Sex and rock'n'roll nell'etere FM di Manila

Cambiano i gusti del pubblico anche nell'area metropolitana di Manila, Filippine. E la banda FM si adegua con nuovi format, soprattutto musicali. Lo racconta questo divertente articolo dell'Inquirer, che cita tra i programmi di maggior successo Talk to Papa (dillo a papà), un phone in di consigli ai giovani trasmesso da Barangay LS (ex Campus Radio), i cui argomenti di natura sessuale hanno già spinto l'episcopato cattolico della capitale a protestare.

Race for top FM radio station intensifies

By Pocholo Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Fierce competition and an obsession with ratings have driven Metro Manila’s FM radio stations to revamp their programming.
For the past several years, a number of these stations have been changing their names - “branding” in marketing parlance - to go with the format shift.
The former jazz station City Lite is now Jam 88.3, which plays acoustic pop-rock. DMZ (Dance Music Zone) has mutated into Wave 89.1, which champions R&B.
KY 91.5, which played classic rock in the late ’80s, has become Energy, a pop and oldies station. The easy-listening, no-DJ, Crossover-sound-alike that was Joey 92.3 first became xFM, which experimented with club music, then settled down with smooth jazz. KC 93.9 is now i-FM but still plays the same mainstream pop. K-Lite 103.5, which used to play alternative rock, switched to easy listening and called itself Heart, and then diverted to contemporary pop as Max FM. And what used to be the eclectic pop sound of Kool 106 has been altered into a jazz-flavored adult contemporary mix now known as Dream FM.
(continua)

Qui, si ascolta la radio

Sta già cominciando a dare i primi frutti la campagna Radio Heard Here ("qui si ascolta la radio") coordinata dalla National Association of Broadcasters, dal Radio Advertising Bureau e dalla HD Digital Radio Alliance, per rivitalizzare l'immagine del mezzo radiofonico lievemente appannata in questo generale clima di ubriacatura nei confronti di Internet e dell'MP3.

Alla base di Radio Heard Here c'è un sito Web che offre una possibilità molto interessante. Grazie alla electronic program guide (EPG) di Radio Time.com, un portale che dà accesso a circa 50 mila stazioni radio presenti online, i visitatori di www.radioheardhere.com possono farsi un'idea immediata dell'offerta radiofonica nella rispettiva area geografica, con la lista dei programmi trasmessi in quel momento. CNET ha ripreso la notizia di questa iniziativa con un articolo su News.com. Altre due risorse di Radio Heard Here sono i blog Radio Creative e Radio 2020.

RadioTime, Inc., a developer of technology for finding and listening to more than 50,000 AM/FM radio stations online, today announced its technology has been integrated into the Web site for the National Association of Broadcasters’ Radio Heard Here™ campaign. Visitors to www.RadioHeardHere.com automatically see a scan of their local radio “dial” including now playing programs and a play button. The widget has a link to RadioTime’s electronic program guide covering radio across the globe.
Radio Heard Here is an unprecedented communication and outreach initiative made possible by a partnership among the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) and HD Digital Radio Alliance. The goal of the campaign is to reinvigorate the medium of radio. Radio Heard Here will underscore the broadening versatility of radio’s content, the pioneering innovation of its technology and the continuing relevance of the medium in Americans’ lives.
“The technology RadioTime offers is a great example of how the industry is competing as a medium by adapting, innovating, investing and responding to a changing world,” said NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr. “With this campaign, we want to remind all consumers of the numerous innovations taking place in radio – we’re not hiding from technology, we’re driving it. Streaming is a great example of that; radio has become a leading source for music on the Internet, investing millions of dollars in streaming technology to make radio accessible online.”
RadioTime’s unique online RadioGuide provides listeners with a quick and easy way to find radio content from 50,000 stations and 100,000 local and syndicated shows airing around the world. Listeners can search for a specific station or program or browse by genre or location to easily see what is available for their tastes, locations, connections, and the times of day.
“Radio is your companion delivering content for every setting. The industry is embracing new technologies like RadioTime that make it easy to enjoy radio anywhere there are speakers or headphones,” says Bill Moore, CEO of RadioTime. “A primary strength of radio is the wide variety of entertainment, news and programming that is readily available and free for listeners, and RadioTime makes that variety easily accessible to listeners on their computers and new network music players with radio built-in such as the Linksys DMA 2200 Media Center Extender and the Logitech Squeezebox Duet, Logitech Squeezebox and Logitech Transporter network music players.”

About RadioTime

RadioTime is the leading radio tuner that powers Internet services and devices by connecting them to radio broadcast DJs, talk personalities, and sports programming. Listeners easily access free, live, local, and global radio programming through RadioTime service. Its service enhances other products and services by powering them with thousands of radio channels and programming. RadioTime, founded in 2002, is based in Dallas, Texas. More information is available at www.radiotime.com.

Forte declino per le onde medie in Messico

Il complicato e affascinante scenario delle stazioni in onde medie messicane è entrato in una crisi irriversibile. Secondo il sindacato di categoria, rivela il circuito W Radio, su 12.000 addetti negli ultimi cinque anni almeno 8 o 900 sono stati dismessi e in futuro per l'occupazione nel settore andrà ancora peggio. Piuttosto che trasmettere in onde medie gli editori, in mancanza di frequenze FM, sono disposti a trasferirsi su Web.
Il Messico ha ancora centinaia di stazioni, molte delle quali in network di dimensioni regionali, e rappresenta un target DX tra i più ambiti alle nostre latitudini. Ma non durerà per molto.

Reconoce Sindicato de la Radio y Televisión crisis en AM
Por Susana Melín

México, abril 16, 2008.- El Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria de la Radio y la Televisión, reconoció que las estaciones de Amplitud Modulada atraviesan una grave crisis, y es que de los 12 mil trabajadores sindicalizados de ese ramo, entre 800 y 900 han sido despedidos en los últimos cinco años.
Esto, por la falta de capacidad de la AM para competir con FM, debido al avance del proceso de convergencia digital, señaló el líder de ese gremio, Ricardo Acedo.
Al dar detalles sobre el próximo Consejo Nacional ordinario del STIRT, que se realizará el lunes y martes de la próxima semana, Acedo Samaniego subrayó que los empresarios radiodifusores están presionando para despedir un mayor número de trabajadores.
Y es por ello que el gobierno federal, urgió, debe tomar una determinación pronta sobre la situación en que las Reformas a la Ley de Radio y Televisión y Telecomunicaciones dejaron a las estaciones de AM.
A esto se suma, dijo el líder sindical, que los anunciantes prefieren promoverse en Internet o en FM, que en AM.

Google automatizza la radio

Zitta zitta, Google tesse la propria strategia di penetrazione in tutti i media presentando al NAB di Las Vegas un nuovo prodotto per l'automazione delle stazioni radio. Google Radio Automation permette di programmare gli spot e di registrare l'audio digitalmente e incorpora le funzioni che prima erano disponibili separatamente con Maestro e SS32, due software ereditati con l'acquisizione di dMarc. Nel retroscena raccontato da questa corrispondenza degli IDG News Service sembra però che i rapporti con l'ex dirigenza di dMarc hanno smesso presto di essere idilliaci.
Il motore di ricerca più popolare al mondo ha anche annunciato il potenziamento del programma AdWords per spot televisivi, lanciato in una versione molto limitata lo scorso anno sulla rete satellitare Dish Tv.



Google Makes Radio Move, Boosts Broadcast Tools
Juan Carlos Perez
Friday, April 11, 2008

Google will unveil next week a new system to automate tasks for radio broadcasters, beefing up an important piece of its radio advertising product line.
Google Radio Automation, built from scratch, will be shown at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference, which begins Friday in Las Vegas, with an exhibit floor opening on Monday.
The new system is the next generation of Google's existing Maestro and SS32 products, which broadcasters use to automate a variety of radio functions, such as slotting songs and ad spots and doing audio recording.
Google Radio Automation will combine the functions of Maestro and SS32 and offer a slate of enhancements, such as an open software platform and a three-tier computing architecture.
Radio automation is one of the three main pieces of Google's radio business. The other two pieces are Google Audio Ads, which lets marketers create and manage radio ad campaigns, and AdSense for Audio, for radio stations that want to carry the ads.
Google, eager to diversify beyond search engine ads, entered the radio advertising market almost two-and-a-half years ago when it bought dMarc. Google has 1,600 radio stations in its distribution network, and the program is open to U.S. advertisers via AdWords.
The radio efforts also have gotten some bad publicity, particularly when dMarc's co-founders -- former Chairman and CEO Chad Steelberg and his brother, Ryan Steelberg, dMarc's president -- left Google in early 2007 in a rather abrupt way and apparently not cordial terms.
Google doesn't disclose the revenue its radio business generates, but Jim Woods, director of product management for Google Audio, said the company is pushing ahead with its efforts, convinced it can improve the way radio advertising works. "The big idea is that by improving the targetability of radio ads and bringing a new level of accountability and measurability, we can bring new advertisers to the radio industry," Woods said.
Google's forays into non-Internet advertising, which also include TV and newspapers, are unlikely to yield meaningful revenue for probably at least two more years, said industry analyst Greg Sterling of Sterling Market Intelligence. "Google is probably taking a very long-term view with these projects," he said.
Google has seemed particularly low-key, at least publicly, about its radio ad program, probably due to the bad press it got when the Steelberg brothers left. But there is no question the company is building up its program, Sterling said.
"I think Google, after some early setbacks, is moving under the radar with this a bit to build the distribution [network]," Sterling said.
At NAB, those stopping by Google's booth will get to see Google Radio Automation, with its three-tier architecture: SQL database, user interface and service layer, where the "brain" of the software lies. With an open API (application programming interface), Google Radio Automation can exchange data with other systems by letting them connect to the playlist engine, inventory engine and notification engine.
SS32 and Maestro don't have an open API and run only on Windows, while Google Radio Automation supports Windows, Mac OS and Linux, Woods said. The existing products will be phased out over the next few years.
Google Radio Automation has split the user interface up into mini-applications called widgets. The widgets can be added, moved or removed from the screen by end-users. Developers can also create custom widgets for their system.
Google Radio Automation also natively supports AdSense for Audio, the program for radio stations that want to become part of the Google radio ad distribution networks. The system also has features for automating the creation and delivery of podcasts, as well as for sharing content among radio stations.
Unlike most other Google software, Radio Automation isn't provided as hosted software. Instead, it ships in a server called MK-14, which has as many as three removable SATA hard drives, hot-swappable power supplies and an Intel chipset that supports Intel Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors.
Google plans to ship Radio Automation "later this year," a spokeswoman said via e-mail. While Radio Automation supports Google AdSense for Audio without any additional software, stations aren't required to join AdSense for Audio to purchase and use Google Radio Automation, she said.
For new customers, the price will vary on the configuration of the system, while all customers on a current support contract for Maestro and SS32 will have the option to upgrade their software to Radio Automation for free. There might be costs associated with necessary hardware updates or on site training or installation services, she said.

Svizzera, niente DAB+? e io vado su HD Radio

Secondo il sito elvetico di informazione sui media Klein Report, il canale Swiss Music Radio, attualmente diffuso via cavo (modalità molto presente in Svizzera) e su satellite Eutelsat, ha deciso di optare per HD Radio dopo il rifiuto, da parte delle autorità confederali, relativo alla domanda di concessione DAB+. L'estate scorsa il dipartimento elvetico che si occupa di queste concessioni, l'Uvek, aveva negato la richiesta di una licenza per trasmettere in DAB+. Così, Swiss Music Radio, che come è facile intuire trasmette solo musica nazionale svizzera, ha deciso di aderire alla HD Radio Alliance e di perseguire l'obiettivo di una diffusione in FM come canale "alternativo". Mi sembra uno sviluppo interessante perché l'etere svizzero è forse uno dei pochi compatibili in Europa con il sistema di radio digitale Ibiquity. L'idea che la modalità di trasmissione ibrida HD Radio possa in qualche modo imporsi "dentro" la banda FM non è per niente peregrina e se i content provider come Swiss Music Radio sono davvero in grado di occupare gli spazi di programmazione che si apriranno, il pubblico potrebbe reagire positivamente.

Swiss Music Radio stellt auf HD-Radio-Technologie um

Swiss Music Radio habe sich neu orientieren müssen, nachdem das Departement Uvek die beantragte Digitalradiokonzession (DAB+) im Sommer 2007 abgelehnt hatte. Das Departement von Bundesrat Leuenberger habe das Swiss Music Radio vor einer «gigantischen Fehlinvestition bewahrt» und deshalb setze man neu auf die HD-Radio-Technologie, heisst es in der Mitteilung der Radiostation aus Buonas vom Montag. Die Konsumenten würden sich momentan mehr für Internet, iPod und iPhone als für DAB interessieren, zieht der Schweizer Radiosender, der nur Musik aus Schweizer Produktion sendet, Bilanz.
Aus diesen Gründen hat sich Swiss Music Radio entschieden, der Europäischen HD Radio Allianz (EHDRA) beizutreten. Dadurch verdopple sich nicht nur die Kapazität des UKW-Bandes, sondern verbessere sich auch die Empfangsqualität. Swiss Music Radio hofft als Zweitprogramm künftig über UKW Verbreitung zu finden. Der Sender ist über Kabel und Satellit zu empfangen.

Lipsia, la radio si impara all'università

Secondo il Deutschlandfunk, non esiste in tutta Europa un corso universitario come il master in giornalismo radiofonico proposto dall'Università di Lipsia, dove i giovani del corso di laurea in Comunicazione vengono formati sui segreti del mestiere di moderatore, intervistatore di grandi personaggi e commentatore di eventi culturali, politici e sportivi. Un corso molto selezionato (per ora delle venti domande presentate solo sette risultano accolte) e concluso da uno stage a Mephisto 97.6, la stazione universitaria di Lipsia. Se conoscete il tedesco, potete informarvi direttamente sul sito di UniLeipzig. L'intervista che segue è stata fatta a uno dei giovani iscritti al master, Felix Hügel.

Radio lernen
Die Universität Leipzig bildet Radiojournalisten aus
Von Mareike Gries

Moderieren, interessante Menschen kennenlernen, über Politik, Kultur oder Sport berichten - an der Universität Leipzig werden seit einem Semster Hörfunkjournalisten ausgebildet. Beim Uniradio können die Studenten bereits während des Studiums praktische Erfahrungen sammeln. Europaweit ist der Studiengang mit seiner Mischung aus Praxis und Theorie einmalig.
Selbst wenn alle Studenten des Hörfunkmaster-Studiengangs in Leipzig zusammenkommen, ist es eine überschaubare Gruppe. Knapp 20 Bewerber hatten sich zum Start des Studiengangs gemeldet, nur sieben von ihnen sind jetzt tatsächlich eingeschrieben. Der Studiengang ist einmalig in Europa, und dass es ihn überhaupt gibt, hat sich noch nicht herumgesprochen. Einer der Studenten ist Felix Hügel. Für den 24-Jährigen ist lange klar, dass er Journalist werden möchte. Der Hörfunk - das älteste elektronische Medium - ist für ihn alles andere als antiquiert.

"Für mich ist Radio viel mehr als: Ich schalt jetzt den UKW-Empfänger an und hör dann genau das an, was genau über den Äther läuft. Also, wenn ich Radio höre, dann höre ich auch ganz viel über das Internet. Audio on demand, über Potcasts, und vielleicht ist das auch das Medium, was am Ende übrig bleibt. Das im Internet, wo genauso auch Beiträge laufen werden, wo genauso auch Sachen, die heute im klassischen Radio laufen, die dann da auch noch laufen werden."

Der Studiengang ist exakt auf diese Zukunft des Mediums Hörfunk ausgerichtet. Rüdiger Steinmetz ist Professor für Medienwissenschaft und Medienkultur an der Universität Leipzig und Leiter des neuen Studiengangs. Für ihn ist wichtig, dass die Studenten über den Tellerrand des klassischen Hörfunks schauen.

"Hörfunkbereich heißt nicht nur der klassische Hörfunk, das ist sicherlich ein Schwerpunkt, aber darüber hinaus auch die Weiterentwicklung des Hörfunks, dem der Hörfunk gerade unterworfen ist. Also die digitale Ausweitung bis hin zu online oder gemischte Formen zwischen Hörfunk und Fernsehen. Und wichtig ist uns auch dabei, die künftigen Hörer, die künftigen Nutzer, muss man ja sagen, auch im Auge zu behalten."

Das besondere an dem Studiengang ist sein Praxisbezug. Möglich macht das der hauseigene Radiosender der Universität, Mephisto 97,6. Radio Mephisto sendet seit rund 13 Jahren ein Lokalprogramm für Leipzig und Umgebung. Die Sendungen zeichnen sich unter anderem durch einen hohen Wortanteil aus, was den Mitarbeitern schon mehrere Preise eingebracht hat. Sina Fröhndrich ist seit einem Semester Teil des dreiköpfigen Chefredakteurteams und hat in der Funktion die Masterstudenten mit ausgebildet. Für sie sind die Studenten auch eine Garantie für den reibungslosen Sendeablauf.

"Der Hörfunkmaster wurde konzipiert, weil man bei Mephisto ein bisschen Angst bekam bei der Umstellung durch den Bologna-Prozess, dass wir keine Leute mehr haben. Dadurch, dass die Studiengänge Bachelor und Master ja so modularisiert sind, haben wir Angst bekommen, dass die Leute einfach keine Zeit mehr haben, um solche Sachen wie Mephisto zu machen. Dann wurde der Hörfunkmaster entwickelt, das heißt, die Hörfunkmaster haben jetzt Seminare, dort lernen sie eben die Theorie und sollen aber gleichzeitig hier bei Mephisto Führungspositionen übernehmen."

Sechs der sieben Hörfunkmaster-Studenten sind bereits nach ihrem ersten Semester in solch einer Führungsposition. Felix Hügel leitet das tagesaktuelle Abendmagazin, in dem an jedem Wochentag eine einstündige Sendung entsteht. Die strengen Strukturen des Masterstudiengangs sind für ihn dabei oft problematisch.

"Abends muss man diese Sendung vorbereitet haben, geht morgens in den Sender und produziert wirklich den ganzen Tag die Sendung, tagesaktuell bis 18 Uhr abends. Das heißt, man braucht wirklich einen freien Tag, um das überhaupt machen zu können. Und von daher hab ich natürlich ein bisschen gucken müssen, auch mit den Seminaren jonglieren müssen, dass ich auch wirklich zwei Tage frei habe."

Auch die Studentin Maxie Thielemann sieht bei den Strukturen des neuen Studiengangs noch einiges, was verbessert werden könnte.

"Ich hab das Gefühl, dass unterschwellig schon verlangt wird, dass wir bei Mephisto eine Ressortleitung machen, irgendwann während des Studiums. Es ist die Ausbildungsplattform und man kann da unglaublich viel lernen, aber ich möchte auch woanders Erfahrungen sammeln im Hörfunk und ich möchte nicht meine ganze Kraft in dieses Uniradio stecken, wo ich im Hintergrund auch noch weiß, dass der Studiengang auch geschaffen wurde, um die personellen Schwierigkeiten zu mildern."

Die Studenten sind sich allerdings auch im Klaren darüber, dass sie als erste so etwas sind wie Versuchskaninchen. Ihr Studium durchziehen wollen sie alle und hoffen, dass es ihre Chancen auf einen Job im Rundfunk enorm steigert.
Bis zum 16. Mai können sich Interessierte für den Studiengang Hörfunkmaster an der Universität Leipzig bewerben.

US Army: salvate la gabbia di Faraday naturale

Il giornale Sierra Vista Herald, Arizona, pubblica una bellissima storia su Fort Huachuca, a 120 kilometri da Tucson. E' qui, nell'Electronic Proving Ground che l'Esercito americano dal 1954 conduce le sue estensive campagne di testing della strumentazione per la guerra elettronica e la comunicazione. Il cosiddetto C4I, Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence. Il luogo desertico è stato scelto perché collocato in una conca tra montagne ad alto contenuto di minerale metallico, che agisce come una gabbia di Faraday naturale. Peccato che ultimamente un sacco di gente si sia trasferita da quelle parti e con loro telefonini, ricetrasmittenti hamradio e altri apparecchi che producono un sacco di rumore elettronico. Per ora è solo una sorta di radiazione di fondo, ma in futuro la cosa potrebbe compromettere le fasi di testing delle apparecchiature, che vengono investite da interferenze controllate. Se queste interferenze fossero fuori controllo, sarebbe difficile stabilire le vere soglie di attendibilità delle tecnologie di comunicazione sul campo di battaglia.
L'unica altra alternativa, geograficamente parlando, è una analoga località che si trova in Australia, dicono i responsabili della base, sarebbe un disastro se l'inquinamento elettromagnetico compromettesse la funionalità del test bed in Arizona. E allora? Secondo il quotidiano locale la base sta cercando di far passare una legislazione locale che imponga ai costruttori di nuovi edifici nell'area di contattare in via preliminare i responsabili tecnici della base. Un po' come farebbe un DXer quando vuole farsi costruire una abitazione libera da interferenze. Molto ricco di informazioni il sito Web ufficiale dell'EPG. Se vi capita di andare a Tucson, potete provare a prendere un appuntamento, la base organizza delle visite guidate.

Everyday devices crowd Fort Huachuca's testing

TUCSON (AP) — Civic and Army leaders are hoping to stop an unforeseen force from limiting future operations at Fort Huachuca, the military’s sole outpost for sensitive electronic testing. Sitting in a bowl surrounded by mountains roughly 75 miles southeast of Tucson, the Sierra Vista post is home to the Army’s Electronic Proving Ground, where military equipment undergoes extensive radio-frequency testing. The terrain, shielded from radio waves by the metal-rich mountains, is the only place in the United States where such testing can occur, officials say.
Yet as more people move into the surrounding area — bringing with them cell phones, ham radios and other electronic devices — the radio frequencies used by fort officials are seeing an increasing amount of interference. While officials say there’s no immediate danger to the proving ground — a key mission that led to the post reopening in 1954 — they worry that the radio-frequency encroachment, while mostly unnoticed by the public, one day could become a tangible problem similar to aircraft noise around Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
To protect the proving ground, fort officials and legislators have crafted a bill that would require developers talk to post leaders and work out ways to avoid impinging on the testing. While the bill is limited in its requirements — it asks only that developers meet with Fort Huachuca leaders, who have no veto power over specific projects — post officials said it’s a good starting point that can help preserve the proving ground and the fort. “There’s only one other place in the world like this, and it’s in Australia,” said Col. Jasey B. Briley, chief of staff for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center. “That’s why this post is so valuable.” Whenever the military prepares to deploy a new radio or other communication device for troops on the battlefield, the technology must be put through a battery of tests at Fort Huachuca. Post officials bombard the equipment with radio waves, try to jam signals and make sure it works in simulated field conditions.
But as nearby Sierra Vista has grown, the radio spectrum has seen an increasing amount of civilian interference. Officials liken the encroachment to a house next to a busy street versus a home in a rural area: There’s a lot of traffic and noise near the city house but almost none near the home in the country. But unlike cars driving down the street, the increased radio frequency traffic can’t be seen or felt.
“The primary issue is not direct interference but a recurring level of background noise,” said Larry Portouw, president of Fort Huachuca’s civilian booster group. The extra radio noise hasn’t posed a serious problem — Fort Huachuca’s ambient radio traffic is still four or five times lower than Tucson’s — but officials know the increase is linked to growth in the region, said Frank Davis, director of operations at the proving ground.
The legislation, sponsored by state Senate President Tim Bee, R-Tucson, isn’t designed to limit growth but to allow the fort to have some say in future projects. It also puts the proving ground on the map, giving it definitive boundaries. Those boundaries would be published for new homeowners so they’re aware of the nearby testing. A major focus of the legislation is to raise awareness about the proving ground so people realize how vital it is to the fort and the region, which relies on the post for thousands of jobs and a multimillion-dollar economic boost, Bee said.
The measure, Senate Bill 1387, has passed through the Senate and is awaiting hearings in two House committees. Developers in the region already work closely with Fort Huachuca when planning future developments, though the legislation sets it in stone, said Matt Walsh, the chief of the fort’s strategic planning office. “We want to get a handle on how we’re going to grow in the future and have that smart dialogue upfront before it becomes problematic,” he said. Bee agreed. “What we’re trying to establish there is an opportunity for there to be cooperation between city leaders and the fort so there can be an awareness of the electronic issues as developers are building around it,” he said.
Post officials hope the legislation, if passed, will become a starting point for future initiatives to protect the proving ground. Eventually, Briley said, he’d like to see more protection of specific frequencies in the region that the proving ground needs to perform its mission. One area that officials would like to see protected is high-frequency radio waves, as it’s virtually impossible to find another location to conduct testing in that area of the spectrum, Walsh said. But part of the problem is that even fort officials don’t know the best way to address the increasing radio interference.
While officials can point to specific sources of interference, such as radio towers, garage-door openers and large electronic transformers, they don’t have any idea on how all the elements combine to produce the ambient noise seen in the region, Davis said. “It’s difficult to discern what exactly is causing it,” he said. “It’s a real pot of stew.” The proving ground is seeking funding to perform a comprehensive survey of the area around Fort Huachuca to learn how the various elements combine to create interference. Once researchers develop that understanding, proving- ground officials can look at ways to block or limit future interference in specific frequencies, Davis said.
At the least, fort officials would be able to show developers that a construction project, such as an industrial park, might cause a specific disruption to testing. “That’s what we’d like to happen,” Davis said. “To be able to sit down someday and show them how it could adversely impact us.”

Chiude i battenti la stazione del rock

Come sapete non sono un grande esperto del genere musicale rock - anche se tra i miei lettori ci sono dei veri luminari. Mi sento tuttavia di essere solidale con gli ascoltatori e lo staff di Radio Rock, emittente del gruppo Monradio (Mondadori, il presidente dovrebbe ancora essere l'ubiquo Gerry Scotti), che a maggio chiuderà i battenti. Il blog di uno dei suoi dj, Edo Rossi, tiene i fan di questa stazione costantemente aggiornati sugli sviluppi, che sono deprimenti. Per il 30 maggio è prevista una maratona live di addio e nei giorni successivi Monradio riassegnerà le frequenze di Radio Rock. E' stato aperto un sito, Rockfamily.it, che presumibilmente cercherà di dare voce agli orfani di questa voce musicale. Chissà, forse si pensa a una Web radio o a un'altra iniziativa. A me sembra impossibile che una città come Milano e le altre del centro-nordin cui Rock FM è oggi presente, non abbiano una offerta musicale adeguata e diversificata, rock incluso. Forse Monradio pensa che la concorrenza con Virgin sia già impossibile? O più verosimilmente che chi ascolta rock non ha lo stesso valore pubblicitario dell'audience degli attuali generi pseudomusicali per orecchie buone? Secondo me buona parte di quello che sento in giro è come il vino in tetrapak.
Con tutto il rispetto per il tetrapak.
Agli appassionati veri del rock, per consolazione, dedico questa disquisizione di Christian Diemoz sulla band dei Muse, che ho recentemente citato per il loro ultimo titolo discografico "ionosferico". C'è anche un gustosissimo aneddoto personale, da cronista musicale di razza (altro che certi tromboni stonati, cartacei e televisivi).

«I Muse sono una band che si rifà pesantemente ai primi Pink Floyd. Ciò è vero sia nello stile, sia nelle "visioni" cui ispirano la loro arte (che è meno roboante, e più genuina, di quel che i comunicati stampa delle labels vogliono far sembrare). C'è poi un elemento di contatto ulteriore tra i due gruppi, ma questo lo può conoscere solo chi li ha "studiati". Parliamo di Storm Thorgerson, graphic designer londinese, firma delle copertine di maggior successo dei Pink Floyd. Hai presente la mucca di Atom Heart Mother, o il prisma di Dark Side Of The Moon? Ebbene sono farina del suo sacco. In principio da solo, poi attraverso lo studio Hipgnosis (successivamente fallito) e, ultimamente, assieme ad un fotografo più giovane, Dan Abbott. Ebbene, tra i clienti "moderni" di Storm ci sono anche i Muse. Aneddoto: nel 2005 mi trovavo a casa di Throgerson per un'intervista. E' stata un'esperienza tra l'allucinante e il fantozziano. Lui ci mette del suo per essere antipatico, al primo incontro, mentre dal secondo in avanti è anche carino (probabilmente è il biglietto che ti fa staccare per entrare a far parte della cerchia, ma tu subito non lo sai!). Mi è saltato in grembo il suo gatto, lui mi ha guardato dicendomi "parlagli in Italiano". Io, colto vagamente di sorpresa da una richiesta del genere, gli ho detto "ciao". Risposta: "ciao sarà già parlare in italiano a un gatto!". Durante l'intervista, non ha mancato di sottolinare come le mie domande fossero "very italian questions, stupid questions". Ad un certo punto, mentre mi rispondeva svogliato, sul pc gli è arrivata una mail. Erano i test di una nuova copertina dei Muse, che mi ha quindi mostrato in anteprima. Ricordano molto, graficamente, l'ultimo corso dei Pink Floyd (dal 1987 in avanti). Se tanto mi dà tanto, e se conosco un po' i miei polli, l'ingresso di HAARP nel campionario linguistico-visuale della band, è opera che dobbiamo a Storm. Però, c'è anche quella stilizzazione dei dipoli classici della postazione in Alaska, sulla copertina del disco, che andrebbe approfondita. Sono ispirati dalla stazione, o sono una ricostruzione del palco che i nostri avevano per quelle serate? Nel qual caso, sarebbe interessante sapere se il progetto del palco è stato disegnato da un altro soggetto cui i Floyd si sono rivolti con frequenza per le loro performance live d'avanguardia, ovvero Mark Fisher (anche designer della cerimonia d'apertura di Torino 2006).»

Gaza: l'FM guida l'ambulanza

Ancora l'agenzia di stampa internazionale di matrice italiana, la IPS, questa volta con un drammatico reportage da Gaza, dove la stazione FM Al-Iman a volte si trova a dover coordinare le ambulanze che cercano di raggiungere i feriti nei numerosi scontri armati tra Hamas e le forze israeliane (o tra Hamas e le altre fazioni palestinesi, immagino). E' un reportage di parte, certe affermazioni sui carri armati che sparano sui soccorritori non sono ovviamente verificabili contro altre fonti, ma riflette bene una situazione in cui è molto probabile che la popolazione non abbia la possibilità di telefonare a un vero e proprio centro di smistamento - niente 118, a Gaza - e utilizza le radio in FM per lanciare appelli che vengono raccolti da ospedali ed equipaggi sparsi sul territorio. Su Radio Networking for Democracy in Palestine, ho scoperto che Radio Al-Iman ha anche un sito Web dove potete ascoltare lo stream in diretta. Proprio in questo momento sto ascoltando il notiziario che parla, mi pare, delle nostre elezioni.

MIDEAST: No Ambulance, Call the Radio
By Mohammed Omer

GAZA CITY, Apr 12 (IPS) - "I am bleeding uncontrollably, I need an ambulance." That was not a call to emergency services, it was an appeal broadcast live on radio in Gaza City.
Who knows whether there will ever be an ambulance or not. But this way the ambulance services still hear the appeal broadcast on Al-Iman FM Radio Station, one of few independent radio stations in Gaza. And if the emergency services cannot help, someone else who hears the appeal might.
The ambulance dispatcher announces he cannot get the ambulance to the man. An Israeli bulldozer is blocking the road, and an Israeli tank on a hilltop has been firing at the ambulance, he says. Nobody can say if anyone else got to help the man. But at least his SOS could have been heard.
Appeals again went on air after the Friday attacks on Bureij refugee camp, where the death toll climbed to 16 by the weekend. The deaths included six children among nine people killed Friday. Again, ambulance crews confirmed they could not reach many of the injured. But the appeals were made on radio for all to hear.
A man called from east of Jabaliya refugee camp asking for an ambulance for his wife about to deliver. The radio host asked his location, and that of Israeli tanks. "I can't look from the window to see," he said. "They will shoot me if I do."
A lady called to ask an ambulance to clear the remains of a body lying on the door. IPS confirmed later that it was the body of Abdelrazek Nofal, who was 19. He was blown to bits by an Israeli tank shell.
Someone else called from Bureij asking for ambulance, and for food and water. "My mother needs to be in hospital urgently," he called the radio station to say. Another difficult mission, with the Israeli troops patrolling the area.
The appeals are heard on radio day after day. No one can say what follows the appeals in each case. But the live broadcasts on the radio can be a lifeline – or at the least, a line of hope. Where emergency services and aid agencies are not listening in, the radio then calls them.
"It brings tears to my eyes," says radio host Khaled al-Sharqawi (foto). "I can sometimes hear shooting, and women and children screaming, asking for ambulances, and the ambulances cannot reach them."
Emergency services keep the radio on, if only to go in when it's safe to bring out bodies. On one recent mission, said Ahmed Abu Sall, who works as a volunteer medical worker, "we were shot at by an Israeli tank. Two bullets hit the wheels."
This mission succeeded, as several do. But it can be a long haul to call and wait. Often, cell phone batteries run out as people call again and again with the appeals for help.
The Palestinian Telecommunications Company has given the radio station a toll-free number. That makes calling easier, but the radio statiion has to be on guard also against mischief. Hosts do what they can to check sources and credibility before putting an appeal live on air.
Not every call is a medical crisis. "In such cases we call human rights organisations," Sharqawi told IPS. "But they usually tell us they cannot help people on the ground."
Most people working at the radio station are young volunteers. And Al-Iman isn't the only one; several other local radio stations have begun now to hear and to broadcast live appeals for help.

Il Bahrain "liberalizza" la radiotelevisione

Volete investire in una stazione radiotelevisiva in Baharain? Secondo il Khaleej Times di Dubai, il piccolo stato arabo del Golfo sta per approvare una legislazione che darà "piena libertà di trasmissione" alle emittenti private e ci sono molte opportunità pubblicitarie. Piena libertà significa che non si può parlare di Dio, dell'Islam o di sua maestà Re Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. E che sono previste multe tra i 10mila e i 50mila dinari (un massimo cioè di 84mila euro) a chi trasmette notizie, programmi o pubblicità "non autorizzati". A parte questo, potete dire quel cavolo che vi pare, basta che stiate quasi sempre zitti tra un disco e l'altro. Che strane liberalizzazioni, eh?
Radio Bahrain, la emittente di stato, si ascolta attualmente su 6010 kHz, ma il canale è molto interferito. Un'altra frequenza riportata forse più spesso sono i 9745 kHz, in una curiosa modalità AM con banda laterale parzialmente soppressa.

Bahrain plans to give television and radio stations full freedom
13 April 2008

MANAMA — Bahrain moves towards attracting investment in the broadcasting media through a bill that gives full freedom to television and radio stations, including the right to tackle all topics except those against God, Islam or His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The bill does not interfere in the administration affairs of TV or radio stations, except stressing on the recruitment of Bahrainis who are above the age of 30 and having journalism degrees and five years experience in the media sector as executive managers.
The broadcasting media draft law, which will be discussed by the Consultative Council (Shura) after the approval of the Parliament, aims to regulate the activities of public and private TV channels and radio stations based in Bahrain.
The government has prepared the draft law to keep pace with their policy of openness and to attract new electronic media to open branches or start their services in Bahrain. It was originally proposed by the Shura and the government drafted it in the form of law.
According to the bill, the licences for new TV and radio stations will be approved by the Cabinet, while registration will be completed by the Ministry of Information.
The frequencies and airwaves of TV and radio stations would be leased to networks and not sold to ensure that there are no violations. Unlicensed station would be banned.
The TV and radio stations cannot pass on their transmission rights to other companies or individuals unless approved by the Minister of Information. All TV and radio stations would have to obey copyright and intellectual properties laws and face fine and other punishments for violations.
Individuals and companies can be fined from BD10,000 to BD50,000 for unauthorised broadcasting of news, programmes or advertisements.
The bill categorises the broadcasting media as general TV and radio stations; specialised stations; and paid channels under the cable system.
When granted licenses, the broadcasting companies should start operations within one year. New companies would have to record their programmes for the first three months to check the quality of the services and the implementation of the regulations. The networks will be asked to prepare their programme schedule.