FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Axcera and Multi-Station Group Sign $6 Million Agreement for Combined DTV/NTSC Transmitter System on California's Mount Wilson

Four Los Angeles Broadcasters Select Axcera to Design and Integrate
Shared DTV/NTSC Transmission System Using Visionary DT IOT Transmitters

LAWRENCE, Pa. October 30, 2002 - Axcera, a leading manufacturer of high-quality equipment and systems for the television broadcast and broadband wireless access/MMDS industries has signed an agreement with four Los Angeles broadcasters, representing seven television stations, to design and implement a combined television transmission system using both digital (DTV) and analog (NTSC) Axcera Visionary™ Series transmitters. The project is expected to total more than $6 million.

Axcera will provide Visionary™ DT high-power inductive output tube (IOT) DTV transmitters for KDOC-DT, KOCE-DT, KJLA-DT and KXLA-DT, as well as analog Visionary™ transmitters for KDOC-TV, KOCE-TV and KXLA. The DTV and analog transmitters will be combined into two multi-channel groups feeding a dual antenna system. The system is designed for high reliability, reducing the possibility of a single point failure for any of the stations.

With the lack of available tower space in southern California, the station owners decided to move forward with a combined site on Mount Wilson overlooking Los Angeles and the surrounding area. This custom system will save tower space while adding redundancy for each station involved.

"Because this is such a complex project involving both DTV and NTSC transmitters, we knew it was important to use one company for all four stations to ensure interoperability," said Roger Yoakum, Chief Engineer for KOCE-TV and KOCE-DT. "Axcera gave us confidence that it would be the most capable of the vendors we considered and was eager to jump in with both feet when other vendors shied away from this custom project."

"For over 20 years we have been flexible and willing to take on projects that others may turn away," said David Neff, president and CEO of Axcera. "We are focused on the needs of the broadcaster and we realize that this is an industry that requires unconventional work in order to meet those needs. We are excited about the Mount Wilson project and look forward to deploying one of the most unique transmitter systems in the country."

The complex combining requires a high level of correction to be provided by the transmitters in this system. To ensure the best possible signal quality, Axcera's exclusive Adaptive Digital Equalization (ADE™) allows the transmitters to automatically and continuously sample the signals after the combiners, applying adaptive linear and non-linear correction for each channel.

"Our challenge was to design a system that would work well with complex combiners and, since the site will be unmanned, would automatically and continuously correct distortions to ensure the best possible signal quality," said Ken Brown, Chief Engineer for Costa de Oro Broadcasting which owns KJLA-DT. "My positive past experience with Axcera coupled with a visit to the factory to witness the extensive adaptive correction capability of the DT2B-based exciter system convinced me that Axcera will meet these needs."

Merrill Weiss of The Merrill Weiss Group, consultant to the stations, conceived the project and conceptualized the facility design as well as the complex antenna pattern required to provide maximum service to Los Angeles while meeting interference requirements to protect Mexico. According to Weiss, "Axcera was chosen for its efficient design and has proved to be a worthy partner in the project, handling overall facility layout and system integration."

"Since we are placing seven dual tube transmitters in one building, floor space is very limited," added Roger Knipp, Chief Engineer for KDOC-TV and KDOC-DT. "In addition to the technological advantages of Axcera's products, the small footprint of the Visionary transmitters will allow us to comfortably fit all of the transmitters and ancillary equipment into the room without any additions or modifications."

Axcera offers some of the most advanced DTV transmitter products on the market including ADE™, the industry's first continuous linear and non-linear adaptive correction system. With UHF and VHF low power units, Innovator DT series high power solid state and Visionary™ DT IOT-based transmitters, Axcera products cover DTV power levels from 50 watts to 180 kilowatts.

About Axcera:
Axcera (www.axcera.com) is a premier provider of RF transmission equipment and systems for the television broadcast and broadband wireless/MMDS industries. Carrying on the tradition of offering the best RF products for over 20 years, the company has earned its reputation as a high quality manufacturer, focused on meeting customers' needs. Today Axcera provides the most complete line of television transmitter systems available from any manufacturer as well as end-to-end broadband wireless/MMDS solutions, including complete network planning, design and integration services, while never losing the focus on quality and the customer.

Contact:

Axcera
Rich Schwartz,
Director of Marketing
(724) 873-8100 ext. 263
rschwartz@axcera.com