What's that mean? I'm responsible for the live capability of FOX5 News (microwave Electronic News Gathering, or ENG, and Satellite News Gathering, or SNG). I'm also involved with computer systems, new technology, and other fun toys.

Most of our microwave ENG is done on the 2 GHz band. Television stations share a limited number of channels on this band. We coordinate our operation through so called "Gentlemen's Agreements." In most of the USA this coordination is done through the Society of Broadcast Engineers, of which I am a member. The Atlanta 2 GHz sharing plan is probably typical of what is done in most of the country.

(Of course, the sharing plan must take into account the needs of all television broadcasters in a given area. In areas with more stations, like New York, stations may be primary users of at most one channel.)

My current "obsession" is promoting safety for technicians, photographers, and engineers operating television Live Trucks. Check out the FOX5 Atlanta Microwave ENG Safety and Operations Guidelines on the Web.

I'm also the webmaster for the Atlanta Section, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

For more information on my professional background you can check out my online resume.

How did I get into television? I've been an Amateur "Ham" Radio Operator since 1971, when I was twelve. Along the way I also earned an FCC First Class Radiotelephone Operator license, which used to be required for many jobs in television and radio broadcasting. When I was in Tucson, for college, I needed a job, and I'd always wanted to work in television. So I went knocking on TV station doors, saying "I have a license, can I have a job?" Ralph Turk, then Assistant Chief Engineer (and now Chief) at KVOA-TV hired me for weekend master control, and the rest is, as they say, history.

Among the professional organizations I belong to: