[BC] Radio stations that buy new equipment...

[SHAFFER, RANDY L]

I think everyone who had comments make valid points.

I think it depends on budget and market. Smaller markets with the type of station that
Paul operates probably won't notice a mic difference. While at a medium market with lots of
competition, the difference would be noticed. It was mentioned earlier, people may not know
why one station seems better than another, just that it does to them.
(this coming from someone who bought his own mic because the station mic was so bad)

As a long-time dumpster diver, my church media center wouldn't have half the equipment
that we do, if radio/TV stations didn't upgrade from time to time. Although we would like
newer gear, it is good enough for our TV program. No one watching knows that we use
1970's B&W Ampex/Conrac Camera monitors (they just don't die), Tripods from 1950's
microwave gear, and tripod heads that once held Norelco studio cameras. But, our
switching and editing is done on Trinity, DVCpro and Casablanca systems. Racks are
from a local HS remodel, Yamaha audio console was a discard from a Phoenix A/V company.
The point is that you need to make wise decisions on what makes a difference.

To the public, if you are in town, a good looking front lobby makes more of an impression than 
new siding on the mountain top transmitter. How you look or sound on the air is the front
lobby to the public. The quality of what they hear or see is what is important, they don't
care that a squirrel and his buddies running in a wheel powers the blower.

Before anyone thinks I'm saying don't maintain your transmitter site, that's not my point
at all. I'm saying that if you are on a very limited budget, you need to make wise decisions
based on budget, quality and image. The quality part will vary from market to market.

Randy Shaffer
Harrisburg, PA