t be able to make RF,” Ruck said.

To read Nick’s two stories on this topic including

Writer Paul McLane Editor in Chief

Radio managers navigate the rivers of digital

NAB Show aims to provide paths to monetization

Artificial intelligence, streaming, virtualization, sports and the creator economy are major broad-brush themes across the NAB Show schedule this year.

We asked several industry businesspeople to comment on topics of interest specifically to radio managers. Next issue we’ll preview technical sessions.

Radical impact

“The most important challenge facing broadcasters is how to hitch their stars to AI,” said Gordon Borrell, CEO of research firm Borrell Associations.

“It’s clear — to me at least — that AI is about to deliver a tectonic shift akin to what the internet did to digital distribution. Only this time I don’t think the frog in the frying pan will boil to death as slowly.”

He says we must remember that these are still the early days of AI.

“You can liken it to the early days of the internet, the late 1990s. Over 30 years the internet collapsed the barriers to

entry for anyone wanting to be a media mogul. You didn’t need an FCC license or a multimillion-dollar printing press to build up an audience of millions.”

He believes AI will have the same radical effect on business models for radio, not only for content but for advertising.

“I wish I could predict how it will play out and over what period of time. But I’d bet it’ll be a lot less than 30 years.”

He also wants to raise awareness that AI engines appear to be biased against radio and to explore ways to address that trend.

As to the revenue front for commercial U.S. revenue, Borrell recently produced a report for the Radio Advertising Bureau, concluding that digital ad revenue is playing an important role in stabilizing overall industry sales.

But those overall sales are down markedly from 15 or 20 years ago. What are the obstacles to returning to largescale growth in revenue?

“The biggest is the lack of investment, especially for the smaller, family-run or privately owned groups,” he replied.

Francesco Carta fotografo/Getty Images

“When disruptive innovation occurs in a marketplace, you can’t grow the enterprise anymore by plowing nearly all your resources into saving the old business. The growing part is where the resources need to be invested. Meanwhile, the ‘core’ business is tanking and doesn’t typically spin off enough profit to sufficiently fund the growing part.”

Borrell will participate in a Tuesday afternoon session in the Broadcast Management & Monetization Conference called “The Local Advertising Buying Landscape.” Speakers from RAB and Marketron also will take part.

Competitive handicap?

Said David Oxenford, partner in the law firm Wilkinson Barker Knauer, “The biggest challenge is the radically different marketplace in which radio now competes. Each year, digital and other media competitors grow in their audience and reach in advertising markets, and broadcasters are each year feeling the effects of that competition more and more.”

He said the number one issue is changing the local broadcast ownership rules to reflect the realities of 2026. The FCC is considering that as part of its quadrennial rule review.

“Broadcasters are the only ones in the media industry constrained in their growth by FCC rules that limit their reach even in their own markets. These restrictions need to change so that radio can fully compete with digital and other media.”

Oxenford will participate in a panel about artificial intelligence at the Small and Medium Market Radio Forum on Sunday afternoon.

“AI will affect everything from programming to accounting to sales to strategic planning,” he said.

“While AI may help broadcasters identify legal issues, I sure hope that broadcasters do not forget about their lawyers — not only for my

business, but also because the AI legal research that I do does not always give the correct answers. After 40 years of legal practice, I can spot the errors, but I’m not sure that a broadcaster will be able to.”

John Wordock, a business reporter and multimedia journalist at WTOP in Washington, will moderate a session called “Hot Digital Trends: What to Know About Video, Podcasts and AI,” taking place on Tuesday afternoon.

Joining Wordock will be Andy Slater, head of partnerships at ART19, Amazon’s podcast hosting and monetization platform.

“YouTube will likely dominate the discussion since it’s a major disruptor right now,” Wordock said.

“Radio broadcast companies need to embrace these multimedia trends, and we will have recommendations on how to do so.”

Wordock said radio companies are under enormous pressure to recruit new listeners when people only have so

“It’s clear — to me at least — that AI is about to deliver a tectonic shift akin to what the internet did to digital distribution.

much time to consume content.

“Rapidly evolving technology is spitting out short-form content in what feels like a non-stop stream. So radio needs to figure out how to tap into that stream, remain part of someone’s day, and stay relevant.”

He said WTOP is using AI to help with the journalism process, using tools like Collaborator.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve our journalism, but we are always making the content, not the AI. There’s always a journalist involved. Someone is there at the start. Someone is there at the end.”

During the convention Wordock plans to check out the Creator Lab, which returns for a third year and will be in the Central Hall. This year it will include a dedicated classroom, theater, recording space and exhibitor activations.

Left

Gordon Borrell

Right

John Wordock

“Last year that was a major highlight for me. I really enjoyed talking with executives from companies who are on the frontlines of the creator economy. The Creator Lab seemed to be a hotbed for video and AI, so I look forward to seeing which companies stand out this year.”

Skillsets in demand

The Small and Medium Market Radio Forum will take place on Sunday, a day later than in the past. In addition to AI, topics will include podcasting, high school sports, digital

changing landscape of competition. We now have to manage that and best serve our advertising clients.”

This is not just true for sales.

“Our other teams need to be widely versed in a variety of skillsets, from production to news. We are no longer just broadcast radio. We need to be every place that our friends, fans and followers want to consume us and in a way that extends our brands.”

Koehn said many of her company’s ad clients are using AI to research and define marketing plans with information that may or may not be factually correct.

“As broadcasters and marketers, we need to constantly be putting factual information about broadcast radio into the ecosystem so that the information generated through AI searches is accurate.”

She believes smaller-market broadcasters can confidently compete in the digital arena.

“We just have to remember that we need to be hiring for many skillsets. That said, if smaller companies cannot invest in local teams to create content and facilitate advertising client integration into digital platforms, there are many white-label companies that can help create what is needed without the capital investment needed to hire to build out complete digital departments within those companies.”

Koehn added that her company’s radio product is

“If smaller companies cannot invest in local teams to create content and facilitate advertising client integration into digital platforms, there are many white-label companies that can help …

ad/sales success and reaching a community with events and social.

Julie Koehn, who leads Lenawee Broadcasting Co. and Southeast Michigan Media, is facilitating the forum.

“I was just in conversation with a broadcast colleague this week about the how the skillsets are changing for our sales and marketing teams,” she said.

“In our company, just a few years ago we were just selling one radio station. We now sell four stations, a host of digital products including websites, newsletters and online contesting, and our online TV station. Our teams need to know more about many products and services and about the ever-

performing very well. “Radio is vital to the media mix model, driving search and reaching a widely diverse audience.”

More sample sessions

• “Beyond Search: How Broadcasters Can Win or Lose in AI-Powered Search” — This session of the Broadcast Management & Monetization Conference takes place Monday afternoon. What does AI know about your station and your ad clients? How can you be sure the large language models reflect the value of your local marketing assets?

• “Improving the Listener Experience” — A session moderated by Mike McVay explores “how audience data and real-world insights can drive smarter content and stronger listener connections. Panelists will share practical ideas for using research, programming strategy,

Left

Julie Koehn

Right

David Oxenford

and innovation to better serve today’s audiences and build loyalty across platforms.”

• “Election 2026: Capturing Radio’s Political Ad Opportunity in the Midterms” — This talk takes place Monday afternoon in the TV and Radio HQ Theater, booth C2450 of the Central Hall. “The 2024 political cycle generated $11 billion in ad spend, yet radio captured minimal share,” organizers wrote. “With 2026 midterms approaching, this panel reveals actionable strategies for how broadcasters can position themselves and capture meaningful political advertising revenue with an emphasis on how to leverage local political races and opportunities that already position radio for 2028.”

• “Beyond the Firewall: Protecting the Next Generation of Media Assets” — Tuesday morning in the afternoon in the TV and Radio HQ Theater, this talk explains that as the industry migrates from on-prem hardware to decentralized cloud environments, the traditional firewall is no longer enough to keep your assets safe.” Modern media workflows involve globally distributed teams, third-party vendors and automated AI tools, all of which introduce new vulnerabilities for leaks, ransomware and IP theft.”

• “Improving AM Coverage and the Future of Digital Radio Listening” — NAB Vice President, Advanced Engineering David Layer gives an update on NRSC research exploring AM single-frequency networks to strengthen reception and expand coverage, “plus what today’s hybrid deployments reveal about metadata and user experience.” It’s Tuesday afternoon in the TV and Radio HQ Theater.

NAB Show

Radio — the New Boutique Business?

This session in the TV and Radio HQ Theater on the Central Hall exhibit floor makes the case that owning a radio station is a great fit for Gen-X and Millennial professionals.

“People my age are looking for an opportunity to do something outstanding in their communities,” said Dr. Andy Gladding.

“They’re investing in traditional small business, their buying farms, opening retail establishments and generally looking for an opportunity to succeed while having the power to have an impact at the community level and create lasting interpersonal business relationships.” As many tire of urban living and are looking for a change, this DMA is heading for more suburban and exurban locations.

“For media professionals who are competent with and trained in major market workflows and understand how to market local business, radio can be a perfect for personal satisfaction and growth.”

Gladding, a radio engineer with Salem Media Network and an educator at Hofstra University, acquired WKZE(FM) in Red Hook, N.Y. with his wife Katie.

The session will explore the barriers to entry to station ownership, tips for creating community engagement and the importance of having guidance and mentoring from others.

Gladding discusses the experience with fellow engineer and station owner Bud Williamson and Radio World’s Paul McLane. The session will feature a presentation of the Radio World Excellence in Engineering Award to Andy Gladding.

It’s on Sunday April 19 at 3 p.m. in C2450, the TV and Radio HQ Theater.

NAB Highlights “TV and Radio HQ”

The TV and Radio HQ will be on the Central Hall exhibit floor this year, just inside the west doors facing the Silver Lot, Vegas Loop station and monorail tracks. It had been in West Hall for several years.

It will feature a concentration of relevant exhibit booths; an HQ Theater, with “quick-hit, entertaining sessions and live conversations”; and the NAB Member Lounge, including networking events.

A workforce development program will explore how “AI, shifting talent models and emerging workforce trends are reshaping organizational strategy.”

The overhaul and expansion of the LVCC campus began with the $1 billion West Hall

in 2021. The $600 million renovation of the legacy campus was completed in January.

Central Hall has a new Grand Lobby with glass curtain wall and a lot of natural light. A large digital screen anchors that space.

There’s an interior concourse between the North and South Halls that eases movement (South Hall is not part of the show this year). The facing of the buildings now matches the design of the West Hall.

The renovated entrance to the Central Hall, left.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

John Bisset

CPBE

The author is in his 35th year of writing Workbench. He handles western U.S. radio sales for the Telos Alliance and is a past recipient of the SBE’s Educator of the Year Award.

Send your tips Workbench submissions are encouraged and qualify for SBE recertification credit. Email johnpbisset@ gmail.com.

Turn your phone into a barcode scanner

Also, here’s a simple way to keep light switches from being flipped

Alongtime consulting engineer who now works for the federal government saw our discussion of mnemonics for remembering the resistor color code. He shares one he learned in college. It goes “Budweiser Beer Rots Our Young Gut, But Vodka Goes Well.” Hey, whatever works!

Barcode Lookup

I was chatting with some colleagues recently and we all agreed that the smartphone may well be the best invention for engineers of modern times. These apps do pretty much everything.

Paul Sagi just told me about an app called Barcode Lookup that turns your phone into a barcode scanner. It contains 1.6 billion codes.

The app is available on the Apple and Google app stores. And to learn more about this simple but fascinating tool visit www.barcodelookup.com.

Broadcast manuals

How about a stroll down memory lane? Frank Hertel, principal engineer with Hertel Engineering, told us about a great page that has many old equipment manuals and catalogs.

The page is part of the invaluable WorldRadioHistory site run by David Gleason. Visit www.worldradiohistory.com, click Technical & Electronics on the top menu, and scroll to “Catalogs of Equipment Manufacturers.”

Above Barcode Lookup turns your phone into a barcode scanner.

Let’s say you spot a product at the hardware store but want to know more about it or compare prices from other sources. Open this app on your phone to scan or plug in the UPC number. You will see descriptions, images, online stores, reviews and other useful information. You can also store the results.

The platform contains five barcode types known as Global Trade Item Numbers. They include UPC, EAN, ISBN, JAN and ITF-14.

It’s fun to peruse, say, a catalog of equipment from Bradley Broadcast from the 1990s (several of which were edited and co-designed by our editor Paul McLane in his previous job), or to read a manual for AEL transmitters, or look over documentation about a Tapecaster cart machine.

Do you miss names like McMartin, Allied Broadcast, PR&E or Schaefer? Get ready to go down the rabbit hole.

Priceless data sheet

We’ve mentioned in the past that the audio performance of old Western Electric transformers, many of which were

used for equalized remote service, makes them a keeper.

San Francisco projects engineer Bill Weeks shares a data sheet from 1958. It identifies the transformer type (first column) and the operating specs in subsequent columns.

This is too small to read here so we’ve posted it and you can download it as a PDF. Go to https://tinyurl.com/ rw-WE-chart.

Archie’s site tips

Recently Dale Lamm shared a list of things to do before leaving a transmitter site. We asked for more ideas.

Archie Simpson responded with these:

• Are AM ATUs at each tower base closed and locked?

• Are the tower fences closed and locked?

• Is the generator fenced in and locked?

• Is the satellite dish fenced in and locked?

• Have the computer monitors been turned off?

• Have all non-security lights been shut off?

And finally, one that can easily forgotten easily at 3:20 a.m.: Is the alarm turned on and the remote control not left in “local” mode?

Air conditioning caution

With warmer weather coming for most of our readers, Florida-based engineer Don Browne reminds us also to keep an eye on the air conditioning at the transmitter site.

Check the air outlet and intake, and determine the difference in temperatures. Depending on outside conditions, the difference should be around 15 to 20 degrees F.

Air conditioning systems generally can be expected to only cool to about 20 degrees below the outside air temperature. But if the system isn’t cooling efficiently, act before you have a problem.

Lights, camera ... no, LIGHTS!

My former Telos colleague Kirk Harnack has joined the technical staff of Josh Bohn’s company MaxxKonnect.

Kirk also is a broadcaster and installed color WiFi cameras at his transmitter sites. He intentionally leaves on the LED overhead lights for best visibility. But sometimes

Above This data sheet from the late 1950s identifies various transformers manufactured by Western Electric. Download at https://tinyurl.com/ rw-WE-chart

Right

Use a cable clamp to prevent yourself and others from turning off light switches accidentally.

people turn a light switch off, impairing the use of the cameras.

To prevent that, he installs cable clamps. When someone really wants to turn the switch off they can do it with a screwdriver.

Kirk is always ready with a good tip. He learned this one from broadcast engineer Ray Vaughn.

Transmitters

About Buyer’s Guide

The Buyer’s Guide section appears in every other issue, focusing on a particular category of equipment and services. It is intended to help buyers know what’s on the market and gain insight into how their peers are using such products.

LECOM Radio deploys Ecreso

New FM AiO Series 2 kW transmitter supports a simulcast in southwest Florida

LECOM Radio has deployed a new Ecreso FM AiO Series 2 kW transmitter at station WVIJ in Port Charlotte, Fla., part of a five-station simulcast of WSRQ Sarasota, serving southwest Florida.

The installation marks a significant milestone as the first Ecreso 2 kW AiO transmitter on air in the Americas, reinforcing LECOM Radio’s commitment to modern, efficient and highly integrated broadcast infrastructure.

The 2 kW model completes the Ecreso FM AiO Series power range, joining the 100 W, 300 W, 600 W and 1 kW versions. Designed as am integrated, software-defined platform, the transmitter combines multiple broadcast functions into a compact 3RU, 50-pound chassis, dramatically reducing footprint, external equipment and overall system complexity while delivering outstanding on-air sound quality.

Writer Hal Kneller Director of Engineering

LECOM Radio

The author with the new transmitter.

LECOM Radio deliberately waited for the AiO version of the 2 kW model, receiving one of the first units from the second production run. This timing proved advantageous, as several refinements were incorporated following the initial rollout.

Prior to delivery, the transmitter was tested and licensed at WorldCast Systems’ Miami facility, where the Extreme software package was enabled and verified before installation.

The Extreme bundle activates the full feature set including a built-in five-band audio processor, AoIP decoder compatible with APTmpX and uncompressed PCM, AES192 MPX inputs, integrated RDS/RBDS encoder, stereo generator, surge protection and an extended 10-year warranty.

Importantly, the AiO platform allows broadcasters to upgrade functionality at any time via simple software licensing, with no hardware changes.

Replacing a 2005-era solid-state transmitter of the same power level, the Ecreso unit delivers dramatically improved performance at a fraction of the size and cost.

Efficiency has been particularly impressive, with measured performance of 83 percent PA efficiency and 95 percent power supply efficiency, translating into reduced operating costs and thermal load. Maintenance is simplified through front-access fan and power supply replacement, and excellent internal access for modules and boards.

Installation was straightforward, completed by two people. The system is fed via AES192 over the public internet, using dual ISPs for redundancy, with additional PCM and analog audio paths configured as backups.

Monitoring and control are handled through the intuitive web-based GUI, complemented by SNMP support and GPIO integration with LECOM Radio’s Burk remote control system.

Technical support from WorldCast Systems’ Miami team proved responsive and knowledgeable, with local inventory of spare parts and repair capabilities ensuring long-term operational confidence.

After several weeks on air, the Ecreso FM AiO Series 2kW has exceeded expectations. Its combination of efficiency, integration sound quality, and software-driven flexibility positions it as a compelling solution for broadcasters seeking a future-proof FM transmission platform. I believe we will have many years of excellent service from this new 2kW AiO series transmitter.

Prairie Winds Broadcasting upgrades with Nautel

Regional group nears completion of a long-term fleet upgrade

Prairie Winds is a regional broadcasting group with stations covering the Dakotas and western Minnesota.

“I’m the president, GM and owner, which means I also change filters, mow, shovel and make the coffee,” said Brian Lundquist, owner of Hub City Radio and Big Stone Broadcasting.

“We have a very capable chief engineer, Don Brintnall, who handles our transmitters, among other duties.”

Over a dozen years, the company has been migrating its stations to Nautel transmitters, starting with an NV20 in 2012.

“We now have FM NVLT, VX, VS and GV units, and AM NX and J1000 transmitters, and upgraded an NV15 to a GV20.”

A pending order with Broadcast Supply Worldwide for two more NVLT 20s will equip KGIM-FM and KNBZ(FM) in Aberdeen, S.D. With the latest order, Prairie Winds will raise its total to 16 Nautel units.

“Installing Nautel transmitters has been, overall, a smooth process. One of our most challenging installs was difficult only because it was hard to get the old tube-type transmitters out of the way! They are much bigger and heavier than the new Nautel units.”

Another installation had them scratching their heads over rack space, but it could be solved more easily with the spaceefficient designs.

“We love our Nautel units. They are easy to use, low maintenance, extremely efficient and have outstanding reliability. We are also impressed with Nautel customer service. They’re always there

whenever we have a question. With our most recent purchase, we are

almost 100 percent Nautel … only one more station to go.”

Brian Lundquist, left, and Chief Engineer Don Brintnall in a room loaded with Nautel transmitters.

Tech Update

Broadcast Electronics

Introduces ECU+

ECU+ is an updated control system that comes in new BE AM transmitters and is a “simple yet cost-effective upgrade” to existing A series units.

The ECU+ includes an updated front-panel user interface with LCD display and browser-based HTML5 graphical user interface for control and monitoring of the transmitter anywhere in the world.

“Extensive TCP/IP network connectivity via integrated RJ-45 connection allows the transmitter to be securely connected to any IP network,” BE states.

SNMP v3 interface provides simple streamlined connectivity to modern remote-control systems, eliminating time-consuming wiring.

“The integrated scheduling function is ideally suited to automate power changes based on time-of-day criteria.”

ECU+ provides an event log that captures transmitter-related activities, operations and faults and stores the 500 most recent activities. This allows for detailed diagnostics and simplified routine maintenance.

Info: www.bdcast.com

K-LOVE embraces efficiency with GatesAir

Network plans to retire most tube transmitters by next year

Deep into its migration from tube transmitters, K-LOVE Radio is gaining early returns from modern solid-state FM technology from GatesAir.

Recent upgrades at stations in Billings, Mont., and Tremonton, Utah, highlight how modern transmitter design can deliver measurable operational, sonic and business benefits.

In January, K-LOVE installed a new GatesAir Flexiva GX FM transmitter at KLRV(FM) in Billings, replacing a rack-hungry system. Shortly thereafter, a Flexiva FAX FM and HD Radioready transmitter was installed at KNKL(FM), replacing an aging tube transmitter and dramatically modernizing an RF site that covers listeners Salt Lake Valley and north to near the Idaho border.

“These are the first solid-state GatesAir transmitters we’ve deployed in this part of the K-LOVE network,” said Ron Huckeby, field engineer for Montana and Wyoming.

“It’s part of a broader transition. The goal is to retire almost all tube transmitters by 2027.”

Physical footprint and operating efficiency were major drivers at KLRV. The Flexiva GX5K’s compact, rack-mounted design allowed engineers to reclaim significant rack space while avoiding increased lease costs.

“The GX is about a third of the size of the transmitter it replaced,” Huckeby said. “That power-to-size ratio is impressive and it’s very lightweight. One person can lift a 10 kW unit before adding power supplies.”

At KNKL, the benefits were audible, Huckeby said. The new Flexiva FAX10 transmitter replaced a tube-based system that relied on older excitation technology.

“The transmitter and exciter cleaned up the audio considerably,” Huckeby said. “The adjacent modulation monitor data told the story right away: cleaner baseband, better stereo performance, and less distortion.”

Beyond sound quality, Huckeby points to reliability and maintenance as key advantages. Solid-state architecture minimizes catastrophic failures, while modular PA design and off-the-shelf power supplies simplify service.

“Unless it’s an exciter failure, most solid-state issues won’t take you completely off the air,” he said.

Huckeby praised the Flexiva GUI, calling it intuitive and well-suited to today’s IT-centric engineering environment.

“The interface is user-friendly and outshines competitive solid-state GUI designs,” he said.

Assisting the transition is GatesAir channel partner SCMS, which provided sales and pre-installation support. “Our

representative Doug Tharp answers his phone,” Huckeby said. “He is attentive and understands the business of transmission.”

The K-LOVE upgrades mark a step toward greater efficiency, improved audio performance and a future-ready RF infrastructure without the operational burdens of tube technology.

“One person can lift a 10 kW unit before adding power supplies.

Mike Huckeby and Micah Pace with the FAX 10K at KNKL.

Bext does the job in harsh Colorado climate

An FM startup deploys the XL 3000 transmitter to weather the weather

ScarboroughRadio’s

KFII(FM) is a start-up Class A station in Hugo, Colo., that came about via FCC Auction 109 in 2021.

It is a classic hits station that provides coverage of an area southeast of Denver, stretching from the Colorado Springs-Falcon area to Stratton along I-70.

At first owner Scott Scarborough used an older Armstrong tube transmitter but says he had issues including a plate voltage transformer failure. “The station stayed on, but it would frequently fail.”

He decided to buy a new transmitter and shopped for a year, looking for a model suitable for reliable operation in Colorado’s drastic weather swings.

That climate has proven a challenge. Scarborough said he has relied on retired engineer Ray Ubrecken, Hugo resident and shopkeeper Fred Lundy, engineer Vlad Fomitchev and contract engineer Kit Haskins to help with problems involving internet, coaxial line and the tower structure.

Also, this transmitter site is at the base of Flagler Cooperative’s grain elevator, adding an extra layer of dust.

ScarboroughRadio chose a Bext XL 3000 purchased from Technical Account Executive Colin Courtney.

“The transmitter was powered on within two hours,” Scarborough said.

“It comes with a 7/8 inch-flange and a very nice AC power harness. You can get RDS as a paid option. The manual is shipped on a jump drive. As most

manufacturers recommend, save the box if it needs to be returned.”

The model is available with an optional multiband audio processor. Other options include AES-EBU digital audio input, Dynamic RDS/RBDS encoder, AoIP and SNMP2.

Scarborough said he has directed his sales team to fund the purchase of another XL 3000 as a spare.

The unit comes with a two-year warranty, with longer coverage available as an option.

Scott Scarborough said he would like FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to explore a possible A-10 power increase.

“At 92.3, KFII(FM) could go up to 10 kW without interference. The station could ask to become a 6 kW Class A or consider a Class B power increase.”

Tech Update

AAT Highlights

TXN FM Family

American Amplifier Technologies offers the TXN line of FM transmitters, available in a lower-power range, with levels from 100 watts to 6 kilowatts, and a high-power line, ranging from 10,000 to 60,000 watts.

Both share +/- 1 kHz stability and can operate with FM, FM+HD, HD only and DRM. Their power requirements allow for single- or three-phase operation, which the company notes is rare in higher-power transmitters.

“American Amplifier Technologies includes features such as hot-swappable power supply units to deliver world-class usability. These features underline the on-air reliability of the TXN line of transmitters and allow servicing without disrupting programming,” it said.

The high-power line operates with PA efficiency exceeding 78%, keeping operating costs low.

Other features include advanced monitoring capabilities, including the DC pallet voltage for each amplifier module. Connecting via Ethernet or by remote port allows both traditional and current remotecontrol connectivity.

“Pairing these transmitters with American Amplifier’s EmPower Controller can even put transmitter access in your pocket via mobilefirst technologies.”

The company offers turnkey solutions to RF needs including antennas, coax, filters and microwave.

Info: www.americanamptech.com

Update

BW Broadcast Offers V3 Lineup for FMs

BW Broadcast’s flagship transmitter range is the V3 family for FM environments.

The company promises “professional-grade performance while remaining financially sensible and practical to deploy.”

The V3 line combines built-in four-band audio processing, RDS and web-based remote control.

BW products are designed and manufactured in the UK, “from initial concept through to final assembly and testing,” which the company backs with a five-year warranty.

BW’s also offers Encore audio processors for refining, levelling, rebroadcasting or monitoring applications.

BW said its equipment “is on air in more than 100 countries,

Tech Update

RFE FM Monitor Supports Smart Operations

“For small and medium-sized broadcasters, technical excellence must go hand in hand with operational control.”

So says RFE Broadcast, which has developed the RM500 FM Radio Monitor in collaboration with Inovonics.

“In today’s environment of lean engineering teams and distributed transmission sites, the ability to remotely verify signal integrity is essential.”

supporting everything from community radio to large commercial, government/military and public broadcasters.” It has dealers in 30 countries.

In the United States, BW works with Progressive Concepts, its exclusive authorized dealer and repair center.

BW added that it is preparing to introduce its next major range. “Intentionally skipping a generation, V5 represents a step change in design philosophy rather than an incremental update.”

BW and Progressive Concepts will be in Booth C2357 of the NAB Show.

Info: www.bwbroadcast.com

It says the RM500 provides full-time off-air monitoring with analog and AES3-digital outputs, along with streaming capability for up to 10 simultaneous remote listeners.

Engineers can check audio quality, RF parameters and station performance from anywhere via an intuitive web interface.

Programmable alarms for audio loss, low signal, RDS errors and pilot loss trigger alerts via GPO, email or SMS. Features such as StationRotation automate multi-frequency supervision, while the

integrated BandScanner provides instant visualization of the FM spectrum, strengthening transmitter and STL backup confidence.

It is housed in a 1U rackmount chassis with OLED display and onboard speakers. “The RM500 delivers advanced monitoring performance in a space-efficient format that integrates easily into existing infrastructures.”

Info: www.rfebroadcast.com

Tech Update Translation Solutions From Progressive Concepts

Progressive Concepts notes that it has decades of experience helping U.S. broadcasters create translator networks.

“A core part of Progressive’s current translator strategy is BW Broadcast’s V3 platform, including the TR150, TR300, TR600 and TR1000 models,” it states.

“These systems provide one of the leading single-box FM translator solutions on the market, integrating RF transmission, audio processing, monitoring and remote control within a single compact platform.”

The approach reduces external dependencies, minimizes failure points and enables proactive remote management.

“Features such as web-based control, SNMP monitoring, comprehensive alarms and audio failover allow engineers to maintain full visibility across distributed sites,” it states. Shown is a display on a TR model.

Progressive is BW’s exclusive U.S. partner. It provides local commissioning, technical support and factory-approved servicing. The Progressive Concepts portfolio includes FM transmitters, audio processors and complementary broadcast equipment, all of which now come with a five-year warranty.

Info: https://progressive-concepts.com

Tech Update

RadioSource GtX.100 Is Frequency Agile

Information Station Specialists, which uses the tag line “The RadioSource,” now offers the GtX.100 AM transmitter.

It is capable of mono or stereo operation and it is frequency-agile in a range that spans the AM band from 530–1700 kHz in steps of 1 kHz.

Occupying three rack units, the GtX.100 can be controlled via an on-screen menu or remotely. It can operate manually on an internal scheduler.

“The GtX.100 audio quality is superb, making it an excellent choice for a variety of temporary broadcast applications,” the company states.

Info: https://theradiosource.com

Tech Update

OMB Has Compact 4 kW FM Transmitter

The latest offering from OMB is its 4 KW FM Transmitter.

The company highlights its efficiency, saying it “achieves significant energy savings with a typical AC efficiency greater than 73% and a typical RF efficiency of 84%.”

The transmitter comes with features including an integrated stereo generator, RDS encoder, web server/SNMP telemetry and AES/EBU digital audio input.

Automatic Night Power Reduction (ANPR) optimizes power consumption during offpeak hours.

A robust telemetry package provides digital remote control, RS-232 monitoring and memory

recording of events for proactive maintenance and compliance. For redundancy the transmitter has four independent 1200W amplifying modules.

Info: https://omb.com

WHO’S BUYING WHAT

Nautel said that Hutton Broadcasting purchased an NV20LT transmitter for FM station KQBA in Los Alamos, N.M.

Hutton has previously installed Nautel transmitters at several FM stations and translators.

Austin Burch, shown, is director of engineering. Hutton used Nautel finance partner Navitas. …

The public relations department of Thai Government Radio has installed Orban Labs’ Optimod 5950 Digital Audio processors. The department operates Radio Thailand, its public broadcasting arm.

The network includes six FM national stations, which have been receiving processing upgrades. JAA Systems, based in Malaysia, as well as the Bangkok-based Broadcast and Studio Co., Ltd., assisted with the installations. …

ESPN Brazil used an AEQ Olympia 3 commentary system in covering the NBA Finals last June. The system was integrated by LineUP.

“ESPN had already worked with AEQ solutions at major international sporting events, such as the one held in Rio in 2016,” AEQ said in a release. “The experience gained in that context has served as the basis for standardizing its operations with the Olympia 3 system.” …

Sound agency TM Studios collaborated with Westwood One Sports to produce new imaging for the network’s new 24/7 national sports channel.

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One and Audacy rebranded the Infinity Sports Network as Westwood One Sports in December. It’s an extension of the partnership between the companies that began with the launch of CBS Sports Radio in 2012. The imaging package features a variety of contemporary show opens and beds anchored by a four-note signature. According to a release, the “sonic identity” blends elements of hip-hop, EDM and pop. …

Send news for Who’s Buying What coverage to radioworld@ futurenet.com.

AEQ Olympia 3

Austin Burch

Writer

Jerry Del Colliano Publisher Inside Music Media

Who’s winning, Nielsen or Cumulus?

Why are these two financially ailing companies even suing each other?

Radio World has been following the legal battle over radio research data between Nielsen and Cumulus Media.

Here, Jerry Del Colliano summarizes the latest developments and what they mean. The author is publisher of Inside Music Media, where this commentary first appeared.

An appeals court in February stayed the previous injunction, allowing Nielsen to continue enforcing its bundled ratings policies while the legal battle proceeds.

This ruling is a major strategic shift in how power is balanced between broadcasters and data providers. There are major implications for Cumulus, the radio industry and their leading ratings company.

Between the lines

Nielsen regains its “leverage” — Nielsen can resume its Network Policy.

Before this stay, a judge told Nielsen they couldn’t force Cumulus to buy local ratings just to get national ones. Now that restriction is gone. Nielsen can once again tell broadcasters: “If you want our national data, you have to pay for our local data in every market you’re in.”

The “Swiss Cheese” threat is paused — Nielsen argued that without this policy, their national data would become like “Swiss cheese,” full of holes where broadcasters refused to pay for local tracking. They even threatened to retire the “Nationwide” product entirely rather than sell a version that was incomplete.

For now the “gold standard” of radio measurement is safe from being discontinued, but it remains tied to Nielsen’s pricing demands.

A blow to competitors like Eastlan — Cumulus reportedly wanted to use Eastlan Ratings for its local markets while keeping Nielsen for national reach (Westwood One). This stay effectively shuts the door on “mixing and matching” for the time being, making it much harder for smaller ratings companies to gain a foothold in markets where Nielsenowned broadcasters are now forced back into the Nielsen ecosystem.

Status quo is the new reality — In legal terms, a “stay pending appeal” is a way for the court to keep things exactly as they were before the lawsuit started. The court isn’t saying Nielsen is “right” yet; they are saying that changing the industry’s billing structure while the case is still being fought would cause too much “irreparable” harm to Nielsen’s business model.

High stakes for negotiations — Cumulus and Nielsen are currently in a period of intense contract negotiations for 2026. With the injunction lifted, Cumulus has lost its biggest bargaining chip. They are back at the negotiating table facing Nielsen’s full market power. They can no longer point to a court order to demand “reasonable standalone pricing.”

Meanwhile we’ve confirmed that some Cumulus markets are no longer allowed to use Nielsen ratings — they have reportedly been told not to discuss it with anyone, driven by the lawsuit in progress.

What it means

No Nielsens will definitely not help Cumulus with Q1/Q2 sales. Nielsen’s revenue has been declining, begging the question why are these two financially ailing companies even suing each other.

Cumulus is likely headed to bankruptcy again after exiting their first bankruptcy in 2022. Nielsen has been crushed by roughly $11 billion in debt, with interest payments alone costing the company over $900 million annually.

Nielsen has been aggressively raising prices and enforcing strict licensing bundles — the very tactics at the heart of the Cumulus lawsuit — as it desperately tries to stabilize its cash flow and prove to its private equity owners that its measurement monopoly is still profitable.

The bottom line: This is a high-stakes “mutually assured destruction.”

Subscribe to the author’s daily newsletter at https:// insidemusicmedia.com.

Leonardo Munoz / AFP via Getty Images

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The District Court for the Southern District of New York is in the Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York City.

Bring radio home

Regarding the article “NAB Says EAS Improvements Should Preserve Current System”

(http://radioworld.com): I think everyone is missing the bigger issue.

The NPRM on EAS improvements has everyone focused on the easiest part of the problem. Yes, the origination equipment, the processes and the network itself can be refined — but they’re not the real obstacle.

The true issue is one almost no one is talking about: We no longer live in homes that have radios.

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The other half is making sure there are actually radios out there to receive it.

Thane Conriocht Running Wolf Radio Alva, Okla.

Liquid cooling

I read Michael Baldauf’s article in November about liquid cooling. I work with very high-power RF amplifier systems for particle accelerators such as at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center and previously worked in broadcast engineering and transmitter design at Broadcast Electronics.

For our high-power RF systems we almost always use water cooling. It’s difficult to cool hundreds of kilowatts of RF amplification using air alone.

In most cases we use deionized clean water, for multiple reasons.

Twenty years ago, almost every household had at least one dedicated AM/FM radio — a tabletop set, a clock radio, a stereo receiver, something. Broadcast alerts had a clear, ubiquitous endpoint.

Today, it’s becoming rare to walk into a modern home and find a radio anywhere. Meanwhile, nearly everyone carries a smartphone.

That shift dramatically changes the effectiveness of EAS. If people aren’t in their vehicles — the last common place a terrestrial radio still reliably exists — they aren’t going to hear a broadcast-based EAS alert at all. The system works beautifully on paper, but its reach inside homes is shrinking fast. That’s the elephant in the (living) room. So what can broadcasters do?

Here’s what we’re doing, and it’s surprisingly simple.

There’s still a company producing affordable, durable, high-quality radios in a variety of models: Sangean.

We applied for — and received — a dealer account with them. It allows us to sell radios to our listeners at cost and to give them away during live remotes and community events.

Every radio that leaves our hands is one more household reconnected to the emergency alert ecosystem. One more family who will actually hear severe weather information when seconds matter. One more piece of infrastructure placed back into the community, radio by radio.

Our goal is straightforward: Get as many radios as possible back into homes across our local market. The more access listeners have to us, the more access we have to them — especially when it counts.

If we want the EAS system to fulfill the purpose for which it was designed, improving the hardware is only half the fight.

Thane Conriocht and a Sangean radio.

One is to reduce depositing coatings inside the water jackets, collectors, anodes and other passages of klystrons, gridded tubes and solid-state amplifier cooling plates. These will eventually reduce heat transfer.

The other reason is that in certain systems the anode of tubes is at high voltage, so we must have high-resistivity water, again deionized (DI).

To pull this off, we monitor pH, resistivity or conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. We use Cuno and Culligan resin bottles in side-stream purification loops.

We follow guidelines that were set out by CPI/Eimac app notes (now MPP), Thales app notes and old RCA app notes. They all indicate that these are critical parameters for reliable long life.

For HV, I try to keep DC leakage current in water hoses under 1 mA at all times, by designing the hose size and length, along with the resistivity requirements. If DI water isn’t needed for high resistivity, additives are often added to prevent corrosion

The largest system we maintain is running about 850