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Workbench
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by John Bisset
Radio World salutes John Bisset, author of Workbench, for his selection as the Society of Broadcast Engineers Educator of the Year.
An industry classic, Workbench provides "hands-on, in-the-trenches" tips -- by and for "hands-on, in-the-trenches" engineers. John Bisset, a chief engineer, contract engineer and industry equipment representative with almost four decades of experience, has compiled thousands of technical tips from readers around the industry, and adds his own special insights. Submissions for this column are encouraged and qualify for SBE recertification credit.
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Looking for Leaks? Try Formula 409
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by John Bisset, 8.02.2006
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Yes, antennas and line sometimes will leak air. But if you're losing tanks of air on your pressurized FM lines, more than likely you will find the problem on the ground.
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Solutions to AM Impedance Issues
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by John Bisset, 7.19.2006
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The reliability of today's broadcast equipment means many products are forgotten for many years - they just do their jobs over and over.
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I Don't Like Squirrels and Snakes
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by John Bisset, 7.05.2006
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Bob Meister was reading the May 24 column about methods for securing signs to towers and fences.
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Take Notes to Protect Yourself
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by John Bisset, 6.21.2006
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Good weather usually brings not only remotes but construction projects. Here are a few tips from West Virginia Radio Corp. Vice President of Engineering Noel Richardson.
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Why Equipment Misbehaves
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by John Bisset, 6.07.2006
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There are a lot of Boston Acoustics HD receivers out there now.
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Simple Methods for Securing Signs
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by John Bisset, 5.24.2006
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Scott Todd of Salem's Twin Cities KKMS(AM) in Eagan, Minn., offers a tip that can save your department some money.
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Code Violations Can Be Costly
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by John Bisset, 5.10.2006
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Dwight Morgan, CE for KOOL(FM) in Phoenix, commented on a previous topic, the cost-savings of using a shipping container for a transmitter building.
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Failures From Wire-Wound Resistors
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by John Bisset, 4.20.2006
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One of the best things you can do to foster teamwork among fellow department heads is to pass on useful information. For programmers, it may be a new feature that your hard drive automation system will perform.
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Increase Efficiency - Add Cooling
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by John Bisset, 4.12.2006
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It won't be long before transmitter buildings that lack air conditioning will turn into hot houses in many parts of the country, as higher daytime temperatures approach.
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The King of Shipboard Containers
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by John Bisset, 3.29.2006
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Grady Moates of Loud and Clean Consulting in Boston has a contract client who is king of the shipboard storage containers. I'd heard of using these steel containers for transmitter buildings, but never seen the idea implemented in such a grand way.
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Make a Case for Organized Remotes
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by John Bisset, 3.15.2006
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Spring, at most stations, brings the start of another remote season. Engineers in warmer climes haven't even had a winter break like the rest of us.
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Bleeding: It's Good for You!
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by John Bisset, 3.01.2006
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Last issue I encouraged you to inspect and clean transmitter capacitors. Through an inspection with a bright trouble lamp, you can spot potential problems like leaks, bulges or heat-discolored terminals that indicate pending capacitor failure.
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Bright Lights Spot Pending Failures
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by John Bisset, 2.15.2006
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Heading to the transmitter site? When was the last time you looked inside that big old rig?
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A True Remote Transmitter Reset
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by John Bisset, 2.01.2006
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Ed Bukont of Commstruction and Services remarked about our reminder to check filters and heat sinks on solid-state transmitters, often overlooked because the transmitters run so reliably.
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AM Site TLC Stops Off-Air Headaches
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by John Bisset, 1.18.2006
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Cold winter mornings are not the time to babysit AM contactors. If you maintain a directional AM, chances are these little workhorses are hidden somewhere in your site, switching twice a day. Like all moving parts, they do need periodic maintenance.
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Dig Safe or Don't Dig at All
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by John Bisset, 1.04.2006
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Have you experienced underground cable failure? During my time as a chief, one station lost an underground feeder for the three-phase electrical service, silencing both AM and FM. With no generator, we were on exciter power while the utility laid new cable.
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We Love That 'Mr. Clean Attitude'
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by John Bisset, 12.21.2005
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Aren't solid-state transmitters great? You just plug them in, and forget about them!...Too often that's what happens, unfortunately; and this "out-of-sight, out-of-mind" attitude eventually will cost you. Dirty air is no friend of the broadcast engineer and it can have a dramatic impact on the operation of solid-state transmitters.
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Decipher Tube Serial Numbers
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by John Bisset, 12.07.2005
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Cumulus Youngstown Market Engineer Wes Boyd sends a note regarding our picture of the Eimac serial number in the Nov. 23 column. Keeping track of the serial numbers on high-power tubes can aid in warranty issues. But what does the code stand for? Wes received an e-mail from Jim Keen at WRMU, who forwarded a comment from engineer Joe Mauk.
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Performance Rx for Reliable Tx
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by John Bisset, 11.23.2005
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The FM exciter's reflected power is a good place to start your "inside" transmitter site inspection checklist ...
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Rodents and AC Don't Mix
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by John Bisset, 11.09.2005
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There's a reason you want to plug cable entries around your transmitter building...This time of year, the warmth of a transmitter building will draw small rodents like a flame attracts a moth.
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