DIGITAL RADIO CHALLANGE ACCEPTED!

[SUPERCASTER]

Is this radio station contest real or a fraud?
Or, do we (possibly) have a WINNER!
clouseau's challenge (in brief):

As many of you have heard, we lease out an SCA service on the FCC Licensed station I own. It's SCA listener base is modest (A few hundred radios at best).

According to a few things I have seen, it would look like we could install the FMExtra transmission system for around $10,000. I would suspect if it is even marginally better than SCA, we could get The SCA client and listener base to switch. (Because THEY eat the conversion). I'm being dead serious here. I can afford the $10K. My question is....

Can anyone point me to an FMExtra capable radio available today? I've seen vaporware pictures of the DRE "Aruba" radio which is priced (IIRC) in the high $100.00s. A price that high "IS" a concern, but clearly it's no worse than HD from Ibiquity. But "Pictures" won't allow me to flip my SCA tenant.

Here's my proposal to anyone. If you can point me to a real solution to convert my tenant, I'll salute you "On Air - Main Channel" for :30 seconds, every hour for an entire year. In fact, I'll even give you "Creative control" of the :30 seconds. (FCC rules must apply). Don't get too horny here. Paid rate for this airtime would be "New Midsized car" if you could sell the entire day ALL YEAR at full rate. More like "Used Honda Helix" for a real cash contract. (Assuming you could get one.) Still, you would have 30 secs an hour to proclaim "See Clouseau, I told you so" to Clouseau's world."

PS This is an honest and legit offer. I'll adopt this today if there is an answer. I don't think there is, but I'd really LOVE to be wrong. (Can you imagine how cool this story would be for the winner AND ME 5 years from now??)

In response to this challenge made by"closeau" on behalf of his FM station, and supported and encouraged by "Mike Walker" I have gotten the following response as part of an e-mail message (edited):

You may or may not know us ( BEXT Inc. ), however, we are one of DRE’s (FMeXtra) authorized distributors.

Candidly, we were made aware of your email (following below) alerting DRE about “Clouseau’s” challenge on the HD radio board.

Relatively soon following your email to DRE, we responded (or at least we think it went through) directly to Clouseau, albeit we went through the Radio-Info “list” website, and at this point have NOT heard any response from him.

and,

We just sent another email (again using the Radio-Info website) directly to Clouseau as follows:



“Dear Clouseau,

We sent an email (direct, albeit was from the Radio-Info Board website) to you yesterday (01/24) regarding FMeXtra radios in general and your "offer" specifically.

As of this AM we have not seen any response either directly from you or posted on the Radio-Info Board.

If you are interested in pursuing further the acquisition of DRE/FMeXtra radios, WHICH WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE, we would love to hear from you at your earliest convenience.”

also,

anything you can do to help us get the message out that FMeXtra radios truly are now (finally!!) available would obviously be appreciated.
Many thanks in advance and best regards,

Jim Waite

BEXT Inc.
(619) 239-8462 - Main
(619) 685-3915 - Direct
(619) 239-8474 - Fax

There is also a response from FMeXtra www.dreinc.com. For full text, click on board link below.

From DRE:

"We are rolling out production FMeXtra radios at this time and are taking orders for February delivery. You can purchase them through our distributors or direct from DRE. Picture attached. Price is $179.00 in quantity of one.....discounts for volume purchase. Energy-Onix and BEXT both have demonstration units so if you deal with either of them you can contact them for a demonstration. See our website for more information www.dreinc.com Thanks for your interest"

See the original, full text of the "Challenge" and responses here:
http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,61461.msg432377.html#msg432377

 

[calstymes]

Wow! The people at DRE are pretty amazing to have taken the time to respond directly to clouseau and we get to see it right on this here message board!

It is looking like clouseau has attracted the attention of a a high class outfit here with actual living and breathing human beings who want to work with you! There is a fabulous lesson unfolding here and I can't wait to read about the continuation of the story.

We all need to watch this one VERY carefully.

 

[hipporadio]

WOW! I’ve been taking a “breather” from this board as I was starting to feel like a Hamster scampering about in one of those twirling cages

You made “headlines” on the R-I front-page with this one! This is more interesting than any format flip I’ve heard recently... Could the operative word “game-point” be applied here?

At a bare minimum, The Inspector gets an improved SCA service—and possibly a second specialty format option if his tenant ever decides to cease their service. Looks like as close to a “win-win” as any I’ve seen in this crazy biz.

Time now for the “perp” to put his $$$ (and curiosity) where his “post” button is

 

[clouseau]

An open note to all involved...

I seriously think I stirred up the pot a little more than was my intention with the original thread.

To the sales folks at Bext, Energy Onix and DRE, I apologise for putting you in an awkward position. I've dealt with two of the 3 of these companies and they are good outfits. I would assume the third is as well. Apparently there was a good deal of thought by these folks as to if or how you would respond to this thread and I know that's not your true job. I'm sorry. My bad. Didin't mean to get you sucked in.

To the folks here on the board. The folks at these companies "ARE" the big boys. For them to come into "Our little world" is actually pretty cool. I would ask that you respect their busy status as business people and not continuously harrass them in the future. I have what I would call a working relationship with at least one of these outfits. Hopefully I still do.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

Clouseau

 

[vsa]

Clouseau wrote with his tail between his legs: "...To the folks here on the board. The folks at these companies "ARE" the big boys. For them to come into "Our little world" is actually pretty cool. I would ask that you respect their busy status as business people and not continuously harrass them in the future..."

I think it's time for you to re-examine your assumptions about the caliber of people who frequent this board.

 

[dbdigital]

An open note to all involved...

I seriously think I stirred up the pot a little more than was my intention with the original thread.

To the sales folks at Bext, Energy Onix and DRE, I apologise for putting you in an awkward position. I've dealt with two of the 3 of these companies and they are good outfits. I would assume the third is as well. Apparently there was a good deal of thought by these folks as to if or how you would respond to this thread and I know that's not your true job. I'm sorry. My bad. Didin't mean to get you sucked in.

To the folks here on the board. The folks at these companies "ARE" the big boys. For them to come into "Our little world" is actually pretty cool. I would ask that you respect their busy status as business people and not continuously harrass them in the future. I have what I would call a working relationship with at least one of these outfits. Hopefully I still do.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

Clouseau

[EDIT] I don't know of one vendor who isn't happy to field any questions about the products they represent, and if they don't want to be bothered they'll let you know.

db

[EDIT-inflammatory]

 

[clouseau]

Or, do we (possibly) have a WINNER!

We are unable to declare a winner at this time, but I will state catagorically that we have a legitimate contestant. It also appears there is a reasonable chance that we might actually have a fair percentage of the conditions met by the February 28th deadline. A request has been sent to order the actual radio. They theoretically will be avaialble on or about Feb 15th. We'll see how it goes. Details to follow. I have also requested the location of an actual station operating the system to demo said radio. Apparently there are some stations using this system for other purposes such as an STL feed for an AM. Clearly there are FMExtra radios "in the pipe". (Actually one person I talked to stated "In the truck".)

What is it Drudge says? Developing...


Clouseau

 

[SUPERCASTER]

Clouseau wrote with his tail between his legs: "...To the folks here on the board. The folks at these companies "ARE" the big boys. For them to come into "Our little world" is actually pretty cool. I would ask that you respect their busy status as business people and not continuously harrass them in the future..."

I think it's time for you to re-examine your assumptions about the caliber of people who frequent this board.

Way past time.

 

[SUPERCASTER]

clouseau said:

I have also requested the location of an actual station operating the system to demo said radio.

We have not heard anything from you about the station that will be running the spots for your contest. You seem to want details from others, so do we.
You have a commitment from the FMeXtra manufacturer and distributor, which you believe are reputable (the "big boys") how about an equal commitment from you?

 

[clouseau]

We have not heard anything from you about the station that will be running the spots for your contest.

That's right, you haven't. When and if all three conditions of the contest are met and a winner is declared, then the winner will receive the prize. That was the original offer and it stands.

As of now it looks like there is a winner.

errr... I'm going to say that it is premature to decare all of the conditions have been met at this time and leave it at that.

You have a commitment from the FMeXtra manufacturer and distributor, which you believe are reputable (the "big boys") how about an equal commitment from you?

My commitment has not changed. The terms or conditions have not changed. What do you want to do, "Pinky Swear"? ;D

Clouseau

 

[hipporadio]

I have just been informed of a well-working FMExtra example. Upfront, I must admit to a lack of specificity. The source of this information is a competitor of the station using the FMExtra technology and does not want to endanger the position of the contract engineer involved. If you can accept that—please read on... The user recently purchased a small AM station 15-miles from the cluster’s studios. Terrain issues made a 950MHz STL link nearly impossible. This operator has a stable of 100kw, 50kw (equiv), and 6kw FM stations, and has chosen the Class C2 FM to transmit an FMExtra digital SCA carrier with a 20 or 32kbps mono ACC-Plus codec (?) at 67kHz to feed an adult standards format to the AM transmitter site. The set-up was provided by Energy-Onix.

My source’s group CE (who, indecently, is a BIG-TIME IBOC supporter) has acquired a “production” FMExtra-capable receiver from Bext. They were very impressed with the audio quality (albeit purposely in mono), and now—said iBquity-lovin’ CE is looking seriously into the FMExtra technology—seems VERY FEW are listening to their outrageously-expensive HD Radio installations in the single market where they have upgraded (or should we say—“downgraded”). All this comes from the expected “interest” that competitors typically have in each-other. He told me that his price to “snoop” was about $180... “Well spent”, he exclaimed—“If I can eliminate my remaining telco loops to marginal AMs.” They were also impressed with the digital SCA coverage provided by the 8kw 170m (50kw equiv) coverage—noting that it easily extended to over 25-miles in difficult terrain... The only downside observed was a slight reduction in that station's main-channel "loudness".

 

[SUPERCASTER]

We have not heard anything from you about the station that will be running the spots for your contest.

That's right, you haven't. When and if all three conditions of the contest are met and a winner is declared, then the winner will receive the prize. That was the original offer and it stands.

As of now it looks like there is a winner.

errr... I'm going to say that it is premature to decare all of the conditions have been met at this time and leave it at that.

You have a commitment from the FMeXtra manufacturer and distributor, which you believe are reputable (the "big boys") how about an equal commitment from you?

My commitment has not changed. The terms or conditions have not changed. What do you want to do, "Pinky Swear"? ;D

Clouseau

My question was simple and direct, and had nothing to do with what you do with your "pinky".

We have not heard anything from you about the station that will be running the spots for your contest.

It is simple request to clarify and describe the prize.
If you are sincere, and have nothing to hide, then why is answering this question a problem?

hipporadio said:

My source’s group CE (who, indecently, is a BIG-TIME IBOC supporter) has acquired a “production” FMExtra-capable receiver from Bext. They were very impressed with the audio quality (albeit purposely in mono), and now—said iBquity-lovin’ CE is looking seriously into the FMExtra technology—seems VERY FEW are listening to their outrageously-expensive HD Radio installations in the single market where they have upgraded (or should we say—“downgraded”).

 

[clouseau]

We have not heard anything from you about the station that will be running the spots for your contest.

That's right, you haven't. When and if all three conditions of the contest are met and a winner is declared, then the winner will receive the prize. That was the original offer and it stands.

As of now it looks like there is a winner.

errr... I'm going to say that it is premature to decare all of the conditions have been met at this time and leave it at that.

You have a commitment from the FMeXtra manufacturer and distributor, which you believe are reputable (the "big boys") how about an equal commitment from you?

My commitment has not changed. The terms or conditions have not changed. What do you want to do, "Pinky Swear"? ;D

Clouseau

My question was simple and direct, and had nothing to do with what you do with your "pinky".

Sorry, I was not intending to annoy you. I would prefer NOT to divulge that info at this time as the ownership records of the station are easliy looked up at fcc.gov . Suffice it to say it is an FCC licensed station serving approximatly 8000 addresses withing the city limits of a top 150 market. (Sheesh it sounds impressive when you say it that way...) ;D

Supercaster, if the three conditions are met, you realize that YOU will be the winner right? Obviously at that time, you would get the info and get to meet with our crack promotions staff.

For the time being, though, we can not release any other info.

Stay Tuned.

Clouseau

 

[SUPERCASTER]

We have not heard anything from you about the station that will be running the spots for your contest.

That's right, you haven't. When and if all three conditions of the contest are met and a winner is declared, then the winner will receive the prize. That was the original offer and it stands.

As of now it looks like there is a winner.

errr... I'm going to say that it is premature to decare all of the conditions have been met at this time and leave it at that.

You have a commitment from the FMeXtra manufacturer and distributor, which you believe are reputable (the "big boys") how about an equal commitment from you?

My commitment has not changed. The terms or conditions have not changed. What do you want to do, "Pinky Swear"? ;D

Clouseau

My question was simple and direct, and had nothing to do with what you do with your "pinky".

Sorry, I was not intending to annoy you. I would prefer NOT to divulge that info at this time as the ownership records of the station are easliy looked up at fcc.gov . Suffice it to say it is an FCC licensed station serving approximatly 8000 addresses withing the city limits of a top 150 market. (Sheesh it sounds impressive when you say it that way...) ;D

Supercaster, if the three conditions are met, you realize that YOU will be the winner right? Obviously at that time, you would get the info and get to meet with our crack promotions staff.

For the time being, though, we can not release any other info.

Stay Tuned.

Clouseau

I appreciate your prompt and civil response.
Who knows, perhaps we could negotiate a cease fire, and genuine worldwide peace could break out?
I guess that is unlikely in today's "real world" of guerrilla marketing.