I just realized here we are in August and my Part 15 station celebrated it's 7th Anniversary in July.
Not much to report. The Procaster I've been running since day one continues to operate flawlessly. Range and field intensity readings (taken with an actual, calibrated Potomac commercial FIM) remain constant. The transmitter has been mounted (ungrounded) on the side of our house to a wooden attic window frame at about 30 feet above ground. It has had zero issues and has never been off the air even during power outages thanks to it's low current draw and my UPS backup supply. It's on the south side of the house so the sun beats on it all summer with ambient temps in the 90's and who knows what the temp might get to inside the box. And it remains stable in the winter when it reaches -35 below zero. Can't complain about Procaster!
The 2009 iMac I bought used when we went on in 2013 also remains rock solid. No failures or repairs. Runs 24-7 running Megaseg software (which I have never updated since installing it, LOL - if it works I generally don't mess with things). It automatically downloads news and airs it, etc. Facilitates easy scheduling of commercials and programs, as well as playing the playlist, etc. Everything I need it to do.
The station continues to cover it's own expenses (I actually pay music licensing fees) and random other minor expenses (I might occasionally buy more music, but there are over 5000 songs in there now, which is plenty). It also leaves me enough to donate to community events and still show a profit.
My audio also continues to be simulcast on the local cable TV service.
And in a sort of related note, the Oompah Hour, which is a weekly hour long polka music show which I produce for my station and share through self syndication to anyone who would like to air it is now at 6 1/2 years, 332 episodes. On 28 stations now, and with the UK and Canada stations recently added I can brag it's international, LOL.
When you live in a town that's only 1/4 mile long and 5 blocks wide it's pretty easy to cover the whole town with Part 15 AM!
So, I'm marking it down as another successful year.
I may not remember to share another anniversary update until it hits 10 years!
Tim in Bovey
Thought you were doing this for more than 7 years. Nice to hear the Procaster is working so well. In those temperature extremes does the frequency drift at all? You would know if you hear beating or a tone when the sky wave comes in with some other stations along with yours.
I use a Procaster now and my range is posted here if you didn't see.
Nice to hear everything is running smoothly.
Nice
I haven't ever noticed any drift, and I was expecting it. So that was a pleasant surprise.
I've only been running the Part 15 for 7 years, but I've been working in commercial broadcast radio for 47 years (since 1973). For the past 32 years I've been Chief Engineer for a 5000 watt directional AM, and 2 100,000 watt FM's and since last year also an AM translator. As well as hosting the morning show. So, a lot of years in radio, but only 7 in Part 15 operations.
TIB