DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT: WEEK - 1 DAY 1 (April 11, 2012/Wednesday) Its 8 AM when I arrived at GMA 7, I meet the HR and

ask who will be my immediate supervisor and what department will I be assign. I was asked to find Mr. Thomas Sales, the AVP of Metro Manila Transmission Operations at GMA Network Inc. He accompanied me to the AM/FM Radio Section and assigned Mr. Henry, theradiomaster ,to have an orientation with me. He instructed me the basics of AM transmitting and receiving, same as what I have learned in my communication subjects. I was able to observe how AM broadcasting works, and also how they work as a team. I also met some famous news anchors like Mike Enriquez, Arnold Flavio, Susan Enriquez and Kuya Germs. The engineering section makes sure that the voices inside the studio will not be attenuated or will be distorted whenever they transmit the signal. Its really nice to work in a broadcasting studio, but sometimes it feels lethargic especially when youre listening to AM Stations. My first day for me is far beyond my expectation, not so good, but not so bad. DAY 2 (April 12, 2012/Thursday) Mr. Sales decided to transfer me in transmitter area in TandangSora, Quezon City. He said that I will be learning more there, not just the theories involved but also their practical operations. It almost 11AM when we got to the site, I was introduced to the employees and officials. We started that day by teaching us the basics of a TV transmitter. I was astonished by the equipment used in the transmitter and the tower of GMA. I am glad, that I was able to relate my knowledge in Fields and Waves subject. They tour me inside the GMA 7 transmitter section, wherein different equipment such as cables, antenna, exciters, drivers, attenuators, and amplifiers can be seen. DAY 3 (April 13, 2012/Friday) They taught me how to operate the machines display so that I can do the reading of the equipment. Reading is quite easy to me; all you need to have is a better eye sight and skills in meter reading. I also visited the QTV11 (now as GMA NEWS TV) transmitter area, It is smaller and warmer than the GMA 7 transmitter area but the same principle of transmission applies. Reading should be done every hour, so that they can monitor the machines performance. I learned new things like the component and diagram inside a 100KW TV transmitter and how to use the thermal scanner. I also introduced to the other sections like the FM Transmitter and the Generator Area.

DAY 4 (April 16, 2012/Monday) Aside from reading values from the TV and FM transmitter every hour, I also ask to do some office/clerical work by sorting sheets of paper required for the reading. When there is free time, I rewrite my notes in my notebook and ask some of the employees anything related to the work. My boss let me observe how the employees resolve some technical problem in the transmitter. They also demonstrated how to bias a transmitter because I might do it later in my on-the-job training with them.

DAY 5 (April 17, 2012/Tuesday) I started my dayaccompanying my supervisor to take a battery test in the Generator Area. I just carefully watch and observe him while battery testing the generator. My other bosses explained medifferent concepts that I may encounter when I worked in a telecommunication or broadcasting company. They taught me some basic electronics skills such as diode testing, MOSFET testing, proper meter reading, and desoldering. They also introduced me different components that are used in the industry today like the surface mounted device (SMD) which is the nano version of the components, and the other kinds of resistor like the RF resistor and the terminal resistor which is like a smaller version of a potentiometer. I learned many things from different people in the office. They give me tips not only related to my work but also to my subjects in school.

DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT: WEEK - 2 DAY 6 (April 18, 2012/Wednesday) This is not a busy day for me but for the employees, this day become hard because something happened unexpectedly. The diplexer which basically combines visual and aural signals was damaged due to some dirt and other reasons. It was discovered by my boss when he takes the reading of the transmitter B, he noticed that the alarm is enabled;the VSWR goes up and suddenly smells something burning. They call the help from other GMA Engineers, and I saw how they resolve this kind of problem. Due to that incident, I have no work done but I still make myself useful by observing them and reading some manuals. DAY 7 (April 19, 2012/Thursday) I take the 8AM Reading of the transmitter B. I noticed that the diplexer works fine now but itseems it was affected the given values I obtained in my reading. My boss says they lessen the power in the transmitter because the repaired part was not fully stable and some of its parts need a replacement. I was also oriented by my other boss to the electrical system of the transmitter and I learned many things like how they power up the transmitter using the meralco line or the generator. In the QTV11 transmitter maintenance, my boss let me bias the mosfet in the transmitter by changing the terminal resistance to obtain the desired test voltages. Its difficult at first, but in time I am sure, this will be easy. DAY 8 (April 20, 2012/Friday) My other boss asked me to help him to repair the soft start cards that were no longer used. He asked me to test first the components in the card like the diodes, transistor, and resistors by taking its reading in the multimeter. Once you know what component is defective, you need it to replace it. I find it difficult in removing the components, because some of it is too tight to remove. At first, it takes me about 20 minutes to desolder a diode but as time passes by, I was able to know the technique. I am glad that my boss was not mad at me even I burned some of the copper boards and break a resistor in half. After replacing it, youll still be needed to troubleshoot the repaired card by supplying a DC voltage and measuring the test voltages. Based on what I had observed, the most sensitive part of the soft start cards are the diodes and the least sensitive are the resistors.

DAY 9 (April 23, 2012/Monday) I was assigned to take the reading of the HARRIS transmitter of GMA7. I also helped my other boss in doing the maintenance of the TECHONOSYSTEM transmitter of QTV11. We tried to use the spectrum analyzer which they used in calibrating the repaired diplexer, but unfortunately, we have no copy of the manual so we did not successfully explore the equipment. We also prepared coaxial cables in case there will be interruption in the video and audio cable, my boss demonstrated to me how to install the connector of the coaxial cableproperly. In this activity, I encounter different tools and equipment like the heat shrink that acts like a seal. DAY 10 (April 24, 2012/Tuesday) I was assigned to take the reading of the HARRIS transmitter of GMA7 and the FM transmitter of 97.1 Barangay LS FM. I also assisted my boss to install the repaired dehydrator at the FM transmitter in the afternoon. DAY 11 (April 25, 2012/Wednesday) In the morning, my boss introduced me to a device called spectrum analyzer. It can detect RF signals within an area and it can be used to detect some parameters like the return loss as well as the VSWR. Whenever youre measuring, the first thing you should do is to calibrate the device, you will be using different apparatus, connectors, adaptors, and wires when calibrating. This device, is easy to use compared to other measuring device, its interface is very user friendly especially for a beginner like me. In the afternoon, I was asked by my supervisor to test the soft start cards that we were repaired last week. He demonstrated it first, and then supervised me in testing the other cards. I was able to test 5 cards without destroying the most sensitive part of the transmitter, the MOSFET. DAY 12 (April 27, 2012/Friday) I assisted my other boss for the daily battery test in the generator room wherein I was the one who manually operated the two generators. I also take the reading of the TV and FM transmitter in the morning and in the afternoon.

DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT: WEEK - 3 DAY 13 (April 30, 2012/Monday) After doing my daily reading in the transmitter, I was able to read some books and technical manuals specifically about decibels and how sounds can be improved by compressing. We did not perform our battery test in the generator because the battery load (the equipment used) is still in repair. DAY 13 (May 03, 2012/Thursday) I have given a task by my boss to perform the maintenance of the four technosystem transmitters of channel 11. Within one week, I should able to clean, troubleshoot, calibrate and biased the four modules (transmitters). The most difficult part in this task is the removing of the transmitter in the cabinet. I find it so hard because the transmitter itself is too heavy to carry for me. After disassembling the transmitter, you will need to clean it by using a brush and a blower. Cleaning it with a damped cloth is also necessary to clean entirely the other areas. After reassembling it, you need to bias all the MOSFETS and calibrate it properly. In the end, I would say, I was successfully done it properly. DAY 14 (May 04, 2012/Friday) Aside from my daily routine of reading the transmitters and monitoring the network shows, I was able to witness a demo of a company called FLUKE. FLUKE provides the measuring supplies of GMA Network. They are here for the demonstration of the airflow meter which measures the differential pressure, air velocity, and air flow of an air. The instrument is easy to use but requires skill because you can obtain a negative value if you performed it improperly. DAY 15 (May 07, 2012/Monday) I accompanied my boss in the generator room for the daily battery test. I also continue to clean the remaining transmitters that were assigned to me, and I was able to finish it with less error compared to my first trial. In the afternoon, I oriented my co-student trainee about the facilities here in TandangSora transmitter and explain the things that I have done in the past few weeks. Our supervisor taught us to how to test the RF control boards with the help of the spectrum analyzer.

DAY 16 (May 08, 2012/Tuesday) I joined my co student intern to his orientation in the GMA transmitter. Meand my cointern were assigned to clean one module for today and we were able to clean it faster but unfortunately, one of its amplifier was malfunctioned. We troubleshoot it with the help of our supervisor, and we ended up successfully. I also teach my co-intern how to read meters properly and how to measure components temperature using thermal scanner.

DAY 17 (May 09, 2012/Wednesday) I assisted my boss in cleaning the modules. I observe how they find solution when a module is in alarm mode or if something gets wrong. The most difficult part in the maintenance is identifying the defective part of the transmitter. You should not just replace some parts because it is costly for the companys side, so as a member of the maintenance team, your duty is to repair if possible. During breaks, I used my idle time in reading some books and manuals.

DAY 18 (May 10, 2012/Thursday) I accomplished making a report on the list of components replaced in the transmitter B in the year 2009. I also helped my boss to clean and bias the MOSFETS in the module. In the afternoon, me and my co-intern go outside and explore the other facilities such as the garage room, satellite antenna, and the stock room where we found the new transmitter to be used for the province. My co-intern also taught me how to use the digital oscilloscope which is far greater than an analog oscilloscope which we normally used in our laboratory in school.

DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT: WEEK - 4 DAY 19 (May 11, 2012/Friday) My boss asked me to make a report on the list of components replaced in the transmitter B in the year 2008. There were more components replaced in the year 2008 compared to the year 2009. I also assisted my other boss to clean his assigned module and helped him to bias the MOSFETS. I also take the reading of channel 7, 11, and FM transmitters every hour. DAY 20 (May 15, 2012/Tuesday We are given a task to actual test the RF control boards in the storage. Using the spare module, we are able to test 2 out of 12 boards because something happened unexpectedly. After our third test, we did not saw our expected values and we found out that the fuse in the DC to DC board was damaged. After we replaced it, still there were no changed in the module. So we come up to a plan to replace all the cables connected in the RF control board. Unfortunately nothing has changed since we started experiencing malfunction of the module, so we have no choice to continue it the next working day. DAY 21 (May 16, 2012/Wednesday) We tried to fix the spare module again and we replaced some of its parts such as the control board, ribbon, and the test boards but still we didnt have any RF signal received. So we tried to use a working module and it seems that the problem is in the testing equipment itself (test gig). We are unable to fix the module today but with our experimental hypothesis, I am sure that we are close to the mystery of the module. DAY 22 (May 16, 2012/Thursday) We accomplished one module for the daily maintenance. We clean, replaced some RF resistors and bias the MOSFETs. We have experienced difficulty in measuring RF signals because the test gig is still not working properly. In the afternoon, I joined my boss with the maintenance team up in the tower. It was an achievement when I successfully climbed the tower safely. At the top, I saw the antennas used in the signal transmission of GMA. I also observed how the maintenance team works smoothly despite the fact that their job is dangerous.

DAY 23 (May 17, 2012/Friday) We repaired all the equipment that has been malfunctioned during the past few days and with the help of our Head Supervisor we successfully discovered what is wrong on the equipment. The problem in the test gig is in the element, we replaced it with a new element and with some modifications, and the test gig meter is now okay. On the FM transmitter section, we clean the RF driver because the reading they had obtained is below normal condition. DAY 24 (May 22, 2012/Tuesday) I assisted my boss in replacing thepower supply board of defective module. I also helped them in the preparation of the installment of the UHF transmitter. They need to build the new UHF transmitter to comply with the requirements of the National Telecommunications Commission. We started it by clearing the area needed for the transmitter; we moved some of the equipment to the other room and position some of the transmitters in their place. DAY 25 (May 23, 2012/Wednesday) During the morning reading in the GMA 7 transmitter, we obtained a different value in the reject load in the transmitter A. So we called our supervisor and asked him, then he showed to us how we can fix it by properly tuning it. We also continue our work in the installation of UHF transmitter. Together with the bosses, and the maintenance crew, we are able to place the other equipment needed in the transmitter including the 500 kg-plus transformer. I can say that this is the most difficult part in installing a transmitter, but it can be minimize by using proper tools and equipment. DAY 26 (May 24, 2012/Thursday) Aside from our daily reading on the GMA 7 and FM transmitters, we continued our task in the UHF transmitter. We vacuum the internal parts of the equipment and apply anticorrosion spray on the eroding parts. We also tested the exciter and the driver parts if they are still working by using a signal generator and a dummy load. There is also a scheduled fire drill and seminar today, and I have learned different concepts regarding fire control safety.

Noted by:

ERWIN R. TIMBRE Section Head Transmitter Operations

DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT: WEEK - 5 DAY 27 (May 28, 2012/Monday) I assisted my other boss for the daily battery test in the generator room wherein I was the one who manually operated the two generators. I also take the reading of the TV and FM transmitter in the morning and in the afternoon. DAY 28 (May 30, 2012/Wednesday) Aside from our daily reading of transmitters, we are busy repairing the UHF transmitter specifically the RF driver. The problem is it cannot display our expected wattage that we obtained in the thruline wattmeter. We also checked the return loss of UHF antenna by using the spectrum analyzer and found it normal. There is also one dehydrator that failed, and we repaired it immediately. DAY 29 (May 31, 2012/Thursday) Aside from our daily reading of transmitters, we started to repair the RF driver and check its power supply. My boss thinks that the problem is in the power supply, so we disassembled and cleaned it. I also helped my supervisor to install the cables used in the UHF transmitter. DAY 30 (June 1, 2012/Friday) I was instructed by my supervisor on how to troubleshoot electronic devices such as the control interface board. I learned that schematic diagram is very important when repairing equipment. By using measuring devices like the multimeter, oscilloscope, and the logic probe, difficulty in repairing can be minimized. DAY 31 (June 5, 2012/Tuesday) I helped my boss in repairing the backup transmitter in the FM transmitter by assisting them in the disassembling of its parts. While my bosses were busy in the FM transmitter, I take the hourly reading of the GMA Harris transmitter in the afternoon. I also accomplished checking one PA Module for the daily transmitter maintenance.

DAY 32 (June 6, 2012/Wednesday) I started my day by helping my boss in cleaning and checking one PA module. Also, we successfully repaired the backup FM transmitter that we were fixing yesterday by replacing a high voltage resistor in the final amplifier section and cleaning some of its vital parts. I also take the reading of the FM transmitter every hour. DAY 33 (June 7, 2012/Thursday) I tested the other repaired RF control boards and power supply in the spare PA module of Technosystem TV Transmitter. Our supervisor showed us some important things related to transmission lines and waveguides. He showed us how to operate the transmitter trainer that is used for testing input transmission signals and equipment. In the afternoon, I helped my boss to fix the faulty CCTV that is connected outside the office.

Noted by:

ERWIN R. TIMBRE Section Head Transmitter Operations