Parts for Ramko Consoles

[ChiefOperator]

I have a FM that uses several Ramko Research consoles for both on-air and production. The company closed in the early '90's. Does anyone know where I can get parts for the boards?

More specifically, I'm looking to replace some of the input and output assign switches. Does anyone know who produced these specific switches? My paperwork is scarce and the little that I have doesn't have a part list.

(RDL aquired the company name but can't help me.)

Thanks!

 

[littlejohn]

If memory serves, those are 4016 CMOS quad bilateral switch. I believe the 4064 has the same pinout, but a much lower resistance in the on mode. The 4016 shows about 300 Ohms per gate turned on, and the 4064 is substantially lower.
the only real problem with the Ramko stuff was, it had precisely zero headroom in the audio path. Since the input gain is set using fixed resistors in an IC socket, if you get a BIG sack full of 5% resistors of several values, you can trim the levels to a point where clipping and distortion isn't too terrible.
Ray Kohfeld, who was the principal of Ramko died some while ago.
Fore the money at the time, they did a surprisingly good job.

 

[ChiefOperator]

LittleJohn-

Thanks. I was referring to the actual push-on, push-off switches on the console. Square with a red LED. Any thoughts on the manufacturer?

I agree. For a budget board, it's not bad at all.

Thanks!

 

[ChiefOperator]

Actually, I may have found the switches. I *think* the switches are the same as those on the Burk ARC-16 (three black switches with LEDs). I'll call Burk and see whether they can tell me the manufacturer.

http://www.burk.com/Products/Arc16.aspx

Thanks!

 

[littlejohn]

Those consoles are newer than the ones I messed with. The original had touch pads with an LED in the middle, no mechanical switch at all. They tied into the input of an opamp running full gain and the injected hum was sufficient to trip a logic gate. If you had calouses, you needed to lick your fingertips to make them switch, and it was best toput static mats in the studio, sometimes static smacks would take out the opamps. All in all, an interesting concept, the early Ramko stuff.

 

[RFGuy]

Innovative consoles for the time. I was not impressed with the cheapness of the switches. I had several DC-8 some with touchpad, some with switches. If you remove one of the switches, (be careful that you do not overheat the lands on the PCB, They will de-laminate) there should be a mfgr stamped somewhere on the switch. This console was run as close to max gain as possible, Littlejohn was right. Also on all my consoles, If there was a power bump, ALL channels came on at the same time!!!!!!!! Kinda like the old instacart machine. Sounds like a train wreck on the air!!!

 

[OlderRadioGuy]

Also on all my consoles, If there was a power bump, ALL channels came on at the same time!!!!!!!! Kinda like the old instacart machine. Sounds like a train wreck on the air!!!

Sneeze on a Scott Studios touch screen and get the same effect. Sorry; off topic.

 

[ChiefOperator]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I removed one of the switches but there is no mfg name on it. I also called Burk but they can't give me the name of the mfg--only offered to sell me some switches. Unfortunately, while I believe it's the same mfg, it's the wrong switch.

It is truly frustrating trying to service equipment that is no longer supported

 

[robgrayson]

Also on all my consoles, If there was a power bump, ALL channels came on at the same time!!!!!!!! Kinda like the old instacart machine. Sounds like a train wreck on the air!!!

Sneeze on a Scott Studios touch screen and get the same effect. Sorry; off topic.

I've done that on the Scott Studios screen before... turned my 10-songs-in-a-row station into a 10-jingles-at-a-time station!