California Amplifier Sales, Net Income Down

Soft sales in the wireless cable market are blamed for declining numbers at California Amplifier Inc. in Camarillo during its fiscal third quarter and the nine months ended Nov. 30.

Third-quarter sales were $11.7 million, contrasted with $16.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 1996. Net third-quarter income was $127,000, or 1 cent per share, contrasted with $1.3 million, or 11 cents per share, for the third quarter of the prior year.

Sales for the nine months ended Nov. 30 were $40.4 million, contrasted with nearly $43.5 million for the nine months of the previous year. Net income for the first nine months of this fiscal year was $1.5 million, or 12 cents a share, contrasted with $3.3 million, or 28 cents per share, for the first nine months of fiscal 1996.

“We are experiencing softness in sales of wireless cable reception equipment in both the domestic and international markets,” said Ira Coron, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Internationally, there have been delays in major new system launches. Domestically, the wireless cable operators have significantly curtailed their expansion [while] awaiting digital compression next year.”

California Amplifier designs and manufactures amplifiers, down-converters, antennas and integrated products for the reception of microwave signals used in wireless cable television systems, home satellite dishes and commercial satellite television earth systems.