We had a good turn
out with over 60 people from 4 states. We had two new members join at the
event.. There was good representation from the OKVRC club. Boy
Scout Troop 301 provided refreshments, and a new welcome banner was posted by
the entrance to the fairgrounds. We also had an unexpected chance
for some of our club members to show their mechanical skills when a water
fountain decided to go into the "fountain" mode. A silent auction
provided a chance for some bargains. The weather was good until about
midday when it started to rain (just when people were trying to pack up to
leave). Click on the pictures below to see a bigger image.
The swapmeet had
interesting items and provided a good opportunity to socialize with other
collectors about our hobby. Click on the pictures below to see a bigger image.
Eric Coon won the
best of show with his 1939 GE HM-185 television receiver. This is one of 5
units that are known to exist, out of the 500 originally produced. This
model was shown at the 1939 worlds fair. Click on the picture below to see a bigger image.
KRMG Transmitter Tour
Members visited the KRMG transmitter site on Saturday May
22nd. Norm Laramee, Chief Engineer for the radio station was our gracious
host. KRMG went on the air on December 31, 1949. They run a three-tower pattern
during the day, and six towers at night operating on 740Khz.
The original KRMG AM transmitter is an RCA Model BTA-50
(50,000-Watt) unit. This RCA transmitter remains in the building (there is
probably no way to get it out) and still can be operated. Back when this
transmitter was purchased, the building had to be specially designed for this
huge transmitter. The main transmitter cabinet extends from one end of the room
to the other, about sixty feet in length, plus there are separate rooms for the
blowers, high-voltage and modulation transformers and electrical service
components. The operating efficiency of these 55-year-old AM transmitters is
around 40% (power line to RF output conversion). After we had inspected the
transmitter “up close”, Norm shut the doors and started the system. We all
enjoyed seeing the old transmitter running again.
The new AM transmitter, installed about 1998, is a Harris
Model DX-50, 100% solid state and digitally modulated. This solid-state
transmitter is about 12 feet wide, 3 feet deep and 6 feet high and has an
operating efficiency of about 85%. We also got to see the remote studio, which
has not changed for many years. Norm told us that the station is planning a “garage
sale” of old equipment – which looked pretty interesting as we examined what
is stored at the station.
KFAQ Transmitter Tour
The HLARA toured the KFAQ AM 1170 transmitter site on October 18th. Ray
Klotz, the chief engineer was our gracious and knowledgeable host for this
event.
Click here for a description of
the tour. The following pictures were taken at the transmitter
facility. Click on the pictures below to see a bigger image.
First row - L to
R: 1) front door of transmitter building, 2) inside the building - 50kw
transmitter on left side, 3) equipment rack with modulation monitors and backup
transmitter on left side, 4) three tower phasing system, 5) equipment rack with
remote control display on computer monitor. Second row - L to R: 1)
50kw transmitter, 2) 4CX1500 and 4CX35000 tubes, 3) remote control and phasing
monitor equipment, 4) 50kw transmitter with front door open showing pulse
modulation system, 5) backup transmitter operating at 4kw output.
For
more information about the Harris 50kw transmitter, and the planned replacement
unit, click here.
The following
pictures were taken at the main tower. Click on the pictures below to see a
bigger image.
Pictures L to R:
1) Base of main (center) tower, 2) west tower base, 3) entrance to main tower
matching building, 4) inside building showing matching circuitry, 5) more
matching circuits.
