That Was Then

Hank Landsberg of Henry Engineering sent us these photos from his past.

Above is Landsberg when he worked for Drake-Chenault in 1974. The photo shows an early 1970s-era radio automation system, with Scully 270 playback decks that hold 14” reels of tape. The same system could be replicated on a laptop today - and the tapes wouldn't break, stretch or run out.

A Shaffer model 903 Automation System, which was the demo system Landsberg used in the lobby at Drake-Chenault. He worked there as chief engineer from 1974 to 1988. Drake-Chenault was a programming syndicator, supplying music programming tapes to about 300 radio stations nationwide. What required about $50,000 worth of equipment in 1975 (in these photos) can now be done on a laptop computer and $2,000 of software.

Sample and Hold

Satellite Radio Response

Only four in 10 current XM and Sirius subscribers made the decision to subscribe to satellite radio on their own. For one-third, it was pre-installed in their vehicles, while one-fifth received satellite radio as a gift. And for 7 percent, XM or Sirius was part of a satellite TV package.

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Source: Jacobs Media 2008 Tech Survey IV

Two-thirds of subscribers who chose XM and/or Sirius on their own say they will absolutely continue with the service through 2008. But only four in 10 of those whose vehicle came installed with satellite radio say they'll absolutely stay with the service. And nearly a third indicate they'll likely discontinue or aren't sure about the status of their subscription. Similarly, those who received XM or Sirius as a gift aren't especially committed either. Less than half say they will absolutely continue with satellite radio through this year.