Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert…
This is BDR Newsletter 883, Volume 17, #51 for July 22, 2026

REMINDER: CHECK YOUR FILTERS

While it is always important to maintain a regular schedule to keep clean air filters feeding your stations, the  recent fires in Canada have put a lot of debris in the air, and the air filters will likely show it, especially if you are in the Northeast. But, do not take this reminder only for the transmitter and AC units – check you car air filters and home systems as well.

THE SECRET TO THE NEW BE 5 kW TRANSMITTER
It is almost hard to believe a 5 kW transmitter in 5 rack spaces and 65 pounds. But the new AMX series from Broadcast Electronics has done it, using some new components. Tim Hardy explains how it was done.

WHEN THE SOLID SIGNAL IS NOT SO SOLID
Every station is always looking to improve their signal as much as possible to make the listener enjoy the programming. But, AM signals can fade, due to a combination of signal scattering and diffraction loss over obstacles. Recent measurements made by John Kean show how even 50 kW powerhouses can suddenly disappear while driving through a city.

Reporting on his findings, John makes that case that knowing where signal problems exist can help engineers develop ways to mitigate some or all of the losses.

Our 329th 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.

… and … there is a Tuesday Reminder list, if you would like a reminder of the topic for the week.

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

 

CAN YOU SHARE?

Do you know someone who would enjoy this newsletter? Please, forward it along: https://www.thebdr.net/this-week/

DEALING WITH THE FCC CYBERSECURITY ORDER
The order will be posted soon in the Federal Register, and then stations have 60 days to come into compliance with the FCC’s new Order for protecting station equipment from hackers. If you need to know the high points, click here. If you are already working to get things in order, but could use a FREE Password Generator, click here.

TV OWNERSHIP CAP DUE FOR ADJUSTMENT
The Rules currently limit TV owners to 39% of US TV households. The NAB has been pushing the FCC to use waivers to permit lifting the cap when it would allow owners the ability to contend with digital and streaming platforms that have changed the viewing habits of Americans. The Commission now intends to vote to do so to, as they say, foster a more competitive media marketplace and promote localism for news and information.

RADIO OWNERSHIP CAP CHANGE PITCHED
It is not just TV ownership, but there are increasing efforts to adjust or delete the ownership rules for radio (last changed in 1996, aside from some cross ownership tweaks with TV or newspapers). Most recently several groups have approached the Media Bureau to press the FCC to address changes in media usage and competition from digital sources that they say are hurting efforts to keep local radio viable. Expect more discussion on this issue.

SOMETHING UNEXPECTED FROM THE HEAT DOME
During the past couple of weeks, as the huge heat dome has wandered through the country, there have been reports where warning sirens have gone off, sometime in the middle of the night, when there was nothing dangerous locally. The answer was that the heat done has caused ducting and the radio signals to set off the alarms sometimes travel hundreds of miles to another location that happens to use the same triggering signals!

NEW TECHNOLOGIES WANT TO REPLACE CURRENT ONES
The NAB and lobbyists are pushing the FCC to sunset ATSC 1.0 broadcasts and get ATSC 3.0 systems rolling – more than just “lighthouse stations” in various markets. The current thinking is that a decision may come yet this year. In anticipation, the body responsible for the new digital broadcast signal enabling NEXTGEN – the Broadcast Standards Association ATSC) – says it has completed “a major revision” of its A/85 Recommended Practice: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television

Meanwhile, On the other hand, while many other countries have embraced it, DRM has not made any inroads in the US. Some feel this is bad, and would be another help for AM trying to be heard clearly throughout the market. The DRM News Page is here, including the latest newsletter. It is nteresting reading.

HAVE YOU DONE YOUR 2026 NRSC?
As the year starts to end, remember: every AM station needs to do an NRSC measurement within 14 months. Not just to comply with the Rules, but it is a great way to ensure your transmitter is operating properly and not, for example, having any key components in the process of failing. Looking for someone to do the job? Check these folks out.

NCE FM TRANSLATOR APPLICATIONS
If you have a desire to add a translator to a non-commercial station, the date is has been for applications to be filed in November. The various Consulting Engineers are likely to get busy, the closer we get to November. If you are thinking of filing, check with these folks.

FOR SALE
New this week is a Shively 4-Bay antenna *and* 150+ feet of coax.  Check this and other deals out here on 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:

• Silicon Carbide Comes to AM Broadcasting – Tim Hardy
• A Free Tool for the New FCC EAS Password Rule – and More! – Ken Fine
• Join the Lunch Gathering – Thursday 2 PM Eastern
• Enforcement Watch – $50k for translator violations
• FCC Cybersecurity Order & NPRM – Barry Mishkind
• That FCC Fine is How Much? – Barry Mishkind
• IT Security for Broadcast Gear – Kirk Harnack
• Building A Maintenance Checklist – Barry Mishkind
• The Rise and Fall of C -Band – Chip Morgan
• Predicting Maintenance Needs – Rolin Lintag

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

 
MANUFACTURERS’ NEWS

Inovonics is running a $500 rebate deal for each purchase in August of model 551, 552, 541, or 526 modulation monitors. Just buy and register by September 30th with “REBATE” in the “Tell us what you think box.”

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Broadcast Electronics is featuring the ECU+ add-on to their AM series of transmitters. ECU+ features updated front panel with easy-to-read LCD display, HTML5 browser-based GUI for full monitoring and control from anywhere in the world, and more. BE recommends adding MDCL with the ECU+ for power savings.

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Mid-Summer conventions Worth your attention
Great opportunities to check out equipment and services you are considering buying:

• The Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB) is just a couple of weeks away. They always put on a great show. This year, it will again be at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock (Bringing your family? The Water Park beckons!) on August 5th and 6th. The TAB is especially inviting folks from neighboring states this year.  Check it out here: TAB –  August 5 and 6.
• The Nebraska Broadcasters Association – August 13.
• The IBC will mean in Amsterdam, slated for September 11-14 at the RAI.
• The Wisconsin and Minnesota Broadcasters associations combine for the Broadcasters’ Clinic, September 14-16.
• The Western Association of Broadcast Engineers (WABE) has now opened registration for the Vancouver BC gathering October 5-7. The WABE program will include, among other topics, Proactive Broadcast Tower Maintenance and RF Sweeping of Transmission Lines & Antennas
• The NAB Show New York is scheduled for October 21-22.

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

 

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

• 6 years ago (7/25/20) Maren Morris finally dropped from #1 on the Country sales charts after a 19 week run.
• 15 years ago (7/23/11) Amy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning at the age of 27.
• 37 years ago (7/23/89) Ringo Star began his first tour after the Beatles with his All-Star Band.
• 37 years ago (7/21/89) Milli Vanilli ran from the stage when their vocal track suddenly looped. *
• 37 years ago (7/21/89) Weird Al Yankovciks movie “UHF” premiered.
• 44 years ago (7/24/82) “Eye Of The Tiger” from Rocky III tops the U.S. pop charts for the first of six weeks.
• 49 years ago (7/19/77) the first GPS signal was transmitted.
• 61 years ago (7/25/65) Bob Dylan went “electric” and was booed at the Newport Folk Festival.
• 63 years ago (7/20/63) Jan and Dean’s “Surf City” hit #1. It was written by **
• 86 years ago (7/20/40) Billboard’s first industry-wide #1 hit: “I’ll Never Smile Again,” by Tommy Dorsey – with vocalist Frank Sinatra.

… and 129 years ago (7/20/1897) The Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company UK was founded.

How about a few “general history” items as well:

• 26 years ago (7/25/00) the Concorde crashed in Paris, essentially leading to the end of its service in 2003.
• 35 years ago (7/22/91) cannibal and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was caught.
• 48 years ago (7/25/78) the first “Test Tube Baby” was born.
• 52 years ago (7/27/74) impeachment articles against Richard Nixon were approved.
• 57 years ago (7/20/69) Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. ***
• 67 years ago (7/24/59) Nixon debated Khrushschev at a fair in Moscow.
• 77 years ago  (7/27/1949), the worlds first jet-propelled airliner, the British De Havilland Comet, made its maiden test-flight in England.
• 92 years ago (7/22/34) Infamous gangster John Dillinger was killed by a federal agent.
• 93 years ago (7/22/33) Wiley Post flew solo around the world.
• 105 years ago (7/27/1921) Insulin was isolated in Toronto, Canada.
• 115 years ago (7/24/1911) Machu Picchu was discovered.

… and 227 years ago (7/19/1799) the Rosetta Stone was found in Egypt.

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

 

 * Milli Vanilli was not the first, but a famous example of a “group” that did not, in fact, sing on their own records. .

**  Surf City was written by Brian Wilson, who had never gone surfing in his life. Worse, his father hated that he gave a #1 hit single to another group than the Beach Boys.

*** … and people still debate exactly what Armstrong said – and what he meant to say.

MIDWEEK BONUS

A LOT OF STEAM
The world’s largest operating steam locomotive, Big Boy 4014, arrived in Kansas City yesterday as part of a months-long coast-to-coast tour. Big Boy 4014 was one of 25 large locomotives built for Union Pacific in the 1940s. The 1.2-million-pound machine hauled heavy freight through mountain passes during World War II. It was retired in 1961 when diesel engines replaced steam engines. Did you know that Big Boy 4014 requires around 250 gallons of water and 15 gallons of fuel per mile?

AI DOES NOT ALWAYS WIN
Chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen beat ChatGPT – and without losing a single piece!

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PLEASE TELL US WHAT’S WHAT
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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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