We need a transmitter for a 5 KW AM. We’ve been given a quote on a Solid State Nautel XR6 6 KW at 28,853 (for the transmitter only). What do you guys think? Any other AM transmitter suggestions or deals out there. We recently purchased a used transmitter which has been nothing but problems so we’re a little afraid of going back in that direction.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Solid State Nautel
- Thread starter shreveville
- Start date
It's almost like asking someone whether they like a Ford or a Chevy. Buy the Nautel or a BE. You'll find people who are believers in one or the other, but you'll probably find that either will do the job nicely.
I might lean toward the Nautel if you're feeding a directional... the extra power might come in handy.
I might lean toward the Nautel if you're feeding a directional... the extra power might come in handy.
Is BE - Broadcast Electronics?
Yes
Grounded Grid said:
Actually, it's more like comparing a Lexus (Nautel) with a Smart Car (everyone else). Both vehicles will get you to where you want to go, one in style and comfort. the other...well, you've seen them. What you spend on the transmitter up front you'll save later down the road on maintainence costs. I've never met anyone who was disappointed in the performance or reliabitliy of a Nautel.
And don't forget their second to none customer service for those times when problems do occur. You're buying that as well.
Bengalsfan said:
Just to play Devil's advocate: Certainly, Nautel makes an excellent prodct, however there are other reliable transmitters out there. Whether any of the others are as reliable, is a matter for debate. I've seen some BE rigs that have been running for 10+ years with barely a glitch. I've also seen a few Armstrong transmitters that have been going for years. I'm not saying that all transmitters are equal. They are not, but sometimes it's more about how the box is treated than about the quality of the machine. When you say that your newely installed used rig has been problematic, this sends up a possible red flag.
Sometimes, when a transmitter is branded as bad, it's more about the environment than the rig. I used to hear people curse their old CCA and McMartin boxes while lamenting the fact that the Harris at the competitor across town was never broken. What they frequently failed to notice is that the poor McMartin was often sitting in a rat infested tin shed in a corn field burning up at 125 degrees and it hadn't been cleaned in so long that the blower was caked with mud. Add the fact that the station ground might be a single 3 meter rod driven in to the base of the tower and bonded to the meter box with some #12 wire. By contrast, the expensive Harris box was running in a nice, climate controlled, positive pressure, room with excellent grounding and routine maintenance. The competition had spent more on the initial investment and naturally, wanted to protect the investment. Of course, the Harris outperfomed the competitor. Again, this is not to say that all transmitters are good. I've seen a few that really were just plain ol' bad, but there are usually several good choices available.
Finally, you may decide that brand A is 99% reliable and brand B is only 89% relaible. If you save $10,000 on the purchase price, how long does it take to recoup the difference? If it's more than 5 years, it might make financial sense to buy the cheaper rig, however, it's a calculated risk.
Whatever you decide, look at the reputation of the product, its sound quality, the energy costs, as well as the purchase price. What about features? Do you want power saving features like MDCL? Integrated remote control? There are a lot of things to consider when making a big purchase.
Tom, I really fear that BE quite possibly might not be around 10 years down the road. I don't know of that many people I know that lately have bought from them. I also know the few that did has issues with their stuff, many right from delivery. Of the three, I'd be most fearful right now of BE. That's just my personal opinion, of course.
TomT said:Also consider if the company you are buying from will be around in ten years.
Or will be able to support the rig you purchased in 10 years. I've worked on 25 year old Nautel rigs that when I called for help, not only did they have someone who knew the rig, but had parts to repair it.
We have a Nautel V5 that while not flawless has not caused the station to be off the air for anything but scheduled repairs and maintenance. It's in a well grounded, cool, clean environment but there have been a few issues which began during the warranty period and they have continued to cover even though we're out of warranty now. But even with those issues aside there's just not another manufacturer I'd recommend a client buy from due to the support at the other end of the phone even during off hours you get from Nautel. There's just too much uncertainty when the investment bankers own the company and really, the pricing is fairly comparable.
I had an XR6 back in Texas, it worked well for the most part. But be sure to get a spare RF module with the rig, we had ours go a few times during lightning storms. Since the transmitter only has one module you have to swap the whole thing to get back on air.
We had a BE AM5 that ran like a champ for many years there too, most rigs from the big names will do the job just fine its mostly about personal taste. Coke, Pepsi, DrPepper, BE, Harris, Nautel.
We had a BE AM5 that ran like a champ for many years there too, most rigs from the big names will do the job just fine its mostly about personal taste. Coke, Pepsi, DrPepper, BE, Harris, Nautel.
Both BE and Harris are effectively now owned by investment banker types. Nautel is owned by locals in Canada where Nautel is based out of. One thing about Harris' investment bankers though is they have a track record of buying spin-offs, fixing them up, then selling them off for a profit. If a group has to be owned by investment bankers, I'd much rather go the "Gores Group" route. They aren't in the business of destruction for profit.
In the area I travel, I see as many BE transmitters as Nautel... at least at power levels up to 10kW.
I have had nearly equal performance from both. I have also had excellent support from both.
Since I don't write the checks for these things, I have no problem being handed either to install or maintain. Beyond that, it's up to the owners.
I have had nearly equal performance from both. I have also had excellent support from both.
Since I don't write the checks for these things, I have no problem being handed either to install or maintain. Beyond that, it's up to the owners.
OKCRadioGuy said:
But you have to wonder, who will come after the Gores Group? When the time comes to sell Harris, will the next owners be user friendly?
Bengalsfan said:
It is a risk, when companies are in transition. One never knows if the next owner is really interested in being a transmitter maker or if they're just a bunch of bean counters. However, that said, companies are bought and sold all the time. We call the company "Harris", but we must remember that the original comany was Gates. It's just that Harris has owned the Gates brand for so long that the original company has faded from our memories. Many of today's engineers weren't even born when Intertype bought Gates. When Intertype/Harris bought Gates fifty years ago, a lot of people probably wondered what a printing press company was doing buying up a transmitter maker. Speculation might have been that Harris wanted to loot the corporation and put them out of business since transmitters competed against print media. Of course, we now know that Intertype was looking at broadcast and other tech investments as a way to diversify against the eventual demise of print media. Pretty forward thinking on their part, I'd say. And, of course, a lot of good transmitters were made by Harris for decades.
If Gores is going to invest in Gates for a few years to make them stronger and sell the company for a profit, that's not a bad thing. Assuming the plan works, whoever buys Gates is going to be paying for a profitable company. The odds are reasonably good that the eventual buyer will want to continue the same path to continued prosperity.
For me, the most important question would be: Do I like the current transmitter offering that Gates is selling? If the answer was yes, then I'd seriously consider it. If Nautel (or others) seemed to be a better value, then eliminate Gates and move on to round 2.
Right now, the best solid state transmitter you can buy with the best tech support available is Nautel. A no brainer decision. BE makes great transmitters, but I am worried about the company's health long term. Some BE users have had some tech support issues in recent months. Harris tech support has improved lately. I do wish with Harris Broadcast having been sold, that the new owners would revive the Gates Radio Company branding. Especially as that trademark would likely not be encumbered.
- Status