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The Broadcasters' Desktop Resource ... edited by Barry Mishkind 

Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert...
This is the BDR Newsletter Volume 14, #6 for September 7, 2022

Here are some things you might want to know about:

NO NPT, BUT YOUR PHONE WILL KNOW
While the FCC and the FEMA have cancelled the EAS NPT this year, there is to be a local test of the WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) system on September 12 or 13th. None of this affects broadcasters, but listeners may have their cell phones alert them.

FCC READY TO COLLECT REGULATORY FEES
The FCC has decided upon the fees broadcasters must pay by October 1st. They did reduce the increase in fees it is charging broadcasters for the next year. Amounts due on October 1st will be about 8% higher than last year, less than the 13% initially proposed. They range from $655 for a class C AM in a small market to $22,390 for a FM B, C, C0, C1 and C2 in markets over 6 million. All payments are due through the CORES2 web system. Stations that have not done so, need to open a new account on CORES2.

AND IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 5 EMPLOYEES
Another 150 stations were notified they must prepare and submit information on 2022's second EEO Random Audit. More fun than should be allowed.

TEST GEAR THAT WILL NOT BREAK THE BUDGET
It used be that station engineers had to do with minimal test gear, often a DVM and/or an older Heathkit or B&K scope, unless they had a good friend at a TV station, who might lend a spectrum analyzer for a day to find a problem.
Getting the station manager to authorize spending $7,000 to 15,000 or so for test gear just was not going to happen.

Today, between software driven oscilloscopes (not entirely unlike what you have in a Nautel transmitter) and low cost digital products, you can have test gear at some stunningly low costs... and they do work accurately.

This week, with help from Danny Boyer, we will show you some really good products that you may want to go get right away! Let your friends know about this .. and, hey, if you have a good "find" or idea, please share - let us know what you found...

Same time, same place: 2 PM Eastern/11 AM Pacific ... zoom and youtube video.  Get the link invitation at www.theBDR.net/TLG/ or respond to this email. We hope to see you on Thursday!

SPECS HOWARD PASSES AWAY
There were a lot of "broadcast schools," especially in the 60s and 70s, to take advantage of the GI Bill, etc. Some were "Six Week Wonder" classes to pass the First Phone test. Others were basic classes on writing and reading news, etc. While not known everywhere, the Specs Howard School of Broadcasting was, in fact, the real thing, producing some 15,000 alums over the years, including some major talent. Specs Howard's mission was to help others improve their lives. He was 96.

BLUETOOTH MORE POPULAR THAN FM?
FM is still important. But Fred Jacobs noted a recent survey that car buyers want Bluetooth more than FM as a "must have." The fight for the dashboard continues.

NOW HERE IS A DEAL
Have you seen today's deals? Dana Puopolo lists some great deals each day that you will not want to miss.

FOR SALE
Yes, there are some great deals on the Buy/Sell page. Check them out here.

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May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you!
[] 
https://sennheiser.com/ew-dx
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Some recent articles of interest:

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May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you!
[] 
https://www.nautel.com/
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MANUFACTURERS' NEWS

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Sennheiser is set to release some new products at IBC, expanding the Evolution Wireless Digital family of radio microphones. Named EW-DX, the new microphone systems will simplify professional workflows by utilizing refined technologies to deliver a digital UHF system that can be scaled with ease. Additionally, Sennheiser will announce a the AMBEO spacial audio renderer, and a collaboration with Dear Reality and Neumann to integrate their products.

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Nautel brings to IBC the new VX series, as well as a display of new DAB and DRM digital items together with solutions from Digidia, including multiplexers, content servers/modulators, and FM synchronizing options.

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Inovonics has set September as FM Monitoring Month, with special pricing on their 531N modulation monitors.

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The Lawo diamond console, recently announced, will be shown publicly at IBC in Amsterdam, September 9-12. This Next Generation IoIP mixing surface has all sorts of configurations, workflow layouts, touchscreen, and more.

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Transmitter efficiency is one of the key features of the new GatesAir Flexiva GX Series. Touting its power-to-size ratio, GatesAir has power levels to 10 kW in 5RU with overall 76% efficiency, matching some of the best in the industry.

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WorldCast also has a new generation of their Ecreso FM transmitters. The first model to hit the market, the new Ecreso FM 1kW from the AiO Series is another that will launch at the IBC Show next week.

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There are also more news items from manufacturers (and links) at: www.thebdr.net/manufacturers-news and https://www.thebdr.net/quick-takes/

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May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you!
[] 
https://linkupcommunications.com/
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Do You Remember? This week in history:
Broadcast related items:

and here are a couple of more newsy-type items:  

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May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you!
[] 
https://www.groundlinx.com/
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* Sam Wilson was the model for Uncle Sam.

** It was The United Colonies.

WEEKEND BONUS

Zoning is always a contentious issue. But when you build in the wrong place, forgiveness is not always available.

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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?

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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.

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
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