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ANA-2700 Network Analyzer – A Portable Antenna Wizard!

**Product Discontinued**

Testing transmission lines, antennas, and passive RF networks like filters just got much easier!

The Schomandl ANA-2700 wideband, full featured, network analyzer is at home both in the lab and at the antenna tower. It’s swept and fixed frequency range of 1 – 2700 MHz takes in most common broadcast, communications, and cellular frequencies; including [...]

AM Detuning Mission Accomplished

AM cellular tower detuning system

As the most experienced firm offering AM detuning services, LBA gets some complicated requests. LBA’s professionals are mostly unsung when they accomplish these missions.

Kathryn Tesh and the LBA team recently set straight a cellular tower detuning project in the Pacific Northwest, saving the cellular customer considerable money in the process. So it [...]

New LBA Lighting Choke Feeds Tower Strobe Lights

Providing an AC feed to strobe lighting systems on high power AM towers can be problematical. The ring-type chokes often used for tower light feeds on high voltage towers often do not function well under the low pulse loads of stroboscopic lighting systems. These problems can cause overheating and burn out of seemingly adequately [...]

LBA Group Partners with Balboa Capital to Provide Customer Leasing Solutions

LBA has partnered with Balboa Capital Corp. to provide lease financing plans for LBA Technology RF and test equipment resellers and customers.

Recognizing the needs of our customers for financing flexibility, LBA has made available leasing services from one of the preeminent business oriented finance groups in the US.  Balboa Capital is a national leader in [...]

New LBA Technology Index

Check out the new LBA Technology Index page.  We would appreciate your comments and suggestions on the new design!

AM Detuning Powers Up New York High Voltage Line

Utility constructors installing AM detuning system on East Greenbush 345 KV transmission tower.

Lawrence Behr Associates cleared the path for a new electricity transmission line in New York that that could not be energized until interference problems with a Rensselaer, N.Y., AM radio station were resolved to the satisfaction of the New York Public Utility Commission.

After extensive onsite and computer analyzes, LBA [...]

LBA’s October Exhibit Schedule for Schomandl/Kathrein Test Instruments

LBA Technology is offering the top-of-the-line Kathrein MSK-200 TV Signal Analyzer for hands-on demonstrations at the following October events:

October 6-7 in Verona, NY at the SBE22 Broadcast Technology Expo presented by LBA Reseller Broadcasters General Store in booth# A18

October 13-15 in Madison, WI at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association “Broadcasters Clinic“, presented by LBA Reseller Broadcasters [...]

The MSK-200 Universal Digital TV Tester Gets Even Better!

New MSK-200 TV Signal Analyzer with Many New Added Features!

New and improved MSK-200 Analyzers have arrived!
(LBA Sales Executive Paulo Fernandes)

Since LBA introduced the Kathrein MSK-200 TV Signal Analyzer to the Americas last year, it has been enthusiastically welcomed by TV engineers. As an economical portable or fixed 6 ‘n 1 digital signal test solution it was without compare. And we have had [...]

LBA Technology Supplies Antenna Solution for US Navy Guam NAVTEX System

Installing SAMWAS-200 ATU

Installing SAMWAS-200 ATU

Ships sailing in waters near Guam have a new connection to shore. The island’s NAVTEX navigational telex broadcast system has been upgraded by replacing three conventional 300’ vertical towers with one small aperture SAMWAS antenna.

The unique SAMWAS medium wave antenna system is a product of LBA Technology, a North Carolina telecommunications [...]

Radio station owner found new money in old towers

WNTK Talk Radio in New Hampshire & Vermont

New England radio station owner Bob Vinikoor looked past the momentary inconvenience of installing wireless carrier antennas on his AM radio towers (colocation) and saw a steady stream of revenue. The same sight awaits almost any radio station owner willing to look into the matter.

Lawrence Behr Associates can help. We make it possible to generate [...]

AM towers and wireless carriers can thrive together

CoLoPole at WCCM in Boston, MA

Can wireless carriers and AM radio station towers partner? You betcha! There is a proven collocation engineering system that successfully weds wireless antennas and AM towers. In this blog, Lawrence Behr, founder and chief executive officer of LBA Group Inc., explains how it’s done.

Historically, the wireless industry has been warned to steer clear of AM [...]

Summertime is Lightning Time – Are You Protected?

Lightning flirts with a 335-ft tall radio tower. Credit: Jeffrey K. Herzer/Missouri State Highway Patrol Communications Division.

Every radio engineer and tower owner is painfully aware of the toll that lightning takes on broadcast and communications installations each year.

The mechanism for how towers attract lightning is not really understood. But scientists have known for a long [...]

MSK-200 TV Signal Analyzer Steals the Show!

LBA Technology’s presentation of Kathrein / Schomandl RF Test Equipment generates overwhelming interest from South American visitors at the LABS’09 (Latin American Broadcast Show) going on now in Miami, FL. The MSK-200 TV signal analyzer can be seen in the center of the photo above.

LBA’s latest Authorized RF Instrument Reseller, 305 Broadcast, [...]

FCC Releases Rural HDTV Procedure

Geographically isolated and local community analog TV watchers soon can see their favorite shows in high-definition television. The Federal Communications Commission has issued a public notice on how low power television stations can go digital, beginning in rural areas not served by full-power stations.

Though most of the American viewing public switched to DTV in June, [...]

Straight Talk About the Digital TV Transition…

Much is made of reception problems marring the changeover from analog to digital TV in the US. Typically, these problems are laid on the backs of the TV engineering community. Before you jump too hard on the engineers, please consider that broadcasting is not a technology industry – it is an entertainment industry, pure and [...]

LBA Exhibits at the Latin American Broadcast Show

LABS

Please join LBA Technology in Miami, Florida for this year’s LABS’09 event at the Hyatt Regency Downtown, July 9th and 10th. LBA will display, in booth# 307, not only our time-tested AM Antenna System products and solutions, but also a full line of RF Test & Measuring instruments from world renowned Kathrein & Schomandl.

Demonstrations will [...]

LTACT Tactical Communications Trailer from LBA Technology

LTACT Tactical Communications Trailer from LBA Technology

The LTACT tactical communications trailer by LBA Technology is designed as a versatile budget-friendly mobile platform carrying a telescoping, storm-sturdy communications tower and an enclosed operations cabin. Custom configurable, a typical unit is the LTACT-28 furnished with a 48-foot crank-up tower, self-supporting in winds of 70 mph. A wide variety of antennas, lights, [...]

LBA Brings Schomandl – Kathrein Test Applications to NAB Show Floor

Houston Channel 2 Storm Stracker H2 Hummer

This year at NAB2009, LBA’s channel partners and integrators featured working Schomandl – Kathrein Test Equipment in their booths. The hit of the show were the MSK-200 TV signal analyzer and ADAM-3000 rack mount analog / digital TV analyzer. We bring you some photos of innovative uses of these analyzers.

ADAM-3000 in Houston CH2 Storm Tracker [...]

COMET Vacuums Now on Sale at the LBA Capacitor Store!

Comet Vacuum Capacitors on Sale!

All the capacitors on the attached PDF list are in stock and on sale for a limited time! If you see any of interest, communicate with LBA immediately. All are subject to prior sale. The list contains both new and old part numbers. Many are most familiar with the “Old Type” numbers. Those numbers that [...]

Schomandl’s FIT-70 Wattmeter: Fast and Handy

FIT-70 Inline Wattmeter

Schomandl manufactures a series of meters it calls “fast installation testers,” or FIT for short. The FIT-70 Inline wattmeter addresses the RF industry’s need to check wattages and forward and reflected power at remote antenna sites and STLs. As advertised, the FIT-70 is a fast, easy-to-use and easy-to-read tester. Its main unit measures 8 inches [...]

Just Carry the Kathrein/Schomandl MSK-125 and Do it All!

MSK-125 TV Signal Analyzer

Let’s see, pondered the technician, scratching his chin, shall I carry this… and this… and this… and this… to the satellite installation job and subsequent check of the video conferencing system? Or shall I just take the MSK-125? Hmmm…

The appeal of the Kathrein/Schomandl MSK 125 signal meter begins with its versatility. It is a multi-standard [...]

Join Our New Linked-In Groups

LBA sponsors these groups to assist our user communities in exchanging information, tips, and opinions. Please visit www.linkedin.com, join up and check in – it’s free!

Lone Star Pioneer Plays On With LBA

In 1974, WTAW (now KZNE) in Bryan – College Station, Texas – home of the Texas Aggies – was 50 years old, an original Texas radio station!

For all its years, it had remained a single tower 1000 watt daytime station on 1150 kHz. That was, until owner Rodger (Bill) Watkins resolved to increase coverage and [...]

Digital TV Conversion – Who Loses Who Gains?

The FCC has released two free map books showing in detail the impact of the digital conversion on every US TV station. Most stations come out winners, with 89% gaining net coverage, and 11% losing.

Stations losing coverage area can regain it using several methods, according to the FCC. Options include changing channels or antenna [...]

W. R. (Bill) Roberson, Jr. – Crossing the Bar

Sunset over the Tar Pamlico

 

A member of the Broadcast Pioneers, Bill Roberson was indeed a pioneering figure in North Carolina broadcasting. His roots ran first to AM radio WRRF in Washington, NC in 1942, and WRRZ, Clinton, in 1943. Then he founded the first Eastern North Carolina television station WITN, Channel 7 in 1955, followed by powerhouse WITN-FM!

Bill was [...]

FIT-70 Antenna Tester a Winner!

FIT-70 Antenna Tester a Winner!

John George here – As an old time broadcaster, I’ve run into a bunch of antenna testers and power meters over the years! Now, the LBA Technology Test Equipment Group has a whole new bag of goodies for me. Case in point is the FIT-70 Antenna Tester.

The FIT-70 tester, is manufactured by Schomandl, a division [...]

Happy 100th Birthday, Radio Club of America!

Radio Club of America

 

Friday Jan 2, 2009 is the 100th Birthday of the Radio Club of America and W2RCA is celebrating with a QSO Party on that day using:

Mode: Phone (SSB and AM)

Time (EST)  Time (UTC) Band Frequency
12:00 – 2:59 pm  1700-1959 15 meters 21290-21315 kHz
3:00 – 05:59 pm  2000-2259 20 meters 14215-14250 kHz
6:00 – 8:59 pm  2300 – 0159 (Jan 3) 40 meters 7215 -7240 [...]

MSK-200 DTV Monitor Ideal for Multiple Transmitter Networks

The MSK-200 Digital Transport Stream antenna monitor is just the ticket for adjusting and maintaining multiple transmitter DTV systems as recently authorized by the FCC. A host of timing, synchronization, and quality aspects can be assessed by the portable, but very sophisticated Kathrein DTV monitor. Read more about the MSK-200 in our blog “Hear no [...]

FCC Authorizes Distributed TV Transmission Systems

In a breakthrough action, the Federal Communications Commission today authorized digital television stations to use DTS technology. In a move aimed to remedy coverage problems in the analog to digital transition, the FCC has now permitted DTV stations to supplement their tall tower transmissions with low power outliers, or abandon the tall towers for [...]

Latest LBA Antenna Systems Feature New RF Switch Technology

John George showing KEYS 50 KW ATU with VC-1 RF Contactors.

Among recent AM antenna systems to use the new LBA VC-1 Vacuum RF Relay is a seven tower 50 KW directional at KYES in St. Cloud, Minnesota. KYES is a new Catholic community talk radio service of The Throw Fire Project.

In addition to two phasor cabinets, the complex system includes two open panel ATU’s and [...]