Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert…
This is BDR Newsletter 895, Volume 18, #10 for September 30, 2026

ENTERING THE FOURTH QUARTER
October 1st is the start of the Q4 2026. For those keeping track, there are some FCC related filings that need to be done this month. that Issues & Programs list needs to be filed by the 10th of the month. If you have not done the quarterly tower lighting system inspection, today is the last day for that. (Not just noting the lights turn on, but an inspection of the entire lighting system ##). Also, each quarter presents an opportunity to review the station authorizations and maintenance logs. It is not required you do this at this moment, but with renewals coming up next year, have documentation of proper operation is a very good thing to have on hand.

## TOWER LIGHTING SYSTEMS
All to often, if you ask someone, the answer is “I check each quarter that the tower lights go on at night.” But that is only part of the requirement – the system includes all the control circuits, monitoring, and alarm/reporting. For example, did you know the sensor that turns the lights on and off has specific calibration points and needs to be pointed to the northern sky?

The inspection should be both electrical and visual; look for wiring and fixtures that are damaged, frayed, or otherwise failing. The results should be entered in a Maintenance Log.

WHITE STUFF AHEAD!
Yep … each part of the year has some maintenance items that need consideration. Does your station use de-icers on the antenna? If so, it is recommended that you take time now to check the Winter-based aspects of your operation. De-icers, ice shields, site heaters, etc, should be checked for proper operation while there is still time for repairs before Winter sets in.

MORE TIPS ON WINTERIZING YOUR SITES
You may have been though Winter at a site that freezes or you may be new to a location where ice and snow are a major issue during the year. This week, Jeff Welton stops by to share some of his checklist on things to do before the freeze hits. Perhaps you will have a tip or two to share back! No snow? There are still things you need to remember and prepare for as we into into the Winter months.

The Virtual Lunch Gathering will be at its usual time 2 PM Eastern/ 11 AM Pacific. We hope you will join us and learn things. The link for our presentation is at www.theBDR.net/TLG/ We will also be on YouTube live and the video will be archived on the BDR Lunch Gathering page.

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

Oh, one more thing: we do have a Tuesday Reminder list, if you wish to get a reminder email for each week’s program. Just reply to this email and ask!

May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR – and you!

 

DST ENDS 11/1
We are now just 4.5 weeks from the end of Daylight Saving Time for 2026. DST ends on November 1st. Today, that mostly means an extra hour of programming and, for AM stations with authorizations specifying operation times (which are in “standard” time), the need to ensure power/pattern changes are at the right time. If there are any other “legacy” apps or gear that does not adjust automatically, this is the time to make a list so it all gets checked.

NOT MUCH OF A GOOD NEIGHBOR
It is true that broadcasters in each market are usually sort of friendly competitors. But that can be taken a bit too far. It was 21 years ago that Chavez Media in Parker AZ got an CP to change frequencies, but to this date has not built the new facilities – preventing a new station from being built in the area. The FCC now has issued a letter giving Chavez Media 120 days to complete construction or cease broadcasting.

GETTING HEAR FROM THERE
Our friend, Mark Durenberger, has released Part II of his research into the establishment of network radio news in the 1930’s and  especially the wartime environment surrounding radio reporting in World War Two. This is a free e-book. You can download it here.

REGARDING AI
You have seen/heard all the commotion regarding AI over the past weeks. We do not really have anything to add except to suggest that most of the predictions are nothing more than speculation – some pretty wild. It may take a few weeks, but it is likely to

FOR SALE
How about a working Harris HT 3.5 or HT 5 for $500 (This is a honey-do “clean out the garage” deal)? There also is an OIB-2 for sale or trade for an OIB-3.  And more … just click here for the For Sale Page.

May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR – and you!

 

  Here are some of the more recent items of interest:

• Getting Hear from There – Mark Durenberger
• The FCC EAS Proposals – where industry agrees … and where it doesn’t – Ed Czarnecki
• A Custom FCC EAS Compliance Blueprint
• Join the Lunch Gathering – Thursday 2 PM Eastern
• Enforcement Watch – No NPT Forms for 3 Year = $27k / NoV for 475% over power
• A Complete Station Audit is Important – Barry Mishkind
• Building a Secure Network for EAS – Rolf Taylor
• A Free Tool for the New FCC EAS Password Rule – and More! – Ken Fine
• Do You Have the Right USB-C Cable – Barry Mishkihd

May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR – and you!

 
MANUFACTURERS’ NEWS

Aqua Broadcast is running a special promotion from 1 October 2026 through 31 March 2027 to give broadcasters time to plan their transmitter requirements around the upcoming filing opportunity for new and renewal FCC FM translator projects. Customers purchasing a qualifying COBALT FM transmitter will receive the tuner option free of charge1. Together with the redundant power supply configuration included as standard on applicable COBALT models, this represents up to $930 in added value compared with equivalent separately priced options.

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The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium continues to support and promote DRM. Earler this month, at the IBC, the DRM was unveiled a member company’s Solar Grove Solutions portable DRM receiver, the N88. Designed for use primarily in India, it is portable and could be useful in other places.

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The Fall Convention series is starting to thin out. But check out:

• This Week: WABE Media & Entertainment Technology Conference – Calgary Canada – September 29 – October 1
• NABOB Black Media Summit, October 7-8, USBC Innovation Campus, Washington, D.C.
• CBI National Student Media Convention, October 14-17, Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Kansas Association of Broadcasters (75th Convention) Witchita KS Marriott – October 19th
• NAB New York – Javits Center, NYC – October 21, 22
• Kentucky Broadcasters Association (KBA) Annual Membership Conference, October 25-26, Loouisville, Ky.
• CCBE/OAB Conferences Toronto Canada – October 27, 28 

May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR – and you!

 

Do You Remember? This week in history:
Broadcast related items:

• 10 years ago (10/2/16) Vin Scully retired after 67 years in the Dodgers Broadcast Booth.
• 24 years ago (10/2/02) Elvis Presley had the #1 album in 17 countries – 25 years after his death.
• 26 years ago (10/1/00) Australian rockers Midnight Oil stunned the closing ceremony of the 2000 Olympics by playing “Beds Are Burning.” What was on their T-Shirts? * 
• 31 years ago (10/2/95) the FCC dropped the Third Class Radiotelephone licenses. (Replaced with a permit)
• 34 years ago (9/29/92) the first HD radio broadcast from WILL, Urbana, IL.
• 35 years ago (9/28/91) Garth Brooks became the first country artist to debut an album (Ropin’ the Wind) on the Billboard 200 chart.
• 43 years ago (9/29/83) Microsoft released their first software application, Microsoft Word 1.0.
• 43 years ago (10/1/83) Bonnie Tyler was first Welsh singer to have #1 hit in US with “Total Eclipse of the Heart.“
• 44 years ago (10/1/82) the first commercial CD was released in Japan: Billy Joel’s “52nd Street.” **
• 46 years ago (10/11/80) Queen was #1 with “Another One Bites the Dust” for the second of three weeks.
• 49 years ago (10/1/77) Meco hit #1 with the “Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band.” (Actual length: 15 minutes)
• 54 years ago (9/28/72) The Temptations released “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone.” (The single was cut to 6:58 because there is not enough vinyl on a 45 to handle the 11:46 album version.)
• 57 years ago (9/28/69) the Beatles “Hey Jude” began a nine week tour at #1 on the charts.  
• 64 years ago (10/1/62) Johnny Carson made his debut as “Tonight Show” host
• 71 years ago (9/30/55) James Dean was killed in a car accident at age 24.
• 92 years ago (9/30/34) The Mutual Broadcasting System started up with 4 affiliates.

… and 100 years ago (9/29/1926) the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) was incorporated.

And here are some “regular news history” type items:

• 9 years ago (10/1/17) 58 were killed and 869 injured in a mass shooting in Las Vegas.
• 31 years ago (10/3/95) OJ Simpson was acquitted of murder. Do you remember the “Slo-motion Chase?”
• 36 years ago (10/3/90) Germany was officially reunified.
• 44 years ago (9/29/82) Cyanide-laced Tylenol killed six***
• 55 years ago (10/1/71) Walt Disney World opens in Florida.
• 59 years ago (10/2/67 Thurgood Marshall sworn in as first Black Supreme Court justice.
• 65 years ago (10/1/61) Roger Maris broke the home-run record (61, but in 8 more games than Babe Ruth had).
• 69 years ago (10/4/57) Sputnik was launched – the Space Age starts with the world’s first artificial satellite – named after the Russian word for “satellite.”
• 72 years ago (9/30/54) the USS Nautilus – world’s first nuclear submarine – is commissioned
• 85 years ago (9/28/41) Ted Williams became the last Major League player to hit .400 in a season.
• 97 years ago (9/28/1929) Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.
• 99 years ago (9/30/1927) Babe Ruth hit his 60th homer for the season. **** How many games?
• 118 years ago (10/1/1908) production of Ford Model T began.
• 136 years ago (10/1/1890) an act of Congress created Yosemite National Park, the home of such natural wonders as Half Dome.
• 204 years ago (9/27/1822) the Rosetta Stone was first deciphered.

… and for any Brits in the audience, it was 960 years ago (9/28/1066) when William the Conqueror invaded England.

May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR – and you!

 

* “Sorry”

** an expensive listen: the CD sold for $15 (over $50 in 2025 Dollars). The first Sony CD player sold for $732 (some $2,544 in 2025 Dollars)

*** a national panic set in, even though the poisonings were limited to the Chicago area. The culprit was never found, by the way, but did change the way foods and medicines have been packaged ever since – in tamperproof bottles and boxes.

**** The schedule was for only 154 games in those days.

MIDWEEK BONUS

It was 1831 when the US Post Office saw the public was not spelling out all the state names, using their own abbreviations. So, the Post Office issued a list of approved two to four-letter abbreviations. These were updated from time to time until 1963, when new mail processing equipment required standard two-letter abbreviations. This list has been stable, except for one change in 1969 – when Nebraska changed from NB to NE.

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PLEASE INVITE A FRIEND TO JOIN US
We sure hope you are finding the BDR and the Newsletter to be of value to you. If so, there are two things that you can do to ensure the BDR keeps pulsing along:
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PLEASE TELL US WHAT’S WHAT
There are so many areas into which we would like to expand, but it is feedback from you that helps us decided where to go first. Are you interested in a certain piece of gear or technology? Let us know. Even better, would you be willing to do a user report and share your experience?

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We sure do appreciate you spending time with our Newsletter. And even more so when you recommend us to your colleagues and friends.

barry

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Now … some extra stuff .. some important … some just interesting.

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