Discover
GFQ Network audio podcasts
401 Episodes
Reverse
AAT—American Amplifier Technologies—might not have been on your radar a few years ago, but they’re making some serious noise in the broadcast engineering world. With their TXN line of FM and Digital TV transmitters, plus their recent acquisitions of Shively, Kathrein, and SCALA, AAT is quickly becoming a true one-stop shop for RF and broadcast hardware. Today we’re joined by AAT’s Chief Technical Officer, Matt Rigdon. He’s here to show us emPower, a brand-new monitoring and control system that was designed from day one with broadcast engineers—and our mobile lifestyles—in mind. Under the hood it’s powered by SNMP, but what you see on your phone or tablet is a fast, modern, intuitive interface that actually helps you get stuff done. Matt gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how emPower was developed, what problems it solves, and why this kind of mobile-first thinking might just shape the next generation of broadcast infrastructure. Strap in—we’re going hands-on with some very cool tech.
Episode 776 of This Week in Radio Tech brings a heartfelt and energetic conversation titled “Thankfulness with K-LOVE Engineers.” Joining Kirk are four outstanding engineers from K-LOVE and Air1—Chris Tarr, Jack Roland, Tommy Presite, and Bill Jackson—who share real experiences where gratitude has shaped their work and even their success. This episode blends lively banter with meaningful reflections on how being thankful affects everything from troubleshooting transmitters to strengthening family life. Together we explore how thankfulness transforms the one who practices it, even in the secular workplace where its power is often overlooked. It’s an uplifting and authentic discussion you won’t want to miss.
In this episode, Kirk welcomes Keith Pelletier, President of Dielectric, to explore the newest advances in FM transmitting antenna design. Keith explains how Dielectric engineers are now combining custom bay spacing, including innovative mixes of full-wave and half-wave spacing within the same antenna aperture, to deliver precise coverage patterns with dramatically improved efficiency. These hybrid designs can achieve the same or better performance while using about one-third fewer parts, reducing weight, wind load, cost, and long-term maintenance challenges. We also dive into how modern modeling tools, materials, and manufacturing techniques are pushing FM antenna technology further than ever before. If you care about smarter RF design, better coverage, and future-ready FM infrastructure, you’ll want to watch this one. Join us for TWiRT 775 and see where Dielectric is taking FM antennas next!
The guys discuss this Wednesday's Blood and Guts matches, praising the production and how much they enjoyed it, in contrast to recent Dynamite and Collision shows. Sky Blue was a standout for the women, and they wonder where they go now that the Death Riders lost Blood and Guts. Chris Jericho is rumored to be coming back to WWE based on some of the comments he made on his podcast. The guys discuss if it's going to happen and what some of the matches we might see if so. They also discuss the 20th anniversary of Eddie Guerrero's death and talk about some of his best moments and how he changed wrestling. Plus, Joe Hendry is WWE-bound, PWI 250, and John Cena’s final opponent, and more!
This week on This Week in Radio Tech, we’re joined by Adam Robinson, Director of Sales & Marketing at MaxxKonnect and Triple Helix Technologies. Transmitter sites have evolved far beyond just RF gear — they’re now fully IP-centric ecosystems where slow, hidden failures often do the most damage. Adam and Kirk discuss how smart monitoring, redundancy, and unified visibility are redefining how engineers manage their sites remotely. From HVAC degradation to IP jitter and network security, we explore why data over time is the key to preventing downtime. Tune in and learn how the next generation of site management — predictive, cloud-integrated, and AI-assisted — is already here!
This week on This Week in Radio Tech, host Kirk Harnack welcomes broadcast engineer and on-air talent Steven Zagony, a man who finds joy in bringing classic broadcast gear back to life. Steven restores beloved analog equipment from the golden era of radio—think Studer, MCI, Auditronics, ITC/3M, PR&E, Orban, Texar, and more. From cleaning and recapping to precision alignment, he shares the process and satisfaction of hearing vintage gear sing again. We also dive into his work on KFRC’s legendary remote vehicle, “The Sturgeon,” where Steven rebuilt its PR&E console and revived its ITC cart machines to full glory. It’s a nostalgic and technical journey celebrating the art and heart of analog broadcast engineering.
The guys start by talking about the WrestleMania promo commercial, which gets people worked up for the wrong reasons. hey also discuss the future of Chris Jericho after abandoning the trademark for 'The Jericho Vortex'. Also, a preview of Saturday night's main event and this week's Friday Night SmackDown. Does CM Punk get the Title? They also discuss this week’s AEW Dynamite, including the bait-and-switch angle with Hangman Page and Samoa Joe. Plus, NXT at MSG, overseas excursions for NXT women, your questions, and some Halloween fun!
Before Angry Audio, Michael “Catfish” Dosch helped redefine how audio moves through radio stations. In this episode, Catfish joins Kirk to revisit the early 2000s when he, Steve Church, and a small development team in Riga, Latvia, built the world’s first practical Audio over IP system — Livewire. From his PR&E console-design roots to creating the Telos SmartSurface and the first Livewire mixing engine, Catfish shares behind-the-scenes stories, engineering breakthroughs, and lessons that changed broadcast infrastructure forever. It’s a fascinating trip back to the dawn of AoIP — where analog met Ethernet and radio changed for good.
Isn’t it great when a growing broadcaster makes good on the company’s expansion plans? The last time Randy Gardner was our guest - about 3 ½ years ago - he described some of the projects and initiatives going on at JVC Broadcasting. Now we see that the company - and Randy - have been carrying out those plans and projects. Randy Gardner is JVC’s Director of Engineering. He directs and executes improvement projects at studios and transmitter sites, while watching every dollar to make sure there’s good value in every investment. Randy joins us to show us a few project results and he gives wise advice on work and life balance.
There has been considerable confusion about Andrade's contract status following his brief appearance in AEW. It appears that a non-compete clause was in place from the WWE. The guys break down the latest and what it might mean for independent contracts going forward. Both Seth Rollins and Jacob Fatu were injured during Crown Jewel weekend in Australia, and both appear to have to miss some time. The guys speculate on what direction they might go if they have to take the title off of Seth. Also, a breakdown of this week's 3-hour Dynamite go-home show for WrestleDream and a preview for the PPV. Plus, Vince McMahon's legal trouble, your questions, and more!
There’s something special about breathing new life into classic analog audio gear, and Jordan Tuck has turned that passion into beautiful and functional results. In this episode of This Week in Radio Tech, Jordan takes us inside his meticulous process of reviving vintage broadcast audio equipment—especially the legendary Pacific Recorders & Engineering RadioMixer console. From initial triage and circuit restoration to lamp replacement and detailed cleaning, Jordan shares how he transforms “retired” gear into studio showpieces. He’s even installed a fully refurbished PR&E RadioMixer in his brand-new home studio and gives us a first-hand look at the results. Join us for this delightful conversation celebrating craftsmanship, classic design, and the timeless sound of analog radio consoles.
The guys react to the news that AJ Styles will likely retire in 2026. They talk about what matches are left for him and why this weekend's match with John Cena could start a run of great matches to end his career. Andrew talks about the new rating system and why the numbers are lower after last week's low SmackDown viewership. Are they more accurate now, or more of a guess? Also, previews for Crown Jewel happening Saturday morning and Sunday's TNA Bound for Glory, and an early look at AEW Wrestle Dream. Plus, a breakdown of AEW Dynamite, Koda Ibushi’s injury, and Santo Escobar re-signs.
Scott Cason is a seasoned radio contract engineer and Director of Engineering for the Kentucky Broadcasters Association. Scott shares his insights as the ABIP (Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program) inspector for both Kentucky and Indiana, highlighting the most common violations and how stations can easily correct them. He also discusses his pivotal role in modernizing Kentucky’s newly approved EAS Plan, bringing the state’s emergency alert system up to current standards. Scott takes us behind the scenes of the University of Louisville Sports Radio Network, explaining the equipment and processes that make home and away broadcasts possible. Packed with practical advice, industry insights, and real-world examples, this episode is a must-watch for broadcast engineers and radio professionals. Tune in to learn from one of the field’s most knowledgeable - and friendly - engineers.
The guys react to the announcement of John Cena's last match in December at Saturday night's main event. They speculate on who his last opponent will be and if this will indeed be his last match, or if he will make surprise appearances down the road. Additionally, TNA and NXT are hosting a show called Showdown, which was originally titled Invasion but was changed this week. Andrew is unsure about all the moving parts involved in this show. They also break down this week's Dynamite and discuss the return of Andrade and the likelihood of a program with Kenny Omega; it seems to be coming soon. Plus, DC Comics and AEW partner up for a limited series that Rich is very excited about, your questions, and more!
We’re coming to you live from the Western Association of Broadcast Engineers Convention (WABE 2025) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada! This episode of This Week in Radio Tech takes you right to the heart of one of Canada’s premier broadcast engineering events. Kirk Harnack talks with a range of broadcast industry professionals — from seasoned engineers to manufacturer representatives and even a broadcast student — capturing the pulse of our ever-evolving industry. Featured guests include Jeff Welton of Nautel, Cameron Thompson with Alberta South, Michael Peterson from Stingray Digital, Randy Opperman of Rogers Communications, and Grant Bebrick of PTS. Join us for candid conversations, fresh perspectives, and valuable insights straight from the WABE show floor.
Artificial intelligence isn’t here to replace radio — but it is coming for the audience’s attention, and it’s doing so on radio’s most important turf: deep personal connection. Dan McQuillin, Managing Director at Broadcast Bionics, joins Kirk to explore how AI and large language models can augment radio production rather than compete with it. Dan shares the fascinating “DanGPT” experiment — an AI version of himself so convincing it won over his wife of 34 years — as proof that AI can be just as personal and engaging as traditional radio. Together, they discuss how radio’s greatest strengths — shared experience, belonging, and community — remain central, and how embracing AI as “Augmented Intelligence” can amplify those qualities. With a growth mindset, AI becomes more than a cost-cutting tool; it’s a creative partner that makes the once-impossible possible. As Dan puts it, we used to have more ideas than time — now, thanks to AI, ideas are the only limit.
This weekend, both AEW and WWE are hosting major events. WWE will be making its debut on ESPN with Wrestlepalooza, while AEW will be holding All Out in the afternoon on the same day. We break down both event cards and discuss whether AEW can impact the viewership of Wrestlepalooza, especially with their main event potentially going up against the first match of Wrestlepalooza, which features Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena. We also cover how to access the ESPN app to watch Wrestlepalooza and the extent of ESPN's involvement in future premium live events (PLEs). Additionally, we delve into Tony Khan's media call regarding the possibility of scheduling a major show to compete with WWE's Saudi Arabia WrestleMania. We touch on Will Ospreay's surgery and AJ Lee’s thoughts on the timing of her return.
The Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic is where broadcast engineers and technologists gather each year to learn, share, and connect. Hosted in Wisconsin, this premier event features deep-dive sessions on both cutting-edge and legacy technologies, a vibrant trade show floor, and plenty of opportunities to network with peers from across the Midwest and beyond. Jointly organized by the Wisconsin and Minnesota Broadcasters Associations along with SBE chapters from both states, it’s a true collaboration for the industry. This year, TWiRT is once again going live from the trade show floor—right in the middle of the action—bringing you the latest insights, innovations, and conversations from one of the broadcast community’s most valuable gatherings.
Andrew and Rich are back with another episode of the Mat Men podcast, talking all things professional wrestling.
The biggest news story of the week is a pending announcement that the 2027 WrestleMania will likely take place in Saudi Arabia. The guys discuss what this means for business and who they will get as big stars that they haven't used before. Will fans also travel there and help increase tourism for the Saudi government?
They also react to the comments from Mark Shapiro that Vince McMahon underpriced tickets to accommodate families instead of taking advantage of the market price.
Also, a review of this week's AEW Dynamite as they finish up the residency in Philadelphia, including the heel turn of Daniel Garcia joining the Death Riders.
Plus, WWE/AAA Worlds Collide preview and Rich’s manifestation of two new wrestlers.
All this, your questions, and more!
On This Week in Radio Tech, we’re joined by veteran broadcast journalist Scott Fybush, publisher of NorthEast Radio Watch and Fybush.com, and the well-known Tower Site Calendar. Scott unpacks the FCC’s new deregulation initiative, popularly nicknamed “Delete, Delete, Delete”, which proposes removing a range of legacy rules. We also explore the sobering reality of declining radio station values, what’s driving the trend, and how it’s reshaping the broadcast landscape. On a lighter note, Scott shares details about a different kind of stage performance — a comedy act with his wife that will soon debut at Rochester’s Fringe Fest. It’s an episode that blends policy, economics, and a dash of humor — all through the eyes of one of radio’s most trusted observers.























