Bid Adieu to Jerry Whitaker, Legend of ATSC
Jerry Whitaker Retires as Vice President of Standards Development at ATSC
After a distinguished 25-year career, Jerry Whitaker has retired as Vice President of Standards Development at the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC). During his tenure, Whitaker played a pivotal role in the development and leadership of broadcast standards, most notably the ATSC 3.0 Standard.
Whitaker's career with ATSC began in the year 2000 when he joined as Technical Director, later being promoted to Vice President of Standards Development. His role at ATSC involved shepherding standards development, including the ATSC 3.0 suite of standards, which aimed to offer benefits that the current system cannot, making it consumer-driven.
The decision to develop a non-backward compatible TV transmission standard was made after a public call for input on the new broadcast standard. The detailed report from the public input led to the development of ATSC 3.0.
Before joining ATSC, Whitaker's career path included stints at KCRA radio in Sacramento, Calif., where he started at the age of 19. He worked as a morning news editor and later as a producer. Whitaker also served as the editorial director of BE and was then promoted to associate publisher.
Whitaker's love for radio and television engineering is evident in his personal life as well. He has collected radio equipment, including the automation system and carousel cart machines, from his time at Eureka, Calif., where he got his FCC First Class License and found a job as an engineer. An early incident with a Gates BC5H transmitter at the AM station in Eureka is a testament to his dedication to the field.
Post-ATSC, Whitaker plans to continue his hobbies, including restoring vintage radio gear and maintaining his collected equipment. His affable temperament and love for the industry have earned him the title of one of the true gentlemen of the industry.
Whitaker's most important work, according to him, is the 2,500-page "The Electronics Handbook," published by CRC Press in 1996. He has also written or edited some 50 books over his career.
Whitaker's legacy at ATSC will undoubtedly continue to shape the broadcast industry as the standards he helped develop are implemented and adopted. His successor, Luiz Fausto, also has extensive experience in broadcast technology, ensuring a smooth transition and continued progress in the field.
- Jerry Whitaker's role at ATSC included shepherding the development of the ATSC 3.0 suite of standards, which aims to offer benefits that the current system cannot and is consumer-driven.
- The detailed report from the public input led to the development of ATSC 3.0, a non-backward compatible TV transmission standard.
- Before joining ATSC, Whitaker worked as a morning news editor and later as a producer at KCRA radio in Sacramento, Calif.
- Whitaker's love for radio and television engineering is evident in his personal life, as he enjoys restoring vintage radio gear and maintaining his collected equipment.
- An early incident with a Gates BC5H transmitter at the AM station in Eureka is a testament to Whitaker's dedication to the field.
- After a 25-year career, Whitaker has retired as Vice President of Standards Development at ATSC, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the broadcast industry.
- Whitaker's successor at ATSC, Luiz Fausto, also has extensive experience in broadcast technology, ensuring a smooth transition and continued progress in the field.
