Latest articles by DON MARKLEY
TV transmitter control systems
Given that a well-maintained transmitter should show such stability, many transmitters receive scant attention during the broadcast day.
Transmitter technology review
Other than a possible new tower, the single biggest item at the transmitting plant is probably the transmitter.
Taming the RF system
The tuning of combiner or diplexer assemblies is a job for the factory representatives. As is well-known and often discussed in laborious detail, most
Digital encoders
Be very reluctant to purchase a unit that is specifically designed for a narrow set of input parameters with no expansion capability. The encoder that
So, you need to pick a new tower
Many broadcasters go through their entire careers without having the joy of building a new tower. For many others, this particular activity only occurs
Basics of transmission line selection
Don Markley offers suggestions for the selection of transmission line, as well as information on different options available, and some of the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Transmission & Distribution: What's Happening Up There?
Traditionally, we monitor the television signal at every stage of the process from the initial generation point in the cameras until it leaves the transmitter itself.
Shall we gather by the tall tower?
The first advantage of a community tower is usually in the site itself. The construction of a tower acts as a magnet, drawing unanticipated users with
Tower lighting
Dual lighting systems avoid the necessity of painting the tower but are much better neighbors at night. Tower lights are a lot like air conditioners in
Identifying hot spots
The development of new sensing devices has made temperature-testing tools extremely useful for broadcasters. The devices permit testing under power a
Television antenna systems
In the past few months, this column has discussed many issues involved with propagation. But it might be helpful to look at a broad overview of television
Advances in transmitter technology
Since last year, TV transmitters have change in subtle but significant ways.
Coverage holes
The terrible truth is that you can build a beautiful transmitting plant using the latest state-of-the-art transmitters and antennas and still find areas
RF at NAB2004
At the last few NAB shows, the most interesting RF products exhibited were all closely grouped around digital broadcasting. Well, they were this year
Peanut whistle DTV
Broadcasters may scoff at the abilities of low-power “peanut whistles,” but they are proving themselves by providing good quality of service at a lower cost than the high-power operations.
The unchanging face of RF
NAB2003 offered a continuing steady improvement in the technologies that have been emerging over the last several years.
