[BC] The Worst transmitter of All Time

[Mike Holderfield]

Ah yes...the twin drive audio modulator driver deck.
My first transmitter also. Lots of fun with that puppy!!!

mike

>From: <RadioRan at aol.com>


> Fun topic!  All I can really add to the  discussion is that the Gates 
> BC-1J
> was a REALLY mean thing trick to  pull on a guy just getting started in
> Broadcast Engineering.  This rig had  the ability to pull a proof fine, 
> yet sounded
> awful.
>    As I recall, it used four 6L6's to drive the grids  of P-P 833's, via
> LOTS of transformers.  Periodically, a B+  surge would course through the 
> box and
> wipe out the coupling transformers,  which were really just jukebox output
> transformers.  Fortunately, the  station was a Daytimer, so I had all 
> night to
> put it back together!
>    Most other Gates Kilowatt boxes I have known were  OK; have a lot of
> respect for the older RCAs.  The Raytheon  RA-1000 was my favorite; you 
> could sit
> inside to do the maintenance!
>    Still under my care is a Continental 315-R or  828-E, which sometimes
> surprises me with new tricks, in addition to being a  very effective
> dust-collector.
>    Thankfully, the Nautel's and BE's have taken most  of the drama out of
> transmitter maintenance...
> Cheers,
> Randy Wells
> KFGY KXFX KVRV KSRO
> KRRS KTOB