[BC] Future of Radio Eng. /was/ Computer based audio

[Tom Bosscher]

Phil Alexander wrote:
> However, in a few more years, the entire studio plant
> will belong to computer jocks and software will rule.
> 
> IMHO the only real broadcast engineering will be RF
> transmission engineering, and AM will still require
> the individual, customized solutions.

	Depends on what your definition of "IS" is. All stations will continue 
to require the services of a qualified BROADCAST engineer. Not an IT 
person. As with life, the role of the broadcast engineer has evolved. If 
you don't teach yourself the new methods, you are left behind.

	Do we need to have local SBE sessions showing the new kids how to phase 
align cart machines? I don't think so. But we did 20 years ago.

	Do we need to have Kirk Harnack come to our fair city to show us the 
Axia system. Of course. (and we have!)

	The average IT dude will have no idea how to interface any 
console/router equipment with the EAS box. No idea how to install a 
separate and isolated on air switcher to select between two 
server/routing systems.

	Broadcast engineering today has become, in addition to the necessary RF 
work, a "How do I get Box A to talk to Box B" systems approach. This is 
total foreign to the IT folks. All of their boxes talk to just their boxes.

	In IT work, there is no "thinking outside the box". Most broadcast 
engineers on this list don't think outside the box. They kick the box 
out of the way! They do what has to be done. Those who do neither 
deserve no income.

	To me, I am doing broadcast engineering when I can tell the GM's and 
PD's, that "Yes, I can do that". Keep in mind it is a service job. To 
think that broadcast engineering will become only "RF transmission 
engineering" is very short sighted, and income reducing. I plan to be 
still working in broadcast engineering ten years from now, and I won't 
be relegated to just RF engineering.

	Tom Bosscher