Tech Notes from the Field

I posted I did a software push for our Orban 8500s to 2.0.8.127.  I got it in the shorts for a couple of days when I couldn’t put my finger on why one station just did not sound right.  I dug a bit and found I was over-modulating.  What?  Turns out the update returned all the I/O levels to their defaults.  Luckily it did not change my diversity delay settings.  So I had to set all my outputs to FM+HD, and HD, and double check my AES output levels.  You would think it not be an issue, but when you have to match “the other end” things get changed.  Luckily I found it pretty quick.  Anyone else run into this?

AT&T is our suspect again on a remote control circuit.  It went away.  It came back.  It’s alive.  That’s all there is on that one.

I don’t know about your facilities and spending, but we continue to be stagnant.  March begins next week and no capital has been released, so it’s tough to start any new project.  I am beginning to line up  my ducks for a generator upgrade project.  Being in the state of confusion, I mean California, this will be a wonderful can of worms.  I bet there are some interested to see where this goes, so I’ll post as things progress.

Routine takes center stage again while we wait.  We can only purchase what we need.  I slipped in a few capacitors on a trip to the supply store and used and old Aphex Dominator as a training ground on dry caps in a power supply.  A little before and after is such a good tool by which to learn.  It’s almost like magic.

A morning show is to get bigger windows, so we taped out how it will go.  Of course we had to take money out of another project to make this happen.  Also, said morning talent a year later decides he wants a different microphone.  The Blue Blueberry which he demanded and said was the best I guess is not.  He now demands a Neumann TLM-103.  I received and installed a loan.  Next week I start the PO to purchase.  One week and no complaints.  Ironic that our standard microphone is a BCM-104 which I find sound a bit better.  Anyways, I didn’t need that parts and supply budget for that station, good luck getting anything else repaired this/next month!  Should I mention I have not mentioned to them how much a shock mount for that thing will be.

I received my first notice that we are entering license renewal season.  We are not due until 2013, but it is always to get a jump on cleaning up them public files and making sure your facility is running in compliance.  Take the time to do this.  It will be easier to prepare your filings if you get the busy work done early.  Here is a link to the FCC Renewal of License for Radio Broadcasts Stations.

Stay tuned for the next post whenever some interesting tidbit of fun comes my way!