USS JFK CV67
USS JFK CV-67
Adventure
by Brian Clark
This is a tale of how KIIS-FM went to sea
I am an engineer working at Los Angeles-based stations KIIS-FM and KXTA-AM. In my position, I am involved with many forms of electronic technology such as transmitters, microwave and satellite equipment. As an engineer, I also am involved with coordinating and setting up remote broadcasts. I have been involved with many unique projects, varying from a live remote at a nudist colony to a bungee-cord wedding to a show from a Metrolink train. But I had never been approached with a venture as complicated as the one suggested at a recent promotions meeting.
Live from the Gulf
A few months ago, I was approached with an interesting challenge. Our promotions director asked if we could do a live radio broadcast from the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier. And this would be no simple remote from dockside. We would be covering Warner Bros. recording artists the Goo Goo Dolls during their European USO tour, as the big ship cruised in the middle of the Persian Gulf. I replied, without much of a pause, "No problem." I didn't fully realize what I had gotten myself into. I had done some work with the U.S. Army a few years ago, helping them develop a satellite system that would allow digital video to be sent at 24 frames a second as well as audio. But the problem with this system is that it would require a gyrostabilizer to keep the dish on track with the satellite. This system would also require at least one, and possibly two , satellite hops depending on where our ultimate destination would turn out to be in the middle of the sea. All of this would cost upwards of $60,000, not including satellite time. So I spent some time researching a means of accomplishing this task at a much-reduced cost, and one that would give me the quality I was striving for.
Talk to the bird
My research led me to an Inmarsat B Terminal with a 64 kpbs High-Speed Data port. Normally in Los Angeles, I use ISDN to do remote broadcasts, and I was looking for that kind of digital audio quality. So I called Telos Systems and asked them if they had ever used a Zephyr with its optional V.35 card in conjunction with an Inmarsat B Terminal. The engineer with whom I spoke replied, "We have never done anything like this before." That comment led me to believe that I was onto something, so I rented an Inmarsat B Terminal from MacKay Marine for $4,000 for a month's lease, not including access time. This was much more to my liking. Up to this point, my idea was just a theory and had not been tested. I was happy to see the unit arrive in Los Angeles so that I could test my idea, and see what the reliability factor of an Inmarsat B system and if it would work in conjunction with a Telos Zephyr using the V.35 card merely as a codec. After configuring the satellite phone for 56 kilobits per second, 32 kHz with the protocol of my portable Zephyr set for TX: L3DUAL RCV: G.722 and the protocol of my studio Zephyr using TX: G.722 RCV: L3MONO, I was ready to dial our studio facility. After a few stressful seconds, I saw the most wonderful words on the phones handset I had ever seen, "HSD DIALING." A couple more seconds went by and the display read "HSD CONNECTED." At that moment I wanted to jump in the air, but I had to look at my codec to see if I had a lock. And when I saw the lock light lit on my Zephyr I was ecstatic. I didn't see any audio on the LED display, so I asked my partner Jerry Burnham to go downstairs to check the studio unit to see if it was being fed audio. At that point Jerry had noticed that the air talent running the board had turned down the backhaul feed on the console. Once he had restored the audio feed, I saw the audio input meter moving, then immediately spoke on the microphone and said, "If you can hear me, please bring me a pair of headphones." Moments later, I saw my partner with a set of headphones. Maybe it wasn't Alexander Graham Bell calling Mr. Watson, but I knew we were in business.
Quick lock
The first hurdle was behind me. It was time to go to my intended destination. After 23 hours of travel, I finally arrived in Bahrain, my stepping stone to the carrier in the Persian Gulf. Once in Bahrain, I met my Navy contact, Ensign John Perkins. He escorted me and our station's on-air talent, "Valentine," onto the base for our first broadcast from the Navy base in Bahrain. I set up my gear and after less than a minute I had acquired the satellite. Things were going great and the servicemen and women were lining up to speak with relatives live on the radio. After a successful show on dry land, it was time to pack up for our early-morning helicopter ride to the carrier to really see how this system would work on open seas. It was a beautiful day on the Gulf, with mild winds. Once on board the vessel, I had to locate my gear, then find my bunk on the ship so that I could drop off my bags and begin setup on the flight deck. The moment of truth was just around the corner. The satellite system was in place, as was the Zephyr and potpourri of cables.
Radar
Again, I was fortunate enough to acquire the satellite in less than a minute. Boy, was I relieved. But my codec was acting strange, and after listening to the sounds it was making and looking around at the ship's superstructure, I noticed the radar making its sweeps. I quickly determined that the radar was indeed the culprit. I spoke with the communications specialist on the carrier to see if we could secure the offending radar system for the duration of the broadcast. The communications specialist on the JFK got the necessary approval and we were on our way. The Goo Goo Dolls performed for us, and our show lasted four hours on board the JFK, allowing ships personnel to speak with their loved ones. All of this occurred without having to realign the dish at all. This entire project was one of the best experiences of my professional career, and I would like to thank the United States Navy personnel for all of their cooperation. I would like to challenge readers to be willing to experiment, and follow their ideas. You may be as happily surprised as I was.
Top two Photos show "Valentine" speaking with JFK crew member at our initial location on Southwest side of superstructure shortly after arrival. Botom Photo shows our final location on flight deck on Northwest side of superstructure with stage and spectators in distance.
Photo of USS JFK flight deck showing Christmas tree formed by hundreds of crew members wearing different colored shirts. If you look closely, you will see my tan colored flat panel satellite dish above the star on the tree, and just to the right of ol' # 67
"Valentine" working the flight deck as he speaks with Jeff Poole board operator in Los Angeles.
Me as I check levels while "Goo Goo Dolls" perform for a crowd of 5,000.
Overall view of of flight deck showing stage setup center under ol' 67, and my equipment array just left of stage.
Audio Segments from the LIVE broadcast that took place from the USS JFK flight deck that aired on KIIS FM December 16, 1999
"Valentine" interviewing Commander Dave Simpson from flight deck
"Valentine" performs role call with crew from flight deck
"Valentine" asking for cookies of crew members wife over the phone
"Valentine" asking crew members what they do on the aircraft carrier
"Valentine" describing what life on the aircraft carrier is like as the "Goo Goo Dolls" warm up
"Valentine" asking crew members where they are from
"Valentine" speaking with crew member Delores Porter
Crew member stating that "Girl Power" is what keeps the Navy going
"Valentine" describing his experience while onboard the USS JFK
Live phone call to crew members parents live from flight deck aboard USS JFK
"Valentine" interviewing the "Goo Goo Dolls" from flight deck
"Valentine" speaking with crew member about the upcoming millennium celebration while being out-to-sea
No this isn't the captain, but he did allow me to pilot the ship for a few minutes.
Note: Wooden steering wheel came from John F. Kennedy's actual yacht.
