[BC] EMP - SS versus thermionic finals

[Bob Tarsio]

Robert:

I beg to differ about NYC radio station preparedness at least in one case
that I had direct involvement with. WCBS FM stayed on the air throughout the
black out a couple of years ago. They lost about 60 seconds at the
beginning. A well maintained genset and transmitter on the roof of the
Viacom building that I installed many years ago for WLTW and later converted
for WCBS's use ran 23 hours straight before commercial power was restored.
Not bad for an FM station that played music for a living. Credit should also
be given to Bill Prendergast then chief engineer for continuing a good
maintenance program on the generator and transmitter. It all worked the way
it was supposed to in an emergency because it was tested every week like
clock work.

Bob Tarsio
President
 
www.Broadcast-Devices.com
 


 

-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of Robert Meuser
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 11:19
To: Broadcasters' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [BC] EMP - SS versus thermionic finals

I think that after 911 and Katrina we know that this country is not 
prepared for any sort of disaster. The beltway types will morph what 
response is possible into a bureaucratic mess. I doubt that there are 
many if any stations that would survive such a disaster. Even in NYC 
time after time from blackouts to 911, most broadcasters proved how 
unprepared they were for any form of disturbance. WWL during Katrina was 
the exception to the rule and probably a little bit lucky as well.

R


Mark Humphrey wrote:

> On 2/23/07, Gary Peterson <kzerocx at rapidcity.net> wrote:
>
>> Without the necessary precautions, I suspect an EMP will leave your 
>> tube rig
>> in the "toast" category.  The firebottles will survive but lots of mica
>> capacitors may short out.  In an unprotected solid-state rig, the PN
>> junctions and mosfets would become blown fuses.
>
>
> This discussion has me wondering if there are any wide-coverage
> broadcast stations currently "hardened" against EMP.  Does anyone know
> if this is the case?
>
> The "Doomsday Clock" is now 2 minutes closer to midnight than it was
> in the early '60s, so perhaps this is a good time to think about
> emergency preparedness -- if you aren't still shocked that Britney
> shaved her head.
>
> Mark
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