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July 2005 Chapter Meeting

Extra FM Subcarriers to Go

By Gary Stigall
Chapter 36 Chairman
Chief Engineer, XETV Fox 6

July 22, 2005

Wednesday's meeting didn't disappoint. As usual, Bext put together a hearty welcome. If you went away hungry or in need of interesting conversation, it was your own fault. We had representatives of most San Diego radio groups in attendance, plus visitors from Los Angeles.

Second, Derek Kumar of Digital Radio Express put together a great presentation about the genius of FMeXtra. This digital SCA system may not save the world, but it allows stations, even those with IBOC, to transmit one or more digital signals on their SCA spectrum. Imagine being able to carry some foreign language services, subscription-based music, and a talkback channel, several reading services or broadcast digital news to specially-equipped receivers. According to Derek, they are in talks with major manufacturers to have their subcarriers decoded right along with, or instead of, IBOC. His top-grade presentation left us wanting more simply due to lack of time, but he hung in there with plenty of Q and A.

At our last meeting, most new officers were nominated, but not the position of Chair. Eric Schecter of Jefferson-Pilot Communications helped us out of this sticky situation by allowing himself to be nominated for that position, giving up his nomination for Secretary/Treasurer. That's when I volunteered for the Secretary-Treasurer job. That would leave Stephen Frick of KFMB Stations for Program Chair, and Carlyn Yenger of Pacific Radio Electronics for Vice Chair. We'll attempt to let members vote this month via paper ballot now that we have a theoretically full ticket.

Next meeting: Petco Ballpark, August 30!