The Broadcasters' Desktop Resource
This Week's Newsletter
Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert...
This is the BDR Newsletter Volume 14, #19 for October 5, 2022
Here are some things you might want to know about:
WATER WATER EVERYWHERE
As the hurricane moved up the coast, many communities were flooded. Something like 9 stations are still dark in SW Florida, and engineers all up the way into the Carolinas were fighting to stay on the air or get back on. Who knows when the next hurricane will turn up - and where. You may not be able to make arrangements to stay up of you get water and no electricity. But sometimes planning will help find a way.
Q3 I&P
The Third Quarter Issues and Programs report needs to be filed with the FCC by Oct 10th.
ROI DISCUSSION
How important is ROI (Return on Investment) for you? Whether we are talking about transmitters, antennas, studio gear, etc., how do you determine - and how do you explain - to the boss, when is it time to make changes? Jeff Welton drops in this week to share some of his insights on the matter. We will also invite your comments.
As usual, Thursday is the day. 2 PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific. The link is at www.theBDR.net/TLG/ Invite your friends. Just, please, do not publish the link on the Internet.
EAS CHANGES COMING
The FCC has approved changes that may make alerts more user friendly. Within the next year or so, stations are expecting a software update to "select" IPAWS CAP audio when available over local LP audio. Also, multilingual alerts will be easier to use, and alerts on TV will be better formatted for those with vision or hearing issues.
ROBOCALL MITIGATION
This week, the FCC sent letter to seven local telephone companies warning that if they do not implement ways to cut robocalls and spam texts, these telcos could be removed from the FCC database and have all calls blocked.
NEW TACTIC FOR SCAMMERS
As some companies have sought to overcome ransomware problems, a new variant of action steals files, then corrupts them instead of encrypting them. Attackers then seek to sell back the only copy of the files.
DO YOU REMEMBER?
Does anyone remember the KeyCart? It was a British-made cartridge series. Mostly early 1980s. We are looking for information on the products.
FOR SALE
Perhaps you would like to have a nicely treated ND-50 on hand for emergencies? Check it out now on the Buy/Sell page. Check them out here.
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you! https://linkupcommunications.com/
Some recent articles of interest:
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you! https://sennheiser.com/
MANUFACTURERS' NEWS
Inovonics has declared October Modulation Monitor Month, with special discounts on their monitors.
= = =
Digital Alert Systems is now shipping the DASDEC -III with Version 5.0 software and a series of new features.
= = =
Jampro took the opportunity of the recent hurricanes to note they have and will supply antenna systems to help stations get back on the air after a disaster.
= = =
The International CES is opening registration and hotel options for their convention, the first of 2023.
= = =
There are also more news items from manufacturers (and links) at: www.thebdr.net/manufacturers-news and https://www.thebdr.net/quick-takes/
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you! https://www.nautel.com/
Do You Remember? This week in history:
Broadcast related items:
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you! https://www.kintronic.com/
* "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"
** The previous year was the first time scores from a World Series were broadcast by - 8MK/WWJ, Detroit.
*** The spacecraft was named Sputnik after the Russian word for "satellite."
**** Among the other records he set, Ruth hit three home runs in one game. Reggie Jackson was the only other player to accomplish that - in 1977.
***** the blaze killed between 200 and 300 people, destroyed 17,450 buildings, left 100,000 homeless and caused in estimated $200 million (in 1871 dollars; roughly $4 billion in 2022 dollars) in damages. Legend has it that a cow did it … but it was a bad period for Chicago, with 20 fires the week before this one, alone.
WEEKEND BONUS
If you watched any of the weeklong tribute and funeral for the Queen of England, perhaps you will be interested in the new "cypher" to represent King Charles III. By the way, although all new post boxes in England will have the King Charles cypher, the older ones continue ... with cyphers of Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V and VI .. even Edward III. Those are a lot of boxes!
= = =
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.
(Need to change your address? No problem. Or, what can we do to make the BDR more useful to you? Just reply and send us a note about what you like, or what you think is missing.)
...
JUST ONE MORE THING
Did you know the Newsletter is not an exact copy of the BDR site? We hope you will check out the main page - www.theBDR.net - during the week.
This is the BDR Newsletter Volume 14, #19 for October 5, 2022
Here are some things you might want to know about:
WATER WATER EVERYWHERE
As the hurricane moved up the coast, many communities were flooded. Something like 9 stations are still dark in SW Florida, and engineers all up the way into the Carolinas were fighting to stay on the air or get back on. Who knows when the next hurricane will turn up - and where. You may not be able to make arrangements to stay up of you get water and no electricity. But sometimes planning will help find a way.
Q3 I&P
The Third Quarter Issues and Programs report needs to be filed with the FCC by Oct 10th.
ROI DISCUSSION
How important is ROI (Return on Investment) for you? Whether we are talking about transmitters, antennas, studio gear, etc., how do you determine - and how do you explain - to the boss, when is it time to make changes? Jeff Welton drops in this week to share some of his insights on the matter. We will also invite your comments.
As usual, Thursday is the day. 2 PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific. The link is at www.theBDR.net/TLG/ Invite your friends. Just, please, do not publish the link on the Internet.
EAS CHANGES COMING
The FCC has approved changes that may make alerts more user friendly. Within the next year or so, stations are expecting a software update to "select" IPAWS CAP audio when available over local LP audio. Also, multilingual alerts will be easier to use, and alerts on TV will be better formatted for those with vision or hearing issues.
ROBOCALL MITIGATION
This week, the FCC sent letter to seven local telephone companies warning that if they do not implement ways to cut robocalls and spam texts, these telcos could be removed from the FCC database and have all calls blocked.
NEW TACTIC FOR SCAMMERS
As some companies have sought to overcome ransomware problems, a new variant of action steals files, then corrupts them instead of encrypting them. Attackers then seek to sell back the only copy of the files.
DO YOU REMEMBER?
Does anyone remember the KeyCart? It was a British-made cartridge series. Mostly early 1980s. We are looking for information on the products.
FOR SALE
Perhaps you would like to have a nicely treated ND-50 on hand for emergencies? Check it out now on the Buy/Sell page. Check them out here.
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you! https://linkupcommunications.com/
Some recent articles of interest:
- Join the Lunch Gathering - Thursday 2 PM Eastern
- Better audio for EAS?
- WOAI: 100 Years Serving Southern Texas
- KFBK Makes It to 100
- A Great Phono Cartridge - Dana Puopolo
- Test Gear That Will Not Break The Budget - Barry Mishkind
- Dante Solves the Problem - Rolf Taylor
- Does The FCC Know Where Your Station Is? Do You?
- Feeding Clean Air to Your Transmitter - Jeff Welton
- Dana's Daily Deals - Dana Puopolo
- More newsy items here
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you! https://sennheiser.com/
MANUFACTURERS' NEWS
Inovonics has declared October Modulation Monitor Month, with special discounts on their monitors.
= = =
Digital Alert Systems is now shipping the DASDEC -III with Version 5.0 software and a series of new features.
= = =
Jampro took the opportunity of the recent hurricanes to note they have and will supply antenna systems to help stations get back on the air after a disaster.
= = =
The International CES is opening registration and hotel options for their convention, the first of 2023.
= = =
There are also more news items from manufacturers (and links) at: www.thebdr.net/manufacturers-news and https://www.thebdr.net/quick-takes/
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you! https://www.nautel.com/
Do You Remember? This week in history:
Broadcast related items:
- 18 years ago (10/6/04) Howard Stern announced his move to satellite radio.
- 18 years ago (10/8/04) Ray Charles went Platinum six months after his death with "Genius Loves Company."
- 31 years ago (10/4/91) "Good Vibrations" became a #1 hit - for Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.
- 34 years ago (10/4/88) TV preacher Jim Bakker was indicted on Federal Charges.
- 36 years ago (10/4/86) Dan Rather was hit from behind by a men repeating a phase. *
- 39 years ago (10/4/83) Radio Marti was signed into law by President Reagan.
- 52 years ago (10/4/70) Janis Joplin died of a drug (heroin) overdose.
- 66 years ago (10/6/56) A House Subcommittee convened to investigate rigged TV quiz shows.
- 101 years ago (10/5/1921) the first World Series play-by-play (NY Giants/Yankees) was broadcast by WJZ. **
- This week (10/5/22) Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hits 62nd home run of the season, breaking Roger Maris' 1961 American League record of 61.
- 27 years ago (10/3/95) OJ Simpson was acquitted of murder. Do you remember the "Slo-motion Chase?"
- 32 years ago (10/3/90) Germany was officially reunified.
- 33 years ago (11/9/89) the Berlin Wall started coming down and Germany was reunited after 41 years.
- 41 years ago (10/6/81) Anwar Sadat was assassinated on the anniversary of the Yom Kippur War.
- 49 years ago (10/6/73) Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in the Yom Kippur War – timed for the Jewish "Day of Atonement” holiday.
- 55 years ago (10/2/67) Thurgood Marshall sworn in as first Black Supreme Court justice.
- 65 years ago (10/4/57) Sputnik was launched as the Soviet Union inaugurated the "Space Age." What does Sputnik mean? ***
- 75 years ago (10/5/47) Harry Truman delivered the first-ever presidential speech on TV.
- 86 years ago (10/9/36) Hoover Dam begins transmitting electricity to Los Angeles
- 96 years ago (10/6/1926) Babe Ruth set another World Series record. ****
- 134 years ago (10/9/1888) The Washington Monument was opened to the public.
- 151 years ago (10/8/1871) flames sparked in the Chicago barn of Patrick and Catherine O'Leary, igniting a two-day blaze. *****
May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you! https://www.kintronic.com/
* "Kenneth, what is the frequency?"
** The previous year was the first time scores from a World Series were broadcast by - 8MK/WWJ, Detroit.
*** The spacecraft was named Sputnik after the Russian word for "satellite."
**** Among the other records he set, Ruth hit three home runs in one game. Reggie Jackson was the only other player to accomplish that - in 1977.
***** the blaze killed between 200 and 300 people, destroyed 17,450 buildings, left 100,000 homeless and caused in estimated $200 million (in 1871 dollars; roughly $4 billion in 2022 dollars) in damages. Legend has it that a cow did it … but it was a bad period for Chicago, with 20 fires the week before this one, alone.
WEEKEND BONUS
If you watched any of the weeklong tribute and funeral for the Queen of England, perhaps you will be interested in the new "cypher" to represent King Charles III. By the way, although all new post boxes in England will have the King Charles cypher, the older ones continue ... with cyphers of Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V and VI .. even Edward III. Those are a lot of boxes!
= = =
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.
(Need to change your address? No problem. Or, what can we do to make the BDR more useful to you? Just reply and send us a note about what you like, or what you think is missing.)
...
JUST ONE MORE THING
Did you know the Newsletter is not an exact copy of the BDR site? We hope you will check out the main page - www.theBDR.net - during the week.