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GatesAir Supplies KAKT(FM) with End-to-End HD Radio Solution
Station becomes first commercial HD Radio broadcaster in Medford, Oregon market
Cincinnati, OH, August 07, 2019
GatesAir, a global leader in wireless, over-the-air content delivery solutions for TV and radio broadcasters, has helped Stephens Media Group of Medford’s country station KAKT(FM) become the first commercial HD Radio broadcaster in the Medford, Oregon market. The station is now delivering two HD Radio channels alongside its main FM program, using a complete GatesAir HD Radio Gen4 solution with high-efficiency transmission, embedded signal processing, and IP networking gear.
The Stephens Media Group of Medford engineering team worked closely with GatesAir channel partner SCMS to identify a solution that would help launch an HD Radio service while also transitioning to solid-state transmission. KAKT selected a GatesAir Flexiva FAX20 (20kW) air-cooled transmitter, retiring tube transmitters that had grown challenging to service. Klein-White Broadcast Engineering, a full-service design and engineering firm, added value through turnkey installation and commissioning services that brought the new solid-state system to air quickly.
“Solid-state brings a great deal of new maintenance and efficiency benefits over tubes, and spare parts have become expensive and tougher to find,” said Dan Sullivan, Chief Engineer, Stephens Media Group of Medford. “The Flexiva is half the size of our tube transmitter, which reduces cooling requirements and returns a great deal of space in a rather small room. Our new transmitter is very accessible for maintenance, with a plug-and-play, hot-swappable design that will simplify our workload and ensure we can service the transmitter while on the air.”
The FAX20 accommodates the FM, HD1 and HD2 channels, with an HD3 channel to be added in the future. GatesAir’s Flexiva FMXi 4g embedded HD Radio solution provides a single Importer/Exporter to manage the audio and data within Stephens Media Group of Medford’s IT infrastructure. This eliminates the need for separate systems with moving parts, and centralizes all related signal processing and multiplexing.
The FMXi 4g also time-aligns the analog and digital program audio without the need for a separate modulation monitor or other hardware unit that was required before GatesAir’s innovation. KAKT uses a traditional microwave STL system to transport its FM signal, and GatesAir Intraplex IP Link 200 codecs to network both HD Radio channels over IP. Sullivan adds that the IP Links operate reliably over what he calls “a slow network,” with no obvious signs of packet loss as the program audio moves from the studio to the transmitter site over IP.
“The automatic delay option in the FMXi 4g calculates the diversity delay for analog/digital time alignment, and sends the synchronized signals into our FAX exciter,” said Sullivan. “That alone has saved us a lot of money, and the built-in functionality removes another device from the infrastructure that I would have to manage. The ability to remotely tap into all of these systems has also been useful, and the GUIs on the FAX exciter and transmitter provide clear and important data around PA temperature and other performance parameters.”
Feedback from the Medford community has been positive since launching the new system, particularly in regards to HD Radio audio quality. Sullivan notes that the new transmitter is also covering the market with a much stronger broadcast signal, ensuring that its FM and HD programming reach the largest possible audience.
“KAKT is an ideal example of how a community-oriented, smaller market radio station can cost-efficiently launch new digital services and transition to IP networking on a reasonable budget,” said Ted Lantz, Vice President and General Manager, Radio Product Group for GatesAir. “And with a third HD Radio channel on the way, Stephens Media Group of Medford can focus more on serving their listeners instead of servicing an older transmission system that would continue to escalate operational costs and maintenance. They can now look forward with a high-efficiency architecture that represents revenue growth over complex engineering requirements.”
About SCMS
Southern Coastal Marketing Services, Inc., dba SCMS is a privately held company that started in Pineville, North Carolina, in 1976. SCMS, Inc. has been a family owned and operated company that continues to provide solutions for Radio and TV stations around the world by partnering with leading manufacturers. For 43 years, SCMS, Inc. has stayed on the cutting edge of technology, Industry trends, and broadcast activity. Not only have we owned numerous broadcast stations, we have built thousands of broadcast facilities, antenna/transmitter sites, and studios for our friends and customers. SCMS understands all facets of the broadcast business and have experts to take a project from inspiration to completion. SCMS is a member of VOSB, a Veteran Owned Small Business. SCMS has 18 sales reps and broadcast engineers across the US and Latin America.
About GatesAir
GatesAir, Inc., a portfolio company of The Gores Group, provides complete solutions for over-the-air radio and television broadcasting, leveraging wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. Powering over-the-air networks worldwide with unparalleled reliability for nearly 100 years, GatesAir’s turnkey solutions enable broadcasters to create, transport and transmit radio and TV content. With customers in more than 185 countries, the company leads the industry in innovation and design breakthroughs, improving efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership with all products designed and assembled in the USA and Europe. Visit www.gatesair.com for more information, Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gatesair, and follow us on Twitter at @GatesAir.
About The Gores Group
The Gores Group, founded in 1987 by Alec Gores, is a global investment firm focused on partnering with differentiated businesses that can benefit from its extensive industry knowledge, decades long experience and flexible capital base. Over its 30 year history, the firm has developed a deep understanding of and appreciation for building businesses and creating value alongside management. For more information, please visit www.gores.com.
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