[BC] something for each site

[SHAFFER, RANDY L]

Barry wrote -

>I know that some of you are like me, you like a set of tools at each 
>site, so the one you need is not "at the other place" ...

>If you were going to budget for a new set of stations, how much would 
>you plan to spend, per station?

>$50 per site
>$100
>$150
>$200
>$250

>Or, would you buy $25 per month until you "filled" up the bench?

Barry, I think it depends on the site.

If it is a single site and you and a couple of trusted engineers are the only ones using it, then you could buy a couple hundred dollars in tools and call it done. I'm assuming you are just talking handtools and not scopes and electronic test gear.
At WLYH, we had just three engineers, rarely did anyone else use our tools. We had the same tools, some custom, for over 15 years. If we spent $50 a year on additions or replacing worn tools, I'd be surprised.

When Clear Channel bought WHP-TV and added us together, tools disappeared within a couple years. Too many had access - news, production, and others would just walk into the shop and "borrow" tools. Shops at transmitter sites were sometimes open to others and tools would travel from site to site. I was spending, on average, over $100 a month on tools for all sites. If there is a clearance or special, I buy them because I know we'll need them at some point this year. I have some Christmas specials in my office now waiting for engraving. That was a change last year, which I think has helped. At least if a tool walks, someone knows where it belongs.

Randy Shaffer
WLYH-TV/WHP-TV
Clear Channel Television 
Harrisburg, PA 17110