MAB Engineering Hotline

The MAB Engineering Hotline is a free service available to MAB member stations. The hotline serves as a resource to stations in regards to equipment and engineering options, contact information and support. The hotline is not a substitute for specific engineering advice from a station's engineer. Rather, the hotline is designed to provide a general understanding or resources for which the station can refer for more detailed answers.

Here is what the hotline can answer and help with:

• Basic operational problems
  (EX: My equipment is doing this, so what should I do?)

• Basic overall maintenance and repair issues
  (EX: Here's what you should look for.; Be sure to check it every ## days).

• Resources for specific equipment or manufactures
  (EX: Do they still make this? What are some companies that offer this? Who should I contact? What is the number for XYZ company?)

• Consultation on current engineering practices 
  (EX: Have your engineer look at...; Be sure to check a number of items including.; A reasonable time-frame would be.)

• Equipment purchasing trends

• Resources for other forms and items 
  (EX: Here is the FCC Form you'll need to fill out).

The hotline cannot help with these types of items.

• Specific questions and problems which require a hired engineer.
  (EX: What do I need to do to upgrade? What wire should I cut? How far should I move this? What should I fill in on this line of the FCC form?)

• Equipment brand recommendations. 
  (EX: For the money, I would recommend.)

• Quality of particular brands or products.

• Legal interpretations on FCC rules or state and federal laws.

Hotline Staff:

The Engineering Hotline is staffed by the MAB Director of Technology Larry Estlack. He is a certified professional broadcast engineer with more then 25 years experience in both radio and television engineering. He also serves as state co-chair of the Emergency Alert System. Larry joined the MAB staff in January 2002. 

Hotline Hours and Number:

MAB member stations can call the Engineering Hotline during normal business hours, Monday through Friday. Only MAB members in good standing are eligible to utilize this free member service.

Phone 1-800-YOUR-MAB  -  ext. 213

If the engineer is unavailable or out of the office, please leave a detailed voice-mail message with your question and contact information. In most cases, your call will be returned within 24 hours.

MAB thanks all member stations for their continued support. This allows MAB to offer members services like the engineering hotline.

Disclaimer:

The MAB Engineering Hotline is not a substitute for actual engineering advice. Stations are advised to consult their station engineer or contract engineer for specific questions. The hotline is designed to provide a general understanding and resources for which the station can refer for more detailed answers.