CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF OUR INTERNSHIP HOSTING COMPANY

1.1 BRIEF HISTORY

FANA Broadcasting Corporate S.Co., the Nation’s first commercial National

Broadcaster and multi‐lingual Radio Station, used to be a clandestine anti-Dergue

voice of Liberation (Voice of EPRDF) before its establishment as “Radio Fana S.Co.”

in 1994. With the defeat of the notorious military regime by the EPRDF led popular

struggle, Radio Fana has been re‐organized under the ownership of the four

Regional Endowments. The major shareholders of the company are: EFFORT, TIRET,

TUMSA and Wondo.As of January 2011, Radio Fana Sh.Co., grew to Fana

Broadcasting Corporate S.Co. so as to enter into the TV business. FBC's current

capital is ETB 100 million and operates three SW, one MW and 7 FM transmitters

Nation‐wide. FBC has incorporated commercial and public service values and

advocates developmental journalism to foster nation building and fight against

poverty. FBC employees around 200 Journalists and its total staff stand at more than

450.

Vision

A favorite, progressive and popular voice of Ethiopians and Africans.

Mission

Provide quality media services by providing informative, educative and entertaining

programs that help build democratic and prosperous Ethiopia where all citizens

benefit from such developments. FBC is also working on establishing a world class

engineering support for national broadcasting equipment.

Core Values

Promote and support National Economic, Political and Social policies to achieve

National Consensus on constitutional values and the role of developmental state.

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Promote equity and equality among citizens and assure mutual benefit for every

citizen from the National Development as per his contribution to the national

development.

Provide National and International News and Current affairs that support and

mobilize citizens for development and democratic change so as to bring about

national Prosperity and Good Governance.

Proactively promote and protect equality among Ethnic, Gender and faith based

communities and Nations and Nationalities to foster their values, languages, and

culture and history with respect and to effect improvement based on their own

choice.

Ensure professional ethics and principles of developmental journalism

Ensure company profitability and generate profits to share holders.

1.2 MAIN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The main product of the company transmitting Information through radio FM and AM,

intranet, video and improve production. FBC is a News‐Talk‐Variety/information and

entertainment/ format station. Most of the program formats are participatory and

thousands of listeners phone and a variety of participate on FBC live presentations. FBC

incorporates multi‐lingual services with special on focus local issues at local studios

or interlinked National service with the MW and SW transmission. We broadcast in

five national languages; namely Amharic, A fan Oromo, Somali, Afar and Tigrigna

languages. By rising current and critical idea it discusses with the society in the

problem and come up solution.

FBC has a total of 588 hours service per week both on the National Service MW, SW

& 7 FM stations. FBC can be listened online at www.fanabroadcasting.com or

www.radiofana.com.

The company plays a great role for the development of our country in social,

economically and political affairs. Because of it is experienced for about 20 years in

broadcasting it understands what the customer need so provide valuable

information on the time. By now FANA FM radio is the first choose of the society.

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1.3 CUSTOMERS OR END USERS OF THE PRODUCTS A ND SERVICES

As have mentioned above, the main customer of FANA broadcasting corporate are

the peoples who can get the voice of FANA BC around the country. FBC is the only

private national broadcaster to operate 7 FM stations nation‐wide. Recent audience

research indicated that our Addis FM 98.1 is number one station and over all we

have 40% dedicated listener's nation‐wide /more than 30 million audience/.

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1.4 OVERALL ORGANIZATION AND WORK FLOW

Fig.1.1. Overall organization and work flow of FBC

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Executive Branches

Branch Executive Coordinate directorate

ICT and OperationDirectorate

Administration &Finance Division VCE

Vice Chief Executive Division of Operation

Research and Study Directorate

ManagementCommittee

Engineering Project Directorate

Chief Executive Officer

Board Directors

Business Project Directorate

Sales Directorate

Property & Finance Administrator Directorate

Regional Languages Directorate

Program Directorate

News and Current Affairs Directorate

The objectives that has been focus on general and specific

General Objectives

The main objectives of this report are:-

Primary objective is to share knowledge I got during my internship

period with other students.

To briefly discuss what I have been doing and what my final result

was and the way I engaged in the company’s work.

To gain feedback and judgment from the mentors and instructors

how I understand the practical world.

Specific Objectives

The main objectives the internship is as follows

To obtain an important experience for future activities of one life in

working environment.

To increases the practical knowledge of the student

To apply the theoretical knowledge on practical working environment

To relate the theoretical knowledge with real practical working

environment

How the student can simulates the theoretical knowledge in real

working environment

To increases the communication skills; leader ship skills; work ethics;

entrepreneurship skills etc.; of one’s life in real world.

Statement of the problem

The problem we have faces is that the signal strength of transmission system is

low. This may as a result of sun light effect or you may have a powerful

transmitter and a frequency, but without the correct antenna, communication will

be less than desirable, if not impossible.

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CHAPTER TWO

OVERALL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Literature review

The studio-suite, that is the studio and its associated control center, is the workshop

of broadcasting. Through knowledge of its characteristics and facilities is essential

for any radio producer.

The group of studios in a broadcasting center is known as the studio complex. In a

simple center it may consist of only one studio and a control both. The main

broadcasting center it will have several studios of different sizes, recording rooms,

an echo chamber, a master control and switching room, and a quality control room.

The various units of the complex are interconnected and can be joined together in a

variety of combinations-more than one studio may, for instance, be used in a single

production where isolation of the different sound elements is needed. There are two

principal systems of operational control. In the continuity system all program

material, whether from another studio, or from tape, or from an outside broadcast

point passes through a studio where an announcer and a technical operator are on

continuous duty. In this system the announcer’s continuity studio has final control

of all program material before it leaves the broadcasting center for the transmitter.

2.1. HOW WE GET TO THIS COMPANY

Based on the curriculum of Hawassa university Institute of Technology (HIoT),

Senior students of Hawassa university under technology institute, including

Electrical and computer Engineering school, are sent to different organizations and

industries for one semester or 4 months each year of internship program to

associate the theoretical knowledge grasped during their stay in campus with real

working environment on practical projects and office undertakings.

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The intern ship program will be a great chance for host organizations to invest their

practical experience on Ethiopian young professionals who will play a key role in

the development and transformation plan of the nation in the areas of their

profession. It has also a vital role for a student who follows the program in

developing its understanding on practical world and technologies in association of

theoretical knowledge we gained inside the campus.

Considering these benefits; after finishing our 4 year study inside university my

school, school of Electrical and Computer Engineering sent me to the company

called FANA broadcasting corporate.

We got to this company through University Industry Linkage (UIL) of Hawassa

University with other two students.

In the first day of my internship we contacted the company program director Mr.

Muluken, and gave our documents and letters from the university which says that

we are set to this company, FBC. we have been accepted to start the practice with

our fellow friends and given the place where we are going to work.

2.3. THE SECTION FOR THE COMPANY WE HAVE BEEN WORKING

In FBC there are different sections to work as described in above chapter one

overall organization and work flow. With our friends we have been working in

program directorate section. In these sections the director give us two choose to

work that is either to stay in the main studio or in the transmission station. But we

are interested to see both section then he allowed us to see by part. In this

internship we have gained theoretical as well practical knowledge.

In the main studio we understand many experiences like how ;

FM studio work

AM studio work

In the transmission station we have seen different transmitter device of FM and AM.

The station has a standby for each device so emergencies failure can be controlled

soon. The main function of this station is producing RF signal and send it to

transmitting antenna that is for each SW and MW transmission.

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Both studios use different equipment for transmission purpose as well as follow the

different step.

Company Objective

To listen clear voice of FBC

To study more and explore each device

To cooperate with worker

2.6.3 Studio Equipment

Studio equipment can be classified as source equipment example computers, microphone,

mixer, FM tuner, speaker, headphone, telephones, audio cables and connecter and other

let us see one by one as follow.

2.6.3.1. Source equipment

The source equipment in a studio may include CD players, turntables, and cassette

 Player or even reel to reel tape player and telephone. Of course, none of this equipment

is required for a radio station you only need as much of it as you want to use.

 

 2.6.3.2. Computers

There are a number of uses for computers in the studio, and the requirements for a

computer will depend on its intended use. If you only want a computer for internet

access, you won't need a fast processor, a giant hard drive, a fancy soundcard, or really

anything beyond the bare minimum. If you want to stream your programming over the

internet, you won't need a fancy computer, but you'll need one computer dedicated for

encoding and streaming whenever you're on the air.

 2.6.4. Microphones

A studio should have one microphone for each DJ or host and a few for the guests. Try

not to have more than 4 microphones total in the any studio having lots of microphones

active at once leads to a lot of background noise. Guests can share microphones if need

be! Microphones can be either directional or Omni-directional. Directional microphones

only pick up sound waves from one direction, and as a result pick up less ambient noise

(equipment hum, paper-shuffling, etc). Omni directional microphones pick up sound

from all directions, and are therefore useful for speakers who don't have experience using

microphones or will be moving a lot while talking.

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2.6.5. Mixer or console

An audio mixer takes input from multiple audio sources and lets the user determine

which channels to use in the output, and at what levels. A console is generally the same

thing as a mixer, but sometimes has some additional fancy features used just for radio. A

mixer or console is essential for any station that will broadcast using multiple audio

sources. A nice mixer should have ample channels to accommodate all audio sources and

easily visible level meters with sliding controls. Another useful feature is monitor muting,

which automatically mutes the studio monitor speakers whenever a microphone channel

is on. Without this, the sound from the speakers goes back into the microphone and

creates feedback, if the mixer does not include automatic monitor muting, you can make

or buy a speaker muting device that does this automatically, or the DJ can mute the

speakers manually to avoid feedback.

Fig.2.1. Mixer

2.6.6. FM tuner

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It is important to have an FM tuner so the DJ can listen to the signal that is being sent

over the air waves. The receiver should be tuned to the frequency at which the station is

broadcasting. The DJ can switch between the on-air signal and the console signal to make

sure the station is broadcasting loud and clear.

2.6.7. Monitor speakers

Monitor speakers let the DJ listen to what they are playing. The monitor speakers might

be internally amplified, or might require an external amp for power. The best monitor

speakers have a flat response so that the sound coming out of the speakers sounds as

much as possible like the audio going into them, but any old speakers will work in a

pinch.

2.6.8. Headphones

There should be enough headphones for the DJs or Hosts, and as many guests as will be

in the studio. Headphones tend to wear out quickly, so durability is an important

consideration if you want to avoid replacing them frequently. It's also a good idea to keep

a couple pairs in reserve. If there are lots of headphones in the studio, you might want a

Headphone amplifier to split up the signal and allow all of the guests to set their listening

level to whatever is comfortable for them.

2.6.9. Telephone system

Most studios will have at least one telephone. If you plan to put callers on the air, you

will need a Telephone Hybrid. The hybrid feeds the signal from the phone line into the

console, and feeds another signal back to the caller. More complex (and more expensive)

caller management systems are also available to handle multiple calls in cue, and

sometimes do audio processing with the phone signal as well.

2.6.10. Audio cables and connectors

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Audio cables transmit audio signals from one place to another, such as from an audio

source to the console. You will likely need an assortment of connectors to make custom

cables, depending on what equipment you use.

Fig.2.2. Audio cable connector

2.7. The major solution we have taken

2.7.1 The AM transmitter

The block diagram below is AM transmitter. No matter how complicated an AM

transmitter may become, it is basically the same as shown in fig.1 below.

It is necessary to have nonlinear device in the system in order for modulation to occur,

that is, to create the sum and difference frequencies necessary for sidebands to appear.

The nonlinear device in which modulation occurs is the modulated amplifier.

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Fig.2.3. Block diagram of AM transmitter

The modulator is the last stage of audio amplification, while the modulated amplifier is

the circuit within which modulation occurs.

2.7.2 FM transmitter

The block diagram of FM transmitter appears to be somewhat similar to the block

diagram of an AM transmitter. The exciter is that portion of the FM transmitter which

modulation occurs.

Fig.2.4. Block diagram of FM transmitter

There are two categories of techniques for the generation of an FM signal. One is called

the direct method and the other is called indirect method.

In the direct method, a tuned circuit containing a device whose capacitance can be made

to vary directly with the amplitude of the modulating signal is used. It is placed in shunt

with a parallel RLC tank circuit. The most commonly used devices of this sort include the

transistor reactance modulator, the reactance tube modulator, varactor diodes (varicaps).

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RF oscillator Buffer amplifier Modulated amplifier

Audio amplifier Modulator

RF oscillator Exciter {the means of providing an FM RF signal}

Power amplifier

Audio amplifier

Pre-emphasis network

2.7.3 Antennas

An antenna is a device whose function is to radiate electromagnetic energy and/or

intercept electromagnetic radiation. A transmitting antenna can be used for reception and

vice versa. In two-way communication, the same antenna is used for both transmission

and reception.

In FBC we have seen three types of antenna these are one parabolic antenna for middle

wave and two beam antenna for short wave transmission.

Fig.2.5. Transmitting antenna

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2.7.4. The Atmosphere

How do radio waves travel from the transmitter to the receiver? What effect does

the atmosphere have on our radio energy? The answers to these and other

questions will be answered as we discuss each facet of wave propagation. The

atmosphere around us changes seasonally, yearly, daily, and hourly. The

atmosphere is comprised of the troposphere, stratosphere, and the ionosphere.

2.7.4.1. Propagation in the atmospheres

There are two ways radio energy travels from the transmitter to the receiver: by

means of ground waves or by sky waves. The ground waves travel along the surface

of the earth. The sky wave travels from the transmitter to one of the ionospheric

layers and is returned to earth. Long distance radio communication, depending on

the frequency, can be by either ground or sky wave. The advantage of sky wave

communication is that very little power is needed to travel long distances, say

around 8,000 miles. In order to communicate by ground waves, a powerful

transmitter is needed in order for the radio waves to travel the same distances. A

combination of both ground and sky wave communication usually occurs. The

earth's surface affects the radio energy coming in contact with it. Terrain features

(jungle, desert, and large bodies of water) either aid or lessen the radio signal.

Diffraction is the bending of the radio wave with the curvature of the earth. The only

variable in a ground wave signal is the terrain over which it travels. There are many

variables in a sky wave signal: the frequency, the ionospheric layers, the time of day,

the season, and the sunspot cycle.

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Fig.2.6. Long distance radio wave propagation

2.7.4.2. Basic radiation patterns

An antenna radiates energy in a particular pattern in free space. It is useful to

examine these radiation patterns. It is possible to design an antenna system to

provide us with the best possible communication.

1. Radiation types and patterns.

a) An example of a source that radiates in all directions is the sun. This type of radiator

is called an isotropic radiator. If we could measure the sun's radiation as we move

around it in a circle, we would find it was the same all along the circle.

b) Another type of radiator is called anisotropic. An example is a flashlight. The light

beam radiates only a small portion of the total space around the flashlight. If we

move in a circle around the flashlight, we find the level goes from zero to maximum

then back to zero again.

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2. Dipole antenna radiation.

a. The terms dipole and doublet are used interchangeably. Both are used to indicate

a basic half-wave antenna.

b. Radiation pattern of a doublet. The doublet is the simplest form of an antenna.

The radiation pattern is similar to the flashlight. There is a vertical as well as a

horizontal radiation pattern. As you can see, the pattern is in the form of a doughnut.

Whether it is seen from the side or from the top, the pattern is full.

2.7.4.3. HF path and site engineering

1. In tactical situations, we are always making compromises. Selecting a

communication site is one of them. Seldom will a site satisfy all the physical,

electrical, or security requirements. In some situations, the ground is too hard or

there is foliage that surrounds us.

2. Site Criteria. An ideal site should meet as many of the following criteria as

possible:

a) Level ground, or sloping towards the distant station.

b) Adequate amount of real estate on which to locate equipment and antennas.

c) Away from the base of mountains in the path of transmission.

d) Preferably no foliage under the antenna, or at least not as high as the antenna.

Proper separation from wooded areas to meet the needed take-off angle for the

distance to distant station

e) Good earth ground conditions. (Use a radial/counterpoise for vertical antennas.)

a) Away from major highways.

b) Away from power lines.

c) Away from sources of reflection or absorption such as metal buildings, other

antennas, high fences, etc.

Meet site security requirements. Clear area around the site for at least 100 yards.

Surrounding hills should be occupied by friendly troops.

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CHAPTER THREETHE OVERALL BENEFITS WE GAINED FROM THE

INTERNSHIP3.1. In terms Of Improving our Practical skills

We practically acknowledged that what is broadcasting, news and what are the

essentials to take information and make it news worthy item. Reporting is an

activity of an intellectual mind, it need various skills and patience. The good thing

about the organization is the learning atmosphere over there; an intake has an equal

chance to work as permanent employee. There is a lot to study and practice for an

individual. He is provided with every possible opportunity to get knowledge

and skills. It was a good experience for me to work with FBC and it helped me a lot

in my study.

3.2. In terms of Upgrading our Theoretical Knowledge

We have been able to gain a great deal of knowledge in this internship. Among them

we will try to mention some of them. We have

a) Learning the different equipment and their application in the studio

b) Learning and reading different manuals that were used as guidance

c) Learning different kinds of electronics device and their use in real life.

Examples mixer, microphone, computer, telephone and soon on.

3.3. In terms of improving our interpersonal communication

skills

During the internship we had been able to do different kinds of tasks. At that time

we have gained confidence on how:

a) To ask different questions

b) To make discussions with workers example editor, technician.

c) To answer questions when our supervisor asked us.

 

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3.4. In terms of improving our team playing skills

During the team work, we were contributing a lot of things that could be helpful in

accomplishing the internship as we planned. There were so many problems we face,

we were giving complete solutions for some and we were steal sharing ideas on how

to solve others. So we can say that my team playing skill role in this company was

great and it had helped us a lot in improving this skill.

3.5. In terms of understanding about work ethics related issues

As any other workers inside the company, we have to obey work rules. We could learn the general rules and obligations expected from one worker in any company.

Punctuality - arriving on time

Loyalty, Honesty, Trust worthiness, Dependability, Reliability, Initiative,

Self-discipline, and Self- responsibility

Respect the right of others

Displays appropriate dress, grooming, hygiene, and etiquette (proper social

behavior)

Openness: full disclosure

Impartiality: objectivity

Confidentiality

Avoiding conflict of interest

Without these traits the plan could have not been came true.

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CHAPTER FOURCONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COMPANY4.1. CONCLUSION

As it is known, the main goal of internship program is to integrate the theoretically

acquired concepts with a tangible practical demonstration. As such, technology

students are more effective in achieving the intended learning competency as they

have developed their practical knowledge in addition to what they have known

theoretically. Therefore, the internship program must be continuous since it has a

pivoted role inculcating a full-fledged skill besides enabling students to be self-

confident. General speaking during the internship program a lots of knowledge and

skills have been gained. This program helps students to develop practical

knowledge that can be applied in the real world, how to solve the problems related

to any professional areas, how to meet challenges. That probably encounters the

intern in the future. Moreover, as it is explained above, the internship program has

its own advantage on work ethics and other crosscutting issues.

4.2. RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COMPANY

Strength

Since the company has good outlooks, attitudes and respect for inters, the interns

suggest that the company must keep up as it deems necessary for the interns.

The company has enough equipment.

It plays a critical role to contribute community.

The school have been appreciate by preparing the internship program for their

students on their curriculum

We have to advice that the student must attend their internship program

Weakness

Technician does not have manuals or modules. The company has to prepare

enough manual/ handout and give it out to technician for the future and the

company must put the copy of the manual in the library, so that technician

can use of them whenever necessary.

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The school have shortage of laboratory equipment

The school lab assistant are not properly skilled and they are not enough to

student

The curriculum of the school says there are six month internship program but they

give us three months internship program and the cost also not enough

It is better to search the internship place by their own

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References

1.www.pcs.Electronics.com,catalog

2.www.prometheusradio.org/sites/.../promethetheus_equipment_guide.pd..

3. portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/…pdf/configuration%2B manual pdf.

4. Telos.system.com/ 

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