Public Broadcaster KERA Selects Rohde & Schwarz’s THU9

KERA-TV, a public broadcasting station serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has selected the R&S THU9 high-power UHF TV transmitter from Rohde & Schwarz to provide greater efficiency and reliability to their 50 kW broadcast.

The primary driver for KERA’s transmitter replacement, along with that of sister radio station KERA-FM, is the planned decommissioning of the tower site from which both stations currently broadcast. Lacking a back-up transmitter, and with concerns regarding the current system’s ability to withstand a move, KERA opted to take a proactive approach and began evaluating new transmitters, both tube-based and solid-state.

Reflecting the capital investment required in acquiring a new transmitter, the station’s selection criteria included system efficiency and reliability, an assessment of the risk of any underlying technology, and an evaluation of the manufacturer’s long-term stability and reliability. Additional consideration was given to simplicity of operation, ease of maintenance and parts commonality with the R&S THR9 FM transmitter system. Using these criteria, KERA ultimately chose the R&S THU9 since the system provides greater than 40% efficiency via Doherty technology, without the risk and maintenance expense of tube-based systems.

“As a public television station, our charge is to educate, inform and enrich the lives of our viewers,” declared Bill Leftwich, Chief Financial Officer, KERA. “Rohde & Schwarz’s transmitter technology directly supports KERA’s mission, enabling the station to deliver a stronger signal to the significant number of households that receive our channel over the air, reducing the energy cost in the process.”

“We are thrilled with KERA’s selection of the R&S THU9,” declared Erik Balladares, Director Broadcast Sales, Rohde & Schwarz USA. “And we are honored that our selection is a reflection of the quality, efficiency and reliability of our technology and organization.”