[BC] WPGC/WHFS/WNEW

[Brew]

chip......

> While we were setting it up, the 9000
> overloaded the CCA many times, but with no damage.  We got it working
> great in the end.  For a plate modulated transmitter, that old CCA did
> great.

When was that CCA bought?    I worked for CCA in both Gloucester City
and Cherry Hill, NJ three separate times between 1969 and 1978.  I
tested most of the AM transmitters from '74 to '78, especially the
AM1,000Ds, AM5,000Ds, and AM10,000Ds - but I did a few AM50,000Ds,
including the largest transmitter they ever built, two AM50,000Ds
combined into an AM100,000D which went to Abu Dhabi.  I also worked
for CSI in '76 for a year.

In Test, we'd roll the transmitter in on a couple of pallets and bring
it up a stage at a time, correcting any wiring mistakes (there were
always some - they were basically hand built).    Start with the Power
Supplies and Control and Overload circuits, then get the oscillator
oscillating, the buffer buffing, the driver driving and the PA
amplifying.  Once it was making power it was on to the Hi-Level
Modulator stage and checking distortion.  Once it was running fine and
dandy it was rolled over to shipping.  An AM10,000D used to take me
about 3 to 5 Days to bring to life and get out the door.

I *think* I tested one for WPGC, but not sure, my memory is sort of
hazy after all these years.  I wish I'd kept a copy of each Test Data
sheet so I could check - but who thought?

I think I did about 30-40 5/10 kW transmitters, and about 50-60
AM1,000Ds, along with 3 or 4 AM50,000Ds.  I also did a few FMs.

I'd often read the call letters on the sheet on the side of the
transmitter and look up the station in the Broadcasting Yearbook and
imagine what's it's life might be like.

I tested a shortwave AM5,000D, near 5 megaHertz, that was going to
Radio Galapagos and imagined what it's life might be out on that
exotic island in the Pacific Ocean just South of the equator.

Nine months later found me down there working on it!  It worked fine.
The problem was the antenna, a simple wire dipole that they'd hung on
the unbalanced output without any balun or any attempt to match it,
other than the tuning and loading controls.  There had been a balun
ordered from us, but it was cancelled, our rep down there said they'd
get one locally, but hadn't.  There was RF getting into the
un-grounded audio console about a hundred feet away..... buzz.... and
it didn't load very well, either.

Very interesting trip.  I also did some work at Radio Quito, who'd
bought an AM25,000D, and also visited HCJB for a transmitter tour.  I
was down there about five weeks.  They didn't want me to leave and
confiscated my passport.  I told them I had an FCC First Phone so they
let me go.

That was in the old days before the GROL and deregulation when the FCC
had some power.  :)  Just kidding, they didn't have ANY sway in
Ecuador!

brew  Bruce Schiller  CBS-TV NY Master Control Maintenance and WA2ZST

And, oh, I also got on Ham radio from HC8FC where I was semi-rare DX.
Galapagos counts as a separate country and there were only about
fifteen hams on the island.  Only two or three spoke English.

brew