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How many part 15 stations have backup transmitter systems?
How many part 15 stations have backup transmitter systems?
We have talked about using the part 15 station to transmit emergency messages to the surrounding community, but what if a radio station itself goes down? There can be lightning strikes, wind storms or perhaps a tree falling on the antenna.
How quickly can you be back on the air?
My station operates on several frequencies, which provides the benefit of alternative signals in case one goes down, but each frequency has a different coverage characteristic.
This year my primary AM transmitter, AMT5000 at 1680kHz, will be the first of my stations to have a redundant backup transmitter, located physically about 100-feet away from each other, in the hope of being able to switch instantly should the operating unit go out.
In fact, the second transmitter might provide an additional advantage, because it will have a better antenna system in the form of a 3-meter vertical in an open area with ground radials, allowing improved coverage area during the nighttime hours.
Eventually each of my transmitters will have a backup ready to go.
Total posts : 45366I’ve accumulated several AM’s. I have 6 older Talking House II units, a Metzo, a Lafayette KT-195, 2 Wild Planet Radio DJ’s, 3 Remco Caravelles and the Big Daddy-Radio Systems Phase II 20 watt for those special catastrophic times quickly approaching.
I also have the TCU CC coupler so I could do CC if needed.
I also have backup power for the house.
Total posts : 45366was the boy scout motto back when i was in troop 656.
Wow! MRAM you are prepared and in these uncertain times that is a good plan. I do have several FM Transmitters and one AM however no back up power other than the 12 volts from the Rock Van which could do in a pinch i suppose.
Carl and Bob you both have given members here at Part15.us something to think about. I am not sure how many local radio stations in my area are even prepared to provide vital information in the event of a disaster man made or otherwise.
Then again, we could provide un-filtered information provided we know the source is reliable. Not many corporate stations will do that.
Total posts : 45366I’m just looking at all of MRAM’s back up facilities and wondering what he thinks is going to happen where so much backup is needed?
If it were me, that is if MRAM were me, or maybe, if I was MRAM, or, we were both each other, what I would and he would do is rig up that Radio Systems “Big Daddy” and coupler and do CC right away.
Sort of makes you want an emergency.
Total posts : 45366I’ll admit I have a few two many Talking House units but it was a great deal!
The Caravelles and the KT-195 are part of recapturing my youth. I had both when I was about 10 or 11 years old. I’ve been buying all the radio stuff I had when I was a kid for my collection.
I heard about the Radio DJ’s here and just had to try one out, then I bought another.
I bought the Metzo simply for it’s small size. I thought about mounting it in a box at the antenna but didn’t care for that approach.
The generator, well what can I say. You gotta have juice. And besides, it’s fun to have the lights on when everybody else is sittin’ in the dark.
I do have a couple FM’s, one on air running Gaules Moldie Oldies and simulcasting some of my AM programming.
Like I said a long time ago, I’m a Part 15 junkie.
Total posts : 45366Carl, the bad weather season is quickly approaching, it is that time of year when severe thunderstorms and tornado’s tend to be more abundant. Though i cannot speak for everyone, this area of Kentucky has already had an early dose of severe thunderstorms and outbreaks of tornado activity back at the end of March and the first week of April. One community was hit twice.
Besides severe weather, if this country doesn’t find a way to pull out of this economic nosedive the ability to survive on own may become necessary.
I don’t want to turn this into a political debate so i will leave it alone.
Total posts : 45366Even though the politics are way beyond our control, we can provide a radio beacon as refugees from the south march north, and refugees from the north march south.
Announcer: “If you are heading south, head for the big hill. If you are going north, simply walk toward the abandoned Ramhilt Hotel.”
“If you are coming from the east, you might want to make a right turn and go north.”
“We ran out of sardines and peanut butter yesterday, so please do not ask.”
Total posts : 45366I want to share a bit of information posted on my Facebook yesterday about N.O.A.A , Earth Day and Social Networking. I placed this on my website so anyone can read it and not worry about making a Facebook account or searching for it on Google.
http://rock95seven.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day-being-prepared.html
Total posts : 45366The Only Backup I have is in case of power failure. If the power ever goes out here the station stays on like nothing happened.
In case of Transmitter failure, either the AM or the FM will pick up the slack for the other one being off.
Of course with me being clustered (95.7 99.9 1560 1650) I can easily mix and match stations in case of failure.
Total posts : 45366Rock95seven the item you posted definitely serves as a “drafting” of everyone into a preparedness exchange network, and this includes part 15 operators, who have the advantage of a megaphone for disseminating information.
As a station operator I must decide what, exactly, will I do in the event of severe weather. The present policy is to quickly disconnect to protect the electronic equipment. Staying on the air is exactly the opposite, staying on and risking the equipment, and that’s where back up facilities begin to matter.
When I raised the question of backup equipment, I was only thinking about routine failure, but a backup plan includes more than equipment…. it also requires a policy for personal action, as rock95seven makes clear.
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