Radio technology news updated as it happens.

News

More Stations are Creating Disaster Recovery Plans
Washington - Mar 24, 2006 - According to a study by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), radio and TV stations are significantly more prepared to respond to disasters than they were three years ago. An internal study conducted during the first quarter of 2006 indicates that the number of radio stations with disaster recovery plans has tripled since 2003. The study also showed that the number of TV stations with disaster recovery plans has increased 50 percent in the same amount of time.

"Based on our survey, we estimate there are now over 800 television stations and more than 6,000 radio stations with a written disaster recovery plan," said NAB Vice President of Research and Planning David Gunzerath.

CES Moves Certain Audio Exhibits to Venetian
Arlington, VA - Mar 23, 2006 - The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will move its high-performance audio exhibits from the Alexis Park to the Venetian Hotel at the 2007 CES. This is part of an expansion of the CES at the Sands Convention Center and Venetian hotel.

The 2007 International CES runs Jan. 8 to Jan. 11, 2007, in Las Vegas.

NAB Announces Board Election Results
Washington - Mar 22, 2006 - The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the results of the 2006 NAB board of directors election. The two-year terms of the newly elected board members will begin at the June 2006 board meeting.

Radio Board

Television Board

* Incumbent

Business

V-Soft Seeks Beta Testers
Cedar Falls, IA - Mar 22, 2006 - V-Soft will unveil its new AM ground conductivity program at NAB2006. The program, with the working name of Conductivity, takes measured field strength values of AM stations and matches them to ground conductivity curves or partial curves. The program graphs the field strength values in this process.

Final output shows where the conductivity breaks along the measured radial. The graphs allow the user to create labels and otherwise provide user notes on the graphs. This program is a stand-alone program, but is most useful as a companion to V-Soft Communication’s AM-Pro allocations program.

To volunteer to be a 30-day beta tester for the AM ground conductivity program, e-mail Adam Puls or call 1-800-743-3684.

Sales Call Pitt County, NC, has acquired an emergency response mobile (ERM) communications trailer from LBA Technology of Greenville, NC. The ERM trailer, which includes a 15kW generator and 50-foot antenna tower, will provide first responders with critical communications operability. The communications trailer will also provide command, control and supplemental onsite communications abilities. The Canadian Coast Guard has purchased a Burk GSC3000 system to monitor and control the facilities and ancillary systems at all five of their Long Range Navigation (LORAN-C) transmitting facilities from their Monitor and Control Station in Saint Anthony, Newfoundland. Logitek has sold a Remora digital console system to KMXT in Kodiak, AK; a Remora digital console system with two 10-fader surfaces to KCUK in Chevak, AK; a Remora digital console system with two 16-fader surfaces to WRBZ in Raleigh, NC; and a Remora console system including three control surfaces to C-SPAN in Washington, DC. Dielectric has provided Grupo Multimedios, a major Mexican telecommunications group, with a new 950-foot tower. By using Dielectric’s antenna solution, Grupo Multimedios is now able to broadcast the three stations with only two antennas instead of the three antennas typically required.

People

Audio-Technica Appoints Estrin as Strategic Technology Specialist
Stow, OH - Mar 24, 2006 - Audio-Technica U.S. has named Larry Estrin to the position of strategic technology specialist. Philip Cajka, Audio Technica U.S. president, made the announcement, indicating that Estrin's appointment supports the company's long-term plan for growth in vital market segments and its ongoing commitment to use emerging technologies in new products.

As strategic technology specialist, Estrin will work closely with Audio-Technica's sales, marketing and R&D departments, using his knowledge to increase brand awareness and reinforce Audio-Technica's image in the marketplace. In addition, Estrin will provide insight and guidance regarding industry trends in they company's current and future market sectors.

Estrin, an Emmy award-winner, began his professional audio career in the early 1960's and has gained expertise working continuously in engineering, design and production management positions in the live entertainment field. Estrin has had a prominent, recurring role in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, including those in Los Angeles, Calgary, Barcelona, Sydney and Torino, as well as the Paralympics in Barcelona, Salt Lake City and Torino. His credits also include the Pan Am Games (Indianapolis), Goodwill Games (Seattle, New York City, Lake Placid), and Super Bowl/National Football League special events, along with numerous presidential inaugurations and presidential debates. In addition, Estrin was instrumental in the conception, design and implementation of the wireless microphone system used by NFL referees.

Products

Tascam Ships CD Recorder
Montebello, CA - Mar 16, 2006 - Tascam is now shipping the CD-RW900 CD recorder. The unit replaces the CD-RW750. The CD-RW900 plays MP3 files, has pitch and key control and a keyboard input for naming takes.

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