The Broadcasters' Desktop Resource

... edited by Barry Mishkind - the Eclectic Engineer

This Week’s Newsletter

Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert…

This is BDR Newsletter 796, Volume 16, #16 for November 20, 2024

Here are some things you might want to know about:

FCC NOVEMBER VOTE
Until the new year, the FCC is still operating as it has been, and all five Commissioners plan to vote on the Zonecasting Rulemaking on Thursday (21) during the Open Meeting.

THE “NEW” FCC
There is a lot of speculation on will happen at the FCC with Brendan Carr. Some things have been hinted, but a lot of really wild speculation has erupted from all sides of the Internet – and there are some real crazy folks out there! If you stop and think, some things just cannot be done, legally. Others might happen, if there is enough pressure. For now, remember two things: (1) the FCC will be back to a 2-2 political division until such time as another Commissioner is nominated and approved, and (2) broadcasting is not really the Commission’s only concern. Changes may come, but it will not be instant for most of it.

US EAS
Digital Alert Systems has released Version 5.4 of their DASDEC software, primarily to meet the FCC’s requirement for the new MEP Code – for missing and endangered persons. The update is free to users of versions 5.x, and contains security, AoIP, and some other new and improved features.

FAR NORTH EAS
A number of stations and cell phone users may notice the test today of the Canadian National Public Alerting System. Tests will carry a notice that will identify the test is from the Alert Ready System of one of the Canadian provinces. This is planned for radio, TV, cable, and cell systems in Canada.

TROUBLESHOOTING
Probably the most difficult, if not annoying, task for broadcasters is to find and solve intermittent problems, which can range from inconvenient to signal destruction. At one time, it was record “skipping.” Then we had tape cartridge failure. Today, a computer that freezes, reboots, or gets hacked with ransomware can wreak havoc with the air product. Then, we have the program and RF systems. What do you do – how do you start – when the meter readers go “funny.”

This Thursday we plan to talk about troubleshooting, and some ways to get it done faster and completely fixed as soon as possible. Gary Minker is our planned special guest, but we all can share things we know, ending up with everyone “learning things.”

As usual we get together at 2PM Eastern/11 AM Pacific. Attention: ARIZONA/HAWAII folks: The nation has left daylight saving time, so we will shift a bit. Arizona will be at NOON!

The link is available at www.theBDR.net/TLG/ … and we will again be on youtube live (you can subscribe to thebdrnet channel and get notifications).

This QR code will get you there.

BTW: if you subscribe, you can get an alert when videos start!BTW: if you subscribe, you can get an alert when videos start!

AND DO NOT FORGET THE FLYING TURKEYS
Yes it is the anniversary of the famous WKRP episode. Can you finish this sentence “As the Lord is my witness …. “? The BDR Lunch Gathering will again celebrate it during our Thanksgiving Day program in several ways, including giving away a DVD set of WKRP’s first season, including the Turkey Day show.


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


ERROR NOTE.
Last week we said WFAS (AM), a station shutting down from digital operations, was in White Plains, KY. This was a bad typo – White Plains is in New York (NY) State.

EEO DEADLINE
A reminder: if your station meets the 5+ personnel line, December 1st is the deadline for uploading your EEO reports.

AUTOMATION TIPS
Last week Adam Robinson laid out a good program for stations using automation, in order to get the best from the system, and avoid some common traps. The video is now posted and you can see it list on www.theBDR.net/TLG/

OVERTIME RULES BLOCKED
The recent NLRB regulations determining who must be paid overtime, which parses duties and salary level, was just blocked by a Texas judge. Scott Flick discusses what this means.

40 YEARS SINCE VOA BETHANY CLOSED
A museum is on site, where you can see the history and equipment heard around the world as the Voice of America.

WHICH TIME ZONE IS THAT?
Still reeling from the end of DST for this year? In the early 1800s, it was a lot worse. Until the railroads got together to put four time zones in the US, for example, there were at least 144 time zones in North America. In addition to making it easier for passengers to know when to board and not miss their train, it also reduced dangers of trains actually colliding.

FOR SALE
We have recently listed a Nicom FM-1000, some RDL amplifiers, and a full-sized remote van. Take a look, it might be just what you need! Check out the BDR BuySell page here.
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR – and you!

 

Some recent articles of interest:

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

     
    MANUFACTURERS’ NEWS

    Digital Alert Systems release of V5.4 for the DASDEC is available. It implements the MEP code and some other features. It is free to all Version 5.x users.

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    Sennheiser     is featuring their new Spectera bidirectional wideband wireless system. Featuring up to 64 channels (32 in/ 32 out) in a single unit, Spectera provides unparalleled capability and flexibility.

    LinkDesk software is a desktop application and centralized user interface for Spectera.

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    Broadcast Depot is featuring the AVRA 2.0 video production system using AI. For more information.

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    B E/Elenos has ordered a custom run of power supplies that had been officially discontinued and now has them ready for shipping immediately. This will provides support for several transmitter models to continue:

    • 540-0016-010 used in FM10S/20S/FMi703 and
    • 540-0016-002 used in T-Series (IPA Modules), C-Series, STX-LP Gen1

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    Inovonics is now shipping their 4th generation FM modulation monitor, the Model 541. The large touch-screen display give capability to go from setup to o’scope and FFT spectrum analysis. Additional features include regulatory compliance and remote monitoring of settings and levels.

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

     


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

    • 29 years ago (11/23/93) the FCC “solved” the AM Stereo issue by choosing the C-Quam system.
    • 44 years ago (11/21/80) 76% of TV viewers tuned in to find out “who shot J.R.”
    • 49 years ago (11/22/75) KC and the Sunshine Band hit #1 with “That’s the way (I like it).”
    • 56 years ago (11/23/68) the Beatles hit “Hey Jude” was coming to the end of nine weeks at #1 – and the Beatles were getting ready to split.
    • 56 years ago (11/17/68) TV viewers become outraged as a football game was cut off to air “Heidi” *
    • 59 years ago (11/23/63) Dr. Who first arrived on Earth from Gallifrey. (Who? (no pun) would have thought he’d become a she?)
    • 66 years ago (11/17/58) The Kingston Trio’s “Tom Dooley“ hit #1, starting the folk music revolution.
    • 70 years ago (11/19/54) The Regency TR-1 became the first mass-market transistor radio.
    • 118 years ago (11/22/1906) the Morse Code “SOS” was adopted as the international distress signal.

    … and 147 years ago (11/21/1877) Edison announced his invented the phonograph.
     
    And here are some “regular news history” type items:

    • 21 years ago (11/19/03) “The Terminator,” Arnold  Schwarzenegger became “The Governator” of California.
    • 26 years ago (11/20/98) The US space shuttle Endeavor connected the US-built Unity node to the Russian-built Zarya module, marking the beginning of the International Space Station era. 
    • 34 years ago (11/22/90) British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced her resignation after 11 years as Prime Minister.
    • 36 years ago (11/23/88) Hockey great Wayne Gretzky scored his 600th goal.
    • 39 years ago (11/20/85) Microsoft Windows 1.0 released to the public.
    • 46 years ago (11/18/78) Peoples Temple founder Jim Jones literally made is followers drink the Koolade, and let 918 of his followers die in a mass murder-suicide at Jonestown.
    • 61 years ago (11/22/63) John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
    • 79 years ago (11/20/45 Twenty-four high-ranking Nazis went on trial at an international tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany, for atrocities committed during World War II.
    • 88 years ago (11/23/36) Life Magazine was first published.
    • 155 years ago (11/19/1869) the Suez Canal opens .. cutting the distance from Europe to the East.

    … and 161 years ago (11/19/1863) Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address.
    May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR – and you!

     
    * the Oakland Raiders scored two touchdowns in nine seconds to beat the New York Jets and no one saw it, because someone at NBC decided the game was over and it was time to start the movie Heidi instead. The Raiders took the lead, 32-36.

    MIDWEEK BONUS

    Where do old ocean liners go to retire? Can you guess? 

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          barry

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