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Harris Corporation Digital Radio Transmitters Central to Brazil’s HD Radio Launch


WEBWIRE

Three leading Brazilian radio broadcasters use Harris transmitters and combining methods to cost-effectively launch country’s first HD Radio™ broadcasts

CINCINNATI, October 5, 2005 – Harris Corporation’s (NYSE: HRS) Broadcast Communications Division (BCD) today announced that three Brazilian radio broadcasters have selected Harris as the exclusive digital transmission vendor for their HD Radio™ launches.

The country’s three largest radio broadcasters, Radio Bandeirantes, Radio Globo and RBS Group recently announced plans to launch HD Radio broadcasts on September 26, commemorating the 70th anniversary of AESP, a radio and television emissions association based in Sao Paolo, and Brazil’s National Day of Radio. The HD Radio standard will allow all three broadcasters to simulcast analog and digital broadcasts over the same band, ensuring their listeners a choice to go digital or continue receiving analog broadcasts. By selecting Harris, all three radio groups have also ensured enhanced business models for their AM stations, enhanced audio quality and data capability for their FM stations, and a reduction in monthly operating costs due to intelligent combining techniques.

A total of six stations – one FM and one AM from each group – are now transmitting in HD Radio:

* Radio Bandeirantes selected a Harris Z-Series™ Z16HDs FM transmitter for Band News FM, and an IBOC equipment rack to upgrade an existing Harris DXD100 AM transmitter to HD Radio. Both stations are located in Sao Paulo, the largest city of Brazil.

* Radio Globo purchased a Harris Mini-HD™ 600 Watt FM transmitter for CBN Radio in Sao Paulo, and an IBOC equipment rack to upgrade an existing Harris 3DX-50 AM transmitter for Radio Tiradentes in Belo Horizonte.

* RBS Group purchased a Harris Mini-HD™ 600 Watt FM transmitter for Itapema FM, and an IBOC equipment rack to upgrade an existing Harris DXD100 AM transmitter to HD Radio for the Radio Gaucha AM station. Both stations are located in Porto Alegre, in the southern portion of Brazil.

“Harris has been actively working with Latin American radio broadcasters and government officials on digital radio since we held the first international on-air HD Radio demonstration ever in Porto Alegre in March 2003,” said Nahuel Villegas, Caribbean and Latin America regional director for Harris Broadcast Communications Division. “The more than 100 Latin American broadcasters who attended that first event experienced a demonstration that showed the vastly improved audio quality and compelling business case afforded by digital radio. The selection of Harris as the exclusive transmission provider for Brazil’s maiden HD Radio launch is a result of our efforts over the past several years, and we are privileged to be at the technological center of this enormous radio event for Latin America.”

Harris provided all three groups with FM combining methods that reduce monthly transmission-related operational costs. Radio Bandeirantes has employed Harris’ exclusive Split-Level™ combining method, which can reduce operational costs by up to 10 percent over the traditional method of high-level combining FM and HD Radio transmitters using a 10dB coupler. Radio Globo and RBS Group are employing separate amplification, a feature of the Mini-HD™ Series. Mini-HD Series transmitters greatly reduce the power reject load that is common with high-level combining. By transmitting over two separate antennas, broadcasters use only 10 percent of the digital wattage output compared to high-level combining. Transmitter power, initial capital investment and overall power consumption are greatly reduced as a result.

Harris has consistently demonstrated strong commitment to supporting customer needs and digital adoption in the region, and was the first vendor to present HD Radio demonstrations at Mexico’s CIRT Show in October 2003 and Argentina’s CAPER Show in October 2004.

“We congratulate all three pioneering radio groups in Brazil for their launches, as they are leading the way for many others soon to follow,” said Debra Huttenburg, vice president and general manager of the Harris BCD Radio Broadcast Systems business unit. “We believe that Brazil’s historical decision to go digital now is a milestone that will influence and encourage neighboring countries to take a closer look at the various digital radio standards that exist today, and further examine the many benefits afforded by transitioning to digital.”

About Harris Broadcast Communications Division
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. With headquarters in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual sales of over $3 billion and has 12,600 employees – including 5,500 engineers and scientists – dedicated to the development of best-in-class assured communications™ products, systems, and services. The company’s operating divisions serve markets for government communications, tactical radio, broadcast, and microwave systems. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

HD Radio™ is a trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation



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