FCC Extends Comment Deadlines for Ownership Rules

Washington - Nov 5, 2002 - The FCC's Media Bureau and the Media Ownership Working Group (MOWG) took three actions on Nov. 5, regarding the ongoing biennial review proceeding examining media ownership rules. First, the Bureau issued an order extending the deadline for submitting comments and reply comments. The new comment deadlines are Jan. 2, 2003, for initial comments and Feb. 2, 2003, for reply comments. Second, the MOWG released additional information relating to the media studies that the Commission issued on Oct. 1, 2002. Third, the Bureau adopted a protective order establishing procedures to facilitate public review of the proprietary portions of that data.

Separately, the MOWG also made available additional information pertaining to several of the 12 media studies released on Oct. 1, 2002. Interested parties may review and analyze these data sets in the public reference room at the FCC’s headquarters (Room CY-A251, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C.) consistent with the Protective Order adopted by the Media Bureau. The procedures established in that order track the manner in which public access was permitted to proprietary information in other Commission proceedings. Outside parties also may obtain licenses from any or all licensors of the underlying data to evaluate the results of the studies or to develop other studies that will contribute to the record in this proceeding.

Commissioner Michael J. Copps said that he was "disappointed and alarmed" by the Commission’s refusal to provide adequate opportunity for public participation in its potentially far-reaching review of media concentration rules. From his released statement:

"We’ve asked the public to analyze six separate media consolidation rules. We’ve asked them to sift through 12 studies that many groups claim are inadequate. We’ve asked them to suggest what other areas of this issue need to be explored. And we’ve asked them to do all this in a media landscape that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Yet we provide a mere 60 days to do this. The last-minute addition of 30 days fails to even come close to solving the problem the FCC has created.

"At stake in this proceeding are our core values of localism, diversity, competition, and maintaining the multiplicity of voices and choices that undergird our marketplace of ideas and that sustain American democracy," Copps continued. "With such important values at stake, we ought to give parties the time to provide detailed data, granular evidence and studied analysis. I am disappointed in the extreme and alarmed at the prospect of forging ahead to dismantle the limits and caps before we fully understand the effects of such action.

"We are under no mandate to resolve these issues by a date certain. We must place making the right decision ahead of making a hasty decision."

The issue is covered under MB Docket No. 02-277 and MM Docket Nos. 01-235, 01-317, 00-244.

Radio magazine Receives Honor from Magazine Industry

New York - Oct 30, 2002 - Recognition by one's industry peers is the highest possible honor. Every year, radio stations compete for honors and awards such as the Marconi Radio Awards and the Crystal Radio Awards. These awards are chosen by the radio industry to recognize the outstanding efforts of radio stations serving their customers. Similarly, publications have their own awards programs where magazines can be evaluated and honored for their outstanding efforts in serving their audiences.

The May 2002 cover of Radio magazine.

The Ozzie Awards is an awards program for magazines. This year, Radio magazine received the Gold Award in the Best Cover Design category* for its May 2002 cover. In their comments, the judges stated, "Well designed and very readable logo that has incorporated a special icon of a related element. The photo relates well to the subject of communication and the problems it can have. There is an effective touch added by weaving the string through the logo. The colors are subtle but effective and very readable. Well done."

The Ozzie Award judges are magazine publication professionals from many different areas of professional publishing.

Now in its 16th year, the Ozzie awards are conducted by Folio: magazine. The awards recognize excellence in magazine design in 14 categories covering the consumer, business-to-business, association and custom segments of magazine publishing.

This is not the first award that Radio magazine has received. Radio has also received awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for design layouts and editorial features.

* - Business-to-Business with circulation of less than 35,000.

Adelstein's FCC Nomination On Hold Again

Washington - Oct 31, 2002 - The FCC has been playing with less than a full team of commissioners. The nomination of Democrat Jonathan Adelstein to the vacant post has been placed on hold by Republican senators, preventing the decision from coming to a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. This effort is in retaliation for the Democrats blocking two Republicans from seats on the federal bench. According to the Wall Street Journal Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) believes that Adelstein's nomination will not likely pass before the 107th session of Congress ends.

The White House posted the nomination of Adelstein last February to complete the remainder of a five-year Commission term that expires June 30, 2003.

APT and KTC Canada Strike a Deal

Belfast - Nov 6, 2002 - Canadian company KTC Technology has signed a licensing agreement with Audio Processing Technology (APT) enabling it to incorporate Soft apt-X, the software version of APT’s data compression algorithm, into a number of new products.

KTC Technology markets custom software products that it has been developing for use with Computer Concepts DCS/Maestro systems. Since its formation in 1994, KTC has expanded its line of software and continued to provide ancillary programs for use with Computer Concepts digital audio products. KTC markets its products under the umbrella of dcsTools.com and through a substantial network of distributors worldwide. The company’s flagship product is a PC-based digital audio logging system called ReeLogger, which was introduced in 1996.

KTC has been in discussion with APT to see if apt-X could be incorporated into forthcoming products. The discussions have now culminated in the licensing agreement and KTC is now incorporating Soft apt-X into Xtractor, KTC’s CD ripper software. It is also being used in KTC's stand-alone audio player for DCS/Maestro called XPlay.

Digigram Releases Drivers Under Open Source Licensing

Delta RF Purchases Silicon Valley Power Amplifier

Reno, NV - Aug 18, 2002 - Delta RF Technology has purchased Silicon Valley Power Amplifier of San Jose, CA. SVPA is a manufacturer of high-power RF amplifiers for broadband use, including Military HF, VHF, and UHF radio and data communications, as well as amplifiers for use in commercial FM radio. Delta RF Technology is a high-power amplifier company with many complementary products, including broadband amplifiers for Military Communications, commercial FM radio and terrestrial broadcast television-analog and digital.

Operations have moved in their entirety to Delta RF's Reno, NV facility, where all products will be manufactured. Roy Mollard, CEO of SVPA, will support the Delta RF Technology operation.

Andrew Concludes Sale of Equipment Shelters Business

Orland Park, IL - Oct 31, 2002 - Andrew has sold the assets of its communications equipment shelter business to Oldcastle Precast, a subsidiary of CRH plc., an international buildings materials manufacturer. Oldcastle Precast specializes in the manufacture and distribution of primary construction materials and value-added building products, including communications equipment shelters.

Under the terms of the agreement, Oldcastle Precast will operate the former Andrew shelter manufacturing facilities in Newnan, GA, and Burlington, KS. Oldcastle will retain most of the Andrew shelter employees, including the Andrew shelter management team. Specific financial details of the transaction were not released.

Groove Addicts Finishes New Studios

Los Angeles - Oct 31, 2002 - In a major expansion of its resources, Groove Addicts has moved to its new headquarters, a custom designed facility on Los Angeles’ West side featuring two recording studios, one with 5.1 surround sound capability, and two sound design suites. The facility occupies nearly triple the floorspace of the company’s previous site and will serve as home to Groove Addicts’ original music and sound design operations, and to its affiliate, Who Did That Music?, licensing a catalog of 14 custom music libraries.

The move underscores the growth Groove Addicts has been recently experiencing and its optimism for a surge in entertainment, advertising and radio/TV image work in the months and years ahead.

The centerpiece of the new facility is Studio A, a live recording room with a floating floor and supplemented by a series of isolation booths. The room is large enough to accommodate a small orchestra. The adjacent control room is 5.1 capable, set up for live recording or audio post production work.

APT and Open Solution Extend Relationship

South Korea - Oct 23, 2002 - One year after announcing a multi-million dollar licensing deal with South Korean firm Open Solution, Audio Processing Technology (APT) of Belfast, Ireland, has extended its relationship with the company by signing an additional exclusive licensing agreement for its enhanced 16, 20 and 24 bit algorithms for wireless semiconductor applications.

The official signing between Noel McKenna, managing director of APT and Dr. Jongwook Kim, CEO of Open Solutions, took place in South Korea.

Seoul-based Open Solution is a semiconductor company specializing in 2.4GHz wireless audio technology for the consumer electronics market. The end solution takes the form of a custom designed application specific standard (ASSP) product named DWM3000 (also known as S5G3000), which enables wireless audio in consumer devices such as wireless headphones for personal audio players, loudspeakers and DVD players. It will also feature in other multimedia applications within the vast consumer market. Samsung is manufacturing the chip and leading the worldwide sales and marketing strategy. It is anticipated that the chip will eventually be sold to the world’s leading consumer companies, many of which have already expressed interest in the technology.

Open Solution recently received the first production run of the DWM3000 implementation. The first-generation chip currently incorporates APT's Standard apt-X algorithm.

RF Power Exchange Adds Econco and Comet

Coral Springs, FL - Oct 30, 2002 - RF Power Exchange, an RF and microwave component distributor, has signed distribution agreements with two established broadcast manufacturers. The company now distributes products for Econco, a manufacturer of new and rebuilt power vacuum tubes for broadcast, industrial and military use, and Comet Technik AG, a manufacturer of fixed and variable vacuum capacitors since 1965.

Computer Concepts and Scott Plan Operational Consolidation

Dallas and Lenexa, KS - Oct 28, 2002 - To clarify an item that appeared in the Radio Currents last week, Computer Concepts is moving the Lenexa, KS, offices of Computer Concepts to the Dallas facilities of Scott Studios. Scott Studios and Computer Concepts will continue to offer products and support of the Computer Concepts product line.

The consolidation of the Computer Concepts and Scott Studios operations will provide a stronger presence for the company's customers.

Scott Studios and Computer Concepts merged two years ago but maintained their existing facilities. Until the the move is complete, the telephone numbers for products, service, support and software updates will stay the same: 800-255-6350 or 913-541-0900. When the move is completed in May 2003, the new Computer Concepts address will be the same as the Scott Studios address: 13375 Stemmons Freeway; Dallas, TX 75234.

Ibiquity's Struble and Salemi Elected to CEA Posts

Columbia, MD - Nov 6, 2002 - Two executives from Ibiquity Digital have been elected to board positions within the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Robert Struble, president of Ibiquity, has been elected to the CEA's board of directors through 2005, and David Salemi, Ibiquity's vice president of marketing, has been elected to the CEA's mobile electronics board. The two were elected during the CEA's annual fall conference, held in San Francisco in October.

Memorial: John Klecker of Dielectric

Nov 4, 2002 - Dielectric regrets to announce that John Klecker passed away on October 19, 2002, in Phoenix following the SBE National Meeting and Phoenix Regional Convention. Klecker joined the sales staff of Dielectric in 1997. Most recently he served as regional sales manager for the central territory following his relocation from the western region last year. Klecker was a familiar face in the broadcast industry, having spent more than 25 years in sales positions in the top broadcast companies in the United States, including Andrew and Harris.

A "Celebration of Life" memorial service will be held on Nov. 23, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. at Jonah's Seafood House, 2601 N. Main St., East Peoria, IL. Donations in Klecker's memory can be made to the American Heart Association:

American Heart Association
Attn: Memorials (John L. Klecker)
4414 Woodland Park Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103
www.americanheart.org

AKG Names Torlone as Market Development Manager

Nashville - Oct 20, 2002 - AKG Acoustics, U.S. has appointed Mike Torlone to the position of market development manager, studio. Torlone has worked on all sides of the professional and consumer audio industries, including sales, marketing and product management, and he has owned a retail store.

Torlone comes to AKG from Starin Marketing, a manufacturer's representative firm covering several Midwest states, where he served as a regional manager. Prior to working at Starin Marketing, Torlone spent 13 years with Electro-Voice and EV/Telex as market development manager and regional sales manager. For 10 years, Torlone owned Wheeling Sound, a high-end consumer audio store in Wheeling, WV.

Torlone holds a BA degree in journalism and speech from Marshall University, and has been a musician since 1964. He will be overseeing the broadcast and recording markets within AKG's U.S. business and will be responsible for new product development and the segment's market development.

Moussavian Promoted to Dielectric VP

Raymond, ME - Oct 28, 2002 - Dielectric Communications has appointed Mansour Moussavian to the position of vice president, HF/MF product management. Moussavian will be directing the short-wave and medium-wave broadcast and communications business to enable the company to continue to effectively address the needs of the international and domestic markets.

Mansour has been directly involved in the design and manufacturing of these products for more than 10 years. Dielectric created the position to take advantage of his expertise in this area.

Moussavian joined Dielectric in 2000 when Dielectric acquired TCI. He served in a number of engineering, operations and management positions since first joining TCI in 1982. Moussavian holds a master’s degree in construction engineering and management from Stanford University and bachelor of science degrees in civil engineering and economics from the University of London. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California and is a member of The Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers (AFCCE).

Moussavian will continue working from the Dielectric/TCI offices in California.

AEQ Strengthens International Sales

Madrid, Spain - Oct 28, 2002 - Lars Beyer has joined AEQ as European sales manager with responsibilities for project-oriented sales worldwide.

An electronic engineer, Beyer previously worked for NTP and Telecast Group, first in the technical service department and later on as international sales manager.

The appointment of Beyer coincides with the launch of AEQ’s range of digital broadcast audio products including the Impact Digital Audio Matrix, Course Multi-Audiocodec system and integration systems as the Systel-6000 for multiconferencing and talk shows.

Arbitron Acquires License and Assets from Measurecast

New York - Nov 7, 2002 - Arbitron has acquired a license to the streaming audio audience measurement system and related assets from Measurecast, a Portland, OR, company founded in 1999 to develop streaming audience measurement services for Internet broadcasters, advertisers and media buyers.

The transaction gives Arbitron a license to market and use the Measurecast streaming audio audience measurement system as well as related technology used to produce streaming audience measurement services. Arbitron is also purchasing the Measurecast trademark and other assets necessary to produce and maintain a streaming audience measurement service. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Measurecast will continue to develop technologies and services with its strategic partners, under a new and as of yet unannounced name. Measurecast partners, including Nielsen Media Research, Netratings and Trans Cosmos International (TCI), retain certain rights to the Measurecast services and technology.

Arbitron will begin immediately incorporating the Measurecast technology in its Webcast ratings service, and will publish weekly and monthly Webcast audience estimates under the name "Arbitron's Measurecast Ratings."

Omnia Audio Launches Redesigned Website

Component Symbols Now Available from Stardraw

London - Nov 1, 2002 - As part of its monthly update, Stardraw has released a symbol update to all current subscribers. Stardraw has made available the component elements used to create its product symbols in the Block Schematic, Rack Layout and Pictorial Schematic environments of Stardraw Audio, Stardraw AV and Stardraw Radio.

The update includes more than 500 symbols of buttons, switches, knobs, connectors, logos and meters. Users can now create symbols on their own with the same tools used by Stardraw. They have been created to meet all of the criteria currently used in the production of Stardraw libraries and conform to layer and drawing specifications. The Stardraw library already contains more than 35,000 images. Despite this, users may encounter a need for a symbol that has not yet been added.

This tool is intended to complement the company's Symbols-by-Request service, which prioritizes the creation of new symbols according to users demand. This service is now offered online, but the process of gethering data and creating the symbol can take some time. The component elements allow users to do it themselves.

Mackie's HDR Pro Ties HDR24/96 to Pro Tools

Woodinville, WA - Oct 28, 2002 - Mackie Designs has released HDR Pro, a hardware and software upgrade package for the Mackie HDR24/96 (HDR) that provides file compatibility with Mac-based Digidesign Pro Tools digital audio workstation running versions 3.x through 5.x. The HDR Pro package includes a copy of HDR Pro software, as well as an outboard Mackie Media M90 drive bay that can be connected to any Mac-based Pro Tools workstation via an on-board Firewire interface.

The new HDR Pro software exports all audio files in a given HDR Project as Sound Designer II (.sd2) files and also creates a Pro Tools EDL (edit decision list) file based on edits made using the HDR's graphical user interface. This newly created Pro Tools session can be exported directly to a Mackie Media M90 (inserted in the HDR) and transferred to a Pro Tools system via the outboard Firewire drive bay (included with the HDR Pro) that accommodates the removable M90 drive. HDR Pro also allows a Pro Tools session (Macintosh-based versions 3.x through 5.x) to be imported into an HDR Project, using the same transfer method.