[Kzyxtalk] Transmitter failed

[Sallie Werson]

Thank you, Tim, for letting us know. Miss you! Thanks for being on it.
- Sallie Werson


From: Tim Bray 
Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2014 7:51 AM
To: kzyxtalk at lists.mcn.org 
Subject: [Kzyxtalk] Transmitter failed


>From the KZYX website:

"First 91.7 went down this morning - Monday March 31 - and then after 3 PM 90.7 went down.  It looks like the "STL" unit up at Cold Springs that receives the signal from the Philo studio (which it then transmits on 90.7 and also goes over to 91.5) has failed.  We are working to get a spare unit working as a temporary backup while we order a new replacement - or possibly repair it.  These are very expensive units (possibly as much as $10K each, sold in sets of 2) but are absolutely necessary for broadcast.  It is possible we will have it back up late Tuesday but can't guarantee it.  (This is why we have to have backup units ready to go all along the chain of equipment.) 
91.5 may have iced up Monday morning in the short but intense snow storm that hit.  It is located on Laughlin Peak and even with a 4X4, it was too snowy to reach the transmitter building at the top.  We will not likely be able to get to it until it thaws, which could take several days.  If it is ice on the antenna, it will come back of its own accord once it thaws.  But you won't hear anything until we get 90.7 working."


A couple of years ago, when the station was still mired in debt and had no access to credit, this could have been fatal.  I remember Rich telling me it was the thing that kept him awake at night worrying about, because they didn't have the money for a new STL.  (They probably still don't, but at least the line of credit is accessible.  It will undoubtedly blow a hole in the budget.)
 
Tim


-- 
Oak & Thorn
Facebook: Oak and Thorn


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