[BC] EMP - SS versus thermionic finals

[Robert Meuser]

I won't argue that point. I was not listening to WCBS FM because I was 
quite busy working at that time but I have no reason to believe that 
they were not on air. . Clear Channel also did well and I know Channel 2 
stayed up. That is but one narrow example.  NYC broadcasters do not have 
a great history of surviving disasters. Look back to the great blackout 
in the 60s. We both know first hand that few managers or owners had any 
real interest in disaster preparedness until after 911. That was like 
closing the barn door after the horses already ran out.  I am not 
targeting just one market. I believe the industry as a whole is not up 
to a major disaster. If there were more Clear Channels around the 
situation would be greatly improved.

R

Bob Tarsio wrote:

>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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>  
>