AntennaFest Conference
Hello,
The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) Washington DC Chapter 37 invites local IEEE members to attend the "Antenna Fest" for free on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the WETA Headquarters in Shirlington, VA.
This one-day, in-person event celebrates antenna systems and RF engineering. Industry representatives will present on topics including combining, troubleshooting, and monitoring transmission systems, as well as managing project-specific variables and constraints.
Panelist Discussion
At the close a discussion on AM multiplexing, moderated by Gary Cavell, Senior Director of the Cavell Mertz Spectrum Division of Capitol Airspace Group. Gary's guest panelists, including Tom King (Kintronic Labs), Kurt Gorman (Phasetek), and Ben Dawson (Hatfield & Dawson) will speak about past and current projects, best practices, pitfalls to avoid and considerations when co-locating multiple AM broadcasters.
After Conference Social Meet Up at Astro Beer Hall
Come socialize and network at Astro Beer Hall, just across the street from WETA Headquarters. Enjoy a drink and fabulous conversation courtesy of our sponsors, including American Amplifier Technologies, American Tower Corporation, Cesium Communications, Dielectric, Electronics Research Inc, GatesAir, Jampro Antennas, Nautel, SCMS, South-Tek Systems, and SBE Chapter 37. Discuss your upcoming projects, existing issues, or just relax and enjoy yourself in the company of others in the industry.
To Register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/antennafest-2026-tickets-1993235984486 and click on "Reserve a spot"
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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- 3939 Campbell Avenue
- Arlington, Virginia
- United States 22206
- Building: WETA
- Starts 28 September 2026 04:00 AM UTC
- Ends 02 October 2026 03:59 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Mr. Jeff Welton of Nautel
RF basics including transmitter power output (TPO)
Mr. Welton, will give us a quick education on RF basics including transmitter power output (TPO), effective radiated power (ERP), line and filter loss, antenna gain, power handling capabilities, and considerations to be made when broadcasting in HD before diving into site grounding best practices
Biography:
Regional Sales Manager for Nautel
Mr. David Gates of Cesium Communications
Equipment & Techniques To Generate & Interpret Antenna & Line Sweeps
Mr. Gates will take us through the equipment and techniques used to generate and interpret antenna and line sweeps, and give us some basic troubleshooting steps to help us determine if a system is functioning as intended.
Biography:
President and CEO of Cesium Communications
Mr. Cory Edwards of Dielectric
Forward-Looking Antenna
Mr. Edwards, will highlight unique, forward-looking antenna & combiners optimized to future proof designs and help support aging infrastructure in the broadcast industry. Leading consultants in the industry will discuss recent projects and share details from planning to the installed results.
Biography:
Sales Manager for Dielectric
Mr. Brian Kaplon of South-Tek Systems
Benefits & Drawbacks Pressurization w/ Nitrogen vs Dry Air
Mr. Kaplon, will contemplate the benefits and drawbacks pressurization with nitrogen vs dry air, as well as touch on pressurization monitoring and tips for successful, consistent results.
Biography:
Director of Commercial Sales at South-Tek Systems,
Mr. Nicholas Paulin of Electronics Research, Inc
Antenna Pattern Design
Mr. Paulin will discuss antenna pattern design as it pertains to both single frequency as well as combined antennas.
Biography:
Vice President, RF Engineering at Electronics Research, Inc
Mr. Steve Wilde of Shively Labs and Kathrein-Scala
Demonstrate Real-Time Fault Monitoring
Mr. Wilde, will demonstrate real-time fault monitoring & protective systems utilizing AAT's EmPower VNA system as well as interlock best practices
Biography:
President at SWE Services, LLC & American Amplifier Technologies, LLC / Shively Labs and Kathrein-Scala,
Mr. Dan Glavin
Broadcast Business Development at American Tower Corporation
Mr. Glavin, will speak on master antenna design considerations. Topics include design criteria, antenna, line, combiners, monitoring, tower mounting, and measurement examples. In addition, Dan will discuss the master antenna standards ATC has adopted and the operational and financial benefits of being part of a master antenna installation.
Biography:
Senior Manager, Broadcast Business Development at American Tower Corporation.
Mr. Alex Perchevitch of Jampro Antennas, Inc
Implications & Effects of Broadband vs Full Band Antenna Systems
Biography:
President of Jampro Antennas, Inc
Agenda
09:00 AM - 09:15 AM Welcoming Remarks William Harrison, Chapter Chair, SBE 37
09:15 AM - 10:00 AM RF 101 & Site Grounding Jeff Welton, Nautel
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Master Antenna Design Considerations Dan Glavin, American Tower Corporation
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM Break Grab a cup of coffee, hit the restroom, chat amongst yourselves.
11:00 AM - 11:45 PM Nitrogen vs Dry Air Pressurization, Monitoring, & Failsafes Brian Kaplon, South-Tek Systems
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM Three Distinct Projects: From Planning to Results Cory Edwards, Dielectric Corporation 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM Lunch Enjoy lunch compliments of our sponsors!
01:15 PM - 02:00 PM Antenna & Line Sweeps plus Basic Troubleshooting David Gates, Cesium Communications
02:00 PM - 02:45 PM Real Time Fault Monitoring, Protective Systems, & Interlock Best Practices Steve Wilde, American Amplifier / Shively / Kathrein
02:45 PM - 03:00 PM Break Grab a cup of coffee, hit the restroom, chat amongst yourselves.
03:00 PM - 03:45 PM Antenna Pattern Design Nick Paulin, Electronics Research Inc
03:45 PM - 04:30 PM Broadband vs Full Band: Implications & Effects Alex Perchevitch, Jampro
04:30 PM - 04:45 PM Break Grab a cup of coffee, hit the restroom, chat amongst yourselves.
04:45 PM - 06:00 PM AM Multiplexing Roundtable Discussion with Gary Cavell Gary Cavell, Capitol Airspace Group
The closing session of the day is a discussion on AM multiplexing, moderated by Gary Cavell, Senior Director of the Cavell Mertz Spectrum Division of Capitol Airspace Group. Gary's guest panelists, including Tom King (Kintronic Labs), Kurt Gorman (Phasetek), and Ben Dawson (Hatfield & Dawson) will speak about past and current projects, best practices, pitfalls to avoid and considerations when co-locating multiple AM broadcasters.
06:15 PM - 08:15 PM Cocktail Reception at Astro Beer Hall (across from WETA)
Come enjoy a bit of socialization and a beverage with your colleagues at Astro Beer Hall, just across the street from WETA Headquarters. Enjoy a drink and fabulous conversation courtesy of our sponsors, including American Amplifier Technologies, American Tower Corporation, Cesium Communications, Dielectric, Electronics Research Inc, GatesAir, Nautel, SCMS, South-Tek Systems, and SBE Chapter 37. Discuss your upcoming projects, existing issues, or just relax and enjoy yourself in the company of others in the industry.