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National

Harris to Sell Off Broadcast Division

Harris to Sell Off Broadcast Division

Written by Gary Stigall

Wednesday, 02 May 2012

Harris Corporation announced yesterday that it intends to divest its Broadcast Communications division. Since its acquisition of Gates Radio in 1957, Harris has remained a serious player in the broadcast electronics field. In the 1990’s, it worked to become an end-to-end solutions provider, acquiring such diverse and quality companies as Leitch, Videotek, Louth, Encoda, Intraplex, and even local audio console manufacturer Pacific Research & Engineering.

Harris Morris, president of the Broadcast Communications Division, released a statement supporting the sale:

“Today, Harris announced its decision to divest the Broadcast Communications business. I fully support this decision and believe that the timing is right for both Harris and Broadcast Communications.

“Operating independently or as part of a broadcast or media-focused enterprise will provide us with strategic investment, increased competitive flexibility, and customer focus to lead the continuing transformation in this competitive marketplace.

“The decision to divest in no way reflects the quality of the work Broadcast Communications performed in support of our customers and our company.  Harris simply determined that Broadcast Communications could provide higher value and operate more effectively under a different ownership model.

“In the interim, Broadcast Communications will continue to be a part of Harris Corporation and operate business as usual. Our valued relationships, both longstanding and new, remain our top priority. The global team will continue to work diligently to ensure our commitment to our customers and partners remains steadfast, our execution to fulfill commitments is flawless, and our progress against strategic objectives remains focused.”

via SBE San Diego Chapter 36 – Harris to Sell Off Broadcast Division.

Meetings

May 2012 Meeting – Richard Rudman Talks EAS

National broadcast preparedness expert Richard Rudman comes to San Diego May 16 to update Chapter 36 members and guests on the updates to the Emergency Alert System, EAS. What are the new FCC rules and how were they derived? What is the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)? When and how will it be implemented in the southern California region? If you have questions regarding the EAS, this is a good time to ask.

Please plan to attend this important meeting Wednesday, May 16 at noon at TV Magic, 8112 Engineer Road in Kearny Mesa, San Diego. This no-host lunch will cost $10 for a sandwich and soft drink. As always, SBE members and guests are welcome.

About Richard Rudman

Richard has been Vice-Chair of the California EAS State Emergency Communications Committee (SECC) since 1995. He was also Chair of the Los Angeles EAS Local Emergency Communications Committee (LECC) from 1996 to 2002. He was Chair of the FCC EAS National Advisory Committee (NAC) 2000-2002 and Vice-Chair 1998-2000. That committee provided information to the Commission on the operation of the EAS and assisted State EAS Chairs and emergency managers with EAS training and problem-solving.

He authored chapters on communications facilities emergency planning and preparedness for the NAB Engineering Handbook and CRC’s Electronics Engineering Handbook.

Richard was Director of Engineering at KFWB Radio in Los Angeles from 1975 until 2002, and national President of the SBE from 1985 to 1987, and is now a Fellow of the Society.

Local News

May 2012 Member News

Michael Uhl has become an associate with Storyleaders.com, a sales training organization. He leaves a long broadcast sales career, most recently at Telos Omnia Axia. Before Telos, he sold routers at Sierra Automated Systems and audio equipment at Pacific Recorders and Engineering (now Harris).

Local News

April 2012 Member News

Dean Imhof started April 2 as engineer at KFMB-AM/FM. He reunites there with Scottie Rice, who worked with Dean at Clear Channel. Dean’s previous gig was at BCA.

Steve Schwartz moved to TBC Integration where he supports the Trinity Broadcast Network master control and production efforts as engineer. He leaves TV Magic, where he held a number of roles, including TBN support.

Meetings

March 2012 Meeting – Orban

The first time I laid eyes on an Orban product was when we had moved a newly purchased FM station in Eugene, Oregon in 1977, upgrading it to stereo, raising it by 1500 feet elevation, and dropping the elevator music in favor of a new brand of FM top 40. I set the new Orban 8000 at about 5 dB of compression and walked away. That, and a set of new heads for the Revox tape decks made “K-Sound” really sparkle, even though my successor would turn up the gain to trade off some of the fidelity for loudness. He understood the business better than I did.

Orban’s chops in the broadcast radio and TV realm are certainly undisputed. The company continues to address the needs of current broadcast technology, with processors to address specific needs for digital side channels, streaming, and the new TV loudness rules. Our next meeting features two of the rock stars of broadcast audio. Orban Founder and VP of Engineering Bob Orban will discuss the workings of the new Orban Optimod-TV 8685 for Surround Sound and loudness control. Also, Orban VP of New Product Development Greg Ogonowski will discuss the latest in streaming technology offered by Orban.

This is your chance to meet Bob and Greg and ask those nagging questions you have about audio processing. Let’s give these guys a big welcome Wednesday, March 14 at noon at TV Magic, 8112 Engineer Road in Kearny Mesa, San Diego. As always, members and guests are welcome.