Looking for a working unit in decent shape with a decent price for a new non-comm. Need a 3kw minimum. In Cincinnati.
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Any Used Solid State FM TX's Available?
- Thread starter 88.9 Miracle
- Start date
It's there for a reason. You couldn't give me that transmitter. I maintained three of them and was sending a PA module a month back to BE for service. Looks like someone else was having problems and dumped it, too. When you see a transmitter that new on the used market, you need to ask yourself "why".
Good luck with the current P tek units
We're looking for a solid state 3-5kw in fairly decent shape for $6-8k. Otherwise we are leaning towards a new P-TEK or Nicom 3kw. Let me know if anyone hears of anything.
Honestly a Harris z or zx would be a good choice. If they havent been overheated or hit with lightning they're hard to kill.
RockNuts! said:
Not gonna happen, dude. Even used, expect to pay $10-15k for a good, used FM transmitter. Even the PTEK G3000 lists for $20k. With Nicom, you'll need the NA3005 and a 40 watt exciter to drive it. Again, you are talking about $15-20k.
Just a thought. If you are a non directional station most stations have a 3 or 4 bay antenna. Ever think about getting a PSI 6 or 8 bay and reducing the power needed? Like their medium power rigid line inner bay Fm antennna.
The added benefit is for rim shot stations. When you get that many bays in a row they always become somewhat directional.
Cuts your power need in half. Are you 6 kw now or 3 kw? Antennas are cheaper than transmitters. Don't buy italian here.
We have a whole host of multiple bay translators that we are re-engineering. We are removing the combiners as most of them have been less than good. These are american antennas with italian newspaper wrapped around them. Bays have performed okay. Don't like the n connector feed. lost a 4 bay to lightning. Many used antennas on the market too.
The added benefit is for rim shot stations. When you get that many bays in a row they always become somewhat directional.
Cuts your power need in half. Are you 6 kw now or 3 kw? Antennas are cheaper than transmitters. Don't buy italian here.
We have a whole host of multiple bay translators that we are re-engineering. We are removing the combiners as most of them have been less than good. These are american antennas with italian newspaper wrapped around them. Bays have performed okay. Don't like the n connector feed. lost a 4 bay to lightning. Many used antennas on the market too.
BengalsFandude - sorry dude. I've already done my homework. We have a quote on the table for a brand new 3.5kw at $8,500. 2 other brands came in at $9,500 NEW. But I'm frugal and looking for something used and cheap if possible. Once the station starts making money we can buy new and keep the used unit as a backup.
CheifEngineer our CP is 10kw. We're doing a 6 bay half wave from PSI. Only need around 2.5kw TPO to drive it. But I'd like a 3-3.5kw if possible to go a little easier on the Power Supplies. This for the new build in NKY on 89.1.
CheifEngineer our CP is 10kw. We're doing a 6 bay half wave from PSI. Only need around 2.5kw TPO to drive it. But I'd like a 3-3.5kw if possible to go a little easier on the Power Supplies. This for the new build in NKY on 89.1.
RockNuts! said:
Who has a new 3.5kW rig for $8,500? also, remember this, you get what you pay for.
Humm......suddenly Rocknuts has clammed up. Me thinks he's blowing smoke about having a quote for a brand new rig for $8500. For if he did, and it's within his budget, why would he not get it? Other than being a self-admitted cheapa$$.
I have been in radio engineering over 30 years. You won't find a good, reliable 3kW transmitter of any flavor for $8500.
I have been in radio engineering over 30 years. You won't find a good, reliable 3kW transmitter of any flavor for $8500.
Lessee... a 6 bay half wave which makes a power gain of 4. If that[s a CP antenna, they'll sell a LOT of them. Actually, a power gain of a bit more thna 4 given line losses. Verrrrrry interrrresting
Here we go Dog. I guaranty you’ll get a great price on this FM 3Kw. Since everything else is made in CHINA, I’d get one. Plus you’ll probably be eligible for a nice Tax Incentive from the government.
http://www.madeinchina.com/2770435/P6054543/3kw-professional-fm-transmitter-for-broadcasting.shtml
Maybe you can work out a deal on a Chinese FM audio processor.
http://www.madeinchina.com/2770435/P6054543/3kw-professional-fm-transmitter-for-broadcasting.shtml
Maybe you can work out a deal on a Chinese FM audio processor.
littlejohn said:
This is a directional and we won't know the final gain until the actual antenna building is completed and tested.
Bengalsfan said:
Geez. Why is it everytime I post on this board there is an argument? Do you always talk to people this way face to face?
I won't reveal my sources publicly because I've negociated my pricing downward. I don't think these manufacturers would like me to reveal their deals publicly. But I would be happy to reveal my sources if anyone would like to email me off board ([email protected])
I prefer not to think of myself as a cheapa$$ as you call me. But rather a good business man who has been self employed for over 30 years, successfully. In order to do that, you have to really watch what you spend and where you spend it. You know, they call that management and being responsible. I am spending my corporation's money, not my own. We're in the black unlike most radio broadcasting companies.
We already have a Harris 4kw tube but am concerned about it's age and the energy that it will consume. A real cheapa$$ would just use it, right?
RockNuts! said:
Yea, that's what I thought. You have a "secret" deal with a transmitter maker. I would think that if a transmitter manufacture in this country has come up with a good, reliable transmitter for $8k, they would be telling everybody because they would not be able to make enough to keep up with demand. Right now, I have three clients who need newer FM transmitters to replace their H series Gates rigs. However, I be damned if I'm going to reccommend to them that they replace them with a $8000 third world transmitter.
What ever you have to tell yourself to justify it in you mind is fine. However a wise business man will look for good investments, not "secret" deals. Your purchase of a 4kW FM transmitter that's built an a third world country for the price of a used Honda looks good at first. And you'll be the hero of the finance department and the CFO......until you start having problems with the transmitter. And call for support. Which you then find out isn't included in the price. because they don't speak english. So you then sit off the air for weeks at a time while you unsuccessfully try to find a local engineer willing to come look at the problem for you. You wind up spending over $15k on a transmitter that cost you $8k. In other words, the money you spent on keeping your "secret" deal on the air, you could have had a Nautel transmitter that would have just sat there and run with very little intervention.
You say you have been "successfully" self employed 30 years, I have been an engineer for about that long and I have seen all this happen before. And I see it happening here. If you don't want to be cast as a cheapa$$, then don't act like one. Buy a good transmitter from a manufacture who has a good track record of service and support. You want to cut corners? Do it on the studio side. Cutting corners at the tower site is going to do nothing but constantly cost you money to fix the corners you cut.
A wise business man would consult with people that would tell you the cost of replacing this transmitter with a cheap Honda will not offset the money saved on power. But then again, you have already done your research and you know that....right?
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