[BC] The Way Xmtrs Oughta Look

[Scott Cason]

Hoochie Mamma!  I want those old RCA 77DX mics in the engineer's closet!!

About 10 years ago, an AM in Albany Georgia called me and said they had a
problem with their transmitter, could I come look at it.  "Sure" said I.
They took me back to the transmitter room and I saw, through the glass, a
Gates BC1T sitting in the middle of the room with the tubes all aglow.
"Great", thought I, "I have experience with this rig".  Well, it wasn't the
Gates giving them problems, it was actually on the air.  The transmitter he
showed me was hanging on the friggin' wall about the size of a suitcase on
wheels you see in airports now.  It was Italian, and no manual.  I looked at
him and said "you better keep the Gates on the air for a while".  About the
same time, a LPTV station in Tifton Georgia called with problems with their
transmitter.  We walk in the transmitter room and I see a "briefcase"
sitting on a bench.....that turns out to be the "transmitter".  Same story,
this time it's German and no documentation.

I don't understand what is going through these owner's heads when they
purchase this equipment.  Do they think it will never break and never need
servicing?

Scott Cason
LaGrange Communications, LLC
502-213-0024
www.lagrange-com.com