[BC] Maintanence Log

[Glen Kippel]

On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 5:41 AM, Kevin Raper <kj4hyd at gmail.com> wrote:
>Anybody got a good Maintanence Log Sheet I could print and use?

>--------------
 
I always designed my own, using whatever word processor was in vogue at the time (and pen, paper and ruler before that -- but maybe you don't remember those times.  Or slide rules, either).  It is helpful to keep a log of all transmitter parameters, so that you can go back and compare with prior readings -- that could tell you if something is starting to go wrong.  When I was dealing with tube transmitters, I kept a record of the difference in temperature between the air intake and the exhaust stack; very helpful to check on the efficiency.  At one station I also calculated the difference between the AC input and RF output to also have a record of the overall efficiency.  From that I could project the future power bills and decide when it would be most cost-effective to replace the tube.  I created a bit of a stir at one NAB session when I suggested that it may be unwise to get the maximum tube life if the increased power bill created by reduced tube efficiency is greater than the replacement cost of the tube.  I guess that is still controversial. 
 
You could also keep track of STL readings and whatever else might be useful, like auxiliary transmitter readings.  I can't see where there would be a ":standard" maintenance log that would be applicable to every station.  Any sort of log is a great trouble-shooting aid.