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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Uie8by0nVojpeSpLacZ9B0pdVwx0UXMBagcE5ZnOZ9ofts68XvC7GyoiHgfWujJY
 7EW+owva1n64NzEfM8VcfQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000909518-03-000642.txt : 20030826
<SEC-HEADER>0000909518-03-000642.hdr.sgml : 20030826
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030826172736
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000909518-03-000642
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030804
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030826

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARBER GRANT
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001260030

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12657
		FILM NUMBER:		03867222

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ACTEMA CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		12410 MILESTONE CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			GERMANTOWN
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			20876

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ACTERNA CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000030841
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INSTRUMENTS FOR MEAS & TESTING OF ELECTRICITY & ELEC SIGNALS [3825]
		IRS NUMBER:				042258582
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0331

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3 NEW ENGLAND EXECUTIVE PARK
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01803-5087
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6172726100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3 NEW ENGLAND EXECUTIVE PARK
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01803-5087

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DYNATECH CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>acterna8-25_f3ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-08-04</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000030841</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ACTERNA CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>*finef3k</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001260030</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BARBER GRANT</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ACTEMA CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>12410 MILESTONE CENTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GERMANTOWN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20876</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>Corp. VP and CFO</officerTitle>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>None</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>0</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeHolding>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
 <derivativeTable>
   <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>None</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>0</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>None</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>0</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeHolding>
 </derivativeTable>
   <footnotes>
      <footnote id="F1"> The zero (&quot;0&quot;) in this column is a &quot;dummy&quot; amount, solely for the purpose of permitting the use of a descriptive footnote stating that the price is not applicable.</footnote>

      <footnote id="F2"> There are no applicable shares.</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ Grant Barber, Corp. VP and CFO</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-08-22</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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