Opinion: Call Ahead for Reservations
by John Wells King and John Crigler
Two Views on the FCC's Invitation for Petitions for Noncommercial Designation of New FM Channels

Most 'Touchscreen' Suits Settle
by Randy J. Stine
Supplier Product Costs Go Up; More Suits Could Be on the Way

RDS Gets Its Groove Back
by Tom Vernon
The resurrection of RDS continues to gain momentum, following a flurry of activities in the fall and recent product announcements by manufacturers.

Roots of Radio: Treasures Find a New Home
by Ken R.
Guglielmo Marconi likely never imagined developments such as satellite radio, HD Radio, station automation or Britney Spears.

What Does Kenyon's Exit Mean?
by Leslie Stimson
Clear Channel Regional Engineers to Take Full Responsibility for Consolidations

Will Mt. Wilson Stations Pay?
by Randy J. Stine
Broadcasters may become more enthusiastic about complying with radiofrequency radiation exposure limits now that it appears the RFR safety issue is moving up on the FCC's enforcement priority list.

The F-Word and More: 'Did He Just Say That on the Radio?'
by Harry Cole
The FCC Seems Ready to Tolerate Certain Language Once Considered Unacceptable

So It's Time to Play Radio Santa?
by Paul J. McLane
Stuck for gift ideas? With the holidays upon us, here are a few for the radio person in your life (or for yourself).

The Engineer-to-Station Ratio System
by Dave Obergoenner
Radio has been in a tremendous state of change over the last decade in regards to engineering. Often workload demands have shifted from the programming departments to the engineering departments for much of the broadcast day, which is usually 24/7.

Opinion: Don't Ease Up on Interference
The FCC should not ease its interference rules, even if those rules limit the number of low-power FM stations that can fit on the dial. That's my conclusion after reading the reactions from the NAB and National Public Radio to a report from Mitre Corp. commissioned by the FCC.

FCC Lessons in the Public File
by Harry Cole
Presumably in an effort to demonstrate how dedicated to 'localism' it is, the FCC apparently will enforce the public-file rule with a vengeance.

Rohn Ponders Its Options
by Randy J. Stine
Tower Company Is in Chapter 11, Continues Operations; Considers Possible Liquidation

Net Streaming Hit With Patent Claim
by Randy J. Stine
Ad-Insertion Patent Could Further Muddy Future of Internet Streaming

Meeting OSHA, and Beyond
by Ken R.
Experts Talk About Common Sense in Protecting Your Safety and Health

Opinion: Let's Honor More of the Nation's Stations
Radio too often ignores its rich and fascinating history. We have lamented this tendency ... So allow us to express our pleasure at the news that local officials in Mason, Ohio, near Cincinnati, recently unveiled a historical marker, a plaque commemorating WLW's Blaw-Knox AM antenna.

Pirates Look to City Hall
by Naina Narayana Chernoff
Some Enlist Governments in Battle With FCC

Opinion: Radio's Real Founding Father
by Mike Adams
Two University Professors Argue That Charles Herrold Invented the Radio Station

Clear Channel Dials Up Profitability
by Steve Sullivan
John Hogan Says Radio People Characteristically Focus on Market Share When There's a Broader Picture to Consider

'Tom' Is Better Than 'Perfect Paul'
by R. Scott Sparks
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in its quest to improve the radio service of the National Weather Service, has introduced the successor to "Craig," the concatenated voice system which has been used for the last year or so to announce weather reports and alerts on the country's weather radio system. ... Is the new system, nicknamed "Tom," really an improvement?

DRM: What's It About?
by Lawrie Hallett
The History of Digital Radio Mondiale and How It Compares to HD Radio and Eureka-147

A Satellite Downconverter Tool
by Mark Persons
If you are fortunate enough to own an RF spectrum analyzer but are not blessed with one that goes above 1 GHz to look at satellite transponders, I may have an almost-free solution to your problem.

Specs Howard: Start Here, Get There
by Ken R.
Specs Howard was a mild-mannered yet slightly wacky DJ who with his partner, Harry Martin, graced the airwaves of Cleveland and Detroit in the 1960s ... Howard now is chairman of the board of a broadcast school that bears his name.

Radio Gets Its First Taste of TiVo
by Frank Beacham
Inspired by the Personal Video Recorder, Products Allow Time-Shifting of Programs

Flexibility Is the Path of Wisdom
by Tom Vernon
Wisdom Media Enjoys Life in a New Multimedia Facility in W.Va.

From the Editor
An Audio Service for Radio Lovers
by Paul McLane

Drop in Drive Prices Spurs Upgrades
by Ed Ritchie
Has the high cost of transitioning from tape to digital storage kept your station waiting on the sidelines to upgrade its automated systems? It may be time to take another look.

Talk Radio - The Beginning
by Ed Harvey
There had been other radio interview programs. But this one was going to be different. A new engineering technique would allow the voice of the caller to be heard on the air.

Q&A: Levin Seeks to Dispel 'The Myths'
"What we're really trying to do here is try to dispel the myths about the radio industry, explain to people the good things that Clear Channel does."

Digital Rollout Is Radio Show Workshop Highlight
by Jeff Johnson
Engineers attending the NAB Radio Show Technical Certification Workshops will have an opportunity catch up on issues and technologies facing the profession. A certificate will be awarded to attendees, applicable for SBE recertification credit.

Roxborough Towers Above Philly
by Scott Fybush
If you've ever driven the Schuylkill Expressway, Interstate 76 into Philadelphia, especially after dark, you've seen them: eight tall towers, beacons flashing, all within a mile or so of each other on a rise just above the Schuylkill River.

RW Editorial: The Radio Show Is Still Worth It
The NAB deserves credit for bringing the fall Radio Show to Philadelphia. Folks in the Middle Atlantic and Northeast say it's about time; they've not had a major radio convention in their backyards for more than a decade.

DOS Headache, Driver Solution
by John Arndt
Specialty Add-On Cards: Just How Do You Make Them Work Under Windows NT, 2000 or XP?

From the Editor: Garrels Gets 'Naked in Baghdad'
"We've settled into a routine of bombing and briefings." ... Thus does Anne Garrels begin an entry in "Naked in Baghdad." The statement is matter-of-fact, like the rest of her new book.

Translator 'Flood' Causes Concern
by Naina Narayana Chernoff
A torrent of applications received this year by the FCC for new FM translators is causing some broadcasters and engineering consultants to worry about potential interference to existing stations.

A Success Story Made in the USA
Larry Magne Prepares to Publish His 20th Edition of 'Passport'
by James Careless

LPFM: All That Fuss for Nothing?
Report Seems to Indicate That FM Dial Could Accommodate More LPFM Channel Allocations
by Mario Hieb, P.E.

Cuba Libre: Hernandez Takes Reins
Radio Martí Has a New Director With a Familiar Mission
by Steve Sullivan

Clear Channel Radio, for $4.95/Month
Web Watcher hears and reads the same shots you do from those in and out of the radio industry about Clear Channel Communications. One of the most prevalent is that its consolidation of the industry stifles ingenuity at the station level.
by Craig Johnston

Opinion: With AM, the Simple Solutions Are Best
I read with no small amusement about this "wonderful" new way to broadcast high-quality programming via IBOC. I'm reminded of the feeding frenzy in the '80s when AM stereo would bring the standard band up to par with the "my gosh, look at all the money they're making" FMs.
by Terry Jordan

Opinion: Walden Will Be Missed - And How
Why would Ibiquity let Glynn Walden walk out the door, much less give him a push, as seems to be the case? And could the company have picked a worse time to lose the man most closely associated with IBOC?
by Paul J. McLane

RDS Slowly Gaining Acceptance
The never-ending race for revenue has some broadcast groups taking another look at the Radio Data System, a text and data delivery technology that failed to catch the attention of most broadcasters when introduced in the United States in 1993, as a possible means of boosting bottom line through non-traditional advertising.
by Randy J. Stine

Trailing Bush on the White Line
A Story of 12 Days, 10 Flights, 7 Countries and No Martinis
by Rich Rarey

Sproul: One Station, 30 Years
David Sproul proudly sports the company ID badge that bears his start date in 1973 at the engineering department of WMAL(AM) in Washington.
by Randy J. Stine

From the Editor: Charlie Morgan's Take on HD Radio Standards
When an engineer as respected as Charlie Morgan takes exception to something I write in print, I pay attention. Morgan was responding to my June 18 comments here about the National Radio Systems Committee standards process.
by Paul J. McLane

New Rules: The Freeze Is On
There were a lot of surprised and disappointed folks when, just as the commission adopted its new ownership rules, the Media Bureau announced interim processing guidelines for broadcast assignment and transfer applications, as well as certain modification applications, during the transition period commencing with the adoption date of the new rules.
by Frank Montero

Haskey: A Gentle, Dedicated Engineer
Richard Haskey, owner and president of Western Wireless Works of Mesa, Ariz. died June 10 after a long illness. He was 64.
by Ken R.

Lyme Disease Is Unrecognized Threat
Engineers Are Among Those Vulnerable to Bite of a Bloodsucking Parasitic Arachnid
by Douglas W. Fearn

Group Sees No Major EAS Overhaul
The FCC could begin discussions this summer on recommendations from the Media Security and Reliability Council on ways to ensure the delivery of emergency information via public warning systems in this country. Yet warning experts expect the process to be "measured and deliberate" and that any immediate overhaul of the Emergency Alert System is unlikely.
by Randy J. Stine

A Few of My Favorite Tools
Buc Fitch Explains Why He Brings Not One, But Eight Toolboxes When He Hits the Road

Lawsuit Looms for Automation Suppliers
There's a legal battle brewing over those familiar touchscreens -- found in thousands of broadcast studios -- that could eventually add to the cost of what broadcasters pay for the audio management systems.
by Randy J. Stine

Can Radio Get Rid of the Swish?
Organizations Seek to Minimize Coding and Transcoding Issues in an Increasingly Digital World
by Michael LeClair

Digital Audio Codecs Explained
Coding Is Fundamental Component of Digital Production and Broadcast Systems
by Skip Pizzi

HD Radio Data Poised to Explode
HD BML- The Foundation for Next -- Generation Radio Services
by Joseph D'Angelo

CCA Bankruptcy Case Persists
by Randy J. Stine
Company Director's Whereabouts Unknown; New Company to Service CCA Clients

Facilities Management for Radio, TV
by Jeff Johnson
Radio World asked several contributors to attend various sessions at the NAB2003 convention this spring. Here, Jeff Johnson summarizes presentations at "Facilities Management for Radio and Television."

Opinion: Crawford's 'Limited Conversion'
by W.C. Alexander
It seems that a week doesn't go by when some publication comes across my desk or computer screen with a news article or feature about HD Radio, otherwise known as IBOC.

Eureka: Niche or Volume Player?
by Leslie Stimson
The terrestrial digital radio standard used in several other countries has slowly attracted more nations since test broadcasts began in 1998. This may be a key year for Eureka-147 as receiver prices start to come down.

DRM: Shortwave Wants to Sound Better, Too
by Leslie Stimson
By the end of next year, another type of digital radio receiver is expected to make its debut at the consumer level - Digital Radio Mondiale. It is digital radio for shortwave, medium-wave/AM and long-wave.

Satellite Radio Sees No Borders
Mexican Broadcasters Are Troubled by the Penetration - and Possible Future - of Satellite Services
by Gabriel Sosa Plata
The launch of satellite radio services in the United States has had unintended consequences south of the border, where some broadcasters in Mexico worry about potential competition from a satellite digital radio service someday.

SBE Helps With BAS Data Problems
by David P. Otey, CSTE
At the recent NAB convention, the Society of Broadcast Engineers held meetings on topics related to Broadcast Auxiliary Services. There was a high level of interest in these topics, largely due to recent FCC actions that are changing the BAS landscape.

Mark's Two-Hour AM Micro-Proof
by Mark Persons
AM radio is still very much alive and profitable in Minnesota, especially in small towns.

Opinion: IBOC's 'Pause' Is Bitter Pill
"This is not a show stopper, this is how to best proceed with the show." The IBOC show, that is ... That's how one RF manufacturer characterized news that Ibiquity's PAC codec is not ready for prime time - at least in the minds of the DAB Subcommittee of the National Radio Systems Committee.

Work Begins at 4 Times Square
by Randy J. Stine
Project Would Be First New Broadcast Structure Built in City Since 9/11

Emmis Buys Historic Austin Cluster
by Steve Sullivan
When Emmis Communications spent $105 million to buy six Austin, Texas, radio stations on March 3, Wall Street didn't exactly stand up and applaud the deal. Emmis stock took a pretty hard hit, dropping $2.50 to $17.29 the day the deal was announced ... But Emmis was undaunted by the rough reception.

Dirty Discourse at the Beach
Page Four: by Paul J. McLane
Down with trashy paperbacks. Fie on beach novels. Here are three summer reading suggestions just for fans of Radio World. No sex, just lots of information.

FCC Tackles Contested LPFMs
by Naina Narayana Chernoff
Agency Encourages Applicants to Reach Voluntary Settlements

National Amber Plan Takes Shape
by Randy J. Stine
Proponents of the Amber Alert Plan are applauding the passage of a national plan targeting kidnappers ... Some EAS observers, meanwhile, still worry about the growing pains associated with a national Amber Plan - one they fear could be rapidly inundated and rendered useless by unproductive listings.

The New Power of Car Radios
by Thomas Chrapkiewicz & Jack Morgan
A Look at the Impact of Fixed and Programmable DSPs on Automotive Audio Systems

Q&A: The Ins and Outs of 'Cool Stuff'
by Paul J. McLane
Congratulations to the winners of the 2003 Radio World "Cool Stuff" Award. Look for their photos and product information in this issue.

It Must be Spring: Shecky's Back
by Alan R. Peterson
It's as predictable as the cherry blossoms in Washington, as timely as a squirt from Old Faithful and as lame as a circus performer on rubber stilts ... It's the return of Shecky Peterson.

Kahn Pushes New AM Digital Technology
by Leslie Stimson
Leonard Kahn says he has developed a new technology that will restore AM to 15 kHz stereo fidelity by using digital processing.

Transmission Innovations Explored
by Michael LeClair
Papers Delve Into DRM, Low-Profile AM Antennas, Frequency Coordination and Multichannel FM Systems

Slow Growth for Streaming to Stereos
by James Careless
Where have all the Internet radios gone?

There's No Biz Like Syndicated Show Biz
by Dee McVicker
The right syndicated radio show can practically carry a station from one book to the next.

Reiser Salutes Fellow Engineers
The annual Technology Luncheon at NAB2003 honored contributions by two veterans of the Federal Communications Commission, and gave attendees some food for thought.

Guest Commentary:
Audio Processing Primer For HD Radio
by Frank Foti
An excerpt from a paper written about audio processing for HD Radio. There are questions to be answered about this new transmission system. The following sections offer insight on some key areas that need consideration.

Two Helpful Phone Accessories
by Charles S. Fitch
Finding more efficient ways to use of existing resources is a continuing endeavor. One of the most powerful and underutilized resources is the telephone. Recently, I have come upon two helpful and cost-effective phone accessories.

War Boosts World-Band Sales
by James Careless
World strife can be good for business, at least for those who sell world-band radios.

Opinion: Radio, Closest to the People
by William O'Shaughnessy
The author is president of Whitney Radio, WVOX(AM) and WRTN(FM) in New Rochelle, N.Y. These are excerpts from his remarks to the International Radio-Television Society Foundation Faculty/Industry Seminar in March.

'Kinstar' Antenna Nearly Ready?
by Randy J. Stine
Top-Loaded Cage Monopole AM Antenna Field Levels Approach Those of a Conventional Quarter-Wave

NAB: Who Goes, Who Stays Home
by Paul McLane and Craig Johnston
Are you going to NAB? Why or why not? We picked names from our lists of readers and suppliers and called to ask. Here's an unscientific sampling.

NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference Takes a Practical Turn
by Craig Johnston
NAB's Broadcast Engineering Conference takes a practical turn this year, as the emphasis on Sunday's daylong IBOC sessions turns from technology to implementation.

Patent Claims Surprise Webcasters
by Craig Johnston
The Impact on Radio Is Unclear, But One Streamer Says It Could Be Costly to Stations

Groups Centralize Technical Operations
by Randy J. Stine
Technical departments for many broadcast groups reflect a more centralized way of doing business - due to consolidation, but also because of tighter budgets during the recent downturn in the U.S. economy.

The Demise of Playa de Pals?
by David L. Hollyer
Radio Liberty Fans Wonder Whether One of the World's Great Shortwave Stations Will Really Be Dismantled

'Jukebox Radio' Is No More
by Randy J. Stine
After nine years, the saga of a New Jersey radio broadcaster who drew the attention of the FCC and broadcasters to questions about local program origination on translators is over.

Radio Presses on Under Shuttle Path
by James Careless
The result: when Sean Ericson hit the airwaves at 10 a.m., he was no longer just working another remote. Instead, Ericson and Tipton had become part of the story.

WVXU Honors the "Nation's Station"
by Paul J. McLane
"Cincinnati Radio: The Nation's Station" is the latest in a series of documentaries produced and funded by public station WVXU(FM) to chronicle broadcasting history ... Radio World Editor Paul McLane interviewed the producing team for his column in Radio World. Here is the full text of their replies.

HHB, on the San Francisco Beat
by Randy J. Stine
We Check In With KQED and Its Investment in 29 MDP500 PortaDisc Machines

Koor Case Could Set Precedent
by Christopher Springmann
New England Tower Ruling Is Viewed as a Big Win for Broadcasters

Fritts: Telecom Act a 'Success'
This is the text of a statement by NAB President/CEO Eddie Fritts to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Jan. 30.

Where Voicetracks Meet Satellite
by Scott Fybush
Waitt Radio Networks tries out a new approach

Opinion: The Tower-Kill Bird Massacre Myth
The Author Says This Particular Legend May be a Big Flap Over Nothing
by Fred Baumgartner

The Saga of the Cold War's MB50
by David L. Hollyer
A "Cold War Warrior" rests in a watery grave beneath the serene Caribbean, with nothing to mark its final resting place.

RAB Heads to the Big Easy
by Lyssa Graham
Radio professionals love to network. Add in the lure of Bourbon Street and the Radio Advertising Bureau's 2003 convention becomes an attractive destination

'Kinstar' Antenna Tested
by Randy J. Stine
Firms Develop Top-Loaded Cage Monopole AM Design

Tower Approval: Do Your Homework
by Barry Magrill
A Primer to Help You Prepare for That Next NIMBY Fight - or Avoid It Altogether

Deana Coble: Engineer on the Go
by Ken R.
Deana Coble doesn't want to be the best woman engineer in radio; she wants to be the best engineer in radio, period.