The formative years . . .historical tidbits . .

DBK was formed in the 1980's as a service and support company performing RF test and measurement, calibration services, transmitter services, and FCC standards compliance.  DBK provides management evaluation, sales seminars, and compliance inspections improving your "bottom line" and increasing revenue under Management services.

In the early years it took between 8 and 10 engineers to man the transmitter plant and keep the systems operating.  The days of tubes required a constant vigil of testing and monitoring.  The transmitter plant layout were reminiscing of an efficiency apartment with a large garage.  It was comprised of a bunk room, shower and convenience, efficiency kitchen, and a large adjoining room with the transmitter.  

During the 1970's changes were made in the FCC rules governing remote monitoring and control of the transmitter.  Also, changes in transmitter technology provided a very stable operation.  Further development provided reliability and size reduction.  This permitted the addition of a second transmitter as a stand-by for considerably less money.  Now the design changed from two complete transmitters to a transmitter system containing two exciters and two high power amplifiers stages that allowed the On-Air substitution on any failed section.  Remote control systems were becoming more dependable.  

Compared to today's standards these systems could bring the very competent and skilled engineer to tears, causing moment of babbling and self-incrimination.  The technology continued to improve and in 1989 the first computer supervised transmitter system was introduced.

During this same time period we saw the introduction of girded klystron amplifier and transmitter designs that are state in 2000.  Solid state will be the next major break through when the mechanics of design permit the development of devices  of higher power levels to reduce component intensity and simplicity in design.  Presently, our systems and transmitters are reduced to laptop computers for control and adjustment with simple high power amplifiers with good dependability.

DBK was established in the late 1980's to provide broadcast transmitter services and support. The economics of broadcasting, coming from a position of little competition to a highly competitive environment, dictates economy of operation for survival.  Transmitter plants have improved in reliability and operation over the years which helped support the new economic model. The 80’s also demonstrated the future of digital technology and its requirement of the engineer’s time. 

The 90’s digital technology, compliance of the new ATSC standards, the implementation process, and smaller engineering staff continue to produce situations of supply and demand.  The “engine that runs the ship”, the transmitter, has the same requirement for time and expertise.  DBK recognizing the need of this market, provides technical and emergency support from the input of the microwave to the beacon on the top of the tower.

    In the early 90’s DBK developed and produced solid state MOSFET RF amplifiers. These were used as building blocks to provide higher power systems depending on customer requirements. Another option was the use of these amplifiers as replacement for IPA stages in existing tube transmitter, thereby reducing maintenance time and cost of operation. This provided longer life and better performance of existing technology while awaiting ATSC implementation.

DBK has many years of experience in broadcast and telecommunications. The company skill and resource is multiplied by associations with other individuals and companies to provide products and services under DBK project management application.

DBK company specializes in transmission performance and field measurements with the latest in technology from a fully computerized system.  The system provides multi-level sampling, continuous logging, GPS tracking, spectral analysis, HDTV and NTSC picture capture, and many more features.   Our data is real time/coverage not estimated or calculated from models, but pragmatic data . . . give us a call.