JLG Broadcast Systems

Last week, I had the pleasure of doing satellite uplink and truck-specific training for two Sinclair Broadcasting stations.

WCHS in Charleston, WV and WZTV in Nashville, TN recently took delivery of two DSENG Sprinters from Accelerated Media Technologies. These vehicles were based on the Sprinter “Mini” chassis and contain a 1.2m Vertex carbon fiber antenna powered by Advantech SSPAs.  The antennas are controlled with RCI’s 3000-series controllers with GPS, Compass and RF receiver for auto-aquire functionality.  Encoding in these trucks is done with an Adtec EN-80 encoder with an RD-60 as its receive compliment.  Independent feeds for the satellite, microwave and editing systems is accomplished with an AJA “KUMO” 16×16 SDI router.

These trucks were a first for both stations, neither of which had an SNG vehicle at their disposal before this and so the training centered on a version of a course I call “Satellite Uplinking 101″.  This training is designed to take a new operator and introduce them to the world of uplinking.  As I’ve mentioned in other posts on this subject, the general station model for truck operators has largely changed to the photog/operator model, as was the case with these two stations.

At both stations, the first thing I had to do was set up the antenna controller, encoder and IRD to “wake up” in a configuration that made getting the truck ready for an uplink on Sinclair satellite space a relatively simple process.  In the process we found that Telemundo has a 24/7 feed on SES-2, in the clear and so we use that as our “check”, along with the installed spectrum monitor to verify being on the correct bird.

The training was performed over a two-day period.  I would take groups of 3 or 4 students and walk through the vehicle, explaining the systems.  Once I was sure they understood the basics it was time to walk them through an actual uplink, explaining every step before or as it was taken.  The next couple of hours was spent walking each one of the students through an the process, one at a time, while their “classmates” looked on.  Where possible I like to have each student start with a cold truck, hand them the keys and have the drive to a spot somewhere in the parking lot, or the neighborhood if possible.  Then I have them go through each step, from starting the generator and setting jacks, to uplink to a complete strike of the scene.  Once complete I hand the keys to the next operator and have them go through the same process.  Moving the vehicle, of course, lets them see how the antenna has to respond to each situation.

Obviously one uplink doesn’t make them fully ready to run out and do SNG, but it does give them an idea of what they’re up against and the process involved in getting a shot on the air.  This batch of students, from both stations were excellent!  I should mention that the training included a larger block of time that was dedicated to training the station Engineers on the process, and going over the vehicle systems in general.  Again, a pleasure to have had the opportunity!

If your crew needs training, give us a call!  These courses are always tailored to the stations specific needs and we’ll be happy to send you a quote!