Monday Morning Coffee and Technical Notes

August 24, 2026 View as Webpage

ABA Engineering Academy Update!

Due to seating restrictions, we have reached the maximum number of students for the Radio Engineering Class, scheduled for the week of September 28^th.

We will be posting the dates for classes for 2027 soon. We are encouraged in the large number of engineers interested in continuing their education by attending our Engineering classes.

There are still seats available for our television class scheduled for the week of October 26^th. You can sign up for the TV class here.

Special Webinar covering FCC EAS Rule Changes

New Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cybersecurity requirements for the Emergency Alert System (EAS) take effect on September 29, 2026, requiring broadcasters to take specific steps to protect EAS equipment and systems from cyberattacks.

Join the NAB and National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations (NASBA) for a free webinar on Tuesday, September 1, at 12 p.m. EDT to help understand the new requirements and how to prepare your station for compliance.

Three leading EAS experts will provide practical guidance for station owners, general managers, engineers and IT professionals on how to prepare for the September 29 compliance deadline.

Guest Speakers:

Wayne Pacena, associate director of Engineering, KAMU-TV and KAMU-FM

Edward Czarnecki, Ph.D., vice president of Global and Government Affairs, Digital Alert Systems

Harold Price, president, Sage Alerting Systems

Moderators for the webinar:

Dave Arland, executive director, Indiana Broadcasters Association

David Donovan, president, New York State Broadcasters Association

Register today to help prepare your station for the new requirements.

August Engineering Webinar Issues

We discovered that on our Engineering Webinar last Tuesday a number of people had trouble logging in. Not sure what the issue was. It appeared there was a problem with Zoom as we encountered some issues with the app as well.



The program covered the basics of Alternative Broadcasting Inspection and is archive on our YouTube channel. Click here to watch the webinar.

ABA 80^th Anniversary Tour

The Alabama Broadcasters Association is celebrating 80 years of service to Alabama Radio and Television stations. As a “thank you” for all the support the ABA is hosting a number of receptions around the state.

These receptions are open to all broadcasters, civic leaders and anyone interested in learning more about the ABA.

Make your plans to join us at the next reception in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday August 26^th. 

It will be held at the University Club from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Click here for more information

Status of Daylight Savings Time Bill

The House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 on July 14, 2026, by a bipartisan vote of 308-117. The legislation would make daylight saving time the permanent time standard for most of the country. It would also end the annual practice of moving clocks forward in spring and back in fall.

After passing the House, H.R. 139 moved to the Senate on July 15. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As of August 10, 2026, the Senate has not passed the legislation.

The Senate must approve the legislation, and the bill would then need to go through the remaining steps required for it to become federal law.



If the law Is not passed, clocks will change back to standard in November.

The Importance of Learning the Basics

In every profession, mastering the basics should be a top priority—especially in broadcast engineering. It begins with understanding electricity, the foundation that makes broadcasting possible.

We often talk about the difference between being a cook and a chef. Cooks follow the recipe for chocolate chip cookies, and if they follow the instructions correctly, they’ll get the exact cookies that the recipe was designed to make. On the other hand, being a chef means understanding how browning the butter first brings balance to the sweetness, and how dissolving sugars before baking helps them caramelize better and create a richer flavor.



Similarly, learning how things work in broadcasting – rather than just following the steps – helps in truly understanding what’s going on and how to approach problems and get the desired outcomes.

Pro Audio – The Importance of Rehearsals

Rehearsals are crucial for church sound crews to ensure effective sound management during services. They provide an opportunity to refine technical skills, enhance teamwork, and prepare for live events.

Key Benefits of Rehearsals:

Skill Development: Regular rehearsals help sound operators improve their technical abilities, ensuring they can manage sound systems effectively during worship services.



Team Coordination: Rehearsals foster better communication and collaboration among team members, which is essential for a smooth operation during live events.

Problem Solving: They allow crews to identify and troubleshoot potential issues with equipment or sound quality before the actual service.



Spiritual Preparation: Integrating spiritual elements into rehearsals can enhance the overall worship experience, aligning the technical aspects with the spiritual goals of the service.

Incorporating regular rehearsals into the routine of church sound crews not only improves technical proficiency but also strengthens the overall worship experience for the congregation.

Microphone Techniques