Society of Broadcast Engineers
Encyclopedia
The Society of Broadcast Engineers or SBE is a professional organization for engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...

s in broadcast
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...

 radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...

 and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...

. The SBE also offers certification
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...

 in various radio frequency
Radio frequency
Radio frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals...

 and audio
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...

 technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...

 areas for its members.

History

The Society's roots can be traced back to 1961 when the Institute of Radio Engineers
Institute of Radio Engineers
The Institute of Radio Engineers was a professional organization which existed from 1912 until January 1, 1963, when it merged with the American Institute of Electrical Engineers to form the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers .-Founding:Following several attempts to form a...

 (IRE) and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers
American Institute of Electrical Engineers
The American Institute of Electrical Engineers was a United States based organization of electrical engineers that existed between 1884 and 1963, when it merged with the Institute of Radio Engineers to form the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers .- History :The 1884 founders of the...

 (AlEE) passed a joint resolution calling for a "merger or consolidation... into one organization." The two groups finally joined forces in 1963, forming what is known today as the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). However the new organization was perceived by some as not addressing the needs of broadcast engineers.

John H. Battison, P.E.
Professional Engineer
Regulation of the engineering profession is established by various jurisdictions of the world to protect the safety, well-being and other interests of the general public, and to define the licensure process through which an engineer becomes authorized to provide professional services to the...

, CPBE, editor of Broadcast Engineering magazine at the time, was one of those people. He wrote an editorial
Editorial
An opinion piece is an article, published in a newspaper or magazine, that mainly reflects the author's opinion about the subject. Opinion pieces are featured in many periodicals.-Editorials:...

, which appeared in his magazine in 1961, that pushed the idea of a new organization just for broadcast engineers. Battison's continued efforts sparked interest across the country. He published a membership application in the April 1963 issue of Broadcast Engineering and the response was encouraging. With help from family members, Battison mailed membership invitations to almost 5,000 radio and TV engineers in the United States and Canada.

On April 5, 1964, an organizational meeting was held during the National Association of Broadcasters convention at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago. Approximately 100 interested broadcast engineers attended. The group formed an organization devoted to the needs and interests of broadcast engineers. This new organization was originally called the Institute of Broadcast Engineers (IBE). However; because some members feared there might be confusion in the similarity between the names of the IBE and the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers), the name was changed to the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) at that very first meeting.

Present

The SBE now has approximately 5,500 members that can be found in all 50 states, four U.S. territories and more than 25 other countries.

With 114 chapters located throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 and one chapter located in Hong Kong, the SBE now commands a leadership position in the broadcast industry. Local SBE chapters provide services to members through meetings, technical seminars, certification examinations and fellowship. The SBE's first chapter was organized in Binghamton, N.Y., and it is still active today. Its newest chapter is in Hong Kong having been organized by local broadcast engineers in 2009.

The SBE Program of Certification, established in 1975, helps individuals improve their skills and gain recognition for those skills through a national testing program, which is the industry's most recognized evaluation service for broadcast engineers. The term engineer in the SBE does not include the necessity for an engineering degree for qualification at any certification level.

The SBE has been involved in developing a nationwide network of volunteer frequency coordinators. These volunteers help minimize interference to networks and other users of broadcast spectrum who need information about auxiliary broadcast frequencies.

The Society continually monitors regulatory issues and frequently files comments with the FCC and other federal and state agencies. In many cases, the SBE is the only organization representing the technical interests of broadcast engineers on regulatory issues.

Approximately 12 SBE chapters host regional conventions each year. Most of the events combine both technical seminars and an equipment exhibition. At these seminars, expert instructors provide training on a wide variety of technical and managerial topics. The conferences provide attendees with the opportunity to improve their skills as well as to examine the latest in technology. The SBE also offers a six-day intensive seminar on management for broadcast engineers.

The SBE has published a number of important books for use by broadcast engineers, technicians and operators. These include Introduction to DTV RF, SBE Guide to Writing Broadcast Station Operations Manuals, Radio Chief Operator's Handbook, SBE Certification Handbook for Radio Operators and Television Operator's Certification Handbook.

The national office of the Society of Broadcast Engineers is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. There, a full-time staff provides membership, chapter certification and frequency coordination services and support.

Certifications

Operator Level Certifications
  • Certified Radio Operator
    Certified Radio Operator
    Certified Radio Operator is a title granted to an individual that successfully passes the examination requirements of the certification. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers. The CRO title is protected by copyright laws. Individuals who use the title without consent...

     (CRO)
  • Certified Television Operator
    Certified Television Operator
    Certified Television Operator is a title granted to an individual that successfully passes the examination requirements of the certification in the United States. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers. The CTO title is protected by copyright laws...

     (CTO)

Broadcast Technologist Level Certification
  • Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist
    Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist
    Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist is a title granted to an individual that successfully passes the exam requirements of the certification. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers and shows competence in computer network equipment and their specialized...

     (CBNT)
  • Certified Broadcast Technologist
    Certified Broadcast Technologist
    Certified Broadcast Technologist is a title granted to an individual that successfully meets the experience or examination requirements of the certification. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers . The CBT title is protected by copyright laws...

     (CBT)


Engineer Level Certifications
  • Certified Audio Engineer
    Certified Audio Engineer
    Certified Audio Engineer is a title granted to an individual that successfully meets the experience and examination requirements of the certification. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers. The CEA title is protected by copyright laws...

     (CEA)
  • Certified Video Engineer
    Certified Video Engineer
    Certified Video Engineer is a title granted to an individual that successfully meets the experience and examination requirements of the certification. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers. The CEV title is protected by copyright laws...

     (CEV)
  • Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer
    Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer
    Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer is a title granted to an individual who successfully meets the experience and test requirements of the certification, regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers . The CBRE title is protected by copyright laws...

     (CBRE)
  • Certified Broadcast Television Engineer
    Certified Broadcast Television Engineer
    Certified Broadcast Television Engineer is a title granted to an individual that successfully meets the experience and examination requirements of the certification. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers . The CBTE title is protected by copyright laws...

     (CBTE)
  • Certified Broadcast Network Engineer (CBNE)
  • Certified Senior Broadcast Radio Engineer
    Certified Senior Broadcast Radio Engineer
    Certified Senior Broadcast Radio Engineer is a title granted to an individual that successfully meets the experience and examination requirements of the certification. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers . The CSRE title is protected by copyright laws...

     (CSRE)
  • Certified Senior Broadcast Television Engineer
    Certified Senior Broadcast Television Engineer
    Certified Senior Broadcast Television Engineer is a title granted to an individual that successfully meets the experience and examination requirements of the certification. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers . The CSTE title is protected by copyright laws...

     (CSTE)
  • Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer
    Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer
    Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer is a title granted to an individual who already holds an SBE Senior Broadcast Engineer certification or registered as a professional electrical engineer and also successfully meets the experience and reference requirements of the certification. The...

     (CPBE)

Specialist Certifications
  • Certified 8-VSB Specialist
    Certified 8-VSB Specialist
    Certified 8-VSB Specialist is a specialist title granted to an individual that successfully meets the prerequisite certification and examination requirements in the United States. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers , and demonstrates competence in the various...

     (8-VSB)
  • Certified AM Directional Specialist
    Certified AM Directional Specialist
    Certified AM Directional Specialist is a specialist title granted to an individual that successfully meets the prerequisite certification and examination requirements. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers , and demonstrates competence in the design and maintenance...

     (AMD)
  • Certified Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist
    Certified Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist
    Certified Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist is a specialist title granted to a previously SBE-certified individual that successfully meets the examination requirements. The certification is regulated by the Society of Broadcast Engineers , and demonstrates competence in the design and maintenance...

    (DRB)

Previous Certifications

These certifications are still in use but are no longer issued.
  • Certified Senior Broadcast Engineer (CSBE)
  • Certified Radio and Television Broadcast Engineer (CBRTE)
  • Certified Senior Radio and Television Broadcast Engineer (CSRTE)

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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