Broadcasters and the FCC need to be willing to examine the AM broadcast service, and refine the rules to accommodate the realities we face.

No, we’re not talking about how the chariots gridlocked in Rome or royal carriages collided in London or Paris, but rather traffic systems for radio operations.

The Traffic Directors Guild of America is having an informal contest asking members — What is the first (or earliest) traffic software system you remember seeing or working with?

They are looking for computer-based systems, not graphite, rubber and paper systems. That puts a time window on the effort. Sadly, no prizes are involved (other than the satisfaction that you can still remember that old system while most of your colleagues use phrases such as, ‘the thingie that made the noise with the lights. You remember? It was called “Compu-something” or “Digi-doohickey” … There were some letters involved, I’m sure of that … ’)

Responses and amusing (or embarrassing) stories can be sent to tdga@cox.net.

 

Not many people can say that they interviewed Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson.

Bob Wolff did, and the recordings are part of a notable donation to the Library of Congress. The New York Times has links that fans of the history of baseball and broadcasting will appreciate.

Read and listen here.

 

 

A reader says he is forbidden from attending the NAB Show by his bosses

It’s not quite the Odyssey, but it’s still a worthy endeavor

CBS News Radio’s Peter King and his partner-in-crime, brother Rick Sommers, are working on a book about Ithaca radio. That’s Ithaca in New York not ancient Greece.

Why Ithaca? Peter and Rick got their radio starts in Ithaca and spent time in several local stations. Rick too is a veteran broadcaster.

And if they are not worthy, they point to a cast of famous players passing over the Ithacan airwaves through the years: Bill Diehl, Bob Kur, Bettina Gregory, Pam Coulter, Keith Olbermann, Peter Schacknow, Dave Price and closest thing radio has to the comic genius of Aristophanes, The Greaseman.  Okay, maybe that last part was a little over-the-top. Beware of Greasemen bearing gifts.  

As Greece was the incubator for democracy, so Ithaca, as Peter describes it, is a “wonderful incubator for talent.”   

So in due gratitude they wish to sing the praises of Ithacan radio. Lacking a lyre and chorus or the patience to compose...

New site, new branding, but much familiar content

I wanted to pass along notice of the sudden passing of Ed Schumacher who owned and managed WTUZ(FM) 99.9 “Z-Country” radio in Uhrichsville, Ohio, serving Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Ed was diagnosed with colorectal cancer about six months ago and it progressed quickly. He died on March 20.

I met and worked with Ed when I started in radio at WJER(AM/FM) in Dover, Ohio, at 17 years old. That was 32 years ago. He was truly a radio pro and a caring individual. He’ll be greatly missed by many, but his spirit also lives on through WTUZ and his community involvement.

Ed started his career at WOMP(AM/FM) in Bellaire, Ohio, then went to WNPQ(FM) in New Philadelphia, Ohio, before WJER and finally owning WTUZ. 

Ed applied for an FM frequency in 1989 and signed his station on from his house in 1990. He was a life-long radio broadcaster who had always dreamed of owning his own station. He was very well respected for his community involvement and saluted for being a “great local radio owner.”

Ed...