This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

“TWiRT” is your go to show if you want to get behind the scenes on what makes broadcasting possible. The show addresses common issues as well as explaining past experiences from a wide array of hosts who each come from a different background in radio technology. This show is a must for any tech geek or for anyone who is interested in what goes on behind the boards and wires.

This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT) is a technology podcast hosted by guysfromqueens, with 12 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

guysfromqueens hosts This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT), a technology show with 12 episodes published.

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  This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

  TWiRT Ep. 818 - What's Next After C-Band Satellite?

  Sep 18, 20261h 13m

  For more than 40 years, C-band satellite distribution has been a workhorse for radio and television broadcasters — but another big chunk of that spectrum is going away - leaving almost nothing for program distributors to use. On TWiRT Episode 818, Mark Johnson, President of LinkUp Communications, and Marcos O’Rourke, Engineering Manager at LinkUp, join Kirk Harnack to explain what FCC 26-46 means for broadcasters still depending on C-band delivery. Mark gives us some history, explains how the FCC’s latest plans would eventually leave broadcasters with only about 40 MHz of C-band downlink spectrum, and walks us through the proposed transition timeline. We also look at alternatives already being developed, including increased Ku-band satellite distribution and terrestrial IP delivery using capabilities built into XDS receivers. The transition won’t happen overnight, but the direction is becoming clear: broadcasters using C-band need to start thinking about what comes next. Join us for TWiRT Episode 818 as we sort through the FCC’s plans and what engineers should be watching in the months ahead.

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  This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

  TWiRT Ep. 816 - Deciphering FCC EAS Cybersecurity Rules with Shane Toven

  Sep 4, 20261h 21m

  The FCC has adopted new cybersecurity requirements for Emergency Alert System equipment—but turning the language of a Report and Order into practical procedures at a real broadcast facility isn’t always straightforward. What equipment is covered? What constitutes adequate protection? And how can broadcasters comply without making their systems needlessly difficult to operate and maintain? This […]

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  This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

  TWiRT Ep. 815 - LDMOS Technology in FM Transmitters with Paul Barzizza

  Aug 29, 20261h 7m

  ow can a modern FM transmitter produce 10,000 watts of RF power from such a surprisingly compact package? On episode 815 of This Week in Radio Tech, GatesAir’s Paul Barzizza joins Kirk Harnack for a close look inside the company’s new GX Series of FM transmitters. Paul draws on his extensive radio and television engineering background to explain the GX amplifier layout and the powerful LDMOS field-effect transistors at the heart of the design. Because these devices spread heat across a larger area, they can handle substantially more power than earlier generations of transistors—giving transmitter designers a way to produce impressive RF output from a comparatively small cabinet. This isn’t merely a discussion of specifications and theory. Paul and Kirk recently installed a GatesAir GX10K—a combined FM exciter and 10,000-watt RF amplifier—at WIQQ-FM in Leland, Mississippi. They share photos from the project, examine how the transmitter is assembled, and talk through the technology that makes it work.

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  This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

  TWiRT Ep. 814 - Amanda Hopp - Chief Engineer

  Aug 21, 20261h 12m

  Broadcast engineering is a family affair for Amanda Hopp and her father, Cris Alexander. Amanda is Chief Engineer for Crawford Broadcasting’s Denver stations, while Cris serves as Director of Engineering for the entire company. On this episode of TWiRT, they share Amanda’s path into engineering—and what her experience might teach others considering a career in the field. We also explore cybersecurity, IT and networking, the challenges of maintaining multiple transmitter sites, and Amanda’s inventive use of Raspberry Pis and other small computers for monitoring, control and automation. Along the way, we hear how Amanda draws on programming expertise from elsewhere within Crawford to create practical engineering solutions. Join us for an engaging conversation with two highly accomplished engineers who just happen to be father and daughter.

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  This Week In Radio Tech (TWiRT)

  TWiRT Ep. 813 - What is a Broadcast Engineer in 2026?

  Aug 14, 20261h 17m

  Today’s broadcast facilities depend on far more than transmitters, RF systems and studio audio. Engineers are now responsible for Ethernet networks, Windows and Linux computers, cybersecurity, virtualization, streaming, metadata, AoIP, remote access, cloud services—and countless devices that are essentially computers wearing broadcast-equipment clothing. In this episode Kirk Harnack explores how the broadcast engineer’s job has evolved with an outstanding panel: Kevin Trueblood of WGCU Media, Geary Morrill, Northern Region Director of Engineering for Connoisseur Media, and Jeff McGinley, Vice President of Engineering at SummitMedia. How much must one person know about RF, audio and IT? Where should a market engineer’s responsibility end? When hiring, is technical knowledge more important than natural troubleshooting ability? And can a skilled IT professional be developed into a great broadcast engineer? Our guests bring similar—but distinctly different—perspectives to these increasingly important questions. Check out this episode of This Week in Radio Tech and join us as we ask: What is a broadcast engineer in 2026?

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