WBCN rocks into Brighton digs
''Ring out the old, ring in the new," former Beatle George Harrison sang in 1974. The album was ''Dark Horse," and a copy is probably waiting to be uncovered in the boxes of vinyl, CDs, reel-to-reel tapes, signed gold records, and other radio station paraphernalia that now sit in one of the empty rooms at the new studios of WBCN-FM (104.1).
After 26 years in a dark, cramped Fenway building, the Infinity rock station has spread out, moving to the tranquil blue- and mauve-painted ground floor of a Brighton building that also houses sister station ''Oldies" WODS-FM (103.3).
The move, accomplished last week, almost doubles the station's space, giving it approximately 14,000 square feet, according to the chief engineer, Bill Bracken. It also uncovered bits of history, with everything from old photos and bumper stickers to a chin-up bar belonging to onetime WBCN DJ Charles Laquidara coming to light. Most important, Bracken said, it gave the station the excuse to update its equipment.
''It's like night and day. What we had before was from the late '80s," Bracken said. As he moved through three production studios, the engineer pointed out the state-of-the art consoles (think flat-screen TV monitors) that connect the studios, the production rooms, and a computer where the music catalog is stored. ''It was always, 'Well, when we move. . . .' "
The station's new studios were constructed during the past four months in what had been the basement of the WODS building on Leo Birmingham Parkway. A third production studio was added, with the idea that it will serve as the base for Patriots pre- and postgame shows, and as a spare in the off-season.
The main broadcast studio, housed in what had been the boiler room, remains the most commodious, with seats and microphones set up for guests. The plan, says program director Dave Wellington, is to host in-studio live performances at some point. Over in the corner, behind the computer consoles, is a turntable, just in case all the vinyl, still in boxes, ever gets unpacked.
In the meantime, the station is looking ahead. Currently almost all the information -- music, voices, etc. -- is processed digitally, although the signal that goes out to listeners is still analog, as are most radio receivers.
Spinning the dial
Satellite radio via cellphone? That's basically what MSpot began offering this week. For a $6 monthly fee (above and beyond other cellphone-user fees) the company, based in Palo Alto, Calif., will stream a service called MSpot Radio, with 13 audio channels, to Sprint subscribers.
These include eight commercial-free music channels, ranging from '70s classics to hip-hop, and four news and sports channels, including one carrying National Public Radio. . . . ''Radio With a View," 10 to 11 a.m. Sundays on WMBR-FM (88.1), focuses on tax time this weekend. Guests are Lee Farris of Boston's United for a Fair Economy and Dick Patton, executive director of the American Family Business Institute, based in Washington, D.C. Listeners are invited to call at 617-253-8810. . . . ''Exceptional Women," the ''Magic" WMJX-FM (106.7) program hosted by Gay Vernon and Candy O'Terry from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Sundays, has won its eighth Gracie Allen Award. The award, presented by American Women in Radio and Television, celebrates public affairs broadcasting.
'West Wing' takes season-finale twist
Last night on the season finale of ''The West Wing," Jimmy Smits's Representative Matt Santos ultimately captured the Democratic nomination. And John Spencer's Leo McGarry became his unexpected running mate. Next season, Santos will run for president against Alan Alda's Republican from California, Senator Arnold Vinick. Last month, NBC renewed the series for a seventh term, despite steady ratings declines.
MATTHEW GILBERT
Globe on NECN
Here's what's happening today on ''Around the Globe" on NECN:
12:30 p.m.: ''Globe at Home" -- writer Joanna Weiss and Aija Erglis of the American Baby Faire discuss baby product trends.
4 p.m.: ''Around the Globe"
6:30 p.m.: ''New England Business Day"
8:30 p.m.: ''NewsNight"
Schedule is subject to change.
On Boston.com
2 p.m.: Globe Handyman Peter Hotton on vent-free stoves.
Radio highlight
9 a.m. WCRB-FM (102.5) -- Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 27; Schumann's Scenes from Childhood; Vanhal's Violin Concerto in B.
