Monday Morning Coffee and Technical Notes

December 15, 2025 View as Webpage

  ABA Engineering Webinar

The final ABA Engineering Webinar for 2025 is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16th, commencing at 10:00 AM Central Time.

We are pleased to announce that the special guest for this session will be SBE President Kevin Trueblood. He will address the significance of engineers embracing lifelong learning and discuss the Society of Broadcast Engineers’ role in supporting this pursuit. Additionally, he will outline the array of services provided by the SBE and share objectives for 2026.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this informative webinar at 10:00 AM Central on Tuesday, December 16th. Registration is available online here.



The first webinar for the new year will be held on Tuesday January 16^th, 2026. It will feature a discussion concerning recent cyber-attacks on radio stations and ways to help prevent these attacks. Special guest will be Wayne Pecena, IT director Texas A&M University. 

Reviewing the FCC Rules

The fourth quarter ends in December, which means stations owning their towers must complete the “Quarterly Tower Light System Inspection.”

While stations must review the proper operation of tower light once every 24 hours, the quarterly inspection involves much more.

Section 17.47(b) provides that the owner of any antenna structure that is registered with the Commission and that has been assigned lighting specifications pursuant to part 17 of the Commission’s rules “[s]hall inspect at intervals not to exceed 3 months all automatic or mechanical control devices, indicators, and alarm systems associated with the antenna structure lighting to insure that such apparatus is functioning properly.

Once the tower light system inspection is completed, ensure that all reports are accurately documented and easily accessible.



The FCC requires stations to keep quarterly tower light inspection reports for a minimum of two (2) years.

ABA Engineering Webinar

The final ABA Engineering Webinar for 2025 is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16th, commencing at 10:00 AM Central Time.

We are pleased to announce that the special guest for this session will be SBE President Kevin Trueblood. He will address the significance of engineers embracing lifelong learning and discuss the Society of Broadcast Engineers’ role in supporting this pursuit. Additionally, he will outline the array of services provided by the SBE and share objectives for 2026.



Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this informative webinar at 10:00 AM Central on Tuesday, December 16th. Registration is available online here.

The first webinar for the new year will be held on Tuesday January 16^th, 2026. It will feature a discussion concerning recent cyber-attacks on radio stations and ways to help prevent these attacks.  Special guest will be Wayne Pecena, IT director Texas A&M University. 

Back to the Basics – Using the Right Tool for the Job

Selecting the right tools for the job is crucial for increased productivity. You can work more efficiently and effectively with tools designed to perform certain tasks.

With the right tools, you can eliminate unnecessary steps, automate processes, and leverage their features to maximize output.

Also using the right tools for a job is essential for improving your work’s precision and quality. Each tool is specifically designed with features and capabilities that enable accurate and precise performance.

Of course, selecting the right tools for the job is crucial for enhancing safety in the workplace. Tools designed for specific tasks or environments often have safety features that mitigate potential hazards. These safety features can include ergonomic designs to reduce strain and fatigue, guards or shields to protect against flying debris or accidental contact, and mechanisms that prevent accidental operation.

When clients observe that you have the necessary tools for the task, it creates a positive impression of your competence and dedication to your work. It shows that you take your profession seriously and are committed to delivering high-quality results.

I always remember that my shop teacher in school always said “Miss use of a tool will give you D on your report card”



ABA Engineering Academy

We now have the schedule set for the Radio and Television engineering classes during 2026. The Radio classes will be held the weeks of February 23 – 27 and September 28 – October 2. Television classes will be held the weeks of March 23 -27 and October 26 – 30.

These classes give beginners a technical overview of broadcast engineering, while experienced engineers use them to refresh their knowledge and stay current with new technology.

Each class covers basic electronics, analog and digital audio, video creation, RF systems, antennas, along with basic studio operations and FCC Rules. The classes are offered at no charge by the Alabama Broadcasters Association. On Fridays we offer the opportunity to take the SBE Certified Broadcast Technologist exam. The SBE has a charge for the exam. It is not required to take the exam to attend the class.



You can view the weekly schedule of topics and register for the classes by visiting the ABA Engineering Class website.

Alternative Broadcast Inspections

The ABA is setting up the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP) inspection schedule for 2026.

If your station has participated in the inspection program over the last few years, we encourage engineers to check the expiration date on the Certificate of Compliance. 

Should your certification be expired or will expire in 2026 contact the ABA to schedule a new inspection. If your station has never participated in the program, now is a good time to get on the inspection schedule. 

Current Alabama Broadcasters Association member stations receive the inspection for free, except for inspector travel expenses.



The inspector plans to be in the following areas over the first few months of 2026.

January Dothan area

February Florence area

March Huntsville area



Scheduling inspections while the inspector is in your area will help save on travel expenses.

Vendor Spotlight

Most broadcast operations utilize wireless devices such as microphones, IFB systems, in-ear monitors and PL systems.

Shure Incorporated has a full array of the latest wireless software and firmware enhancements to aid in creating and maintaining a successful wireless system, including their Wireless Workbench for frequency coordination.



For more information read the latest Shure Incorporated newsletter

Pro Audio –  Troubles with the Bass 

If you are having problems with the bass not sitting well in a mix, first listen to the instrument live on stage. Listen to the sound coming out of the cabinet, especially if you are using live microphones not a DI.

We often say, “get it right at the source”, this is extremely important with the bass.    If the bass is sending mush, it’s not going to be easy to clean it up in the mix.  All of the mix will either be working with this sound or against it.  

Since most bass cabinets employ multiple speakers, make sure one of the speakers is not the causing the problem.

Don’t think that just because it’s a bass that the low end should be cranked. I’ve cut a bass channel below 40 Hz because it cleared up the mix and gave the bass guitar definition. Many of the key bass frequencies exist above the 100 Hz mark.

Earl, we need to talk about this adapter you ordered