National Association of Broadcasters Engineering Handbook, 11th Edition

Chapter6.4

STL Systems for Radio and TV

Ernest M. Hickin

James H. Rooney III

Updated for the 11th Edition by

Doug Irwin

Technical Editor, Radio Magazine

Los Angeles, CA

Introduction

For many years, and for both radio and television broadcasters, the typical studio-to-transmitter link (STL) has been a privately owned microwave system, with leased telephone lines being a popular option for radio stations. The first decade of the 21st century saw a marked increase in alternative choices, with fiber optic and digital carrier circuits gaining steadily in popularity. The dawn of digital broadcasting has spawned the need for even greater diversity in connecting the studio to the transmitter. In some cases, radio and TV broadcasters have turned to unlicensed, ...