Links: 2006 News Coverage

XML/RSS Feed
Content update action

Site Search
Powered by Google

News Archives
Organized by month

Latest Schnazz
Newly-found links

FCC Watch
-Enforcement Database
-FCC Features

Media Collage
-Truthful Translations
-Celebrity Speech
-Consumer Collage

A/V Library
-Featured MP3s
-Misc. Goodness

Features Index
-Microradio in the U.S.
-General Pirate Radio
-LPFM Archives

Links Directory
1,000s and growing!

Mbanna Kantako
-News/Commentary
-Music

Books & Music

December
New Technology Puts Oldies Station On Air - A format is resurrected in Lake Wylie, VA thanks to a new LPFM station, reports the Charlotte Observer. (Dec. 31)
Howard Stern's End: What is the state of Pirate Cat Radio in LA? - Sounds like it might be mostly off the air, reports an L.A. Times blogger. (Dec. 22)
HD Radio, A Year Later - Keystone Media Research seems pretty disappointed with the product and its penetration. (Dec. 19)
Pirate radio station operators protest outside NCC - Riot police were even part of the mix, says the Taipei Times. (Dec. 15)
Hear That Xylophone! - A relatively cogent analysis of digital radio's audio quality relative to other streaming media. (Dec. 13)
Military Radio Signal Jams Garage Doors - The Cheyenne Mountain military station fires up, and opens up, for hundreds of people in the surrounding area. (Dec. 4)

November
Brits Mull Radio's End - Ofcom considers phasing out analog AM and FM services, for purposes of repurposing the spectrum. (Nov. 27)
Can Mel Put Sirius Back on Top? - A ranging Q-and-A with ex-Viacom and current Sirius chief Mel Karmazin on the state of satellite radio. (Nov. 24)
Are you waiting in line for your HD radio? - Hear 2.0 criticizes the flaccid marketing push in the digital radio receiver market. (Nov. 20)
Clear Channel Buyer Accused of Fraud - One of the venture capital firms involved in taking the company private has been accused of previously driving down stock prices of targets in order to shave money off the buyout cost. (Nov. 20)
DRM pirate on 11020 kHz? - This may be the first official confirmation that pirate radio has moved into the digital age, with the debut of Coltano Radio. (Nov. 20)
Dead Technology Walking - Another negative review of HD Radio as too late to the digital audio content delivery game. (Nov. 15)
Clear Channel Buyout Talks Fuel Concern of Management Conflicts - The Wall Street Journal ponders the golden parachutes that await the Mays family. (Nov. 14)
Backers of 'Audio Flag' Make a Lame Duck Push - The RIAA wants outgoing GOP help to lock down all broadcast signals. (Nov. 13)
The FCC must stop shutting down microradio stations - The information is years out-of-date, but I admire the attitude. (Nov. 8)
Authorities shut down pirate radio station - A Florida woman is arrested for running a station that interfered with a godcast outlet. (Nov. 2)
Wireless Devices Send Mixed Radio Signals - The Los Angeles Times writes about inter-vehicle interference caused by satellite radio transceivers. (Nov. 1)

October
Air America on Ad Blacklist? - A leaked memo from ABC Radio directs those affiliates that carry Air America programming not to run advertisements from some 90 major corporations and non-profit groups, for ostensibly political reasons. (Oct. 31)
Clear Channel's Founders Stand to Get Windfall - How taking the company private may net its founding family more than $1 billion, says the Wall Street Journal. (Oct. 30)
Mexican Protesters Keep Their Message Alive, and On the Air - The New York Times tells the story of an insurgent radio station in Oaxaca, Mexico. (Oct. 30)
Public Radio Seeks Recall of FM Devices Used in Cars - The Baltimore Sun reports on NPR's petition asking the agency to act on the problem of overpowered satellite radio transceivers. (Oct. 26)
AFF Review: Pirate Radio USA - Hopes the film will get a wider audience than regional film festivals. (Oct. 24)
Deputies Silence Radio Station - Haitian Creole station in Tampa is busted, one woman arrested. (Oct. 14)
Tampa woman arrested for operating pirate radio station - A skimpy report from a local TV station. (Oct. 13)
Visiting Pirate Stations in Larissa, Greece - A well-documented field trip preserves the essence of some major-power pirates. (Oct. 11)
XM Radio Hits Some More Interference - The Washington Post exposes the company's use of overpowered and unauthorized ground-relay transmitters. (Oct. 5)
Best Way to Reclaim the Airwaves - LA Weekly rates pirate radio one of its choices as "Best of LA 2006." (Oct. 4)
Uneasy Listening: Pacifica Radio's Civil War - A review of Matthew Lasar's new book, as reviewed by Lorenzo Milam. (October)

September
Commentary: IBOC Has Been a Mistake - Radio World runs a column in which the author details some of "HD Radio"'s technical shortcomings. (Sep. 27)
Good Morning, Baghdad! - Salon interviews Dave Rabbit aka Radio First Termer about his plans for the troops in Iraq. (Sep. 23)
Country Returns to WKIS After Pirate Station Busted - Police arrest a man in Hollywood, Florida for interfering with a commercial station. (Sep. 22)
Man Accused of Playing Rap on Country Station - A trailer park resident-cum aspiring DJ interferes with a commercial station in Florida. (Sep. 22)
Argh! Pirate radio station cuts into country airtime - One man is arrested for using a frequency too close to a commercial station in Hollywood, Florida. (Sep. 21)
Pirate Radio Challenges Feds - AP story about the resiliency of microradio today. (Sep. 20)
A most unusual proceeding concerning the future of white spaces in the FM radio band - Truth, Justice and Telecom Policy summarizes a plan to allow subways to relay FM signals underground. (Sep. 18)
Clear Channel's Congressional Caucus - Matthew Lasar charts the money behind recent correspondence between the FCC and members of Congress asking for further relaxation of radio ownership caps. (Sep. 10)
iBiquity CEO Bob Struble Hails HD Radio's Progress - As one might expect the president of a monopolistic technology to do, though he does talk about proposed new services outside the realm of multicasting. (Sep. 10)
Clear Channel tells FCC it wants more radio stations - Lasar's Letter has the details on this long-developing policy play. (Sep. 4)
NPR Finds Objectionable Interference - A contract study confirms that several satellite receivers operate above Part 15 FM transmission limits. (Sep. 1)

August
Hunt is on for radio pirates - A pirate in Stevenage (UK) is using the tops of light/camera towers to plant antennas. (Aug. 31)
Commentary: Is the FCC's media ownership a charade? - Enlightening critical questions from Matthew Lasar. (Aug. 26)
Nass' Latest UW Crusade - Capital Times editorial lambasts the right-wing state lawmaker for attacking a labor radio project in Madison. (Aug. 22)
The Coming Devaluation of AM and FM Radio - About.com's Corey Deitz worries about the effect of convergence on the broadcast industry. (Aug. 21)
DIY Radio in Vail - Radio Free Minturn's ethos lives on in an LPFM incarnation. (Aug. 13)
Judge dismisses Power Hits case against FCC - A commercial pirate station in Bettendorf, Iowa strikes out in court on technicalities, though the judge does not buy the merits of their request for an injunction to keep the FCC at bay. (Aug. 12)
More XM FM Mods Snared in FCC Dragnet - New models are found to house overpowered FM transmitters. (Aug. 11)
"HD Radio" is both less and more than you think - Where is radio's primary place in a digital media world? One public broadcaster is personally unsure. (Aug. 6)
Adjusting the Dial - The Big Picture comments on the Wall Street Journal's reportage of radio industry revenue trends. (Aug. 3)
HD Radio: too little, too late - Riffing off blogosphere commentary about iBiquity's botched promotional efforts. (Aug. 3)
Could Audio Flag Jeopardize Digital? - Radio World looks into how a mandatory government encryption scheme might foul up the proliferation of HD Radio technology. (Aug. 2)
Microradio Turns 21 - Looking back at the genesis of the modern microradio movement, courtesy of me and the Fresno Undercurrent. (August)

July
Arrest revives memories of Miami's hip-hop hero - The Miami Herald reports on charges being brought against the suspected killer of pirate good guy "Uncle Al" Moss. (July 28)
Clear Channel's Hogan investing in new media to make radio 'cool again' - RAIN talks with the radio gorilla's CEO about how long they'll lose money on HD, among other things. (July 20)
Sirius: Our Employees Told Manufacturers to Build Non-FCC-Compliant Products - Busted! By Radio World. (July 20)
AM IBOC Power Levels = Mystery - Radio World runs commentary from an engineer who's already experienced too much badness with digital AM broadcasting. (July 19)
Stations Seek Fix for Part 15 Overkill - Broadcasters are on the warpath after satellite companies knowingly flood the market with interference-generating receivers. (July 19)
Digital Radios and Your Station - The vice president of new digital technologies at Kenwood USA breaks down the problems with reception of IBOC signals. (July 5)

June
Radio industry calls for government action on pirates - The UK's radio lobby asks the government to step up its crackdown on the massive pirate scene. (June 30)
Broadcast Audio Flag Debate Heats Up - Broadcasters and the music industry trade barbs as dangerous legislation percolates in Congress. (June 28)
House of Commons Debate on Pirate Radio - Link goes to Part One of an engaging discussion on enforcement effectiveness and potential future strategies. Read on to Part Two. (June 26)
Two community radio stations attacked by authorities in Caaguazú department - AMARC expresses "deep concern" at the riot police tactics used to shutter two peasant-run radio stations in Paraguay. (June 26)
Sealand devastated by fire - Boing Boing compendium of links to the sad news, though there is a vow to rebuild. (June 24)
Sealand in ruins after blaze - Witnesses describe the blaze from shore. (June 24)
Sealand Fire - Summary of news reports about the fire, including some amazing pictures of the blaze. (June 23)
Commentary: Allow Local Programs on Translators - Radio World lets a recent petitioner on the subject explain his position. (June 21)
Exactly How Many IBOC/HD Stations Are On The Air? - The Future of Radio questions the company spin on digital broadcast adoption rates among radio stations. (June 21)
Promo Power Column: A Prayer for the Future of HD Radio - Radio World guest column laments the lack of variety and somewhat lethargic promotion. (June 21)
Commentary: Questions for Media General - Matthew Lasar probes why the conglomerate won't speak publicly about its pro-consolidation lobbying of the FCC. (June 20)
Community loses pirate radio station - Ypsilanti residents continue to lament the loss of a cherished microbroadcaster. (June 13)
Public radio licensing rules should be relaxed - The Ypsilanti Echo believes microbroadcasters deserve a legal place on the radio dial, above and beyond the current LPFM service. (June 13)
Stanford Business School Research: Small Voices Sprout in Shadow of Powerful Broadcasters - Press release detailing a report which claims LPFM stations find traction in consolidated radio markets. (June 13)
A Station Owner's View of HD Radio Industry - One of the early adopters of digital broadcasting now thinks the system is somewhat of a sham. (June 12)
Study Shows 'Just How Far HD Has to Go' - Low awareness coupled with a lack of available and affordable HD receivers means the technology's adoption is still far away, says Radio World. (June 8)
Mansfield pulls plug on Bus Radio - Undated article notes one of the adopters of this Channel One-esque service dropped it before even starting its use after a backlash from parents. (June 7)
Fiji's Peace in a Suitcase - How community radio is empowering women to work for change. (June 6)
Clear Channel Traffic to Debut on HD Radio - What a great use of that extra spectrum, launching in 48 markets this year. (June 5)
The Next Niche: School Bus Ads - Commercial Alert sounds the alarm about BusRadio. (June 4)
Free Radio Santa Cruz 101.1 FM: Reclaiming the Airwaves (one frequency at a time) - Vision Magazine profiles the station and its attitude. (June)

May
New SF Pirate Radio Station could bring FCC to SF - Someone preemptively calls out "Radio X" for operating close to a local public station; via Indybay. (May 24)
18 pirate stations off air - Raid in the London area takes silences just a fraction of stations. (May 18)
WBAB radio signal hijacked - Long Island station apologizes for an unauthorized interruption which involved the playing of racist music - something one of the station's DJs did just weeks before. (May 18)
Palm Bay police halt pirate radio operation - Cops in Florida bust a Haitian man who broadcast in Creole. (May 11)
A Positive Plan for HD Radio - "A Branded Audio Entertainment Strategy" - sounds just peachy! From Edison Media Research. (May 10)
Audio Stores, Where Are the Radios? - Radio World laments the fact that HD Radio receivers are still nearly nonexistent, while satellite solidifies the moniker "digital" for itself. (May 10)
Radio World Opinion: Make or Break Time - Radio World believes unless the industry works the bugs out of HD Radio within the next year and a half it will be up shit creek. (May 10)
Pilots flying on a wing and a prayer - Irish churches are the target of a radio crackdown for their unauthorized hit-and-run broadcasts of masses. (May 9)
ComReg & BCI must re-examine community radio licensing following church station shutdown - Irish Labour party spokesman says the fact that churches broadcast masses illegally signifies an overwhelming demand for more community radio stations. (May 8)
Broadcaster to FCC: Let Translators Originate Programming - Small-town broadcaster would like to offer local service over stations that are forbidden to do so. (May 2)
FM Owner Wants Local Origination on Translators - More on a petition for rulemaking filed to essentially expand the LPFM service. (May 2)
Dominoes fall in western Washington radio shuffle - Several stations shuffle around to accommodate rimshots and a small high school station. (May 1)
CPB: Digital Radio Coverage and Interference Analysis Project - Public broadcasters sanction a study to determine how HD Radio interference will impact the reception of all stations. (May)
The Wizard of Ozcat - Short story with the founder of Ozcat Radio, a Vallejo-area musician made good and who wants to give back to help other artists. (May)

April
Police shut down pirated Haitian music station - The Palm Beach Post reports on the raid of a one-man band broadcasting from the back of a tailor shop. (Apr. 29)
So when will the next LPFM window be? - REC Networks offers its best prognostication. (Apr. 27)
Radio pirates already plundered - The Quad-City Times calls out the proprietors of "Power 103.3" on their virtue. The reader-comment thread is also enlightening. (Apr. 26)
FCC gives pirate radio station list of violations - Clear Channel and Cumulus stations in the Quad Cities complain about the debut of Power 103.3. (Apr. 25)
Radio 'pirates' fight for right to broadcast - The Quad-City Times provides positive coverage to Power 103.3, a station seeking to exploit a wartime regulatory loophole to live their DJ dreams. (Apr. 25)
Clear Channel unveils "Format Lab" - The conglomerate is developing formats to license to HD Radio stations who desire to carry a second program stream. (Apr. 24)
Texas college sells public station to christian broadcaster - Educational Media Foundation, the company behind the K-LOVE and Air1 godcasting franchises, outbids public radio for the station. (Apr. 23)
Music stops for a pirate radio station - Florida officials arrest two for running a Caribbean station in Fort Lauderdale. (Apr. 22)
FCC = Furthering Corporate Control in Michigan - Repost about a hobby station in Ypsilanti, well-loved by its neighborhood, tossed off the FM dial. (Apr. 21)
Mbanna Kantako: Human Rights Radio Warrior - The Alternative Press Review has a wide-ranging interview with the godfather of U.S. microradio, who is still on the air after nearly 20 years. (Apr. 20)
Court rules against rfb - The Rutland Herald reports on the issuance of an injunction silencing the station, many of whose members are now working on building a legal LPFM station in the town. (Apr. 11)
HD Study: Education Could Lead to Adoption - Survey shows little awareness that digital radio exists, says Billboard Radio Monitor. (Apr. 10)
Grading HD Radio: Economics - Audio Graphics notes the anemic support the new standard has among receiver manufacturers. (Apr. 2)

March
High school station to survive by shifting frequency - Good news for KMIH, previously threatened with expulsion from the dial by a commercial move-in. (Mar. 31)
Anger as India Shuts FM Station - The BBC reports on the closure of uber-DIY station Raghav FM Mansoorpur 1. (Mar. 30)
Ban on "DIY radio" in Bihar state illustrates unfairness of broadcast law - Reporters Without Borders protests the closure of an Indian man's one-watt homebrew rig. (Mar. 29)
Grading HD Radio: Conten - Audio Graphics reviews the selection of multicast programming available via Clear Channel stations. (Mar. 27)
The FCC's Imminent Multicasting Vote: Will it be another broadcast industry giveaway? - Conspiratorial musings by a national expert in progressive spectrum policy. (Mar. 27)
Armstrong Debuts FM Translators - Just what the radio dial needs, coming to a godcaster near you. (Mar. 23)
"But now all the stations are silenced, 'cause they ain't got no government license" - Or "why unlicensed broadcasting should not be a crime," by Jesse Walker. (Mar. 22)
Pirate DJ Dave Rabbit's Disclosure Has Garnered Significant Attention - E-mail interview details more of Rabbit's plans to reminisce on his short run as Radio First Termer. (Mar. 20)
Martin: FCC to Act Soon on IBOC - Full-steam ahead, including 24-hour AM operations, according to Radio World. (Mar. 19)
Pirate radio's hip-hop tunes finding way to pilots' ears - The Miami Herald sparks hype heard 'round the nation. (Mar. 19)
Be They Pirates? Nay, Extremists - The Chattanooga Pulse profiles those behind Chattanooga First Amendment Radio. (Mar. 15)
Solving the Digital Music Puzzle - Radio World Online columnist Skip Pizzi explores how the RIAA's influence in Washington may shape digital radio technology. (Mar. 15)
How Will HD Radio, Wi-Max Affect Satellite Penetration? - A new study projects digital broadcasting will have 8 million listeners by 2010, while satellite has 54 million. (Mar. 14)
Rehr Picks Up Fritts' Sword on Satellite But Avoids 'Lobbyist' Label - Radio World says the uber-lobbyist wants to be known as an "advocate" instead. (Mar. 13)
Satellite radio encroaches on small FM stations - Public and religious broadcasters claim aftermarket satellite receivers sometimes override their signals within limited areas, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. (Mar. 13)
HD Radio: A Stumble Out of the Gate? - Discussing the difficulties of receiving new digital multicast channels. (Mar. 10)
Prostitutes Get Own Radio Station - A true community station in Brazil, featuring honest discussion and education by working women themselves. (Mar. 10)
Behind the microphone... - Lawsuits and nasty allegations fly fast and fierce, detailing a struggle for control of the Calvary Satellite Network. (Mar. 7)
CSN, Christian LPFM Empire threatens to Self Destruct. But don't hold your breath - Talk to Action provides an excellent directory-article on the perils of godcasting. (Mar. 7)
Berkeley Liberation Radio challenges Illegal Broadcasting notice - Station release says they will not be silenced by the Bush regime, and vows to stay on the air; via Indybay. (Mar. 5)
Digital Signals Spark Static - The Wall Street Journal notes interference caused by AM IBOC digital broadcasting, but wonders if the noise is worth it. (Mar. 2)
House introduces mandatory radio-crippling law - The audio Broadcast Flag is back again, in spades. Via BoingBoing. (Mar. 2)
Kahn Files Suit Against Ibiquity and Clear Channel, Citing Antitrust Violations - A federal case filed in New York accuses major broadcasters of cornering the digital radio marketplace, denying potential competitors a chance to even launch. (Mar. 2)
Commentary: Power-side Tops Fla. Engineer's List - Positive testimonial from Radio World about the CAM-D alternative HD radio protocol and its benefits for AM broadcasters. (Mar. 1)
Portland Radio Authority Visited by FCC - Portland Indymedia sounds the alarm. (Mar. 1)
Capturing Analog Sound for Digital Preservation - Library of Congress-commissioned report detailing the best practices for a/d conversion and archiving. (March)
Cognitive Radio - A very good primer into this promising, spectrum-efficient technology, from Scientific American. (March)
Out of Thin Air - The Columbia Journalism Review tries to unpack the Great Translator Invasion. (March)

February
Extra Terrestrials Cut Deep - Billboard Radio Monitor notes the striking similarity between new HD Radio multichannel formats and what can be found on satellite services. (Feb. 24)
Modulating its tone - The Portland Radio Authority gets a spotlight in The Oregonian (Feb. 24)
Pirate DJs Jump Ship - The BBC recruits a slew of pirates to serve a new local radio project. (Feb. 24)
The amazing DIY village FM radio station - The BBC reports on a man in India who's built a station on a dollar. (Feb. 24)
Pass the Mic - Organizing meetings begin for the legal successor to radio free brattleboro. (Feb. 23)
HD Ad Campaign Launches in 28 Markets - Billboard Radio Monitor reports the first wave of industry adverts touting HD radio is rolling. (Feb. 21)
Bouncing the illegal broadcasters off the overcrowded airwaves - The Guardian reports on increased pirate-busting activity taking place in London. (Feb. 17)
Upton to Martin: Raise Radio Ownership Limits - Influential congresscritter parrots the wishes of Clear Channel in a letter to the FCC Chairman. (Feb. 16)
HD Radio: Making Noise, But Can't Be Found - Audio Graphics comments on the ham-handed launch of IBOC technology. (Feb. 13)
Radio Industry Using Internet Radio - Audio Graphics details the deals between NPR and several well-known music webcasters. (Feb. 13)
Monkey Man Talks to NBC11 - The proprietor of Pirate Cat Radio talks about the decision to become an unofficial Howard Stern affiliate. (Feb. 12)
88.3 FM: The Howard Stern Pirate Radio Station - L.A. blog notes somebody's rebroadcasting the Sirius show. (Feb. 11)
SF Station Offers Stern For Free - Pirate Cat Radio begins simulcasting Stern's Sirius show; includes video report. (Feb. 10)
Community Radio in Oaxaca Spreads the Other Campaign to the Four Winds - Pirate stations in Mexico are working to promulgate the Zapatista message; includes short profiles of a couple of participating stations (Feb. 9)
IBOC: The Next Copyright Battlefield - Radio World column breaks down the potential for copy-protection on digital radio. (Feb. 1)
Open Mic: Inside the Digital Radio Alliance - BE Radio interviews Alliance President Peter Ferrara. (Feb. 1)

January
Listen up for data on digital's latest DJ domicile: HD Radio - Mixed review for digital broadcasting from a confessed radio junkie, via USA Today. (Jan. 26)
Ramsey Electronics Fined $25,000 on Equipment Marketing - Radio World notes Ramsey was dinged heavily for marketing two "unauthorized" models of FM transmitter. (Jan. 26)
Competition from new tech gives push to digital radio innovations - RAIN partially deconstructs the heralding of digital radio multicasting. (Jan. 23)
Pirates free Edgerton's airwaves - The Janesville (WI) Gazette profiles Wicked Radio. (Jan. 22)
Danish T-shirts 'to fund rebels' - Website opens to sell shirts, proceeds of which will go to build radio stations in Colombia and Palestine. (Jan. 20)
Gordon tries to re-fly broadcast flag - Legislation is in the works to mandate copy-protection technology on over-the-air broadcasts, reports Broadcasting & Cable. (Jan. 20)
"New and Improved" Draft Broadcast Flag Bill: Now for TV and Radio - Public Knowledge breaks down the problems with the broadcast flag technology; includes actual draft of legislation. (Jan. 20)
New Senate Broadcast Flag Bill Would Freeze Fair Use - The Electronic Frontier Foundation explains what gets lost if digital radio and television get locked down. (Jan. 20)
HD Radio subchannel rollout gets strong push from national media - RAIN covers the coverage surrounding digital radio multicasting and slightly bites the hype. (Jan. 19)
HD2 Sidechannel to Multicast in 28 Markets - The Digital Radio Alliance announces the beginning of multicasting, as part of the industry's first national push for the adoption of IBOC-DAB. (Jan. 18)
Broadcast flag also coming to HD Radio - Ars Technica covers the correspondence between the NAB and RIAA about the notion. (Jan. 17)
106.9FM Given Notice of $10,000 Fine - Bad news; includes Notice of Apparent Liability; via San Diego Indymedia. (Jan. 16)
Radio Waves - A somewhat critical preview of the coming of HD Radio multicasting, from the San Francisco Chronicle. (Jan. 15)
Stern's pirated, naughty bits air - Howard's debut week on Sirius is rebroadcast on unlicensed FM stations in New York and New Jersey, according to the New York Daily News. (Jan. 13)
Brattleboro radio talks break down - The Rutland Herald reports that negotiations toward a settlement in the dueling lawsuits of the FCC and radio free brattleboro have collapsed. (Jan. 10)
Low-power AM Radio May Soon Emerge - Positive coverage of the LPAM petition filed with the FCC. (Jan. 6)
FilmThreat reivew of Making Waves - Four stars, and left the reviewer wanting more. (Jan. 5)
WSQT to Reclaim 87.9 FM - The Squat makes way for a much more powerful pirate broadcasting a Carribean music format; via DC-IMC. (Jan. 3)
When Pirates Ruled the Airwaves - The Sunday Times prints an excerpt from a forthcoming book on the pirate Radio Scotland. (Jan. 1)