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Lamptimer is blown out?
- Thread starter base12
- Start date
Were the original 1440 studios located in the yellow building?
Still have the Lamp Timer at a station. Sitting on the shelf now but ready if needed!
We're glad someone labeled the timer with MST, otherwise we'd be waiting longer on winter mornings to hear 14~Forty. Now for those unfamiliar with the Lore of the Lamptimer, it was used years ago to fire up the 5kw station in the morning, and cut the juice at sunset. On/Off was all it could do...but it did have a tendency to drift, and wasn't always precise. Sandusky replaced the old xmttr when their supply of rubber bands, wire and bandages ran out. A nifty Nautel that could go down to 52 watts at night was installed. The Valley's last daytimer then became a 24/7 pow-pow-power house from the banks of the cross cut canal.
Oh, gosh. It is amazing how many useful broadcast maintenance items can be found at the drug store.
The tubes used to insert tampons can be used to insulate frayed wires.
Bottle caps from most anything make nice stand-off insulators if your ceramic one cracked.
Syringes can be used to squirt lubricant into mechanical devices like fans, and also to spray alcohol for cleaning up after a leaked capacitor or the like.
A toothbrush is great for scrubbing soiled areas.
There is even a use for a condom but I will leave that to the imagination of the studio audience!
And all those things cost far less than the "professional" tool sold at electronics supply houses.
Condoms also kept rifle barrels & hand held microphones dry in combat zones.
And in South Central LA for remotes...
Mechanical lamp timers I have seen may not have 15 minute switching increment. And, unless a mechanical lamp timer is on a UPS, the clock "falls behind" when there is an electric power failure. I have seen digital-based (instead of mechanical) lamp timers that have battery back-up for the clock and keep time accurately enough to comply with FCC transmission system operation rules. Key point is accuracy of the clock, and knowing exactly what will make it malfunction.
So far, I have not seen an inexpensive lamp timer that can be programmed for monthly switching. This might not be a "flaw" because it means someone will need to look at station technical operation at least once a month, and a little TLC goes a long way.
I recommend visiting the transmitter site(s) once a week, at minimum.
There are broadcast-oriented remote controls available at the approximate $600 price point. Someone could make a timer with a programmable logic controller, but at some point the value of the individuals time is worth considering.
My recommendation is read and interpret the FCC rules and put something in place that is compliant.
So far, I have not seen an inexpensive lamp timer that can be programmed for monthly switching. This might not be a "flaw" because it means someone will need to look at station technical operation at least once a month, and a little TLC goes a long way.
I recommend visiting the transmitter site(s) once a week, at minimum.
There are broadcast-oriented remote controls available at the approximate $600 price point. Someone could make a timer with a programmable logic controller, but at some point the value of the individuals time is worth considering.
My recommendation is read and interpret the FCC rules and put something in place that is compliant.
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Guess it's all part of a Day In The Life of a Lamptimer. ⏰
But ever since Mother Hubbard rebranded Lumberyard 14~Forty into Oldies 92~Seven via a convoluted arrangement involving KDKB HD~Two and its translator, we no longer hear Edd Byrne's classic hair piece. In all fairness, oldies on 92~Seven is better than hearing Mom's other Ancient Modulation station, KDUS - Sports Parking Lot 10~Sixty.
All those in favor, say Aye and we'll down some hot buttered rum while roasting our chestnuts over an open fire at the Buckeye Media Hut. (heat resistant condoms recommended)
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Someone's being way too serious here....
FCC rules?!?!
Hah!
FCC rules?!?!
Hah!
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