Industry News

David K. Edmiston Jr., known as Davey Edmiston, passed away suddenly in December at the age of 49.

The announcement was made by SWR, the Pennsylvania-based antenna and transmissions systems manufacturer where he’d worked since his early 20s. Davey was son of the company’s president and CEO, David Edmiston Sr.

Several other Edmiston family members also work at the company, which was founded in 1964, under the aegis of Thomas Edmiston Sr., Davey’s grandfather.

“It is with heavy hearts and deep regret that we announce the passing of David K Edmiston Jr., Davey to those who knew him best,” SWR said in a statement. “He leaves behind his loving wife Amy, and a long list of friends and loved ones both personal and professional.” The company said he’d suffered an aneurysm.

According to a company bio, David Jr. began his career in broadcasting as a tower technician with Edmiston Tower and worked his way up to field-testing and antenna design with Systems With Reliability (SWR), eventually becoming manager of operations. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers and the National Association of Broadcasters.

“For more than 25 years, his irreplaceable dedication and expertise have contributed to our ongoing success, and we will never fill the void of his passing,” the company stated. “Though his absence has cast a long shadow, and though we may grieve, we must also remember his wit, his exuberant personality, and his boundless lust for life. During this difficult time, we ask that you keep his family and all of us who cared so deeply for him in your thoughts and prayers.”

Edmiston served in the Navy, and then spent his entire career at SWR. According to Marketing and Multimedia Director Morgan James, Davey learned much of his technical knowledge from longtime company consultant Dr. Ali Mahnad.

According to an obituary in the Tribune-Democrat, Davey Edmiston also enjoyed golf, camping, fishing and football, and he loved to “dance, dance, dance.”

A memorial service was held in December.

 

The post SWR Mourns Davey Edmiston appeared first on Radio World.

It’s a case that ropes in issues of timeliness, candor and questions of who exactly is fit to hold a broadcast license. In the end, the issue of honesty — and the fact that it is a foundational requirement for holding an FCC license — resulted in the revoking of three California station construction permits and licenses.

The Federal Communications Commission ordered that the permits and licenses of three FM stations would be revoked after William L. Zawila and two other groups were accused of disingenuous stonewalling and various misrepresentations in their dealings with the FCC. The others in the case include the estate of Linda Ware and the estate of H.L. Charles, although the FCC said Zawila represents all stations — which include KNGS(FM), KZPE(FM) and KZPO(FM).

The case came to a head largely due to Zawila’s conduct, the commission said.

[Read: Out-of-Date Online Files Being Investigated by FCC]

Way back in 2003, the commission requested this case be reviewed by Judge Richard L. Sippel, a chief administrative law judge with the FCC, after allegations were made regarding illegal transfer of facility control, the violation of several commission operating rules and an allegation that Zawila had made several disingenuous misrepresentations to the FCC.

After some internal issues were resolved, including a distress sale of some facilities, the hearing proceeding was reactivated by Judge Sippel — but not until more than 10 years later.

When the case moved ahead in 2014, it was alleged that Zawila and others had failed to provide substantive responses to several document requests and questions posed by the FCC Enforcement Bureau. Although the judge required Zawila to file a status report during the review, none was submitted. There were also concerns about Zawila submitting incomplete responses to questions and several back and forth discussions on attending a status conference. Because Zawila failed to adequately provide complete substantive responses to the Enforcement Bureau’s interrogatories and to attend a status conference in person, the judge held Zawila in default.

Zawila filed an appeal saying that among other things, the FCC misapplied its own good character policy and was imposing a huge burden by requesting information from so many years ago. Nonetheless, the judge concluded that Zawila had violated numerous provisions of the Communications Act and the FCC Rules, and as a result, did not possess the basic qualifications to remain a permittee and licensee.

In December 2019, the FCC affirmed the judge’s findings and revoked the related permits and licenses.

In the end, the issue of truthfulness was a huge pivoting factor in the case.

“Long ago the Federal Communications Commission established that the ‘trait of truthfulness’ is a necessary element of the character required to operate a broadcast station in the public interest,” said FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement following the order. “[In this case], we uphold an earlier finding that a licensee’s misrepresentation, lack of candor and false statements were used to mislead the FCC and defraud the public interest.

“In doing so, we affirm the decision to revoke the licenses and construction permits of a licensee that made a series of false statements to the agency,” she said. “I support this decision as well as the time-honored principles that inform our review.”

On the same day, the commission also dismissed a Petition for Reconsideration by two other parties to this proceeding: Avenal Educational Services and Central Valley Educational Services. The FCC said this request was not properly served nor were the new arguments in the petition raised properly.

 

The post Alleged Deception Costs FM Broadcasters Their License appeared first on Radio World.

Full Service Radio is “a community podcast network and internet radio station broadcasting live from a standalone radio studio located inside the lobby of the Line DC.”

Hotels played a big role in the early days of radio broadcasting, providing shelter and credibility to new radio stations. 

New Orleans’ WDSU launched as a respectable business inside the city’s DeSoto Hotel in 1928, after spending five years operating out of owner Joseph Uhalt’s backyard chicken coop as WCBE. Other hoteliers played home to radio stations such as Chicago’s Drake Hotel, which housed WGN (then WDAP) in 1923. 

But the trend was short-lived: As radio began to boom in the 1930s, stations checked out of hotels to move into their own dedicated facilities.

Today, in Washington, D.C., there are two facilities whose presence hearkens back to radio’s historic relationship with hotels; and the hospitality segment has drawn new interest recently from iHeartRadio as it seeks to bring its own channels and content to hotel-based consumers nationally.

RETURN OF THE LOBBY STATION Jack Inslee, center facing camera, talks with guests at Full Service Radio.

If you’re a guest at The Line hotel in Washington, you’re free to look through the windows at live broadcasts being streamed from Full Service Radio, a lobby-based internet radio station in a chic, elegant setting.

“We offer 34 weekly programs/podcasts created by local producers, which can be heard live or on demand at www.thelinehotel.com/full-service-radio,” said Jack Inslee, founder and executive producer of Full Service Radio.

Inslee previously helped launch Heritage Radio Network and is a record producer, audio engineer and DJ. 

“The shows cover a very wide variety of topics from music and food to self-help and pop culture. Our full-time employee and part-timers work to identify possible hosts, who provide the content to us for free in exchange for using our studio to create this content and distribute it worldwide.”

Full Service Radio’s live schedule at The Line hotel runs Sunday to Friday. Its program/podcast titles include “SongByrd Radio,” “Beer Me,” “Beats&Beautiful Music,” “The Wedding Dish” and “Edible Activist.” 

Full Service Radio as seen on an iPad. At upper right: “Book Your Stay.”

Although he says Full Service Radio does work with The Line hotel on content occasionally, the streaming station manages its own programming without external direction. 

“We’re free to do anything we want as we see fit,” said Inslee. “Meanwhile, if our hosts manage to attract sponsors, they get to keep the majority of the revenues, which provides them with an incentive to grow their programs and their audiences.”

BIG WHIG

Newly completed in the courtyard of the Willard InterContinental Hotel is Big Whig Media, a full-fledged multimedia production facility. It is a partnership of Nahigian Strategies, a communications and public relations firm, and property developer Carr Companies.

Artist’s rendering of the studios of Big Whig Media in the courtyard of the historic Willard Hotel.

Big Whig Media (“Whig” being a nod to the defunct political party) is home to an audio production studio for live radio and audio streams and podcasts, a multi-camera video studio and TV editing suite, and satellite uplinks/landline links to get the content out to the world.

“There’s a real demand for third-party production studios in downtown Washington,” said Cassie Scher, an account manager with Nahigian Strategies. “With industry experts and foreign dignitaries staying at the Willard, and so many government agencies and associations nearby, this location is the perfect spot for people to be able to do their interviews without having to go too far out of their way.”

Appealing to audio professionals is definitely part of its goals. Its website states: “Bring your podcast or live radio show to the cutting edge! Big Whig Media offers the only ground-level, windowed studio focused primarily on creating premium audio content. We also offer the opportunity to transform your program from an audio-only experience into a dynamic, visual show, streamed with the ability for fans to see you record live. For those content creators or radio hosts visiting Washington D.C., we offer the opportunity and equipment you need to broadcast from the iconic Willard InterContinental Hotel.”

HOTEL LISTENING

Industry biggie HeartMedia may not be based in a hotel lobby, but it, too, sees the potential in the hospitality segment. Since 2017 it has been using a cloud-based distribution platform from hospitality tech company Intelity to deliver its streamed stations to hotel guests using tablet computers in their rooms.

The welcome screen of a guest’s Intelity media center shows iHeartRadio content at lower left.

“Integrating iHeartRadio into hotel rooms through partners like Intelity is a great way to give travelers a chance to stay connected to their communities while on the road, while also giving them the opportunity to quickly discover what’s happening in the places they are visiting,” said Jessica Jerrick, iHeartRadio’s EVP of business development and partnerships. 

“In addition to access to thousands of live radio stations across the country, travelers can access music and podcasts perfect for any mood or activity, all for free.”

This September, for instance, iHeart announced an agreement with Hilton Hotels. “Hilton guests can now enjoy thousands of iHeartRadio’s music playlists, podcasts and can even stream live radio stations,” the companies announced. “Guests can access this new feature directly from their TVs in Hilton’s ‘Connected Room’ guest entertainment platform.”

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE

Perhaps it’s too much to call any of this a rebirth of hotel-based radio or even a trend in hotel-based internet radio. But the special nature of hotels seems to have enduring media appeal. 

[Read about how one Aussie uses hotels for his popular shows, since he’s frequently on the road.]

Intelity CEO Robert Stevenson describes hotel listeners as a highly engaged, captive audience. Similar captive audiences could be captured by setting up internet radio stations in other specialized locations, he added.

“For example, if there is a streaming audio station set up in a mall, they have the opportunity to sell advertising placements to the stores within the mall and can guarantee that those advertisements will reach a relevant audience,” Stevenson said. “The secret is to have a targetable audience and a platform to deliver a broadcast on, ideally digital and mobile.”

It remains to be seen if hotels in other U.S. cities follow this trend; but Full Service Radio is now producing programs in The Line hotels in Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles.

The post Hotels Leave the Light on for Audio appeared first on Radio World.

Eugene Novacek, who founded broadcast technology company ENCO and led it for decades, has died. He was 61.

According to a statement from the company, he died on New Year’s Day in New York, from pancreatic cancer.

Survivors include his wife Judith Novacek, daughter Kristin Heinbockel, son Andrew Novacek and granddaughter Evany Novacek. “His legacy lives through his family, the company he founded, and the industry he loved and changed,” the statement reads.

Novacek was a professional engineer (P.E.) who held engineering degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He had early jobs at Bechtel Power Corp., Barton Malow Co. and Alberici Constructors before founding ENCO Systems Inc., whose acronym includes his initials.

ENCO is now based in Southfield, Mich., but began in St. Louis is 1983 by providing computer-based process control for critical industrial applications. “We started providing industrial process control and automation to manufacturers like GM, Ford, Chrysler, Monsanto, Anheuser Busch, General Tire, Waste Management, etc. in 1983,” Novacek wrote in a 2008 blog post celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary.

But it was in broadcast that the firm grew, becoming a prominent supplier of automation for radio and TV stations. Its first digital audio delivery system was introduced in 1991; its product lines have since grown to encompass playout automation, captioning, scheduling and streaming. Its markets also include A/V, events, concerts, worship and retail environments, according to enco.com.

Among other accomplishments, Novacek wrote the chapter on automation and audio storage in the latest edition of the NAB Engineering Handbook. He also held a private pilot’s license.

ENCO is currently led by Ken Frommert, who in 2017 was promoted from general manager to president and has been the more public face of the company in recent years.

The post Gene Novacek, Founder of ENCO, Dies appeared first on Radio World.

2020 Media Kits/Editorial Calendar/Rate Cards

2020 RWUS Editorial Calendar & Rate Card

2020 RWUS Full Media Kit

2020 RWI Editorial Calendar & Rate Card

2020 RWI Full Media Kit

 

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The “Franken FM” saga continues.

The FCC’s Media Bureau has set the comment and reply comment deadlines for responses to its Dec. 4 public notice. The summary was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 23; therefore, the comment deadline is Jan. 22, and reply comments must be submitted by Feb. 6.

MB Docket No. 03-185 addresses “the operation of analog radio services by digital low-power television stations as ancillary or supplementary services.” The commission says it is seeking to “update the record” on LPTV stations’ use of TV Channel 6 spectrum just below the U.S. FM band.

The post Media Bureau Continues FM6 Update Inquiry appeared first on Radio World.

Samson has introduced its new Samson LM10x lavalier microphone, intended for use in various applications, such as presentations, live broadcasts, house of worship and more.

A discreet, omnidirectional lavalier mic with a miniature condenser mic capsule, the Samson LM10x lavalier microphone comes with four included adapter cables to help ensure it can be connected to most popular brands of wireless systems.

[Check Out More Products at Radio World’s Products Section]

The microphone is based around a 3 mm, omnidirectional miniature mic capsule in an effort to allow it to capture sound evenly in all directions with limited proximity effect or off-axis coloration, regardless of the position of the microphone to the sound source. Its lightweight clip design offers an unobtrusive placement on ties, lapels and more.

The LM10x includes four detachable adapter cables (1/8-inch/3.5 mm, Hirose four-Pin, Switchcraft TA3F, Switchcraft TA4F), allowing the LM10x to connect with Samson wireless transmitters and most other brands of wireless transmitters as well.

All of these items can be kept together safely in an included protective carry case that houses the mic and other essential components. Also included with the LM10x are a lightweight mic clip and four standard windscreens to avoid wind noise and plosives such as P-pops.

The Samson LM10x lavalier microphone is currently available for sale at major CE and MI retailers for $99.99.

Info: www.samsontech.com

The post Samson LM10x Lavalier Microphone Debuts appeared first on Radio World.

“Best of Show Up Close” is a series about participants in Radio World’s annual Best of Show at NAB Awards program.

In 2019, GatesAir nominated the Intraplex Ascent audio over IP platform. Radio World asked Keyur Parikh, vice president and general manager of Intraplex Products Group, about it.

Radio World: What is this product and what are its intended uses?
Keyur Parikh: Intraplex Ascent is a COTS-based, high-density AoIP and gateway solution. The software platform is built upon proven Intraplex IP Link technology and supports up to 32 channels of AES3/analog/AES67 audio.

Ascent supports the same audio encoding as IP Link. In addition to supporting FEC and Stream Splicing to reliability, Ascent adds Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) protocol for added reliability and security. In addition to AoIP applications, the scalable nature of the software architecture also supports media gateway capability to enable reliable transport of broadcast quality video across the STL.

A GatesAir Intraplex Ascent is installed at Leighton Broadcasting.

For audio applications, typical use cases for Ascent would be studio-to-studio connectivity to transport high-density channels; and large-scale contribution or distribution, where an Ascent system at the head-end interoperates with IP Link codecs at the remote studios or transmitter sites. For media gateway applications, Ascent can be used for TV STL, or to distribute any UDP-based, high-bitrate media to a large number of recipients.

[Read: Best of Show Up Close: Inovonics Sofia 568 FM HD Radio SiteStreamer+]

RW: The software-defined version seems notable, what should we know about the implications of that approach as far as the user’s installation and operation of the system?
Parikh: Ascent can be purchased as software or as a complete appliance. The appliance is built on a multi-core GatesAir/Intraplex branded server that is preloaded with an OS and applications. It also includes the necessary audio I/O required for the customer. The installation of Ascent is similar to our IP Link codecs, and its built-in Web interface provides a similar look and feel.

Ascent continues the legacy of transport reliability of IP Link, and includes four network ports that can be used for both traffic and control. The combination of the four network ports along with SRT and Stream Splicing provides industry-leading network reliability. The software architecture of Ascent was designed to be scalable with channels, which allows our customer to a smoother growth path.

RW: What does Intraplex Ascent cost? Is it available now?
Parikh: Ascent is shipping now. The cost of the system varies based on configuration. I would recommend reaching out to your local sales representative to get more details.

RW: What else should we know?
Parikh: The introduction of Ascent provides a flexible and scalable software platform, which provides easier integration of new functionality. It also reduces operational costs for our customers by leveraging a COTS platform.

In October 2019, GatesAir said that Leighton Broadcasting in St. Cloud, Minn., replaced a hardware-based, point-to-point IP STL systems with an Intraplex Ascent AoIP transport platform; the manufacturer said this was the first commercial implementation of Intraplex Ascent for software-based transport.

The Future Best of Show Awards program honors and helps promote outstanding new products exhibited at industry conventions like the spring NAB Show. Exhibitors pay a fee to enter; not all entries win. Watch for more coverage of participating products soon. To learn about all of the nominees and winners, read the 2019 Best of Show Program Guide.

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The speaker lineup for Radiodays Europe 2020 continues to grow, as Niall Power and Adam Bowie have been announced as the latest names that will present at the annual conference.

Niall Power is the head of Station Sound, the first regional radio station in Ireland. Power has been in radio for more than 20 years as an anchor and in program manager roles. He also is a member of the music training board of the Learning Waves training network for Ireland’s commercial radio sector.

Adam Bowie is a business development manager for the BBC World Service, having served with the BBC World Service for five years carrying out strategy and extending BBC’s podcast carriage globally. Some of his previous experience includes working for Absolute Radio and Virgin Radio.

The complete list of announced speakers for Radiodays Europe 2020 is available on the conference’s website.

Radiodays Europe 2020 will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, from March 29-31. More information, including how to register, is available here.

The post Niall Power, Adam Bowie Join Radiodays Europe Speaker Lineup appeared first on Radio World.

KRK Systems has debuted the Classic 5 Professional Biamp Studio Monitors, designed with an eye towards adapting and adopting concepts from the brand’s long-serving Rokit lines.

Jimmy R. Landry, global director of marketing, Pro Audio Division, Gibson Brands, noted that during the development process, the company “zoomed in and fine-tuned certain components to make it an incredibly versatile monitor for music creation, mixing and mastering.”

The powered closefield studio monitor sports an optional +2 dB KRK Bass Boost, a biamped Class A/B amplifier with built-in automatic limiter and a low-resonance enclosure for minimized distortion and colorization. Additionally, a five-inch lightweight, glass-Aramid composite woofer is claimed to provide clear midrange and tighter bass, and a one-inch soft dome tweeter with waveguide provides highs up to 35 kHz.

The Classic 5 monitor also comes preinstalled with high-density foam pads underneath to decouple the speaker enclosure from the surface, aiming to provide clarity and more accurate frequency response.

The monitors also feature a front-slotted bass port, which reduces boundary coupling and aids positioning within a room, and high- and low-frequency controls so that users can adjust the monitor’s sound to their environment and preference. Multiple inputs (XLR, 1/4-inch, RCA) provide connectivity for the Classic 5.

Info: www.krksys.com

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