I have deep knowledge of and experience with
TCP/IP networking from
small- and enterprise-scale network design, implementation and security to Linux
and UNIX kernel-level implementations and driver development. See my
LinkedIn Profile for
details about my experience.
Go here if you’re looking for the excellent
hardware company Broadcast Tools. The web URLs
are similar, but we do very different things for broadcast stations.
The Power of &
& is inclusive
& empowers
& opens doors
& enables productivity
Background
“Don’t let your avocation become your vocation!” ∴ My first broadcasting supervisor
Well Jon, I did it.
I started Broadcast Tool & Die after building the online streaming
station radiodriftless.org in 2005, full-power NCE radio station
WDRT, Viroqua, WI in 2010, and low-power FM
WNUC-LP, Detroit in 2017. I learned a lot about
digital audio systems and brought my 20–plus years of IT work
and commercial broadcast experience to the world of broadcast and
podcast. Check out my awesome work, and see more
about me.
I turned my avocation into my vocation, and I still love what I do!
Policies
Our Policies ∴ Don’t be ridiculous
Broadcast Tool & Die respects your privacy and your desire to not be
tracked. This web server logs IP addresses, but we purge the logs
monthly on the First of the month. No personally identifiable
information is gathered or saved on this computer.
Online Service Provider
Broadcast Tool & Die is an online service provider as established in
the US Digital Millenium Copyright Act in Section 512 of Title 17 of
US Code.
Broadcast Tool & Die may allow some users to input data that is
stored on BT&D servers. These data may be displayed to other users or to public
visitors to BT&D sites. These input, storage, and display processes
are automatic.
Notice and Takedown System
BT&D operates a notice and takedown system according to Section 512.
In case of unauthorized use of copyrighted works you find on a BT&D
sites, you may send a request for removal of the infringing material to
its designated agent. Your request must include the following items:
Your name and contact information
Name of the copyright owner of the work in question
Title and description of the work in question
URL of the BT&D site(s) and position on the site where the infringing
material appears
Attestation that you are the legal owner of the work or that you are
authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the work
BT&D’s Designated Agent is David Klann. You may reach him via
email at dklann@broadcasttool.com,
or by postal mail at 911 Western Rd, Madison, WI 53705. BT&D will
respond to the contact you provide in the takedown request.
Here’s a short list of some of the things I’ve done for my clients.
Rivendell ∴ Radio Automation & the cost of Free Software
I’ve been working with the Rivendell
radio automation software for more than a decade. The simple fact is
that although it is free software, the real cost of implementing it is
your time. I help stations get from “installation” to
“up and running” as quickly as possible: Setting up the library,
adding trigger events, clocks and a schedule grid, and explaining it all
so you can get down to the business of programming your station quickly!
Streaming ∴ Put Your Station on the Internet!
I’ve been hosting radio station audio streams for more than 12
years. It’s easy, uses little bandwidth, and as fun for me as it
is for you! I provide RoU reports for SoundExchange in whatever format
you need, including so-called “NPR format” (required for
submission to NPR digital services under the NFCB
agreement). I’ll even hook up your Rivendell automation system
to the Icecast server so your listeners get updated stream data!
Reporting and analytics are included in your low-cost monthly streaming
fees. Here’s an example of a real-time listener graph. I offer other
views and data for your streams.
Read more about BT&D streaming services in
this brochure.
I can also set you up with and host alternative stream technology, like
HLS streams.
RDFetch ∴ Manage and Ingest Podcasts to Rivendell
Stations regularly ask about Rivendell’s ability to download
and import audio files from podcast sources. As delivered, Rivendell
has no capability to do this, so I wrote RDFetch.
The core of RDFetch is a simple text menu that leads you through
setting up downloads and importing podcasts. RDFetch uses the standard
Linux tool podget to perform the
podcast download. It downloads the audio files into directories (aka
“folders”) that RDFetch previously set up as Rivendell
dropboxes. When the download completes, Rivendell automatically
imports the freshly downloaded file into the library. RDFetch also
lets you know when it’s having trouble so you can attend to it
before it results in dead air.
It’s a common desire for people to use their Rivendell computer as
a general–purpose audio workstation. This requires an
industrial–grade audio routing tool such as JACK.
I’ve spent many hours getting Rivendell, JACK and other
audio apps working together.
Networking & I.T. ∴ If it’s not making you money, it’s costing you money
Get the most out of your investment in technology resources. Make sure
your network is efficient and secure. I have many years of designing,
building, monitoring and hacking small and large networks. Let me help
you with your IT infrastructure so that it contributes to your bottom
line.
STL: Studio to Wherever ∴ Get Your Audio Out The Door
Linking your studio to your transmitter, and other destinations
can be dicey: transmitters are often in the middle of nowhere.
I can help you get your audio signal from the studio(s) to the
transmitter(s) and elsewhere with cost-effective and creative
solutions.
Contact
Get in touch ∴ Feel free to call or SMS me at 608–515–8649,
or fill in the blanks and I’ll reply as soon as I can.
