Industry News

Headline	Broadcast Electronics (BE) Announces Transmitter Contest Winner
Article	Entercom's WMMM in Wisconsin to receive new BE STX LP based on winning application of older BE transmitter located in cornfield Broadcast Electronics (BE) announces that WMMM 105.5 FM in Verona, Wisconsin, was selected as the winner of BE's transmitter contest entitling the station to a free BE STX LP low power transmitter. A panel of BE judges selected WMMM, an Entercom station, from several applicants based on age and application of BE transmitters in use and RF site conditions. WMMM 105.5 FM owns an older BE FM 10B transmitter and newer BE FMi 201 HD Radio™ transmitter, both of which are located at its RF site atop a small hill in a cornfield that is regularly farmed and difficult to reach. "The BE transmitters are in a very hostile environment. Dust is a huge factor because of the plowing and the only way to get to the site is on a wagon-wheel trail. We sometimes go on snowshoes. The BE FM 10B has been running in that environment for 14 years, fortunately with few complaints," said WMMM Chief Engineer Tony Abfalter, whose winning application of WMMM FM's older BE transmitter won him BE's newest transmitter. The STX LP is BE's new FM solid-state transmitter scalable up to 5kW and includes built-in FM exciter, backup controller and IP connectivity. The announcement was made during BE's June 18 anniversary celebrating 50 years as the largest radio-only broadcast equipment manufacturer at its Quincy plant shared by friends and community. BE was incorporated on June 18, 1959. Also announced at the same time was the recipient of BE's AudioVAULT FleX "makeover" contest. Introduced in January, the new STX LP is the first low-powered FM transmitter scalable from 1kW to 5kW starting at under US$7,000. Standard STX LP features such as an emergency backup controller, internal exciter and IP connectivity make it an economical alternative as a main, backup, booster, single-frequency network or HD Radio™ transmitter. "We haven’t decided where or how to use the new BE transmitter yet, but I’m sure we’ll make good use of it," said Abfalter. The 1kW model fits a 3 RU block, and can be power upgraded in the field by simply adding PA modules. Transmitter modules are hot-pluggable, and the transmitter has automatic power protection to compensate for any power imbalances during continued operation. The STX LP includes IP connectivity for configuring and monitoring operation remotely from any laptop or PC, and is HD Radio compatible for eventual conversion to the digital radio standard. BE's newest transmitter line is designed with the same BE ingenuity as previous transmitters, like the FM 10B, in operation around the globe today, ensuring that the STX LP will stand up to harsh broadcast environments and provide broadcasters with years of service.
Company	Broadcast Electronics
Date Published	3/7/2009