[SBE] activating inactives

[Rolin Lintag]

I found that an active and involved State Broadcasters Assocaition can help bring in the attendees for a technical seminar. Most of the engineers I talked to are willing and desire to get the professional development through seminars but to carve it out of their personal time is something else. An invitation coming from the state broadcasters association, addressed to the GMs, seems to get better response (primarily for annual events so far).

I've tried to get our folks here to get together and form the Chapter but not only most of us are located more than 2 hours from each other, but also the usual single network on-call engineer scenario and little family/personal time has to be considered.

This is definitely not because SBE is unattractive or not doing enough, but it is just the signs of the times.

Perhaps a nationwide contractor of technical talent can replace traditional employment by stations so that there are enough engineers rotating shifts thereby finding some time for normal lives? Manpower development (SBE involvement) and retention of good talent may be possible under a leadership of engineers. As to whether this is a viable business model is another issue.

________________________________________
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Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 11:22 AM
To: sbe at sbe.org
Subject: SBE Digest, Vol 62, Issue 2

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SBE Roundtable

Today's Topics:

   1. Re: activating inactives (chscherer at everestkc.net)
   2. Re: activating inactives (Dave Dybas)
   3. Re: activating inactives (chscherer at everestkc.net)
   4. Re: new re-Active chapters ! (Jim Leifer)
   5. Re: activating inactives (A9xw at cs.com)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:33:50 -0500
From: chscherer at everestkc.net
Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives
To: sbe member discussion mail list <sbe at sbe.org>
Message-ID: <f6408cb217fc7.485a360e at everestkc.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Gary:
You are completely right. I have also personally witnessed this situation as well.

There are no easy solutions, I know. Feel free to post this. I know lots of people will agree with you, and we may not actually solve anything, but it is a good discussion topic.

Chriss



----- Original Message -----
From: Garrison Cavell <gcavell at cavellmertz.com>
Date: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:00 am
Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives


> Chriss

>

> I don't know whether the following is a permitted post on this

> site since it

> isn't purely technical, but I thought I'd lob in a comment to what

> seemed to

> be an emerging thread.

>

> I've been through this sort of issue (chapters fading or becoming

> inactive)with similar entities, like IEEE local chapters, local

> NSPE chapters, and

> other organizations, so you could conclude, thankfully, that this

> is not a

> unique "SBE issue". Rather, it is a universal problem that has

> impactedalmost every volunteer entity and professional

> organization. So I guess

> there's a bit of good news in this - SBE is not in and of itself the

> problem.

>

> The bad news is - it has become increasingly hard to keep people

> interestedand involved - and particularly if it requires people to

> leave their homes

> and workplaces to "come out" to any event. From my perch, it would

> appearthat this problem really started occurring over 5-8 years

> ago, but I am not

> entirely sure why.

>

> My best guess is that an increasing lack of personal time, growing

> familypressures, work demands, and little support from employers

> add up to almost

> no spare time for members. Attrition in our ranks hasn't helped

> any either.

> There are fewer of us (one engineer - a half dozen stations or

> more) so a

> group of any size, even in a larger metro area, would have to draw

> from a

> larger territory - compounding the problem.

>

> Curiously, good technical programs often (but not always) bring

> people out,

> but as you know, it is difficult to hit a "home run" every time.

> And chapter

> member interest can be diverse, so keeping it relevant for

> everyone (so

> folks will keep coming out and supporting the chapter) is a big

> challenge.

> The successful local entities (or any sort) always seem to have a

> core group

> of folks who are enthusiastic and seem tireless. More than likely,

> they have

> been the "glue" for the entity for years. The problem here is that

> a few

> retirements, relocations, or deaths can pave the way for a group's

> demise.Getting newer members involved and interested in helping to

> "row the boat"

> can be very tough (and especially if the "core" does not "let go"

> and give

> the newbie's a chance, but I digress).

>

> So I can offer no solutions, other than to encourage people who are

> interested in reactivating a chapter (and care about what a local SBE

> chapter can do for their part of the world) to: 1) try to contact the

> members in the region to determine what might be interesting for

> chapteractivities, services and programs, 2) determine what times

> of day, days of

> the week, would work best for the most attendance, 3) determine

> what meeting

> frequency would be best - whether monthly, quarterly, etc., and 4)

> find like

> minded folks to form a core group that will beat the bushes for

> programs,free meeting locations, ideas for shared resources (like

> a local "idea bank"

> or common parts pool), 4) try to learn what would be interesting to

> everyone, be it technical or networking, and 5) you really need to

> bug folks

> - keep in touch- drag them in.

>

> Easier said than done.

>

> Sorry - this was well more than two centavos worth.

>

> - from a long time SBE member.

>

> -- gary

>

> Garrison C. Cavell

> Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.

> 7839 Ashton Avenue Manassas, Virginia 20109-2883

> 703.392.9090 General Office - 703.392.9559 Facsimile

> 202.332.0110 Washington, D.C. Line

> www.CavellMertz.com  www.FCCInfo.com

>

>

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of

> chscherer at everestkc.net

> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:51 AM

> To: sbe member discussion mail list

> Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives

>

> Help is always appreciated, but there has not been a lack of trying.

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> SBE mailing list

> To unsubscribe, go to http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe

> _______________________________________________

> SBE at sbe.org

> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe

>



------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:38:02 -0500
From: "Dave Dybas" <dd92251 at aol.com>
Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives
To: "'sbe member discussion mail list'" <sbe at sbe.org>
Message-ID: <7262DB7F83B74FC8942BCF170B07ECE6 at DANS>
Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"

Guys,

With radio station consolidation, the typical radio engineer has several
transmitters and studios and maybe even a Wife and kids) to maintain. The
days of kicking back and reading trade publications, visiting other
engineers and attending SBE meetings are, for the most part, gone.

Without doubt the SBE is a valuable resource and is appreciated by many. I
wonder if there would be value to developing "webinars", that is web based
seminars for the members. Or holding Local Chapter meetings on Weekends?

Dave Dybas CBT


-----Original Message-----
From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of Garrison
Cavell
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:01 AM
To: 'sbe member discussion mail list'
Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives


Chriss

I don't know whether the following is a permitted post on this site since it
isn't purely technical, but I thought I'd lob in a comment to what seemed to
be an emerging thread.

I've been through this sort of issue (chapters fading or becoming inactive)
with similar entities, like IEEE local chapters, local NSPE chapters, and
other organizations, so you could conclude, thankfully, that this is not a
unique "SBE issue". Rather, it is a universal problem that has impacted
almost every volunteer entity and professional organization. So I guess
there's a bit of good news in this - SBE is not in and of itself the
problem.

The bad news is - it has become increasingly hard to keep people interested
and involved - and particularly if it requires people to leave their homes
and workplaces to "come out" to any event. From my perch, it would appear
that this problem really started occurring over 5-8 years ago, but I am not
entirely sure why.

My best guess is that an increasing lack of personal time, growing family
pressures, work demands, and little support from employers add up to almost
no spare time for members. Attrition in our ranks hasn't helped any either.
There are fewer of us (one engineer - a half dozen stations or more) so a
group of any size, even in a larger metro area, would have to draw from a
larger territory - compounding the problem.

Curiously, good technical programs often (but not always) bring people out,
but as you know, it is difficult to hit a "home run" every time. And chapter
member interest can be diverse, so keeping it relevant for everyone (so
folks will keep coming out and supporting the chapter) is a big challenge.

The successful local entities (or any sort) always seem to have a core group
of folks who are enthusiastic and seem tireless. More than likely, they have
been the "glue" for the entity for years. The problem here is that a few
retirements, relocations, or deaths can pave the way for a group's demise.
Getting newer members involved and interested in helping to "row the boat"
can be very tough (and especially if the "core" does not "let go" and give
the newbie's a chance, but I digress).

So I can offer no solutions, other than to encourage people who are
interested in reactivating a chapter (and care about what a local SBE
chapter can do for their part of the world) to: 1) try to contact the
members in the region to determine what might be interesting for chapter
activities, services and programs, 2) determine what times of day, days of
the week, would work best for the most attendance, 3) determine what meeting
frequency would be best - whether monthly, quarterly, etc., and 4) find like
minded folks to form a core group that will beat the bushes for programs,
free meeting locations, ideas for shared resources (like a local "idea bank"
or common parts pool), 4) try to learn what would be interesting to
everyone, be it technical or networking, and 5) you really need to bug folks
- keep in touch- drag them in.

Easier said than done.

Sorry - this was well more than two centavos worth.

- from a long time SBE member.

-- gary

Garrison C. Cavell
Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.
7839 Ashton Avenue Manassas, Virginia 20109-2883
703.392.9090 General Office - 703.392.9559 Facsimile 202.332.0110
Washington, D.C. Line www.CavellMertz.com  www.FCCInfo.com




-----Original Message-----
From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of
chscherer at everestkc.net
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:51 AM
To: sbe member discussion mail list
Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives

Help is always appreciated, but there has not been a lack of trying.


_______________________________________________
SBE mailing list
To unsubscribe, go to http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe
_______________________________________________
SBE at sbe.org
http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe


------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:00:24 -0500
From: chscherer at everestkc.net
Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives
To: sbe member discussion mail list <sbe at sbe.org>
Message-ID: <f5f8e84a133bb.485a3c48 at everestkc.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

No one will argue that there are more demands on everyone's time.

The SBE is working on webinars, and I know that trade publications are already offering them. Good idea, Dave. Lots of us agree with you.

There are lots of ways to get information, but the in-person meeting has a unique value of its own. I can't make it to every chapter meeting, but when I do, I find the social and professional networking to be as important as the program topic.

I certainly hope that chapters are trying different options for day/night/weekend meetings if attendance is sliping. Of course what works in one city does not work in another.

I would like to hear some success stories from chapters. Was your chapter having trouble and turned around? Have you been a chapter champion and helped make things happen? Let's here what you have done.

Chriss

----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Dybas <dd92251 at aol.com>
Date: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:38 am
Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives


> Guys,

>

> With radio station consolidation, the typical radio engineer has

> severaltransmitters and studios and maybe even a Wife and kids) to

> maintain. The

> days of kicking back and reading trade publications, visiting other

> engineers and attending SBE meetings are, for the most part, gone.

>

> Without doubt the SBE is a valuable resource and is appreciated by

> many. I

> wonder if there would be value to developing "webinars", that is

> web based

> seminars for the members. Or holding Local Chapter meetings on

> Weekends?

>

> Dave Dybas CBT

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf

> Of Garrison

> Cavell

> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:01 AM

> To: 'sbe member discussion mail list'

> Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives

>

>

> Chriss

>

> I don't know whether the following is a permitted post on this

> site since it

> isn't purely technical, but I thought I'd lob in a comment to what

> seemed to

> be an emerging thread.

>

> I've been through this sort of issue (chapters fading or becoming

> inactive)with similar entities, like IEEE local chapters, local

> NSPE chapters, and

> other organizations, so you could conclude, thankfully, that this

> is not a

> unique "SBE issue". Rather, it is a universal problem that has

> impactedalmost every volunteer entity and professional

> organization. So I guess

> there's a bit of good news in this - SBE is not in and of itself the

> problem.

>

> The bad news is - it has become increasingly hard to keep people

> interestedand involved - and particularly if it requires people to

> leave their homes

> and workplaces to "come out" to any event. From my perch, it would

> appearthat this problem really started occurring over 5-8 years

> ago, but I am not

> entirely sure why.

>

> My best guess is that an increasing lack of personal time, growing

> familypressures, work demands, and little support from employers

> add up to almost

> no spare time for members. Attrition in our ranks hasn't helped

> any either.

> There are fewer of us (one engineer - a half dozen stations or

> more) so a

> group of any size, even in a larger metro area, would have to draw

> from a

> larger territory - compounding the problem.

>

> Curiously, good technical programs often (but not always) bring

> people out,

> but as you know, it is difficult to hit a "home run" every time.

> And chapter

> member interest can be diverse, so keeping it relevant for

> everyone (so

> folks will keep coming out and supporting the chapter) is a big

> challenge.

> The successful local entities (or any sort) always seem to have a

> core group

> of folks who are enthusiastic and seem tireless. More than likely,

> they have

> been the "glue" for the entity for years. The problem here is that

> a few

> retirements, relocations, or deaths can pave the way for a group's

> demise.Getting newer members involved and interested in helping to

> "row the boat"

> can be very tough (and especially if the "core" does not "let go"

> and give

> the newbie's a chance, but I digress).

>

> So I can offer no solutions, other than to encourage people who are

> interested in reactivating a chapter (and care about what a local SBE

> chapter can do for their part of the world) to: 1) try to contact the

> members in the region to determine what might be interesting for

> chapteractivities, services and programs, 2) determine what times

> of day, days of

> the week, would work best for the most attendance, 3) determine

> what meeting

> frequency would be best - whether monthly, quarterly, etc., and 4)

> find like

> minded folks to form a core group that will beat the bushes for

> programs,free meeting locations, ideas for shared resources (like

> a local "idea bank"

> or common parts pool), 4) try to learn what would be interesting to

> everyone, be it technical or networking, and 5) you really need to

> bug folks

> - keep in touch- drag them in.

>

> Easier said than done.

>

> Sorry - this was well more than two centavos worth.

>

> - from a long time SBE member.

>

> -- gary

>

> Garrison C. Cavell

> Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.

> 7839 Ashton Avenue Manassas, Virginia 20109-2883

> 703.392.9090 General Office - 703.392.9559 Facsimile 202.332.0110

> Washington, D.C. Line www.CavellMertz.com  www.FCCInfo.com

>

>

>

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of

> chscherer at everestkc.net

> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:51 AM

> To: sbe member discussion mail list

> Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives

>

> Help is always appreciated, but there has not been a lack of trying.

>

>

> _______________________________________________

> SBE mailing list

> To unsubscribe, go to http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe

> _______________________________________________

> SBE at sbe.org

> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe

> _______________________________________________

> SBE mailing list

> To unsubscribe, go to http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe

> _______________________________________________

> SBE at sbe.org

> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe

>



------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:11:29 -0400
From: "Jim Leifer" <jimleifer at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [SBE] new re-Active chapters !
To: "sbe member discussion mail list" <sbe at sbe.org>
Message-ID: <BAY111-DAV11E1CA958B6E0CE81C4B37B0AA0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
        reply-type=original

We have restarted the Miami Chapter with excellent participation of both
Radio and TV Engineers.
about 50/50

All the Engineers, while very busy, have made the hour or two once a month
to attend.

We have mixed it up a bit, with Lunch time and Evening meetings.  Some SBE
members can only attend lunch or evening meetings.
so far, we have had excellent results.

Our next meeting is the NAB roadshow

James  Leifer CPBE







----- Original Message -----
From: <chscherer at everestkc.net>
To: "sbe member discussion mail list" <sbe at sbe.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:00 PM
Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives



> No one will argue that there are more demands on everyone's time.

>

> The SBE is working on webinars, and I know that trade publications are

> already offering them. Good idea, Dave. Lots of us agree with you.

>

> There are lots of ways to get information, but the in-person meeting has a

> unique value of its own. I can't make it to every chapter meeting, but

> when I do, I find the social and professional networking to be as

> important as the program topic.

>

> I certainly hope that chapters are trying different options for

> day/night/weekend meetings if attendance is sliping. Of course what works

> in one city does not work in another.

>

> I would like to hear some success stories from chapters. Was your chapter

> having trouble and turned around? Have you been a chapter champion and

> helped make things happen? Let's here what you have done.

>

> Chriss

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: Dave Dybas <dd92251 at aol.com>

> Date: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:38 am

> Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives

>

>> Guys,

>>

>> With radio station consolidation, the typical radio engineer has

>> severaltransmitters and studios and maybe even a Wife and kids) to

>> maintain. The

>> days of kicking back and reading trade publications, visiting other

>> engineers and attending SBE meetings are, for the most part, gone.

>>

>> Without doubt the SBE is a valuable resource and is appreciated by

>> many. I

>> wonder if there would be value to developing "webinars", that is

>> web based

>> seminars for the members. Or holding Local Chapter meetings on

>> Weekends?

>>

>> Dave Dybas CBT

>>

>>

>> -----Original Message-----

>> From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf

>> Of Garrison

>> Cavell

>> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:01 AM

>> To: 'sbe member discussion mail list'

>> Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives

>>

>>

>> Chriss

>>

>> I don't know whether the following is a permitted post on this

>> site since it

>> isn't purely technical, but I thought I'd lob in a comment to what

>> seemed to

>> be an emerging thread.

>>

>> I've been through this sort of issue (chapters fading or becoming

>> inactive)with similar entities, like IEEE local chapters, local

>> NSPE chapters, and

>> other organizations, so you could conclude, thankfully, that this

>> is not a

>> unique "SBE issue". Rather, it is a universal problem that has

>> impactedalmost every volunteer entity and professional

>> organization. So I guess

>> there's a bit of good news in this - SBE is not in and of itself the

>> problem.

>>

>> The bad news is - it has become increasingly hard to keep people

>> interestedand involved - and particularly if it requires people to

>> leave their homes

>> and workplaces to "come out" to any event. From my perch, it would

>> appearthat this problem really started occurring over 5-8 years

>> ago, but I am not

>> entirely sure why.

>>

>> My best guess is that an increasing lack of personal time, growing

>> familypressures, work demands, and little support from employers

>> add up to almost

>> no spare time for members. Attrition in our ranks hasn't helped

>> any either.

>> There are fewer of us (one engineer - a half dozen stations or

>> more) so a

>> group of any size, even in a larger metro area, would have to draw

>> from a

>> larger territory - compounding the problem.

>>

>> Curiously, good technical programs often (but not always) bring

>> people out,

>> but as you know, it is difficult to hit a "home run" every time.

>> And chapter

>> member interest can be diverse, so keeping it relevant for

>> everyone (so

>> folks will keep coming out and supporting the chapter) is a big

>> challenge.

>> The successful local entities (or any sort) always seem to have a

>> core group

>> of folks who are enthusiastic and seem tireless. More than likely,

>> they have

>> been the "glue" for the entity for years. The problem here is that

>> a few

>> retirements, relocations, or deaths can pave the way for a group's

>> demise.Getting newer members involved and interested in helping to

>> "row the boat"

>> can be very tough (and especially if the "core" does not "let go"

>> and give

>> the newbie's a chance, but I digress).

>>

>> So I can offer no solutions, other than to encourage people who are

>> interested in reactivating a chapter (and care about what a local SBE

>> chapter can do for their part of the world) to: 1) try to contact the

>> members in the region to determine what might be interesting for

>> chapteractivities, services and programs, 2) determine what times

>> of day, days of

>> the week, would work best for the most attendance, 3) determine

>> what meeting

>> frequency would be best - whether monthly, quarterly, etc., and 4)

>> find like

>> minded folks to form a core group that will beat the bushes for

>> programs,free meeting locations, ideas for shared resources (like

>> a local "idea bank"

>> or common parts pool), 4) try to learn what would be interesting to

>> everyone, be it technical or networking, and 5) you really need to

>> bug folks

>> - keep in touch- drag them in.

>>

>> Easier said than done.

>>

>> Sorry - this was well more than two centavos worth.

>>

>> - from a long time SBE member.

>>

>> -- gary

>>

>> Garrison C. Cavell

>> Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.

>> 7839 Ashton Avenue Manassas, Virginia 20109-2883

>> 703.392.9090 General Office - 703.392.9559 Facsimile 202.332.0110

>> Washington, D.C. Line www.CavellMertz.com  www.FCCInfo.com

>>

>>

>>

>>

>> -----Original Message-----

>> From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of

>> chscherer at everestkc.net

>> Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:51 AM

>> To: sbe member discussion mail list

>> Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives

>>

>> Help is always appreciated, but there has not been a lack of trying.

>>

>>

>> _______________________________________________

>> SBE mailing list

>> To unsubscribe, go to http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe

>> _______________________________________________

>> SBE at sbe.org

>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe

>> _______________________________________________

>> SBE mailing list

>> To unsubscribe, go to http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe

>> _______________________________________________

>> SBE at sbe.org

>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe

>>

> _______________________________________________

> SBE mailing list

> To unsubscribe, go to http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe

> _______________________________________________

> SBE at sbe.org

> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe

>




------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:21:40 EDT
From: A9xw at cs.com
Subject: Re: [SBE] activating inactives
To: sbe at sbe.org
Message-ID: <cf6.33de6a74.358be194 at cs.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I agree on the universality of the issue. With stations having people do more
for less, we are all stressed out and just don't want to extend our day, just
get home and deal with home issues. Several people have mentioned to me they
don't see any future in broadcasting, so why make any effort since we are
retiring or being laid off (since 1987 when Ge took over NBC the ranks have been
thinned). The MegaCorps no longer see a business future for OTA TV and are
devoting resources to internet, cell phones, cable, satellite and have been
milking the TV stations as cash cows to fund other media for well over a decade.
ABC, NBC, CBS have fairly much folded their tents on the network TV model with
NBC no going all news in NYC and obliterating channel 4.  Millions spent on NBC
production facilities sit idle or are being demolished. Multi-casting,
central-casting is ripping our local TOC's that are hardly more than remote switches
from NYC. Local purchasing agents used to save the stations hundreds of
thousands annually, were scrapped for central purchasing to exchange the people cost
to slightly higher product costs but a net gain in cost reduction.  Most of
radio is nothing more than a sat receiver pass through to a remote TX with a
local PC playing .WAV files for local ads and computerized time/temp. The spots
are loaded from a central production center.  Local nmews content is nil with
packaged news from network a couple local blood leads stories a local wx and
sports guy reading rip and read copy and maybe a couple local sportws stories
(Yeah big markets have more, small markets have none). Add in hardly anyone is
entering engineering today at the station level.  I remember inthe 60's
Broadcastin Magazine had pages of technical jobs and over 100 page issues. Today its
fish wrap thin and if it has a half page with 3-4 jobs in sales or production
its a big week in classified.  A lot of us are hanging on becuase we need the
medical benefits, or with the recent huge increases in cost of living, can't
afford to give up and collect SS and what ever retirement we put away for
ourselves.

When I do presentations at schools, all the kids want to be DJ's or shooters.
Good luck. No one told them there are about 200 DJ jobs inthe entire country,
and shooters are a dime a dozen with every person with a DVcam thinking they
are the next hollywood mogul with their own reality TV show.

My little station grew 27% last year in revenue and pulls consistant Nielsens
that beat about a third of the market and frequently beats teh other two PBS
stations and CBS. OK< CBS is an easy knock off, they are so messed up. Its
amazing how long CBS has hung on to loser Cate Couric, now the lowest viewed
network news of all time. If it weren't for the CSI and NCIS programs and a few
others there is virtually nothing of quality to watch on network TV. Swingtown,
soft porn and so dull viewers would do better with HBO. The Tiffany network
has sunk to Wal-Mart greeter.

Virtually all technology is developed offf shore, made off shore and the few
American facilities are hardly more than boards stuffed into frames by robots.
GE's slogan used to be "Progress is our most important product." This week GE
stock is about as low as it can go. Disney wonders if anyone will have gas
money to get to D World D Land. NBC is self destructing in programming and news
and MSNBC shrinks to a tie with "sign off" and "today's prayer."  FOX is
riding high on a lean quick response management team. When NBC bought Telemundo the
spanish netowrk was run by a former CBS president who openly stated "the
party is over in network TV, its time to fold the tents." That was in 2000.
Spanish radio & TV are now #1 in the two top markets.

There seems to be no interest in innovation, quality or engineering in
broadcasting on the big scale, only cut it to the bone for the few remaining years
its a cash cow.  In Europe non broadcast ads are now bigger than broadcast ads
in revenue and sales.

Even Hollywood has gone to mostly CGI, annimation for its main revenue. The
nest Star Wars has none of the original episode 3,4,5 talent, just a bunch of
computer programmers doing wire frames, backgrounds, surface textures.  In a
few years it'll be back to Rocky and Bullwinke/South Park level of annimation.

So trying to get a fire buring to bring out inactives is a monumental task.
Being a big market we are fortunate to have a lot of good programs in radio
and TV to keep the candle lit. But in markets with 1 engineer or less per TV
station and 1 engineer for 12 or more radios.... who has time?  There is no
secret why chapter 73 is the most active, no one has to leave home.

Henry Ruhwiedel   </HTML>


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End of SBE Digest, Vol 62, Issue 2
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