Barry Mishkind

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 842, Volume 17, #9 for October 1, 2025

YES, WE HAVE NO GOVERNMENT (Well … parts of it)
The impasse between the political parties did indeed shut down large parts of the government this morning. In general, those deemed “essential services” will continue, while non-essential services are paused. Of course, if someone is inconvenienced the designation of non-essential would be debatable. Reports that essential workers have to work without pay is not correct; they will be paid in full once the government returns to “normal.”

THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN EFFECT ON FCC
Something like 1200 FCC staffers are being furloughed; Broadcasters are mostly impacted in several ways:
1. the LMS and OPIF are unavailable until normal operations resume.
2. All filing deadline during the shutdown are extended until the day after operations resume.

More specific information is here.

A BLESSING OR A CURSE?
Not just the government shutdown. According to stats, 98% of the population owns a cell phone. (There is likely some “slop” there for folks with two or three, balancing those who do not have cell phones). Is having a cell phone a blessing or a curse? For some, the convenience and connectivity is essential; for others trying not to be addicted to social media, it is an annoying device watching and feeding ads, often at inconvenient times.

Thinking about those ubiquitous “appendages” we are going to have a chat with our friend Jeff Welton this week. During the discussion, we will talk about what benefits our phones bring us – what are our favorite job related apps, what are the gotchas, what are the things to watch out for.” Why does Jeff still have an iPhone 11? Join us and hear Jeff’s opinions, and share yours.


As usual, we meet at 2 PM Eastern (11 AM Pacific) on Thursday. Link requests are easily found at www.theBDR.net/TLG/ Our videos are also shown on the youtube.com/thebdrnet channel.

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


MORE CONSOLIDATION IN VIEW
The FCC voted 3-0 just before the shutdown to issue an NPRM on television and radio ownership rules. In consideration of the changes in the “broader media marketplace” caused by streaming and social media, the Commission may permit further consolidation.

At the same time, some analysts are suggesting some TV companies might benefit from withdrawing from the OTA (Over The Air) mode of broadcast and take content to streaming applications where the FCC does not have authority. This could have affect on the pressure to sundown ATSC 1.0 transmissions.

MEP? 
Is your state/local area now using the EAS, MEP code? Even if not, in many places it is expected to be in place. The Texas Association of Broadcasters did a nice discussion on MEP, as well as Form One, due on Friday.  the day after FCC operations resume.

CPB STAFF THINS OUT
Yesterday, something like 70% of CPB staff was let go. Its impact upon PBS and NPR stations continues to be a source of interest and anxiety in the non-com world. Several smaller NPR stations have already indicated they soon will be silent, unless their local community steps up in a big way. And, the New Jersey PBS network is planning to possibly close as well.

NYPR HELPING OTHERS
With all the hassles now and coming regarding the CPB Fund rescission, it is nice to see that some that have more are trying to help those with less. New York Public Radio was reported to offer their distribution portfolio without charge to many of the stations that lost significant funds.

IT IS GOING TO HURT
Reports from all over indicate there are some PBS and NPR stations that are really worried about survival – a few already planning to shut down. Some other stations are offering help, in terms of equipment and assistance. If you can help, a good first step might be to contact your state broadcast association. They should have a handle on status in the field.

FOR-A AMERICA HELPS PBS STATION
Reaching out to the Tim Russert Department of Communication at John Carroll University, video manufacturer FOR-A America has announced the gift of virtually an entire production studio.

AOL ENDS DIAL-UP SERVICE
AOL has ended its dial-up service. When the company (then called America Online) launched dial-up in 1989, it was among the first to use modems to connect computers over phone lines.

VENMO = PAYPAL
Soon, users will be able to transfer money back and forth from Venmo to Paypal platforms. (Yes, Paypal owns Venmo)
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

                    FOR-A AMERICA HELPS PBS STATION
                    Amidst the hassles after the CPB Fund rescissions, FOR-A America has announced a collaborative initiative in its desire to support education and help develop next-generation professionals. In partnership with the Tim Russert Department of Communication at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, FOR-A America is providing virtually an entire production studio, including an HVS-1200 video switcher, FA-9600 signal processor, and MV-1640IP multi viewer. FOR-A America President and COO Satoshi Kanemura said it is a reflection of the company’s desire to support education and help develop next-generation professionals with “the opportunity to learning with the very systems that drive the broadcast industry.”

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                    Jampro Antennas                     announces the addition of Ted Nahil their domestic sales team for Radio and TV products.

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                    Manufacturers’ Displays

                    The fall conventions continue, with a chance to see a lot of gear in person

                    • Kansas Association of Broadcasters Convention, Oct. 6, Manhattan, KS.
                    • AntennaFest 2025 “Shared Signals” … Oct. 7, Arlington, VA.
                    • NAB Show New York, Oct. 22/23, Javits Center, New York City
                    • College Broadcasters Inc. CBI National Student Media Convention, Oct. 22/25, Denver, CO.
                    • Audio Engineering Society Show 2025, Oct. 23/25, Long Beach, CA.

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

                     

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

                            • 9 years ago (10/2/16) Vin Scully retired after 67 years in the Dodgers Broadcast Booth.
                            • 23 years ago (10/2/02) Elvis Presley had the #1 album in 17 countries – 25 years after his death.
                            • 25 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? * 
                            • 30 years ago (10/2/95) the FCC dropped the Third Class Radiotelephone licenses. (Replaced with a permit)
                            • 33 years ago (9/29/92) the first HD radio broadcast from WILL, Urbana, IL.
                            • 34 years ago (9/28/91) Garth Brooks became the first country artist to debut an album (Ropin’ the Wind) on the Billboard 200 chart.
                            • 34 years ago (10/4/91) “Good Vibrations” became a #1 hit – for Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.
                            • 37 years ago (10/4/88) TV preacher Jim Bakker was indicted on Federal Charges.
                            • 39 years ago (10/4/86) Dan Rather was hit from behind by a man repeating a phase. ***
                            • 42 years ago (9/29/83) Microsoft released their first software application, Microsoft Word 1.0.
                            • 42 years ago (10/1/83) Bonnie Tyler was first Welsh singer to have #1 hit in US with “Total Eclipse of the Heart.“
                            • 43 years ago (10/1/82) the first commercial CD was released in Japan: Billy Joel’s “52nd Street.”
                            • 45 years ago (10/11/80) Queen was #1 with “Another One Bites the Dust” for the second of three weeks.
                            • 48 years ago (10/1/77) Meco hit #1 with the “Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band.” (Actual length: 15 minutes)
                            • 53 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.)
                            • 55 years ago (10/4/70) Janis Joplin died of a drug (heroin) overdose, three days after recording “Mercedes Benz” a capella. ****
                            • 56 years ago (9/28/69) the Beatles “Hey Jude” began a nine week tour at #1 on the charts.  
                            • 63 years ago (10/1/62) Johnny Carson made his debut as “Tonight Show” host
                            • 70 years ago (9/30/55) James Dean was killed in a car accident at age 24.
                            • 91 years ago (9/30/34) The Mutual Broadcasting System started up with 4 affiliates.

                            … and 99 years ago (9/29/1926) the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) was incorporated.

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

                            • 8 years ago (10/1/17) 58 were killed and 869 injured in a mass shooting in Las Vegas.
                            • 30 years ago (10/3/95) OJ Simpson was acquitted of murder. Do you remember the “Slo-motion Chase?”
                            • 35 years ago (10/3/90) Germany was officially reunified.
                            • 43 years ago (9/29/82) Cyanide-laced Tylenol killed six*****
                            • 54 years ago (10/1/71) Walt Disney World opens in Florida.
                            • 58 years ago (10/2/67 Thurgood Marshall sworn in as first Black Supreme Court justice.
                            • 64 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.”
                            • 71 years ago (9/30/54) the USS Nautilus – world’s first nuclear submarine – is commissioned
                            • 84 years ago (9/28/41) Ted Williams became the last Major League player to hit .400 in a season.
                            • 96 years ago (9/28/1929) Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.
                            • 98 years ago (9/30/1927) Babe Ruth hit his 60th homer for the season. ****** How many games?
                            • 117 years ago (10/1/1908) production of Ford Model T began.
                            • 135 years ago (10/1/1890) an act of Congress created Yosemite National Park, the home of such natural wonders as Half Dome.

                            … and for any Brits in the audience, it was 959 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)

                            *** “Kenneth, what is the frequency?”

                            **** Joplin was just 27.

                            ***** 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

                            A CENTURY OF TV

                            100 years of television. It has been a full century since John Logie Baird’s first experimental television transmission in his laboratory on 2 October 1925. Baird successfully transmitted the first television picture – the head of a ventriloquist’s dummy nicknamed “Stooky Bill.” The 32-line vertically scanned image, at 5fps then featured an office worker televised in full grey tones. Baird went on to be the first to demonstrate color television and other inventions.

                            BEING BUSY

                            One thing about radio folks, they are never without something to do. And, actually, that might be good for longevity. Being organized/active/alert are qualities that lead to longer live, according to a study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research (that’s a mouthful!).

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                                  PLEASE INVITE A FRIEND
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                                  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

                                  – – –

                                  Yes … you might have seen it before, but we should do this: some extra stuff .. some important … some just interesting.

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