Big metal ugly, impenetrable. Anyone have a source?
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Cargo containers for transmitter shack.
- Thread starter ChiefEngineer
- Start date
There are plenty of places in NJ by Port Newark where you can source a used one of these.
If you want something that has plywood walls, some lights etc. already installed, check out Yellowbox Storage. http://www.yellowboxmoving.com/
They can ship to you on a truck, just make sure you have a forklift on your end (or crane if you want) to get it off the truck and where you need it.
If you want something that has plywood walls, some lights etc. already installed, check out Yellowbox Storage. http://www.yellowboxmoving.com/
They can ship to you on a truck, just make sure you have a forklift on your end (or crane if you want) to get it off the truck and where you need it.
Insulating one of the and dropping in two good Whirlpool larger window units in the side of them (or another unit that self-restarts) can make a pretty decent economical transmitter shack if there's no real budget. My preference is a used cell-site shelter, but I'd say the cargo container idea isn't a bad one. I have one of them and have been happy with it.
OKCRadioGuy said:
It's absolutely essential that you insulate the cargo container, provide air conditioning and a way to pull-in fresh air and exhaust the transmitter heat in the event the the air conditioning fails. Make sure that the roof doesn't leak. If you do all of those things, the cargo container can make a good, inexpensive transmitter building.
The AM I use to engineer, WMMM, was donated to a local university. About 5 years after the donation they were displaced off the original land where the towers were. Here's a WSHU-AM photo tour which includes them moving the transmitters to just such a storage container.
I have two sites using the 8 X 20 size containers. One has a 10kw FM vented to the outside and a 3 ton AC unit. I keep the temp around 82 degrees without any problem. There is very little insulation in the container. To start with this container was a ugly brown color and I had problems keeping the temp below 98 degrees on a hot summer day. Painting the container white made a big difference in the inside temp. Insulating it will help but a good coat of a light color paint would also be a good investment.
One other thing. If you can get one with a regular door in it. Getting those big steel doors on the end of the containers closed when it is raining or freezing cold is a real pain in the tail.
Robert
One other thing. If you can get one with a regular door in it. Getting those big steel doors on the end of the containers closed when it is raining or freezing cold is a real pain in the tail.
Robert
G
Groove1670
Guest
How bout using a storage unit (with no windows) from home depot, or Lowes. Much cheaper, and several have sturdy roofs (with shingles).
I have bought and insulated several 10 x 10 storage buildings with the extra height roof. These work well. At some sites even well built is no fix for racoons. We live trapped and killed two this year. One escaped. I am legally blind so the 38 requiring shot 2 didn't happen. They bite through thick walls to get inside even if food is not present. my wife finally used her superior eyesight through the middle of the racoons head.
When I started looking at these it was a thought that the steel even though painting was required was sturdier. AC and door changes are no problem.
I have someone who described a door knockout building. Steel security doors require knockouts for windows. Enough of these makes a building. Haven't seen the Popular Mechanics on this yet.
When I started looking at these it was a thought that the steel even though painting was required was sturdier. AC and door changes are no problem.
I have someone who described a door knockout building. Steel security doors require knockouts for windows. Enough of these makes a building. Haven't seen the Popular Mechanics on this yet.
I have followed previous discussions about cargo containers and find them interesting.
I saw a picture of one where a "pavilion" (just a roof) was built over it to give it shade, and the pavilion was wide enough that it provided a "front porch" where you could drive a vehicle under the roof. You car/truck is not an oven when you get ready to leave, and if it is raining you get out of the vehicle and into the container without getting all wet.
These containers have external attachment points. Unless the budget just will not stretch, I would install anchors and put a strap over them or attach the anchors to the external attachment points using cables, chains. bolts strong enough to make the container immune to tornado damage.
I saw a picture of one where a "pavilion" (just a roof) was built over it to give it shade, and the pavilion was wide enough that it provided a "front porch" where you could drive a vehicle under the roof. You car/truck is not an oven when you get ready to leave, and if it is raining you get out of the vehicle and into the container without getting all wet.
These containers have external attachment points. Unless the budget just will not stretch, I would install anchors and put a strap over them or attach the anchors to the external attachment points using cables, chains. bolts strong enough to make the container immune to tornado damage.
One reason I wanted the steel container on my last site was because I was worried about ice falling from the tower. I know a big chunk of ice would still do damage but here in the South we dont get a lot of ice. Management wanted a small prefab with a tin roof. Even small chunks of ice would cut thru that roof like a bullet thru a loaf of bread.
Yeah. I'm not a big fan of "the nicest storage shed a money can buy" version of transmitter buildings. Ice around here can cut through that kind of roof like butter. And, the damn thing requires a lot of maintence. I'd much rather have a cement prefab cell building, but my #2 is an isulated storage container. At least with a coat of paint every so often it'll generally hold up and not cause much trouble.
You can also use an old railroad box car. Had two of them in LA and they worked out well.
Union Pacific donated a bunch of railroad cars to local schools for storage.
That all came to a screeching/flaming halt. After one was set on fire they discovered the asbestos insulation.
That all came to a screeching/flaming halt. After one was set on fire they discovered the asbestos insulation.
boiseengineer said:
Yow. Didn't know that.
Is this why I got the donation of the 3 RCA transmitters? Sometimes you have to look a gift horse in the glue factory. I had a station owner want to donate some transmitters. After I looked at the NO pCB stickers I noted they were copied, painted with a highlighter, and taped to the capacitors with names like Sangamo.
Now I recall after a nasty disaster cleaning up PCB fluid with paper towels and Windex when I was 20. I didn't know better.
Now I recall after a nasty disaster cleaning up PCB fluid with paper towels and Windex when I was 20. I didn't know better.
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