AntennaFest 2025: Shared Signals

Join SBE Chapter 37 for a half day event about shared antennas and combining systems.

is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7th from 11 am to 5:30 pm at WETA Headquarters in Shirlington, VA. Representatives from several companies will each present information about their solutions for combining multiple broadcast signals for use with a single antenna system, addressing the numerous variables and constraints unique to every project.

Four presentations have been lined up to educate and demonstrate solutions to common issues, including:

- Jeff Welton, Nautel, will give us a quick education on RF basics including transmitter power output (TPO), effective radiated power (ERP), line and filter loss, antenna gain, power handling capabilities, and considerations to be made when broadcasting in HD.

- Steve Wilde, American Amplifier Technologies / Shively Labs, will discuss combined FM transmission systems, transmission system design considerations, and product examples. He will also discuss different antenna & combiner models and demonstrate AAT's software analysis capabilities in real time.

- Cory Edwards, Dielectric, will talk about their approach to overcoming the obstacles with new patent pending technology: a project involving their RingMaster™ DCRU antenna in conjunction with a 13-channel manifold combiner. This combination is destined for one of the harshest weather environments in the United States, covers the entire FM band, takes up limited space in the aperture, requires specific gain due to existing transmitters, and minimizes downward radiation. Finally, he'll show real time functionality of the stations on air through their RFHAWKEYE™ monitoring system.

- Nicholas Paulin, Electronics Research Inc, will speak about the 4 station cogwheel antenna installed at American University. This system incorporates a unique antenna designed for both omnidirectional and directional use, a constant impedance combiner, and a switch and patch system to link everything together.

- Ben Brinitzer, American Tower Corporation, will speak on master antenna TV & radio design considerations. Topics covered will be design criteria, antenna, line, combiners, monitoring, tower mounting, pressurization systems, and measurements examples. He will also discuss the master antenna standards ATC has adopted and the benefits of joining a master antenna installation.

Be sure to bring your questions, as the closing session of the day will involve all presenters participating in a roundtable discussion moderated by Gary Cavell, Senior Director of the Cavell Mertz Spectrum Division of Capitol Airspace Group. Gary has been involved in the broadcasting industry technology sector for many decades, and was a founding partner of the consulting firm Cavell Mertz & Associates. In 2019 Gary received the NAB’s Engineering Achievement Award for radio, and the IEEE Jules Cohen award for Outstanding Broadcast Engineering. In that same year he was the Editor-in-Chief for the 11th edition of the NAB Engineering Handbook. He is a member of the SBE, a life member of SMPTE and IEEE, and served for many years as President of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society.

Please note that this is a free event, and will be an in-person event only, as our presenters have graciously agreed to travel and come together to make this event a success. Participation will be limited to a total of 75 attendees, so please register here before seats fill up.

Special thanks to American Tower Corporation, Electronics Research Incorporated, Dielectric American Amplifier Technologies for sponsoring this event in conjunction with SBE Chapter 37, and providing lunch at no charge to all attendees. Also thanks to WETA for donating the use of their facilities to host the event. Free parking is available in the WETA garage.

Info: Grab a boxed lunch, choose a seat, and chat with colleagues about what projects they are undertaking.

Info: During lunch, Jeff Welton, Nautel, will give us a quick education on RF basics including transmitter power output (TPO), effective radiated power (ERP), line and filter loss, antenna gain, power handling capabilities, and considerations to be made when broadcasting in HD.

Info: Ben Brinitzer, American Tower Corporation, will speak on master antenna TV & radio design considerations. Topics covered will be design criteria, antenna, line, combiners, monitoring, tower mounting, pressurization systems, and measurements examples. He will also discuss the master antenna standards ATC has adopted and the benefits of joining a master antenna installation.

Info: Steve Wilde, American Amplifier Technologies / Shively Labs, will discuss combined FM transmission systems, transmission system design considerations, and product examples. He will also discuss different antenna & combiner models and demonstrate AAT's software analysis capabilities in real time.

Info: Nicholas Paulin, Electronics Research Inc, will speak about the 4 station cogwheel antenna installed at American University. This system incorporates a unique antenna designed for both omnidirectional and directional use, a constant impedance combiner, and a switch and patch system to link everything together.

Info: Cory Edwards, Dielectric, will talk about their approach to overcoming the obstacles with new patent pending technology: a project involving their RingMaster™ DCRU antenna in conjunction with a 13-channel manifold combiner. This combination is destined for one of the harshest weather environments in the United States, covers the entire FM band, takes up limited space in the aperture, requires specific gain due to existing transmitters, and minimizes downward radiation. Finally, he'll show real time functionality of the stations on air through their RFHAWKEYE™ monitoring system.

Info: Grab a cup of coffee, hit the restroom, chat amongst yourselves.

Info: The closing session of the day will involve all presenters participating in a roundtable discussion moderated by Gary Cavell, Senior Director of the Cavell Mertz Spectrum Division of Capitol Airspace Group. Open to questions from attendees, the roundtable will include best practices, pros and cons, and justification for certain solutions given existing conditions.

Host or Publisher SBE Chapter 37