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Open letter to the SBE
by Mark Persons 

Society of Broadcast Engineers
9102 N. Meridian Street
Suite 150
Indianapolis, IN   46260

Dear SBE:

Many thanks for drawing my name for a prize in the recent membership drive.  It is an Eton E1XM AM/FM/SW/XM Radio.  What a great reward for talking-up the SBE this year and in past years.  I even tell station managers about the SBE because they need to know the organization is a good and true one that helps Broadcast Engineers be good at what we do. 

Years ago, I was too busy to be bothered with the newly organized Society of Broadcast Engineers.  I was in our family owned and operated radio station fixing cartridge tape machines, reel to reel tape decks, and turntables, not to mention transmitters.  Who had time to think of anything else?   

It was at an NAB convention that I was formally introduced to the SBE by the likes of Bob Jones and John Battison.  It became clear that the SBE was, and still is, a viable and needed organization.  However, it wasn't until after joining that I discovered there were certification exams to be conquered.  The deadline for "grandfathering" into the SBE had passed.  Not to be deterred, I forged ahead studying and then passing exam after exam.  It was also apparent that the examinations were written by Broadcast Engineers for Broadcast Engineers.  The questions were well thought out so they could be understood by those working in the industry.  You can't beat that.

Just when it seemed I was on the top as a CPBE (Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer), SBE management raised the bar by offering additional certifications.  So, it was back to the exam room to pass the CBNT (Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist) exam followed by the AMD (AM Directional Specialist) exam.  Someday soon you may find my face in an exam room to take the recently created SBE DRB (Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist) certification too.

All of this is really for the best.  The SBE has stretched my capabilities to make me a better Broadcast Engineer.  Good people are running this organization and I am glad of it.  We should all be thankful for the guiding light of the SBE in this ever changing world.    SBE, lead on.                 

                                                                                       Sincerely,   Mark W. Persons   ham W0MH 

     Questions?  Email Mark Persons:  teki@mwpersons.com