The Broadcasters' Desktop Resource

Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert…
This is BDR Newsletter 887, Volume 18, #2 for August 12, 2026

YES, CYBERSECURITY IS IMPORTANT, BUT NO NEED FOR PANIC
The FCC’s Order to enhance cybersecurity with better firewall formulation – covering any internet-connected part of the program chain – and longer passwords is set to be in operation at the end of September (26th). It is a wise move to make plans to comply as best you can, but since FCC policy is not fully in place as yet, it is hard to know exactly how parts of the Order will be handled. For example, there are more than a few products that can not handle 15-character passwords.

One key point: Whether the FCC does something – or not – you need to be more secure today than in the past. AI driven hackers are banging at the door. Protect yourself. Is any of your equipment here?

NEW COMMISSIONER IN THE WINGS?
President Trump has nominated Danielle Thumann Severs to fill the vacant Republican seat on the FCC. Of course, this is pending Senate approval, which could be slow as no one has yet been nominated for the vacant Democratic seat. (The FCC requires a quorum of three to conduct business.)

OBTAINING UNOBTAINIUM
Most of us have been there at one time. Something happened and a replacement part is needed. But, when you seek the part or service advice – only to find out the part is no longer made and no one has stock, what do you do?

Join us on Thursday for a discussion with Jim Stanford and others on what tactics work to find and acquire unobtainium.  We’ll have some fun…


Our 332nd Virtual Lunch Gathering will be on Thursday at 2PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific. Join us and learn things! The link request is at www.theBDR.net/TLG/ … 

… and do not forget, on the same page we have hundreds of videos you can use on subjects you will want to learn about.