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 809, Volume 16, #29 for February 19, 2025

NAB DEVELOPS A BPS
In an age when GPS can become vulnerable to cyberattacks, the NAB has developed the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) as a  complementary but independent system to GPS, Internet, or cellular connectivity. BPS will leverage the ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard to transmit precise timing signals, ensuring resilience during outages or disruptions.

The BPS will be featured at the upcoming NAB Spring Show.

GUIDANCE ON TOWER REGS & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
The NATE (Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association) has published a current information and understanding regarding environmental issues and regulations that may affect job sites. This information may be critical for smaller tower and contractor companies – and for stations to judge the competency of the contractors.

MAXIMIZING RDS/HD SCREENS
Getting the most out or RDS and HD displays is our topic this week – or even getting it to display properly. Rich Redmond, Shane Toven, and Bud Williamson will be with us to discuss their experiences in improving the dashboard experience and answer your questions.

Please join us tomorrow at 2 PM Eastern/ 11 AM Pacific for this interesting discussion. You can also sign up to subscribe to the www.youtube.com/thebdrnet channel. This will allow you to optionally get an alert when videos happen… and help us work toward our goal of 1000 subscribers.

By the way, we do have a reminder note about each week’s program that goes out on Tuesdays. If you wish to be on that list, just let us know. And, if you would, please go to www.youtube.com/thebdrnet channel and subscribe. Not only will you get notice of each video as it is posted, you will help us reach 1000 subscribers.



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


THE “NEW” FCC DIVING RIGHT IN
The FCC under new Chairman Brendan Carr has undertaken to look into a number of issues, although critics suggest there is a political theme with some of them. For example, in response to a directive from the White House, not only has the FCC dropped any DEI initiatives, but is looking at licensed broadcast companies to see if they are still pushing DEI.

Another issue relates to non-com operations, specifically those looking at underwriting and political coverage matters. A Public Notice was release to remind stations that pressing artists for reduced fees for concerts and promotions if they wanted “normal” airplay could be a violation, sometimes called Plugola.

As we work our way to the NAB Spring Show, some of these issues may be made clearer as to what the FCC expects.

WILL AI KILL VOICE ACTORS?
This article explains why Hank Azaria thinks it will not be soon.

THE FOLKS THAT SUPPORT YOU
The BDR is proud to note that we have a nice list of manufacturers and vendors who have proven to be reliable and on whom you can depend upon for good services and fair prices. Please consider them when you need something. Let them know the BDR is valuable to your work.

FOR SALE
We have a whole bunch of items this week – too many to list – from consoles to antennas to antennas, and more. And some folks are looking for coax, parts, and more. Check them out here.

By the way, Dana’s Daily Deals continue to provide some great ideas – and deals. Another good link to know about.
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR – and you!

 

Some recent articles of interest:

More newsy items here

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

       
      MANUFACTURERS’ NEWS

      NAB is approaching fast! …. April 5-9.  The Registration Page is here.

      = = =

      FLOOR PASSES:       Go to NAB.org (the link just above)
              Nautel – Floor Pass code: NS9564
              Broadcast Depot – West Hall Booth: W-1953,  Floor Pass code: NS6722
              Telos Alliance – North Hall Booth: N721
              
      = = =

      Again this year, Nautel will hold another NUG seminar at the Flamingo Hotel on Sunday, April 6th, at 9AM. Reserve a seat here.

      = = =

      WorldCast       Systems unveils APTmpX v2, the latest version of its award-winning MPX transport technology. Now featuring integrated RDS transport, both as synchronized data and a RDS 57 kHz subcarrier, APTmpX v2 delivers unmatched signal fidelity and optimized bandwidth at 300, 400, and 600 kbps.

      = = =

      Here is one to look for at NAB: David Reaves Audio and Aqua Broadcast to Team Up

      = = =

      Comrex has officially released Gagl Solo, a new free version of their Gagl audio contribution subscription service. Gagl Solo offers a subset of Gagl Standard features and is designed for individual contributors to connect to the studio in high-quality audio while using equipment they already own such as laptops or smartphones. Gagl Solo is available free worldwide.

      = = =

      The Telos Alliance has released a V3.2 software update bringing new features to Quasar XR, SR, and Quasar Engine RPS users.

      = = =

      100 years old! Shure celebrates a century of products that have set industry standards and become synonymous with superior quality and reliability for generations of people. Here is a video you might like.

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

       


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

              • 19 years ago (2/17/06) The Rolling Stones played a free concert for 1.5 million people on the beach at Rio de Janeiro.
              • 24 years ago (2/21/01) Johnny Cash got out of a hospital to attend the Grammy Awards where he won Best Male Vocal Country.
              • 38 years ago (2/22/97) the Spice Girls Hit #1 with “Wannabe.”
              • 31 years ago (2/22/94) Prince registered a trademark for the symbol that he used instead of his name.
              • 44 years ago (2/21/81) Dolly Parton had her biggest hit ever: “9 to 5.” It hit on both Country and Pop Charts!
              • 59 years ago (2/17/66) Brian Wilson began recording “Good Vibrations.”  *
              • 87 years ago (2/17/38) Baird Color TV was first demonstrated in public.
              • 109 years ago (2/22/1916) A US Patent was granted to Ernst Alexanderson for a selective tuning system.

              … and 143 years ago (2/19/1878) Thomas Edison got the patent for the phonograph.

              Here are a few other “newsy” items of interest:

              • 22 years ago (2/20/03) pyrotechincs started a fire in The Station, a nightclub in Rhode Island; 100 died.
              • 45 years ago (2/22/80) the US Hockey Team had a “Miracle on Ice.”
              • 53 years ago (2/17/72) The VW Beetle overtook the Ford Model T as the world’s best-selling car.
              • 60 years ago (2/21/65) Malcolm X was assassinated.
              • 63 years ago (2/20/62) John Glenn becomes first American to orbit Earth.
              • 140 years ago (2/21/1885) the Washington Monument was dedicated.

              … and 206 years ago (2/22/1819) The US acquired “Spanish Florida.”


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

                 

                * It took Wilson 7 months to finish this recording.

                MIDWEEK BONUS
                How many pieces of space debris do you think are currently orbiting the earth? Guess again.
                A look at where they are and why.

                      = = =

                      PLEASE INVITE A FRIEND
                      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.

                      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?



                      – – –

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

                      barry

                      – – –

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

                      MORE DETAIL HERE
                      Those you who read the Newsletter might notice that more detail is
                      provided on some timely issues than on the BDR site, itself. That is one
                      reason we encourage you to invite your friends to subscribe. We are Opt-In
                      only… and we give you two promises (OK, four!):
                      (1) no inbox flooding – it is one-time-a-week, and
                      (2) we do not give out anyone’s address.. ever.
                      (3) no cookies are placed on your computer.
                      (4) no Google ads are grafted onto your computer screen.