[Scan-DC] Unit 5

Wed Dec 7 13:41:40 EST 2011

All too true, but now times have changed. Every station now has at least 2 Live-U backpack live units, a battery operated portable computer that runs 4-6 G3 or G4 wireless cards to deliver a near realtime live shot to the station (2-3 second delay). At a fraction of the cost of traditional trucks, these are the holy grails corporate pennypinchers have been waiting for. 

The problem? Events such as 911, or even the recent earthquake tie up cell phones so bad you can't get a signal. 

Next we have Skype. Same idea, poorer quality, same Achilles Heel. 

Taped work can be sent via ftp. Terrible workflow and slow. 

Today almost all live shots are one man, even satellite. For all the expense they do offer the highest ratio of success. And they do not fail during dramatic events, such as terrorism or other catastrophes. 

Interestingly, WUSA is the only station that maintains a working 2 way radio system. It needs work, and few people use it, but it's still there. 

Unit 5 is still here because it will not be replaced when it dies. I take it as a point of personal pride to make it work. Unlike the heyday of local news in DC, I may be the only shooter left (that I know of) who gets to take a microwave truck home. My coworker Victor gets to take Unit 4, but only when all the trucks are working (which is not that often). Most people in town do not get take home gear. 

For that matter I get to report live on the air when necessary. Times have changed!

----- Original Message -----
From: David  Jones [mailto:djoneses at verizon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 01:19 PM
To: Brooks, Kurt; johnantonelli at verizon.net <johnantonelli at verizon.net>; scan-dc at mailman.qth.net <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Unit 5

A little more history of  WUSA Unit 5:

The concept of WUSA's Unit 5 was borne of the need to be more competitive in 
the market and labor's concern over one-man live shots.  Traditionally at 
WUSA, all live shots included two members of the collective bargaining 
unit -- one operated the truck, and one was the photographer.  Generally the 
live truck was driven by the operator (the operator was also a photographer 
and had a camera in the truck as well) and the photographer drove a sedan. 
The live truck and the photographer would meet at the live shot location and 
do the live shot when required.  This type of operation existed at many 
other stations as well.

In an effort to be competitive, solutions were sought to have more live 
trucks and photogs on the street.  With the advent of smaller microwave 
equipment, tape machines, switchers, etc. integrators began building trucks 
on smaller platforms such as medium and full size SUVs.  These down-sized 
live vehicles became attractive to those stations seeking to optimize their 
manpower and live coverage capability.  WUSA wanted to purchase the smaller 
vehicles and allow the operation of a live shot with just one member of the 
collective bargaining unit, however the contract only allowed a live shot 
with two members.  The discussion centered around safety at the scene of the 
live shot.  The concern was taking seriously, as it should have been, and 
management and the collective bargaining unit came to an agreement on how to 
maintain competiveness in the market and be able to operate live shots with 
only one member.  The first step was to purchase a live truck that was 
designed to be operated by one person.  The Unit 5 Suburban fit the bill.

There were limitations associated with the SUV platform.  Because of the 
size of the vehicle, you could not install a 60'+ mast so this limited the 
range and location of the live shots using Unit 5 with its shorter mast. 
There was also very little room for editing and greater exposure to the 
elements.  As editing became laptop size, then just a laptop, the editing 
became more practical.  On the upside, the Suburban was 4-wheel drive, 
smaller, lighter, and more maneuverable than a full size truck.

The original concept was to limit Unit 5's operation to close-in "simple" 
live shots such as planned-in-advance nearby weather shots or non-breaking 
news stories such as the Cherry Blossom Festival opening, a shot from in 
front of the post office on April 15th, etc. Also Unit 5 could be used to 
simply feed tape, which was valuable in itself in those pre-wireless 
high-speed internet days.  At the same time, there was a thought that Unit 5 
could be used as a "run and gun" truck for breaking news and the decision to 
make the live shot with one operator was the decision of that operator. 
Eventually contract language allowed all live shots to be operated with one 
man with safety of the operator as the top priority.

As an aside, Mr. Brooks's experience from the overturned tanker truck from 
the other night is a typical situation that arises between the assignment 
desk, show producer, and live truck operator: "I need that live shot now!" 
"I can't get out from here with Unit 5."  "Why not?" "I'm in a hole."  "Then 
move!"  "There is nowhere to move to."... and so on.

David Jones

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brooks, Kurt" <knbrooks at wusa9.com>
To: <johnantonelli at verizon.net>; <scan-dc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 8:31 AM
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Unit 5

No markings; a habit borne of working in rough towns. There are industry 
debates about the value of marking I prefer unmarked, since with unmarked a 
person with ill intent goes "hey that looks like a news truck" while when 
marked it's "hey it's channel 9, I hate those bastards!"

Finally, when I am breaking landspeed records going to breaking news, I 
don't need identifying marks.

The Suburban was foisted on us by management that thought it would be a good 
idea during bad weather. Compared to a van it is inferior, but during the 
blizzards it rocked.

For the reason no-one wants to use it, I get to drive it home, so I am 
happy.

----- Original Message -----
From: JOHN ANTONELLI [mailto:johnantonelli at verizon.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 08:20 AM
To: scandc <Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [Scan-DC] Unit 5

A question about Unit 5. Is it marked as in does it say WJLA on it. Does it 
say Unit 5

Why is it a suburban and not a van?
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