San Diego, CA. Pacific Research & Engineering today announced the roll out of AirWave™, their first on-air broadcast console targeted specifically to medium- and smaller-market stations.
The AirWave console is expected to hit the market in January 1997. It will be available in two models, each priced for the budgets of stations in middle to smaller markets.
Jack Williams, CEO of PR&E, touted engineering and manufacturing innovations as the keys to producing a high-quality broadcast solution while keeping it affordable for the nearly 4,000 radio stations in ADI’s 31-260.
“Our engineers have gone to great lengths to develop AirWave to the benchmark PR&E quality and reliability standards found in our high-end consoles,” commented Williams. “Fewer bells and whistles on this console, but standard features include all the technological essentials to provide operators with the flexibility and confidence to produce quality broadcasts day in and day out,” he added.
The console features welded steel construction which renders structural strength and stability for long-term usage. The steel mainframe completely encloses the electronics, providing shielding from radio frequency interference.
Much like its high-end console cousins, AirWave comes as a mainframe with a channel configuration determined by the customer. AirWave is a low-profile console designed for tabletop or inset mounting. Accessory blank panel positions give operators console customization advantages.
Other standard features include a unique preamplifier module containing five high-performance microphone preamplifiers with phantom power, balanced patch points, a stereo program-1 / program-2 / monaural output module, a dual remote line selector module, and a timer control module. AirWave also provides monitor facilities for control room, studio, co-host and guest headphone systems; four illuminated Sifam meters; assignable A/B input control logic; built-in cue-speaker and operator’s room headphone amplifier; and built-in studio talk-back microphone.
PR&E has also announced financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year, which ended September 30. Revenue for the third quarter was $2.3 million (U.S.), up 51.9 percent over the same quarter last year. Net income after taxes was $65,000 (U.S.).
Williams attributed the sales increase to the recent approval of the telecommunications reform bill. “Radio stations and their ownership groups had placed equipment purchases on hold while this bill was being developed. With the approval of the bill allowing for multiple station ownership, we’ve seen an increase in demand for our equipment from new second-tier clients, and we’ve positioned ourselves to meet that demand and continue to grow.”
In addition to the AirWave console, the company has said that it will introduce a line of modular, ready-to-assemble studio furniture in early 1997.
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