[WXBH-Discuss] Still Here...

[topdog at woofer.com]

Finally, a post that is on topic!

Hi Virgil (and everyone else),

At the last meeting I attended (in April) we decided that the IDEAL 
spot for the
transmitter would be right across the street from the Brick House at 
2nd and KY.
There is a 16 story building there.  We could do the STL by WiFi or even IR -
lots of free possibilities.

By the order of the Construction Permit, we must put the transmitter within 3
miles of the original proposed site which is by U of L's Shelby Campus.  It
could take longer to get a move approved then the time that we have to get on
the air (or have the license revoked).  The general concensus is to 
find a site
out there, get it running, and then apply for a move (if we can).  The closer
that we can move it west from there, the better a chance of actually hearing
the station at the Brick House.  It is very doubtful that we will hear it at
all.

We may be able to use the building at 2nd and KY as a "launch site" for a
microwave STL hop.  I hadn't thought of that until now. There are already some
sort of repeaters up there and our microwave might interfere with them 
(whereas
the actual transmitter shouldn't).  I don't know anything of the cost of the
microwave equipment vs. equalized lines.

I haven't heard yet if anyone has asked any of these sites for 
permission yet. I want to do a survey of the proposed transmitter area 
but have not yet had any
time.  If you are out in that area, keep your eyes open.

Somebody mentioned a DSL line (and other options) for STL.  What I didn't hear
mentioned was ISDN which is a dedicated digital line that doesn't use the
internet (i.e. you are on "full speed" all the time even if the internet is
slow or even down).  Many stations use that format.  I used a device called a
Zephyr (a fancy ISDN CODEC modem) for a live show for over two years without a
glitch!  We can't afford a Zephyr ($6K each and 2 are needed) but I'm sure
there is something else like that out there - maybe even some Freeware
programs.  The Brick House does have quite a number of older computer parts
which could be put into service for something like that.  Speed 
shouldn't be an
issue - ISDN is a 128K line as I remember.  A dedicated ISDN line costs around
$100 per month.

I think we have the transmitter covered.  We do have some questions about the
antenna and I have been talking to some broadcast engineers about it - 
but they
don't know a lot about the LP rules.  On the CP, it lists only horizontal
polarization but somewhere else it says that LPFM broadcasters can use
horizontal OR vertical OR circular OR eliptical polarization.  No multi 
bays. In that case, circular would be my choice but we would have to 
buy it
commercially.

If we went with strict horizontal, I would like to build it but we are 
trying to
determine if that is possible (per LPFM rules).  We can't go over our allotted
24 watt ERP (I know the calculation) but antenna gain is critical in
determining that.  We are also not allowed to have an ERP of less than 
12 watts
so there is some leeway.  A dipole should have unity gain but we would have to
be able to prove that.  Homemade should only make it less gain and it's
inconceivable that it would be more.  Our transmitter has a variable wattage
output from 10-100 watts.  If you know anything about this please respond.

I think Aron is the goto guy coordinating the tech group with the Brick 
House. I have proposed that we have some technical-only meetings 
(preferably for me on
Saturday afternoons) so we can get down to the brass tacks of getting on the
air.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Paul Nevitt
Engineer


Quoting Virgil Baldon Jr <vbaldonky at hotmail.com>:

>
>   Hello! With Derby and other ongoing projects, I've been swamped and 
> couldn't
>   attend any meetings. But things are easing up now, and I can make a fer
>   meetings. A couple of observations on what I've read on the discussion
>   threads:
>
>   1) I suggest you hold up on the studio-transmitter link discussion 
> until the
>   antenna relocation site is decided. Has anyone followed up on my suggestion
>   of the old LG&E radio relay tower at 7th & Ormsby? The new site location
>   will definitely bring in or rule out certain STL schemes. I can add RF
>   equipment (antenna, feedline, transmitter and, if needed, microwave STL) to
>   the equipment listing anytime.
>
>   2)  Be  VERY sure that any wire and cable you run through the walls or
>   roof has jacketing that is
>
>   properly fire-resistant (e.g. "plenum rated") and wire of the proper gauge
>   (diameter).  This  goes  for alarm, security, audio, video...anything.
>   Inspectors WILL check!
>   VIRGIL H. BALDON, JR.
>   Broadcast & A/V Production and Consulting
>   PO Box 485, Louisville, KY 40201-0485
>   Phone: (502)772-3499  Cellular: (502)931-3963
>   E-Mail: vbaldonky at hotmail.com
>   Web: [1]http://www.angelfire.com/ky/baldonmedia1
>
> References
>
>   1. http://www.angelfire.com/ky/baldonmedia1
> -- 
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