If it could go wrong...

Wow! Talk about a case of "If it could go wrong, it would!" I moved AM1700's audio to FM even though Part-15 FM will barely get you down the block. All was going well until I blew a circuit breaker yesterday. That knocked FM off the air and I couldn't get an electrician until today. (I'm good with low voltage stuff, but I don't trust myself inside a breaker panel.) I've got a lot of equipment with computers and other electronics, I don't want to possibly overload another circuit.

Work is progressing slowly on AM1700's transmitter. It's time for another trip to Radio Shack to get the right desoldering equipment. I want to get back on the air this week! So, I want to get the transmitter fixed so I can run tests.

Off the Air

I'm not sure what happened, but AM 1700's audio went "bad". This the first problem we've had with the Rangemaster in over two years. A quick call to Keith Hamilton who suggested either the audio IC or a modulation transformer. So, I checked the Radio Shack web site, and, surprise, they still stock some IC's and the one I need. I picked up two. Now I have to fix and test the transmitter and, of course, it's raining today. I'd hoped I could work on it in place rather than tearing everything down and bringing it indoors.

This problem confirms my thoughts that I need a backup transmitter. I had a Metzo that I parted with, and I regret that decision. Looks like I'll get an SSTRAN as a backup. This is sort of like what's done in the industry when your primary transmitter is a shiny new Nautel and the backup is the old Western Electric from the '50's. It keeps you on the air!