Hear No RF Evil – See No RF Evil

The Coast Guard says LORAN-C isn’t necessary for maritime navigation and the Department of Homeland Security says it’s not needed as a backup for GPS, so will shut down most of its system 0n 8 February 2010. That leaves pilots and other users very concerned about the lack of a land-based redundancy for GPS. Loran C is also widely used for a lab and telecom system precision timing reference. That doesn’t seem to concern Homeland Security which calls it “an antiquated system no longer required by the armed forces, the transportation sector or the nation’s security interests.” Further, it claims that LORAN-C is only used by “a small percentage of the population,” and that those users “will have to shift to GPS or other systems.” “LORAN-C is no longer a prudent use of taxpayer funds and is not allowed under the 2010 DHS Appropriation Act,” according to the Coast Guard. The official USCG notice states:

*** Special Notice Regarding LORAN Closure: *** In accordance with the DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S. Coast Guard will terminate the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals effective 2000Z 08 Feb 2010. At that time, the U.S. LORAN-C signal will be unusable and permanently discontinued. This termination does not affect U.S. participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S. participation in these chains will continue temporarily in accordance with international agreements. You may read more and download pertinent documents via our LORAN-C page.

The Loran C closures do not affect other navigation, positioning, and information systems such as NAVTEX and DGPS. LBA provides shore transmitting antennas and systems for these services.

For more information, contact Jerry Brown, jbrown@lbagroup.com or 252-757-0279

Lawrence Behr

Lawrence Behr, founder of LBA Group, was interviewed in the November / December 2009 issue of NC Magazine.  LBA Group earned position number 2,780 on the 2009 Inc. 5000, Inc’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

In the interview, Behr said, “We were founded in 1963, and we have been quite adaptable over that period of time.  As a small business, we have to drive toward the opportunities.  We live in niches, and ours is a flexible one.”

He noted that his company has shifted from specialties in radio and TV to cellular technologies and even to mapping projects, following the opportunities that emerged as technologies changed.  Today, the company has shifted to more of a service and marketing company than a manufacturing company.

“The industry is a mixed bag,” he said.  “There’s capital investment, but the negative side is that the economy has been such that competitors are making deals that offer low or no profit margins, and we’ve had to lower our prices to compete.”

The MSK-200 TV Signal Analyzer combines the best of everything in measurement capabilities.  With the demands of the broadcast industry and new beginnings and unknowns with the DTV conversion, the MSK-200 is equipped to handle challenges today and tomorrow.  The MSK-200 comes out of the box with the ability to demodulate all DVB signals whether terrestrial, cable or satellite.  It analyzes both analog and digital signals and demodulates every standard.

I might add that the MSK-200 is a product of the renowned German technology firm Kathrein Werke, and is widely adopted in much of the world. LBA Technology is now exclusively bringing this Kathrein Schomandl excellence to DTV users in the Western Hemisphere.

Today, broadcasters demand functionality in a piece of test equipment across the board whether making spectrum, constellation, or transport stream analyses.  Traditionally, separate pieces of equipment were required to generate the desired results for each measurement type which is cumbersome, expensive and required professional operation driving up overhead costs on personnel and equipment.  Not anymore.  The MSK-200 is a full spectrum analyzer, constellation analyzer, transport stream monitor, picture quality analyzer, MER/BER analyzer, memory oscilloscope and desktop PC all in one at an affordable price.   Compared to its arch nemeses FSH3-TV and the ETL-TV by Rhode and Schwarz, the MSK-200 is ready to go out of the box, without the need of extra options to achieve needed measurements.  The FSH3-TV and ETL-TV would have to add on several expensive options to match the functionality of the MSK, and they cost more.  The MSK-200 comes included with a hard case which will run you about $1000.00 with Rhode and Schwarz.  Also the Rhode and Schwarz units do not have a full desktop computer with browser for office tasks.

For example, the FSH3-TV comes standard with DVB-T analysis.  If you need DVB-C, ATSC, 8VSB, you need to add an option.  If you need a preamp, you need another option, if you need QAM analysis, add an option.  Get my drift.  These are challenging times for broadcasters and now even more during this economic downtime, why limit their use and require costly additions.  Peace of mind can come in knowing everything is included in one and you are ready to go, and the MSK will not leave you wishing you had added that extra input or measurement option.

Another very unique feature of the MSK-200 the Rhode and Schwarz units do not have, is the DisEqC control of multiple antennas and LNB’s.   With 22KHz, Tone Burst, DiSEqC 2.0, and UFO Micro, the MSK-200 is separated in its own class.  The DiSEqC 2.0 allows for switching between 4 satellite sources and bi-directional communications.
The MSK-200 also has a 10.4” TFT Color Infrared touch screen and user friendly operation anyone can use right out of the box that will accommodate both left and right handed users.  In addition, in case users get stuck, a unique “HELP” function guides users easily.  It uses actual images of each button and a browser type layout with step by step instructions to give both verbiage and a visual representation shortening the learning curve and making it seem like surfing the web.  The neat thing about the “HELP” feature is that regardless what you are doing with the MSK, the “HELP” feature will display results for whatever operation the unit is conducting at that time which always determines the “stuck” point, or simply find what you want assistance with by scrolling through like your internet browser.  Ultimately, the MSK-200 will reduce overall equipment costs and precious personnel costs.

The MSK-200 also totes a Real Time Color Constellation Analyzer up to 400 mbps where the FSH-3TV is only at about 200.  The difference is the ability to spot every carrier, with color representation, where some may otherwise be missed.

While there are similarities with the MSK and Rhode units, there are differences as well.  It is these differences that set the MSK apart.

In addition to measurement option differences, the MSK-200 comes complete with every connection available.  It has 2 USB ports, Ethernet, PCMCIA, RF input, ASI in out (2BNC), Transport Current parallel ( 2 SUB-D ), PS2 input, RS-232 Mini Din 9-pin.

Use the PCMCIA slot to add your choice of WiFi, WiMAX, or cellular wireless data connectivity. With the on board browser, your MSK-200 integrates with your web or intranet based technical files anywhere, and troubleshooting collaboration with your other technical resources across the company or the world is instantaneous!

I’m Paulo Fernandes, your MSK-200 contact at LBA Technology Test Equipment Group. I would love to carry this conversation onward to your application! Please email me, or call me at 252-757-0279.

In a breakthrough action, the Federal Communications Commission today authorized digital television stations to use DTS technology. Read more here.

The Schomandl/Kathrein MSK-200 Digital Transport Stream Analyzer has been generating lots of interest in the HDTV community. But there is another exciting capability of the MSK-200 – it also handles satellite applications!

The MSK-200 is an Analog and Digital analyzer covering 5 MHZ – 3GHz making satellite applications simple without compromising measurement capabilities.  The MSK-200 has a refresh rate of 5 sweeps per second and LNB Multimeter making dish alignment a breeze.   Also the MSK-200 features DiSEqC switching technology to handle multiple LNB’s.  The MSK provides functions such as signal to noise and Hum measurements, data logging and networking with its built in computer with browser, low resolution bandwidths for monitoring small carriers, channel selection in frequency entry, channel entry, and user lists, MER and much more.  The MSK-200 is a versatile device due to its size making portability possible even in the brightest conditions, allowing for remote control, and being loaded with bench-top measurement features.

As Account Executive for LBA’s Test Equipment Group, I’ll be glad to discuss your satellite system test needs. Just contact me, Paulo Fernandes, at email link or 252-757-0279.

Exciting things are happening for LBA Technology test equipment solutions customers!

German RF equipment manufacturer Kathrein and subsidiary Schomandl will exclusively distribute its radio frequency test equipment, including devices for digital TV, radio, wireless, CATV, satellite and laboratory use, through the RF systems expertise of LBA Technology, throughout the western hemisphere.

Read more here!

Radio frequency test equipment now offered by LBA includes instruments for digital TV, radio, wireless, CATV, satellite and laboratory use. The supply of this equipment in the Americas through LBA is fully supported by the entire Kathrein – Schomandl team!

Read more here!