5 critical points to secure to maintain the quality of FM broadcasting

1. Define all mission-critical systems necessary to maintain operations

1.1. Control and monitoring of all audio consoles and routing (and therefore studios and audio)
1.2. Control and monitoring of all broadcast transmitters and critical gear at each tower site
1.3. Control and monitoring of all STL and IP links to transmitters, streaming, DAB/HD
1.4. Control and monitoring of all playout, background record, ingest, and news systems
1.5. Monitoring of critical IT systems - switches, routers, servers, telecom, internet connectivity, security

2. Ensure you have control and remediation plans for your AUDIO

2.I. Without audio, your station is effectively dead
2.2. Define all failure points in each station's audio chain (router, DA, console, AOIP node, IT)
2.3. You should have remote access to all failure points and have "workaround" instructions
2.4. Off air/silence alarms are a must - automatic re-routing is best, manual remote operations essential
2.5. Have a fool-proof least-tech way to route playout to STL - passive switching for emergency use

3. Your transmitter sites are mission-critical and KEY

3.I. We all know this. As engineers, we live this everyday. Are you prepared though?
3.2. Some countries do not require remote control of their transmitter facilities. Doesn't matter now.
3.3. If you do not have remote control of your transmitter site, make sure you do.
3.4. Most modern transmitters have IP capability. Older models rely on analog metering and control - you will need a specialized remote-control system for this. Either way, you should have remote on/off, power raise/lower, power level monitoring, etc. capability. From your phone, your laptop, or your smartphone. If you have main/alternate transmitters or antennas, you should be able to switch those remotely.
3.5. If your transmitter site does not have a phone line or internet, install it. Some folks use cellular adapters to provide IP (or dial tone) in tough or very remote locations.

4. STL and program transport systems should not be forgotten

4. 1. If they go down, you go down. You have backups already, right?
4.2. Do you have remote control and monitoring of them? Are they capable of remote control?
4.3. Does your studio use a programmable controller or AOIP system to handle STL's?
4.4. Do you have access to the STL's directly or through the existing control system (see above)
4.5. Do you have remote control of the STL transport system at the other end"? (transmitter)

5. IT and Cyber-security

5.1. Prior to the pandemic, was your physical plant adequately protected from IT threats?
5.2. Have you loosened up your firewall and any VPN requirements to allow home broadcasting?
5.3. Do not let your guard down. There are ways to protect your core IT without sacrificing remote access
5.4. Your playout systems and other critical gear are usually very isolated from the public internet - are they now or did you break some rules to allow access to PD's and on-air talent in a hurry? If so, go back now and reinstate proper security.
5.5 If you need help, call your software vendor(s). They have advice on best practices. So do your engineering buddies.

Gary Kline
gary@klineconsulting.com
Kline Consulting Group LLC
http://klineconsulting.com/
Atlanta, Georgia USA