Radio technology news updated as it happens.

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News

FCC Proposes Rules For Broadband Over Power Lines

Washington, DC - Feb 12, 2004 - The FCC has proposed changes to certain technical rules with the intent of fostering broadband deployment by permitting the use of broadband over power lines (BPL). The FCC considers the nation's power grid to have "significantly untapped capabilities." The FCC has also stated that it intends to safeguard existing services against harmful interference.

The Part 15 rule changes, proposed in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), set forth procedures to measure the radio frequency (RF) energy emitted by equipment used to provide broadband service over power lines and establish particularized interference mitigation requirements. The FCC news release announcing the NPRM has an optimistic view of BPL and states that the FCC' effort "takes an important step toward increasing the availability of broadband in rural and underserved areas because power lines reach virtually every home and community in the country."

The release goes on to say that "in areas in which consumers already have broadband access, BPL enhances competition by providing another broadband alternative. These proposed changes will also facilitate the ability of electric utilities to dynamically manage the power grid itself, increasing network reliability."

The Commission proposes rules requiring BPL devices will use adaptive interference mitigation techniques to prevent harmful interference to existing users, such as public safety and amateur radio operators. These techniques would enable BPL devices to cease operations altogether, dynamically reduce transmit power or avoid operating on specific frequencies to prevent harmful interference. The proposal also includes the goal of developing a public database of information with the location, operational frequencies and modulation type of BPL devices, which will facilitate the resolution of interference issues in a timely fashion.

The NPRM also seeks comment on specific RF measurement guidelines for BPL devices and other carrier current systems. These guidelines will ensure that emission measurements for these systems are made in a consistent manner. While the NPRM addresses RF measurement guidelines, it does not propose any changes to existing applicable emission limits.

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AES Solicits Technical Papers

San Francisco - Feb 8, 2004 - The AES 117th Convention Committee invites submission of technical papers for presentation at the 2004 October meeting in San Francisco. A proposed title, 60- to 120-word abstract, and 500- to 750-word précis of the paper should be submitted via the Internet to the AES 117th paper-submission site at www.aes.org/117th_authors by May 17, 2004. For more information and complete instructions visit the site anytime after Feb. 24, 2004.

The author’s information, title, abstract, précis and choice between lecture or poster presentation should be all submitted online. Titles and abstracts should follow the guidelines in Information for Authors at www.aes.org/journal/con_infoauth.html. Abstracts of accepted papers will be published in the convention program.

The AES asks that writers choose their wording carefully. The précis should describe the work performed, methods employed, conclusion(s) and significance of the paper. All papers with demonstrations must be in lecture sessions. Highly detailed papers are best in poster sessions, which permit greater interaction between author and audience. Poster presentations and lectures have the same review process and preprint requirements; the content will determine which type of presentation works best for author and audience. Writers will be asked to specify a preference when you make your proposal online.

Acceptance of papers will be determined by a review committee based on an assessment of the précis. To present an accepted paper at the convention, an author must submit a preprint manuscript by the Aug. 16, 2004, deadline with content consistent with the précis and with a technical rather than a marketing orientation.

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Business

Radian Acquires Assets of Rohn Industries

Toronto - In December 2003, Radian Communication Services, a subsidiary of Onex, received approval from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana to acquire all of the assets related to the tower and tower accessory manufacturing operations of Rohn Industries and its affiliated debtors for U.S.$7.9 million.

Radian also announced that David Brinker, the head of Rohn's engineering group, has agreed to join the Radian team with the acquisition.

Radian Communication Services has provided communications infrastructure, including network design, installation and management, and tower engineering and construction to the telecommunications and broadcast industries. Radian operates from 20 offices across Canada and the United States.

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People

Troje Joins DRS Broadcast Technology

Dallas - Feb 11, 2004 - DRS Broadcast Technology, formerly Continental Electronics, has hired Michael Troje as a regional and vendor sales manager.

As owner of TDM Broadcast Services, Troje has represented the Continental Electronics transmitter line to clients throughout the upper Midwest. During his 25 years of experience he has served the broadcast industry as a broadcast engineer, domestic sales manager for Broadcast Electronics and national sales manager for Shively Labs television products division.

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Clear Channel's Littlejohn Named to Ibiquity's Board of Directors

Columbia, MD – Feb 10, 2004 – Jeff Littlejohn, senior vice president of engineering for Clear Channel Broadcasting, has been appointed to Ibiquity's Board of Directors.

In his role with Clear Channel, Littlejohn is responsible for overseeing all technical aspects for the radio division. He is a member of several industry committees including the National Radio Systems Committee and various groups within the NAB. Prior to joining Clear Channel, Littlejohn was the director of engineering for AMFM and Chancellor Broadcasting.

The other members of the Ibiquity board are Frank A. Adams, managing general partner, Grotech Capital Group; Daniel S. Ehrman Jr., vice president, planning and development, Gannett; Alfred C. Liggins III, president, Radio One; Jerry A. Poch, managing general partner, Pequot Capital; Robert J. Struble, president, Ibiquity Digital; Jacques Tortoroli, CFO, Infinity Broadcasting; Thomas M. Uhlman, president, New Ventures Group of Lucent Technologies; and Fred Wilson, managing partner, Flatiron Partners.

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Harris Appoints Gillon as Broadcast Center Manager

Cincinnati - Feb 9, 2004 - Harris Corporation Broadcast Communications Division (BCD) has appointed Matt Gillon as the company's broadcast center manager. Gillon will assume the position effective Feb. 16, and will be responsible for handling the day-to-day operations of Harris' ordering center for more than 360 broadcast equipment manufacturers and 30,000 products at the BCD headquarters in Mason, OH.

Gillon moves into the Broadcast Center's manager position from his previous position as Harris Broadcast radio field sales manager, where he directed all of the BCD radio sales representatives in their day-to-day sales activities in the United States.

Gillon is a 17-year radio broadcast veteran with experience in general and sales management. He joined Harris in October 2002 from KCOB-AM/FM/KRTI-FM, Newton, IA, where he was vice president of sales. Gillon also has served as general manager and director of sales for Two Rivers Broadcasting, the owner of KBGG-AM, KGGO-FM, KHKI-FM, KJJY-FM and KRKQ-FM. Additionally, he has worked in a number of sales capacities with Meredith Publications Crafts Group; WHO-AM and KRMD-FM in Des Moines, IA; KBOE-AM/KOSK- FM, Oskalossa, IA; and KLEE-AM/FM in Otumwa, IA.

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Internet Watch

Rycote Announces Interactive Website

Gloucestershire, United Kingdom - Jan 20, 2004 - Rycote's Microphone Data has created a comprehensive catalog of microphones for professional use at its new website www.microphone-data.com. With more than 1,000 microphones and more than 80 manufacturers, the website is similar to the catalog it produces.

The advantage of the website is that it allows quicker searches on an increased number of parameters, and comparison between multiple microphones. The website also contains a library of articles on various microphone-related subjects.

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