NPR Engineering Update Online edition

Statement of Purpose

To provide timely, useful information, updated quarterly, to public radio engineers that is not readily available elsewhere.
This information includes the following:

• Articles about the technical nature of RF transmission, Audio acoustics, recording, listening, FM characteristics, FCC Regulations, translators, primary coverage area problems, Digital Audio Broadcasts, Direct Satellite Broadcasts, to name just a few topics.
• Product reviews
• Commentaries
• White papers, either commissioned by NPR or acquired with reprint rights
• Selected reprints (by permission) from other publications
• Graphically reprint schematics, in both on-line format and in a FTP’able file format.
• Provide training and continuing training opportunities by offering the following:

1. Audio files in WAV and AIF demonstrating distortion, phase relationships, POL reference tone, and other aural artifacts.
2. Training modules previously developed for NPR, and those developed for internal training.
3. Ideally, make the SBE certification training modules available on-line.

• Manufacturers’ corner, where in each issue a different manufacturer can present its “take” on the future of public radio, their business philosophy, future products, etc. This is NOT a paid ad-space. This is an area where subjective opinions are presented, and clearly labeled as such.
• Provide this information on a graphically appealing, easy-to-use Internet web page.
• Make available in browsing and searchable form, back issues of EUonline. This is a sizable project and time should be allocated such that by Spring 1997 all back issues should be available on line. Searchable parameters:

1. Article Keyword(s)
2. Issue date

• Provide a forum where public radio engineers and others can write and discuss topics of general interest to public radio.

1. Encourage member station engineers and qualified others to write articles for EUonline.
2. Provide a “letters and messages” section that “publishes” letters. This is NOT an interactive section, but more similar to a conventional magazine “letters to the editor” feature.

• Provide a voice for public radio engineers by soliciting and publishing written commentaries.
• Provide writing with a definite point of view: Public Radio is a vital and essential medium to the American people; a treasured resource. This does not mean avoiding difficult introspection, but supporting public radio at all turns, and enouraging all those in public radio to seek excellence.
• Provide a searchable “bulletin board” listing for equipment needed, equipment to be sold, situations wanted, jobs available.
• EUonline will help support itself through sales of advertising space in its Web page.

1. EUonline will offer, at no extra charge, links to its advertisers’ home pages.
2. Advertisements will be sprinkled throughout each issue, rather than contained on one page. Ad placement is determined by random order, subject to periodic rotation.
3. If the advertiser desires, EUonline will service and maintain a modest local page for the advertiser for an additional monthly charge.
4. Each e-mail equipped advertiser can offer the on-line equivalent of the “Reader Service Card” for EUonline readers, where readers may immediately e-mail for further information (EUonline does not provide advertiser e-mail support).

• Ensure that no NPR member station is deprived of EUonline through lack of Internet facilities. If required, EUonline will do the following for member stations:

1. Provide an HTML file reader that does not require an Internet connection.
2. Provide support files to make this possible (for example, WINSOCKS)
3. Transmit EUonline’s HTML files as binary attachments to a DACS message. This message can be directed to only the stations that do not have online capability.
4. Alternatively, make EUonline available though a dial-up modem connection, which NPR will maintain.
5. Otherwise, make EUonline hardcopies, and mail to station for nominal charge.

• Provide links to appropriate sites:

1. Links to other Broadcast Organizations
2. Links to Standards and Reference Sites

• The EUonline site will act as a repository of downloadable shareware,demo, and freeware applications useful to broadcasters. These applications would include simple resistance/reactance calculators, propagation plotters, and other applications for Mac and DOS platforms. Those readers downloading the software would be responsible for the software suitability and its registration.