July 20 2009 ~ REC Turns 25
REC Networks started as a telephone entertainment service called "California Comments". The name was a tribute to a segment from KFI radio several years prior under the same name where listeners would call a phone answering machine and then comments were played on the air later that day.
The comment line format would work in a similar way. A caller would call into a phone line and leave a message. A week or so later, the comment line operator would produce a show that would feature the caller's recorded comments left on the machine since the past episode of the show. This recording is then played over the phone line and listeners would dial in to hear the show. Then callers can respond to comments or make their own new comments. This type of line was also referred as "input" (the callers leaving messages) and "output" (the recorded show playing the messages).
REC produced 210 of these recordings for phone lines in the San Fernando Valley, Palmdale and Phoenix. REC's last commentline recordings were in 1996.
During the late 80's and early 90's, REC had operated several different generations of multi-line voice interactive phone systems where callers can use touch tone phones to interact with other callers through various activities. 5 different generations of REC interactive systems operated during this span as well as a unique system called REC MegaCity where the system was laid-out like a map of the west San Fernando Valley, CA. Callers would then use their phone like a compass to navigate the system.
Going into the late 90's, REC would be involved in advocacy, especially where it came to the creation of a new "micro-radio" broadcast service which is now known as the Low Power FM (LPFM) radio service. REC designed many free broadcast tools to assist potential LPFM applicants and as a service to broadcast hobbyists. REC also acted as a watchdog where it came to citizen's access to the airwaves.
REC Networks broke the story of the alleged filing abuses by a small number of applicants in an FM translator filing window where REC coined the phrase "The Great Translator Invasion".
One REC broadcast tool, which is originally designed for hobbyists using Part 15 FM radio transmitters was of interest to SIRIUS Satellite Radio (now Sirius/XM). REC entered into a technology agreement with SIRIUS where REC would provide exclusive Part 15 searching technology and data to the satellite radio provider.
Mainly during this decade, REC Networks has been engaged in webcasting operations including past stations airing cartoon music as well as music from Japanese animation (anime) series. REC currently operates, Hardcore J, one of the most popular Japanese pop chart stations on the internet.
Between 2007 and 2009, REC's Michi-chan Rollersports Productions provided video and news coverage for several women's and men's flat track roller derby leagues in Arizona.
The future of REC looks very bright. In July, JPOP web radio station Hardcore J will be reimaged to the new name "J1FM" and will eventually expand programming including live programming in 2010. REC continues to monitor issues related to the LPFM service and will be ready for any future filing window.
In a statement, REC's founder Michelle "Michi" Eyre stated "I hope that in the past 25 years, there was something that REC has done that has touched you.".
Other than a short celebration on Hardcore J, the REC 25th Anniversary celebration will be fairly low key.
Again, thank you for making REC a part of your life.
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