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opinions on BE transmitters wanted

F

fm-engineer

Looking for a new 5 kW AM transmitter. Down to Nautel, BE, Harris (DAX). The BE stuff looks pretty solid and very reasonably priced compared to the Harris or Nautel. Any experiences out there with BE? Thanks
 
well I may be the wrong guy to ask this question to...I have experience with several makes of transmitters from Harris, BE,Nautel, an old RCA ,and Gates including the new LPB'sFor the past 3 years I have been mostly maintaining Harris transmitters. and I use the Word maintain. cleaning air filters. keeping the cabinets clean from dead bugs. not much more.. in the past 3 years I can count failures on 3 transmitters one one hand. 2 of the 3 failures were a fuse blowing. one was a bad Mosfet. these transmitters were built back in 1997 and are the Only 3 failures I have seen..On the Other hand. I have several stations now running the BE transmitters.. they seem to be ok I have Zero issues with the BE AM 500 watt, and 1 kw transmitters..they just seem to keep running.. occassionally a controller powersupply failure happens.. Nothing major in my book.. I would keep 1 of each On hand incase of a failuresince there are no Engineer servicable parts in these transmitters.1 controller powersupply1 powersupply module1 power moduleReplace the module and return to BE.. they either fix or replace within 48 hours turn around time. However I just built a new station with a larger BE transmitter...since its install in late November I have had 10 major failures... not including just a fuse blowing here or there.My guess is that the company has installed at least 17-20 maybe more NEW BE transmitters in the past year or so... and I only know of 2 mine on the east coast and one on the west coast that have just Been Dogs.. the Others seem to Be Running OK...Personally Im not happy with this particular transmitter.( I think They should have replaced it at the 5th failure) I do have to Say I am pleased with the BE Service techs... and rate them high on my list of service.I think I can safely say I know this transmitter inside and out blind folded...BE make a good transmitter. I guess like with anything once in a while you get 1 bad one... Now If BE would design the transmitter so it can run IBOC mode day and C-Quam at night.. I would be a very happy Camper.. as for Nautel again like the Harris. keep the filters clean and it just keeps running. not familure with their New line.. Last a station I maintain got a power increase and replaced the old RCA BTA 1r1 with a new 2.5kw LPB BoxLPB bought up Omnitronix the Omni 2500A is a nice package I think they make up to a 50kw box also... NO Problems with it either.. at 5kw.. not sure if they are doing the digital stuff.. But I would look at the LPB line of transmitterscant go wrong for the money. as for IBOC on AM .... they can keep it... If I had my way all the stations I maintain would Be C-Quam This was a non- Biased posting since I have personal experience with each of the above mentioned manufacturers. My thoughts are fair and balanced...
fm-engineer said:
Looking for a new 5 kW AM transmitter. Down to Nautel, BE, Harris (DAX). The BE stuff looks pretty solid and very reasonably priced compared to the Harris or Nautel. Any experiences out there with BE? Thanks
Click to expand...
 
fm-engineer said:
Looking for a new 5 kW AM transmitter. Down to Nautel, BE, Harris (DAX). The BE stuff looks pretty solid and very reasonably priced compared to the Harris or Nautel. Any experiences out there with BE? Thanks
Click to expand...
Go with the Nautel. I've had zero problems with the 5 Nautel AM transmitters I've installed in the past 3 years and you can't beat the tech support.RFB
 
I have never had any problems with BE.. I know of 4 in the area that run w/o incidents 24/7Older Nautels were not so great, that has changed. Their big boxes work very well and would be MY choice for a 50kw rig.Harris is only interested in Harris. Decent transmitters with a "we designed it this way so it must be great" attitude.
 
I would have to disagree on the comment about Harris. I have maintained several different Harris transmitters (radio and tv) and there tech support rocks 24hrs/day. I'm definetely a Harris fan. I also enjoy their training classes.As for the other out there, I agree with the earlier comment about Nautel. I used to maintain one of their smaller rigs and had a boatload of problems with it, but I guess its like a car - there's always a lemon out there.I haven't really had much to do with a BE. I've heard good and bad.Good luck in your search. :)
 
I am also a Harris fan.Im looking to buy some Yellow Paint for my New BE transmitter.LEEE Mon........ 11 failures since November 05.and Unless BE develops an External C-Quam exciter so their transmitters can switch between C-Quam and IBOC without having to Physically pullout/push in the Stereo card.. I would never buy another BE.. Sorry JohnB...
sparks794 said:
I would have to disagree on the comment about Harris. I have maintained several different Harris transmitters (radio and tv) and there tech support rocks 24hrs/day. I'm definetely a Harris fan. I also enjoy their training classes.As for the other out there, I agree with the earlier comment about Nautel. I used to maintain one of their smaller rigs and had a boatload of problems with it, but I guess its like a car - there's always a lemon out there.I haven't really had much to do with a BE. I've heard good and bad.Good luck in your search. :)
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Another vote for Harris...they are not overly complex, and are a far cry from their products of 15-20 years ago. The offer good field service and parts.Yoy can't go wrong.
 
Truthfully, all 3 manufacturers you mentioned make highly reliable AM transmitters. The deciding criteria nowadays are price and tech support. The BE you mentioned is a good reliable box, that takes up considerably less floorspace, and produces less heat than the others. There are several of them around my area in various power levels, all with good service records. The last 3 transmitters in a row I've worked on (in the last 60 days or so) have been Harris. In each case, the failures were likely due to lack of proper maintenance, and not design issues. I will be honest here tho, Harris did not deliver stellar support with replacement parts. In one case, it took them 2 days to supply what should be a shelf part, then they didn't get it on the correct flight. Nautel and BE both have better tech support IMHO. I would say any of the three manufacturers you mention would give you good service.
 
I got a few cans of yellow paint for ya, Neal. Our engineer Uncle Earl said ya can have it. It's slightly frozen though as it was 35 degrees here this morning. Can you warm it up if I ship it to you? *all said tounge in cheek*
 
I've always had good luck with both BE and Harris tech support (Continental, too for that matter, even though they currently do not make lower power AM rigs)Pardon the slight veering of subject...wondering about Energy Onyx's AM Transmitter reliability and support?anyone have any experience?Regards,Joe
 
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