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WYSL Transmitter down or on low power?
- Thread starter n2wds
- Start date
The station is operating at 15kw for the time being. From what I was told there is a problem with fuses malfunctioning in the transmitter. Not being an engineer, I'm don't know the technical terms for what is causing this, but that's what is going on.
The station is currently running at 15kw daytime because of a problem with fuses in the transmitter.
Sorry for the repeated information, but my first post did not go through so I posted a second time. :
Sorry for the repeated information, but my first post did not go through so I posted a second time. :
Sounds like the fuses are doing what they are supposed to do.
Hi, everyone. There are two problems with which we've dealt, or with which we are dealing.
One is referenced, somewhat inaccurately, by Mark Giardina. The main Nautel 30kw transmitter utilizes a step-start system where individual blocks of four 1500-watt PAs turn on using control relays when the high-power Tx is energized at morning pattern change. This system has a recognized design flaw which Nautel has corrected with a factory retrofit, requiring six new individual subassemblies replacing the open-frame relays, one for each group of 4 PAs. They are prohibitively expensive. Instead WYSL is opting for replacement of the open-type relays plus regular maintenance, preventing the contact pitting which causes the relays to stick. When the relays malfunction a 2.5 amp slo-blo fuse goes. Replacing a $2 fuse every day after pattern change is a little silly, so we're turning the affected block on manually every day instead of through the step-start system, and turning it off manually at night. Because we're busy, sometimes we forget. The bad relay should be replaced soon (we have new spares in stock.) n2wds, if WYSL is scratchy for you, call us to remind us and we'll turn on "The Wellsville Block" for you!
We've also been off, or at lower power on occasion lately, because of tower work. WYSL Tower #1 was repainted a couple of Saturdays ago, but unfortunately the tower riggers inadvertently caused a problem with the tower lighting system while they were on it. It's taken a few days to get them back here to re-climb and troubleshoot. Friday we isolated the problem in the beacon flasher circuit so that issue has been fixed.
One is referenced, somewhat inaccurately, by Mark Giardina. The main Nautel 30kw transmitter utilizes a step-start system where individual blocks of four 1500-watt PAs turn on using control relays when the high-power Tx is energized at morning pattern change. This system has a recognized design flaw which Nautel has corrected with a factory retrofit, requiring six new individual subassemblies replacing the open-frame relays, one for each group of 4 PAs. They are prohibitively expensive. Instead WYSL is opting for replacement of the open-type relays plus regular maintenance, preventing the contact pitting which causes the relays to stick. When the relays malfunction a 2.5 amp slo-blo fuse goes. Replacing a $2 fuse every day after pattern change is a little silly, so we're turning the affected block on manually every day instead of through the step-start system, and turning it off manually at night. Because we're busy, sometimes we forget. The bad relay should be replaced soon (we have new spares in stock.) n2wds, if WYSL is scratchy for you, call us to remind us and we'll turn on "The Wellsville Block" for you!
We've also been off, or at lower power on occasion lately, because of tower work. WYSL Tower #1 was repainted a couple of Saturdays ago, but unfortunately the tower riggers inadvertently caused a problem with the tower lighting system while they were on it. It's taken a few days to get them back here to re-climb and troubleshoot. Friday we isolated the problem in the beacon flasher circuit so that issue has been fixed.
Savage said:
I was never known for being accurate. :
n2wds, today WYSL should be rattling the sheet-steel on the old Sinclair refinery as before. Our indispensable Play Freebird swung by Radio Ranch yesterday evening and the cranky Nautel relays were replaced. We were tossing the full 20kw (46kw equivalent in the southwest lobe aimed at you) bright and early this morning. Without my having to remember to turn on the bad power block! Whadda country!
Funny story about your SW lobe. Our imaging voice is KDKA's Kelly Pidgeon (who also does WBEN AM-FM.) Kelly discovered us while driving to work on Pittsburgh's north side one summer morning as his truck radio scanning down to get 1020 stopped on 1040. WYSL was pounding into Pittsburgh around 7am and he was startled to hear on AM his main competition, Quinn and Rose, almost as readable as KDKA! He e-mailed the DX report, we hit it off, and...the rest is, as they say, "history!"
Funny story about your SW lobe. Our imaging voice is KDKA's Kelly Pidgeon (who also does WBEN AM-FM.) Kelly discovered us while driving to work on Pittsburgh's north side one summer morning as his truck radio scanning down to get 1020 stopped on 1040. WYSL was pounding into Pittsburgh around 7am and he was startled to hear on AM his main competition, Quinn and Rose, almost as readable as KDKA! He e-mailed the DX report, we hit it off, and...the rest is, as they say, "history!"
Good to know all is back to normal there in Wahlburger Land! If the ole smoke stack at the "Dinosaur" was still standing, I'm sure it'd be quivering with all that electromagnetic radiation! (Only a radio geek would be "hot and bothered" over that term). ;D Did notice the signal MIA late yesterday afternoon.
Great story. Care to share the furthest reception report received?
Have chatted a couple of times with Jim on the 160 and 80 meter ham bands, where a group of NY/PA hams have a nightly "Bravo Sierra" round table chat. Some of the stories he's shared from his younger days in the business....would make a sailor blush!
Great story. Care to share the furthest reception report received?
Have chatted a couple of times with Jim on the 160 and 80 meter ham bands, where a group of NY/PA hams have a nightly "Bravo Sierra" round table chat. Some of the stories he's shared from his younger days in the business....would make a sailor blush!
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