[no_toc]This page refers to the 2017 event and is no longer being updated. Visit the current Radio TechCon homepage for more on this year’s event.
Here’s what you can expect to experience on the day…
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Welcome to Radio TechCon
Radio TechCon legend David Lloyd is our compère for the day
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How Broadcast Engineering Began
In the surroundings of the British Broadcasting Company’s first home, Angela Stevenson brings us an insight into the lives of the first radio engineers, based on her finding from MSc research.
2018 will mark the centenary of WWI and 100 years since military wireless specialists returned to civilian life and began to experiment with broadcasting capabilities alongside commercial applications for radio communications. In 2014 Angela Stevenson set out to discover how the industry that so many see as a vocation, Angela included, began. In her search for historical evidence Angela learnt much about the pioneers of our industry and their commitment to achieving a broadcasting service.
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5G, or not 5G?
The big question facing the industry – what will 5G mean for consumers? Can it replace traditional broadcast? What should the engineering community be telling their managers to ensure we stay on air? In this in-depth session, experts from the EBU, BBC and BT/EE debate the pros, cons, and unknowns in the world of 5G. Speakers: Andrew Murphy (BBC R&D), Mark Henry (Head of 5G at EE/BT) and Simon Fell (European Broadcasting Union).
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Global’s Virtual Studio
As part of their ongoing efforts to keep the number of presenter and operator errors low, Global has recreated their iconic Leicester Square Capital studios in virtual reality. This enables new starters and experienced presenters alike to get familiar with the studio kit, and find out what they would do if a real emergency were to arise. They will even let you play with it, if you ask nicely …
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Mini Masterclass: Smart Speakers and radio
Smart speakers are great news for radio, but how do they work? What’s the difference between speech-to-text and text-to-speech? What are skills, and why does your station need one? Hear from Mike Hill of Radioplayer, and Dan McQuillin, of Broadcast Bionics, to bring you up to speed on successfully shouting at the radio…
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Audio over IP and AES67: Learning to play nicely together
As AoIP (Audio over Internet Protocol) becomes commonplace across the industry, the BBC’s Jamie Laundon provides an informative summary of the current state of IP audio in the studio, how the latest update to AES67 improves interoperability, and how Plugfests are used to identify and resolve issues between different systems. He will also walk us through an example installation to discuss the various options and decisions you need to make to make your next installation fully IP. If you’ve ever struggled to get a new piece of IP audio kit working in your studio, this is the session for you!
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Sounding good forever – how the BBC is using technology to create an enduring and accessible cultural memory
Credit: BBC
You’ve done some of your best work – how do you make sure your legacy lives on, and that the recordings from your ‘Best OB Ever’ are still available for your great-great-great-great grandchildren to enjoy? Steve Daly from BBC Archives explains the things they’ve learned doing just that.
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Inspiring the next generation of engineers
The UK needs to attract its next generation of engineers, and broadcast engineering is no exception. The national STEM initiative creates opportunities for school students to meet engineers and learn how their skills and schoolwork could lead them to a rewarding career, but it can only be successful if engineers are willing to give a small amount of their time. Carol Harrison has recruited many engineers as STEM Ambassadors and now leads the North East Big Bang careers event team. Carol will be telling us how easy it is to become a STEM Ambassador and how quickly you can volunteer for events or create your own session plans. Warning: may contain Slinkys….
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IP Security in broadcasting
Your radio station is at risk if you do not secure your infrastructure!
Denis chairs a cyber meeting with members from the AIB (Association for International Broadcasting). They have recently brought together an IT security spec for all broadcast vendors to comply with. Denis will tell us what those standards are, how they’re being rolled out and why we so desperately need them in an increasingly unsafe cyber environment.
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Break it down for me: How object-based broadcasting can increase accessibility
Object-based broadcasting is the next big thing in radio production. By breaking down the audio content into objects, it can create personalised experiences. For hard of hearing listeners, this means the ability to adapt the balance of audio objects to ensure dialogue is understood. Lauren Ward, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Salford, talks about what the tools to deliver this might look like and the research going on to make these tools smarter.
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Visualisation on a budget
Spark Sunderland is a joint Community and Student radio station. The team wanted to engage its younger audience who live on social media, but the station couldn’t afford an ‘off-the-shelf’ visualisation system. Scott McGerty will explain how they built their own system from scratch.
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Mini Masterclass: Radio killed the radio star
Credit: Arqiva
How can you maintain a transmitter without killing yourself or others? Nigel Turner, RF Safety Officer for Arqiva, will introduce us to the physics of EMW and how the body absorbs them. Expect audience participation and a great demo into the perils of working at height.
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One Love Manchester
The #OneLoveManchester concert has been described as ‘this generation’s Live Aid’. How did the audio get sent all over the world? What do you need to know when planning the largest OB of your life in just a few days? This is the story of how Britain’s radio engineers did it.
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Fun and prizes
After a busy day, there’s a fun challenge to be had, as we look back on what we learned. Hosted by celebrity radio geek, Stephanie Hirst.
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Networking and beer
We will head to the evening networking venue (aka pub) for chatting and drinking. Huge thanks to the generosity of our sponsors for a free drink on them: Clockhouse Media, togglebit and Ann Charles Media.
Trade fair
In addition to the sessions, there will also be a mini-trade fair for delegates to attend during the morning, lunch and afternoon breaks. This will feature stalls from Broadcast Bionics, the IET, Broadcast Radio, HHB, Wedel, Preco, RCS and STEMNET.
Doors will open at 0900 with sessions running between 1000-1730, followed by networking drinks at a nearby venue ’til late.
Sessions are subject to change.
