[BC] Nautel 2 Armstrong

[Miltron]

I've had some experience with two Armstrong FMs, niether one exactly user-friendly. The first thing you notice is the need for an electric screwdriver to gain entry and to close.
In both, there was a need for some tool or accessory that does not exist to extract the 3CX3000 tube from the cylinder into which it seemed to have been pressed with a heavy duty ram of some sort. Took lots of effort, ingenuity, and bad words to accomplish removal.
In the FM-3500T, it was necessary to disasssemble the cabinet to find a switch that bypassed a battery, which, when dead, caused off-air-ness. (The actual location of the battery is still unknown to me; further disassembly is apparently required.)
After going through an answering service to get him and waiting a while, the night man gave the needed info when he called, but seemed far less than enthused to help.
M

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-----Original Message-----
>From: Glen Kippel <glen.kippel at gmail.com>
>Sent: Feb 9, 2007 12:01 AM
>To: Broadcasters' Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>Subject: Re: [BC] Nautel 2 Armstrong
>
>OK, I hope nobody inferred that I was suggesting that their re-badged
>equipment might be in any way inferior.  Not so.  What I have seen at the
>NAB has impressed me, and I don't get impressed easily.  I haven't actually
>used their gear, but I have had some experience with Bext, and I know that
>it is designed to be used out in the middle of Africa, where the nearest
>engineer may be 1000 miles away.  And their customer support is great.  I
>like being about a two-hour drive away, too, in case there is a problem.
>