Author Archives: Frederick R. Vobbe

About Frederick R. Vobbe

I work as the Director of Engineering for TV broadcast affiliates. In my nearly 50 plus year broadcast career I have worked at recording studios, radio, and television stations. Hobbies include; collecting “oldies” from the years 1955 to 1990 that charted in the radio industry in the Whitburn/Billboard charts for Rock and C&W. I also restore old tape recordings of radio jingles, airchecks, and broadcast production music from tape and records. I also design circuits and home-brewing equipment such as audio processors, tube compressors, switcher & control systems, audio distribution amplifiers, and audio mixers. My amateur radio call sign, W8HDU, was granted via the F.C.C. vanity call-sign program, and was my grandfather’s call.

Dolby B and Rack Mounts

Posted on 19 November 2020 by Frederick R. Vobbe

Introduction I received my first tape recorder in the summer of 1964. It was an RCA 7″ reel, half track mono, which ran at 17/8, 3-3/4, and 7-1/2 IPS. I recorded radio station broadcasts, and copy borrowed 45s to record … Continue reading →

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Why it’s Time to Leave Facebook

Posted on 27 June 2020 by Frederick R. Vobbe

When Facebook arrived on the scene it took off like wildfire. Facebook’s premise of connecting with friends and sharing of memories was a good idea. For my part, being a 60 year old guy, finding old friends and reconnecting was … Continue reading →

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The Immediacy of Apps & Irrelevance of Thought

Posted on 5 January 2020 by Frederick R. Vobbe

Years ago I was at a friend’s home, when the phone rang. He was in the middle of something, and after the third ring I asked if he was going to get it. “I decide when I’ll talk on the … Continue reading →

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