Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert…
This is BDR Newsletter 892, Volume 18, #7 for September 16, 2026

NO SHOCK HERE: THE AM RADIO IN EVERY VEHICLE ACT PASSES THE HOUSE
Tell the truth. You were not surprise to learn the AM in Every Vehicle Act – HR 979 – passed the House by a voice vote.  With some 318 co-sponsors, it was more of a mechanical process to put the agenda. The Senate now has until October 4th to pass SB 315, and get the Act before President Trump, who has already said he is in favor. The really big question is how the auto industry will react. There are some good and some bad possibilities.

ABOUT THAT FCC EAS ORDER
It seems impossible, but there are a number of stations that do not yet know about the FCC Order, effective on September 29th, that mandates better firewalls, updated software, and, importantly, at least 15 character (with no words) EAS passwords. The BDR alerted all 50 state broadcast associations, noting the articles and information posted including the FREE password generator app – completely free, not even requiring registration for data collection, we just want to help! NASBA, the association of broadcast associations included the information in their recent EAS seminar.

Unfortunately, only 45 states acknowledged the information. Therefore, given the short fuse time, may we please encourage you to help your fellow broadcasters by checking in and mentioning the matter and the free password generator to them.

One more thing: We did two videos, one to explain how to meet the Commission’s requirements, and another to help understand the Comments being made on the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM), which may bring further changes to EAS operations. Do you have something you want the Commission to consider? You can review the 150 or so filed comments in PS Docket 25-224. The deadline for reply comments on the FNPRM is Sept. 29.

THE BEST WAY TO LIGHT A TOWER
A recent NoV from the FCC notes that a tower owner in Texas has had their top beacon, etc not been operating for over a year, despite several contacts from the Field Office. Maintaining the tower lighting systems in accord with Rules is very important. But, as some systems age, stations consider how to best maintain their obligation. Should they change off to LED lighting? How do the costs compare? Mike Slater from Slatercom will be our guest this week. Join us and learn things about tower lighting. If you have questions, Mike is the guy to provide an answer. 

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.

And, one more thing, we do have a Tuesday Reminder list, if you wish to be reminded of each week’s program. Just reply to this email and ask!  

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

 

ANOTHER TIMING ISSUE
We are just eight days away from the September 24th deadline to file and pay the 2025 Regulatory Fees via the CORES page on the FCC site. Do not get caught in server congestion, as we head to Thursday, next week. This is another one that should not wait – just get it done!

FILLING THE SEAT?
According to Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the panel will hold a hearing on Thursday, September 17th regarding on Danielle Thumann Severs’ appointment to the Federal Communications Commission.

FILLING THE AIR
SiriusXM has announced the operational deployment of SXM-11, the most powerful satellite in its cluster. It is the 15th satellite launched for the company, replacing XM-5, and is expected to improve coverage.

FILLING THE SPECTRUM
The FCC has announced a vote coming up during the September 30th Open Meeting. The goal is to, as the FCC says “unlock more spectrum.” Both satellite and unlicensed wideband technology frequencies are the focus.

ANOTHER REASON TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE TRANSMITTER SITE
Have you checked the price of copper lately? There is a record high of about $6.80 a point. After getting it to your tower company, it is even more. The point? Keep an eye on your ground systems, and watch out for vandals that will rip you copper out to make a few bucks for drugs. Even a simple video camera is better than no security at all!

WINDOWS PATCH RECORD
The news has been full lately about how AI is changing things. It is true: AI attacks on servers and web sites are getting more and more effective, as the AI systems just sit and churn and seek to break into sites. Software companies are struggling to keep up. The most recent Windows Patch Tuesday fixed – are you ready? – a record 974 security vulnerabilities, including 100 rated critical and two also exploited (past Zero Day). Even with the FCC’s Order, this is a good reason to ensure your software is as strong as it can be.

BTW … Google has released an emergency Chrome update to fix an already exploited flaw there.

WANTED AND FOR SALE
Someone needs some NV15 modules. Also, some nice HP audio test instruments are available. Check them and other items out on the BDR ForSale page.

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

 

Here are some of the more recent items of interest:

• A Custom FCC EAS Compliance Blueprint
• A Complete Station Audit is Important – Barry Mishkind
• Join the Lunch Gathering – Thursday 2 PM Eastern
• Enforcement Watch – No NPT Forms for 3 Year = $27k / NoV for 475% over power
• 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
• C-Band Passes Away From Broadcast – Danny Ray Boyer
• Silicon Carbide Comes to AM Broadcasting – Tim Hardy
• FCC Cybersecurity Order & NPRM – Barry Mishkind

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

 
MANUFACTURERS’ NEWS

Bob Tarsio of Broadcast Devices Inc, (BDI) has alerted us that as of current shipping of all BDI web enabled products they are compliant with the new ruling regarding password length. BDI products now support up to 16 characters for password entry. For older gear, contact BDI for update information.

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Lawo was at IBC 2026 last week, demonstrating how software-based production has become operational reality, using Edge One, the latest software releases for the mc2 production console family and Power Core, to show off a live implementation of Lawo’s Dynamic Media Facility (DMF) approach. Broadcasters can use Edge One to increase operational agility, maximize infrastructure utilization, and adapt resources dynamically to changing production demands. …

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The Telos Alliance was also at IBC, with new and newer gear. Taking center stage, the  Omnia XII FM/HD/DAB with Frank Foti’s new “Clemenza” clipper that actually helps extend time spent listing by preventing artifacts that cause listener fatigue. Also on show was the new Axia Pulsar AoIP mixing surface, and AudioTools Server v7, with new A.I./machine-learning modules, including Language Detection, Dialog Intelligibility, and a powerful new tool: AudioTools Source Separation by AudioShake which can extract dialogue, music, and effects from finished program audio to work with existing material when original multitracks are not available.


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Fall Conventions continue:

• UNDERWAY!: Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic at Madison, WI – September 15-17
• This weekend: Georgia Association of Broadcasters’ – Atlanta – September 19, 20
• Next Week: Midwest Broadcast & Multimedia Technology Conference – Columbus, OH – September 24-26
• WABE Media & Entertainment Technology Conference – Calgary Canada – September 29 – October 1
• Kansas Association of Broadcasters 75th Convention at the Witchita KS Marriott – October 19th
• 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:

• 12 years ago (9/13/04) Oprah gave away 300 new cars to the studio audience. 
• 19 years ago (9/14/07) the FCC allowed AM IBOC operation at night (MM Docket 99-325)
• 29 years ago (9/19/97) Auto-Tune pitch-correction software was released.
• 31 years ago (9/17/95) BBC began Eureka-147 DAB broadcasts.
• 39 years ago (9/19/87) The Grateful Dead had their only Top 10 hit. *
• 42 years ago (9/16/84) Miami Vice premiered, featuring Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight.“
• 48 years ago (9/18/78) WKRP in Cincinnati debuted on CBS.
• 52 years ago (9/14/74) Eric Clapton’s version of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” hit #1.
• 56 years ago (9/18/70) Jimi Hendrix died of a drug overdose.
• 57 years ago (9/19/69) saw a #1 hit by a cartoon group. **
• 59 years ago (9/16/67) The Who blew up the stage on the Smothers Brothers Show.
• 61 years ago (9/15/65) Ford began offering 8-track tape players. Which model? ***
• 64 years ago (9/15/62) The Four Seasons earned their first #1 hit with “Sherry”
• 66 years ago (9/19/60) Chubby Checker hit #1 with his cover of “The Twist.” ****

… and 71 years ago (9/14/55) Little Richard recorded “Tutti Frutti”  (… oh Rudy)

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

• 5 years ago (9/15/21) the first orbiting civilian space ship (Spacex Dragon) flew three days with four people.
• 25 years ago (9/11/01) the terrorist attack brought down the World Trade Center.
• 33 years ago (9/13/93) the Israel-Palestine peace accord was signed.
• 67 years ago (9/19/59) Nikita Khrushchev was barred from visiting Disneyland and was mocked in LA.
• 69 years ago (9/19/57) the United States detonated a 1.7 kiloton nuclear weapon in an underground tunnel 65 miles from Las Vegas.
• 69 years ago (9/15/57) Ford introduced the 8-track tape for automobiles.
• 73 years ago (9/14/53) Nikita Khruschev was elected leader of the Soviet Union and banging shoe band.
• 92 years ago (9/15/34) the Mutual Broadcast System was formed.
• 94 years ago (9/16/32) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi began his hunger strike.
• 105 years ago (9/15/1921) WBZ, Springfield, MA received the first “broadcast” license from the DoC (no, WBZ was not the first broadcaster, this was just a bureaucratic action.)
• 118 years ago (9/16/1908) William Durant created General Motors.
• 125 years ago (9/14/1901) President William McKinley died from a gunshot. The new President was *****
• 145 years ago (9/19/1881) James Garfield was assassinated. The New Pres? ******
• 168 years ago (9/15/1858) The first transcontinental mail service to San Francisco begins.

… and 406 years ago (9/16/1620) the Mayflower departed England.

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

 

* “Touch of Grey” peaked at #10. No other Grateful Dead song got as high.

** “Sugar Sugar” by The Archies was #1 for four weeks!

*** the 8-tracks were available in the Mustang.

**** Checker managed to top the charts with this song again in 1962. (The original, by Hank Ballard & The Midnighters only reached  #28.)

***** Teddy Roosevelt.

****** Chester Arthur became the US President.

MIDWEEK BONUS

According to one count, Chris Stapleton’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey‘ is the best-selling country record of all time, having sold over 20 million units in the US – and making it the third single to be certified “double diamond.”

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Have you ever been reluctant to “set up an account and use your password” just to buy something at an on-line “shop?” According to HostingAdvice data, 51% of Americans abandoned an online purchase due to password issues. Over a third experienced this issue in the past year, illustrating the ongoing impact of password-related hurdles on e-commerce sales. 

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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:
        1. Invite a colleague or a friend to sign up for the Newsletter. Since it is only one-time-a-week, you will not be accused of flooding their in-boxes!
        2. Anytime you deal with one of our sponsors, letting them know the BDR is important to you will make them happy – and ready to keep on supporting the BDR.

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.

MORE DETAIL HERE – YOU HAVE PROBABLY READ THIS BEFORE…
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