Terminology

Radio Ter·mi·nol·o·gy

Vocabulary of technical terms used in the Radio Industry.

Bump - a short audio segment used to brand the station and/or transition between two different types of music.

Bed - a piece of music played behind a dj during breaks usually not containing words.

Ramp - the time between when a songs starts and the first vocals begin.
Usage: "The ramp on the song is 30 seconds."

Post - when the dj introduces a song on its Ramp stopping just before the vocals begin.
Usage: "Nice post on that break."

PSA - public service annoucement

Over Modulation; "Hot" - Usually referring to a volume level that is abnormally high.

LP - A full length album; 10+ Tracks

EP - A shorter album; 3-6 Tracks

FM - Frequency Modulation

AM - Applitude Modulation

Distortion - Any loss or addition to an audio signal.

Clipping - Distortion caused by over modulation. Occurs when the electronic circuit is overloaded. Sounds loud, harsh and unpleasant can damage speakers and audio equipment. Clipping looks like the tops and bottoms of a signal waveform have been cut off

DAT - Digital Audio Tape; primarily used in professional audio industry

DAC - Digital Audio Converter; Converts Digital Audio Signal to an Analogy Audio Signal

Sibilance - A hissing sound produced when pronouncing S and Z.

Waveform - A visual representation of an audio signal showing the peaks and valleys in the signal.

XLR - A type of 3-pin connector

GLOSSARY OF BROADCAST TERMS

Amplitude Modulation (AM)

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A type of transmission used in the standard radio broadcast band at 535-1705 kilohertz.

Antenna Proof

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See Proof of Performance Measurements

Bandwidth

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The amount of frequency spectrum a radio signal occupies.

EAS Attention Signal

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An audio signal using the two tone frequencies of 853 and 960 Hz which is transmitted by an EAS station to actuate muted receivers for interstation receipt of emergency cuing announcements and broadcasts.

EAS Operating Handbook

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A booklet which states in summary form the actions to be taken by station personnel upon receipt of emergency action notification, termination, or test messages.

EAS Generator/Encoder

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Equipment capable of generating the EAS attention signal for transmission.

EAS Monitor/Decoder

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Equipment capable of receiving the EAS attention signal and emergency programming transmitted by other EAS stations.

EAS Tests

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Tests conducted weekly/monthly by broadcast stations to ensure that their EAS equipment is functioning properly and that station personnel are familiar with the use of these devices.

Equipment Performance Measurements

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Measurements performed to determine the overall performance characteristics of a broadcast transmission system from point of program origination to sampling of signal as radiated.

Experimental Period

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The time between 12 midnight local time and local sunrise, used by AM broadcast stations for tests, maintenance and experimentation.

Extension Metering

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The meters used to provide indications of a sampled parameter of a broadcast station transmitting system. To be considered an extension meter and not a remote meter, it must be less than 100 feet from the transmitter and installed in the same building as the transmitter.

Field Strength

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Electric field intensity, usually measured in millivolts per meter (mV/m) or in decibels above 1 microvolt per meter (dBu).

Frequency Modulation (FM)

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A method of modulation where the amplitude remains constant and the frequency of the carrier wave is varied according to the modulating wave. The FM broadcast band covers 88-108 Megahertz.

Local Marketing Agreement (LMA)

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See Time Brokerage

NRSC-1

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An audio pre-emphasis standard for AM stations which was implemented June 30, 1990. The pre-emphasis generally is obtained by using special "NRSC-1-equipped" audio processing equipment or a special NRSC-1 audio "filter".

NRSC-2

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An emission standard for AM stations aimed at attenuating AM sideband energy beyond 10 kHz of the assigned carrier frequency. This standard was implemented June 30, 1994.

Output Power

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The radio frequency output power of a transmitter's final radio frequency stage as measured at the output terminal while connected to a load. Often referred to as TPO.

Postsunset Service Authority (PSSA)

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Allows reduced power AM station operation for two hours after local sunset times specified in the station authorization.

Proof of Performance Measurements (Proofs)

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The measurements of field strengths made to determine the radiation pattern or characteristics of an AM directional antenna system.

Presunrise Service Authority (PSRA)

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Allows reduced power AM station operation from 6 a.m. until local sunrise times specified in the station authorization.

Public Inspection File

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A publicly accessible file to be maintained by broadcast stations which contains documents pertaining to the station's licensing, ownership, and operation.

Radio Morning Man Terminology

The DJ Lifestyle Creates Its Own Language

Coffeine - Coffee that has been brewed with two bags, instead of the suggested one bag in order to ingest as much caffeine as possible in the smallest gulps.

CarboHeyThanks - This is food given to Morning DJs who, according to the F.C.C., are required to eat all free food as a public service. Most survive on a diet of carboyhdrates that are brought to them by caring listeners or advertisers looking for a free plug. Favorite CarboHeyThanks include: donuts, moonpies, crunchy things from the candy machine down the hall, pizzas, corn dogs (seasonal and accompanied by State Fair promotions) and anything with frosting.

MicroFan - This is an obsessed listener who somehow seems to get into the studio over and over again (usually by bringing up free CarboHeyThanks) and then tries to become part of the show by hovering near the microphone, looking for a chance to get on the air.

Account ExecuSniff - This is an Account Executive who somehow always knows when CarboHeyThanks have been delivered to the air studio - no matter how far away their cubicle is located. Some Account ExecuSniff's have olfactory nerves that are so sensitive, they sometimes supplement their income as human drug and bomb sniffing dogs.

EngiNearly - This is a Radio engineer who apparently has enough time in his day to take care of everything around the Radio station except fixing anything broken in the on-air studio. He's always “nearly” done with something and ready to tackle whatever it is you need fixed but somehow continues to get distracted with more important tasks like organizing screws by size and weight, sorting colored wiring into pretty stacks or reinstalling Windows XP Professional because "that damn Minesweeper program just isn't working".

Utah Valley State - RADIO