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Free AM transmitter in Hagerstown

B

bl40modulimiter2

Guest
Hello---a friend of mine needs to get a big old 1000 watt Gates BC-1F transmitter out of the building to make way for a new FM rig. It's free, but you move. Anyone know a ham operator or anyone who would want her? If not, she'll be sold for scrap and I hate to see that.
 
I take it this is the one on Maryland Ave???
Only useful as a boat anchor if the PCB's have been removed.
It is a shame to have to scape such a beuatiful beast, but is it is very heavy and big for just a kilowatt and then there is the problem with PCB removal if it hasn't been done already.
The reason a lot of broadcasters are scrapping out old transmitters is because they can stiill be held responsible for the improper disposal of PCB caps and transformers even after they have given the equipment away.
Proper disposal of PCB's can be expensive..
If there are any good 845's in the transmitter or spares put them on ebay, the audio fools love them and pay big bucks!
 
If I didn't already have a back up, I'd haul it up the street and use it.
By the way both my old RCA's, main and back up are remoted, see relays and opto isolaters.
I used to work at a station many years ago that had a 1-F and it was operated remotely, actually it's pretty simple.
 
Interesting, I am using Autopilot on both RCA's. I can do power changes, transmitter and antenna switches with the computer via internet or phone. Just using some relays and opto couplers to interface with Burk.
 
I do hope the old girl finds a good home. If I had more room at home I would take her. REAL transmitters glow in the dark! Love my RCA's! 50+ years old and still cranking!
 
Amen to that, VT....are your RCAs BTA-1R series?

I've still got one which is our backup-backup, for when the array has ice on the towers and the Nautel and BE don't like the VSWR. RCA sez: "marks on your license?? We don't care!!!"

Our RCA works fine with the Sine Systems. Originally at WYNS Lehighton. Has worked fine here since 1987. We had another 1R from WELM which we sold to a Maine station in 1997, and as far as I know, that one's on the air still as well.
 
Got a 1R1 and a 1R3. A few mods in the modulator section will get rid of most of the overshoot and tilt. They will play as loud as a solid state rig.
Another cool thing with the resistor network 250 watt power cut back, I can tune an antenna just by watching the plate voltage and current. High resistance, high currrent and low voltage, low resistance low current and high voltage. When you get around 1600 volts at 225 ma it's pretty close to 50 ohm load. The thing will stay on with no antenna connected at 250 watts ,but the resistors in the power cutback do get a bit warm after a while.
As long as I get good 4-400's I'll keep them on the air. The only tubes I have any luck with are the graphite plate version from Amperex made in France at Covemac. (last about 2 years)
Long live hollow state!!!
 
Yeah, years and years ago I discovered that the non-graphite-anode tubes they make these days are crap. I haven't re-tubed our BTA-1R since 2003, since it gets used only very occasionally. What's a 4-400 these days, about $200? $250?? Or don't I want to know?

That Gates uses 833s, I suppose. I might know somebody that might want it.
 
The old girls is no more...... Our engineers gutted and removed her this weekend to make room for the new FM rig. There were photos of the process taken by the engineers. Let you know if they get posted.
 
Pictures would be nice.

I should have got a storage shed and saved her as that is becoming somewhat of a museum piece.

The last time I bought 4-400's they were about 300. I you like I'll let you know what they are going for now, as the ones in there are about 2 years old, so it's about time.....
 
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