DAB to be Highlighted at NAB Radio Show

Radio’s digital future will be a prime focus of the NAB’s Radio Show in September. In-band, on-channel digital AM and FM radio, being developed by Ibiquity Digital Corp., has the potential to be “the greatest change in radio since the introduction of FM broadcasting,” said Lynn Claudy, NAB senior vice president, Science & Technology. “We expect to see major developments and initiatives unveiled at this year’s NAB Radio Show in digital radio.”
“We see this as an opportunity for broadcast engineers and business operations management to gain a common understanding of the IBOC technology and implementation methodology,” said Ibiquity President/CEO Bob Struble.
An IBOC update panel has been created for radio managers – “IBOC Rollout – Across The Industries.” Managers will have an opportunity to interact with panelists representing the broadcasting, retail, consumer electronics and automotive industries concerning rollout plans and challenges each sector faces with the conversion to digital broadcasting. Panel members include Bruce Reese, president/CEO, Bonneville; Jason Dillon, regional manager, Good Guys; and Bob Law, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Kenwood. Radio World Editor Paul McLane will moderate the session.
The business and technical aspects of AM and FM IBOC are the focus of an all-day Radio Show exclusive — “The Digital Radio Certification Workshop.” Targeted primarily at engineers, but offering something for everyone, the workshop presenters will detail the status of IBOC, its benefits, the requirements for IBOC implementation and the latest information on how to go digital for minimal cost. Ibiquity’s development team will field questions related to IBOC coverage, compatibility concerns and IBOC receiver features.
Tom Wroblewski, strategy and implementation engineer, Lincoln Mercury Engineering, will represent the automotive industry at the technical session as will Bill Whikehart, senior technical specialist, Visteon, who will discuss in-vehicle use of data transmitted by IBOC stations.
Ibiquity and 15 other companies will showcase IBOC technology on the exhibit floor. In addition, Ibiquity plans to have Seattle area AM and FM stations broadcasting during the show. Announcements on committed stations will follow closer to the actual show date.