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Greetings from your broadcast friends out on the Desert...
This is BDR Newsletter 822, Volume 16, #42 for May 21, 2025

Here are some things you might want to know about:

FCC HAS SOME DOGE NEWS
According to the Chairman, the FCC has already cut over half a billion dollars in contract spending, with $6.7 million of it this fiscal year, and over $21 million next year. A large part of it was said to be IT spending, eliminating redundancy and waste. (A number of commenters think bringing IT in-house will be a good thing, as there may be attention actually given to the needs of broadcasters and others.) According to the FCC, reviews of expenses are ongoing. Curiously, one item was: "unnecessary hog trapping services." Efforts to contact the FCC about this have not gotten a response as yet.

ENDING FORM 395-B
In 2024, the Commission mandated, among other things, that broadcasters report annually on workplace "diversity." Now, after a lawsuit from the Texas Association of Broadcasters and the National Religious Broadcasters, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down the rule and its Form 395-B, saying the FCC does not have the authority for such reports. Could the EEO reports be next? As they say: Stay Tuned.

THE PERFECT CLIPPER AND THE STEREO TOOLBOX
Two of the items that created a lot of buzz at the NAB Show 2025 were the Angry Audio Stereo Toolbox and the Thimeo Perfect Declipper. Mike "Catfish" Dosch and Hans Van Zutphen will be on hand to discuss how these products will enhance station production and program audio chains - and answer your questions on how to maximize that benefit.

Join us at 2 PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific on Thursday (May 22) and learn things! Be sure to invite your Program Director and Production folks to be part of our Virtual Lunch Gathering. We will learn things!

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FCC SAYS: LIGHTS OUT IS NOT GOOD, NO CONTACT IS WORSE
The FCC has recently issued Notices of Violation to several stations where the obstruction lighting was not operating. One was for a station whose NOTAM ran out late last year. Unfortunately, when the FCC tried to contact the station to ascertain the situation, the phone number and email in the ASR were incorrect. That did not please the FCC.

MAKING YOU SURE YOU ARE BEING HEARD
It used to be that someone - usually the engineer - was tasked with checking the mod monitor and ensure the station was on the air and "clean." That is still important, just like ensuring EAS tests/alerts are broadcast, but new technology has brought a wider net to check: You may be on the air, but what about that translator? How about the Stream? And, what about Alexa/Google? A recent software update left Google speakers silent for weeks. We should not rely on listeners to tell us we are throwing dead air!

A PIRATE WHO PAYS?
The FCC has issued dozens of fines against pirate stations and/or their landlords. Most never pay, claim bankruptcy, or use another name. This time, the pirate has agreed to pay. Of course, it remains to be seen if it actually happens but a pirate operator in South Florida has agreed to a Consent Decree. 

SPECTRUM AUCTIONS AHEAD
A Bill in the House Energy and Commerce Committee would direct the FCC to auction about 600 MHz of spectrum, presumably to gain $88 Billion for the US Treasury. A similar effort in the Senate would set aside 2500 MHz of spectrum. Strong partisan statements are being passed around as to which frequencies are to be auctions, as well as some plans to use the money for broadband or 911 upgrades.

CABLE CONSOLIDATION
A merger of Cox and Charter - involving something like $34.5 Billion - would create the largest cable TV and broadband Internet company in the country according to the number of subscribers currently held by each. The consolidated company will use Cox as its name.

FOR SALE
Maybe you would like a nice TV transmitter and satellite dish? Take a look at the ForSale listings. They are among the more recent items offered for sale. You might find something you need!

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May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you!     
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https://www.nautel.com/
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Some recent articles of interest:

More newsy items here...

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May we please recommend this fine company which supports the BDR - and you!     
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mailto:[email protected]
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MAUFACTURERS' NEWS

American Amplifier Technologies (AAT) is launching its new Broadcast Transmission Service Plan ­ a fully managed program designed to eliminate downtime, reduce risk, and stabilize costs for broadcasters. This plan will actually assume end-to-end responsibility for transmission system performance - including Complete System Coverage, 24/7 Monitoring via EmPower,  Rapid Field Service Response, Parts and Temporary Systems included  – all to eliminate capital surprises with full coverage at predictable monthly costs. Additional details are here.

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GatesAir has a special deal for Harris Platinum Z owners: They are offering an upgrade to GatesAir Flexiva transmitters with special pricing. Users may find they achieve great energy efficiency improvements with the Flexiva line. For more information, go here.

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BE also has a special deal, right now, on refurbished FXi-250 exciters. For under $3,000 you can get the exciter and a manufacturer's warranty while they are available. Contact Perry Priestley for more information.

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INOVONICS has retired the 635 FM SiteStreamer after a 10 year and nearly 3,000 units run. Replacing it will be the model 645 FM SiteStreamer II, which includes a sensitive SDR-based tuner, improved metering and display, and more features.

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Although the week is over, NATE has a lot of good information sparked by OSHA's Safety Stand-Down Week. You can find some of the materials here. 

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More?  See it here.

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https://davicom.com/
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Do You Remember? This week in history:
Broadcast related items:

... and 181 years ago (5/24/1844) Morse transmitted his first message.****

Here are some other "Headlines of the Past."

... and 152 years ago (5/20/1873) San Francisco businessman Levi Strauss and Reno, Nevada, tailor Jacob Davis received a patent to create work pants reinforced with metal rivets. Now Levi's are everywhere.
 
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* Drake had 22 songs in the top 40 of the Hot 100 on Oct. 21, 2023. (Morgan Wallen holds the record for the most entries on the Hot 100 in a single week, with 36 on March 18, 2023.) Not to be topped, Taylor Swift had all of the top 14 spots in April 2024.
 
** Carson's run came to an end with "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)."

*** Petty's action broke some of the stranglehold record companies held over artists.

**** yes, it was "What hath God wrought?"

***** In Cincinnati, the Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1.

MIDWEEK BONUS

Looking for a movie to watch? How about the Rutles? This will take you back a bit. Almost like Spinal Tap.

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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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