IT'S AH-LIVE!!!!

Microwave Gear



It is always a great feeling when the first real broadcast gear goes into operation in a new broadcast facility. It signals that construction is either over or will be over shortly. That doesn't matter if it is a radio station or television station, studio or transmitter. In this case, it is the television transmitter site that is now AH-LIVE!

There is about 2 weeks of construction left, but equipment has started to arrive. The transmitters will be here next week. As of this posting, they are on their way and may be in the state by now waiting for delivery next week. But the first piece of live gear to become operational on this project is the microwave gear.

The dishes were aligned three weeks ago and the microwave gear was temporarily connected to the antennas and then removed until the shop was ready to accept the equipment. The racks were shipped in last week, assembled and placed. This week, the electricity was turned on today. Ross the Boss and myself plumbed in the microwave feedlines into the shop to the equipment racks this morning and then after the power was turned on, we placed the equipment in the racks and hooked it up and turned it on. Checked the signal level, and the picture quality. All was where it should be.

It was shear joy in making this wonderful milestone happen. I had wanted to have this milestone completed earlier in the week, but had to wait for the plugmold that mounts in the rear of the racks to arrive and then be installed, but my goal was to have this working by the end of the week.

It is also a great thing to be able to share with someone who understands the importance of this as well. Of course, Ross the Boss understands. I can't remember when I have seen him as happy and excited as he was today running the last few feet of microwave line, helping installing the equipment and then working through the final connection puzzle with me that made the whole thing work.

After standing around and watching others hard at work and just answering questions and imagining what things would look like and the order in which things needed to be done, it was a great rush to FINALLY be doing something that can be directly seen to contribute to the final product. As I keep telling the construction workers, their work is winding down, but mine is just starting up for the next 3 months or so. I will be more busy in the next few weeks than they have been the whole project.

The birthing of this "baby" is now in the labor pains stage and will be in full labor in the next week! We know this "baby" will be a healthy and happy one, since the people who are doing the work are happy as well! The delivery team is ready and has started its work.

What a neat way to end the year on such a high note. Yes, IT'S AH-LIVE!!!