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SCPC

Single Channel Per Carrier. Description for a transmission system that says that for each carrier you can expect to get one channel of audio. Thus a stereo program uses two SCPC carriers.

The replacement satellite system FISPO is building is a Multi Channel Per Carrier system, in this case TWO.

SING

Also called Carrier Sing. A tone of another frequency which swells up under your service when a loud tone or loud audio is transmitted by another customer into the AT&T Long Lines microwave program circuit system.

SM

Studio Manager The BBC term for the person who mixes a program. This individual has most of the responsibilities of a technician plus some of the roles of a producer, director and production assistant.

There is one SM who is on temporary attachment to NPR as the London Bureau liason. For some unknown reason, this is a coveted assignment within Bush House. As a result we have been blessed with some truly wonderful people to put up with the outrageous requests of the Foreign Desk.

Sonic Solutions

A Digital Audio Workstation system as well as the company that manufactures it. Also known as Sonic and Sonic Studio.

A network of Sonic Studio workstations is used primarily on the fourth floor for the production of Performance Programs. A single system on the second floor handles complex tasks for News. Stand-alone systems are also being installed in the Bureaus for high-end production in these important facilities.

Other DAW systems at NPR include those made by AudioVault and Dalet.

SPID

Stands for Service Program Identifier. A number associated with a Bearer Channel of an ISDN that identifies that channel to the switch. This number is entered into the Terminal Adapter at the time the service is set up.

Sprint

A provider of long distance voice and data services. You can force any call on Sprint by preceeding the POTS or IDSN number with 10333.

SprintNet

A provider of long distance data services. Used in the field to dial into the NPR computer system, because its cheaper than WATS lines for modem calls.

SSMB

Special Services Management Bureau The telco office in any city that installs and repairs unusual services (i.e., services other than ordinary telephones and ordinary program circuits).

SSO#

Special Services Order Number A number assigned to a telco order for occasional service. Not usually assigned for "switches" but usually is assigned for occasional IXCs or specially constructed service. Takes the form xxxx-yyyy where xxxx is a code identifying the customers city and yyyy is a serial number. No longer of any concern.

Station Connection

Distribution amplifiers, patch cords, tie lines, and any other equipment or services used to connect an IXC to an LC at a Program Operating Center, Is a billable part of inter-city service.

STC

System Technical Center The new name for MOTC. Handles the technical aspects of managing the the two satellite transponders owned by Public Radio. This system is maintained for all of Public Radio, NPR is just one of several customers to them, and they are just one of several service vendors to us.

Learn more by visiting the STC Home Page.

Switch Order

An order for changing or un-normalling circuitry involved in AT&T Long Lines to provide for special routing of program services. Usually includes the time and date at which the circuit will be normalled. Included here for historical purposes only.

Switch Type

Generally speaking, the type of telephone company switch that your service is connected to.
When referring to ISDN, the protocol running on the switch that your service is connected to. This could be National ISDN-1 or a native protocol named after the switch such as 5ESS of DSM-100.

Switched56

A standard for Dial-up Data Networks in the United States, a predecessor to ISDN. The data rate is 56k Bits/second.

The system requires an access line at each end of the service plus equipment to connect to the network. AT&T, MCI and Sprint offer service in many cities throughout the country. The actual data that is transmitted can be anything that fits in the pipe.