In just over 24 hours Grant Broadcasters’ commercial stations Bay 93.9 and K rock 95.5, and community stations 94.7 The Pulse and 96three FM all got new Nautel NV5-LT transmitters installed and on air at the Murradoc Hill site in Geelong, Victoria.
Grant Broadcasters Head of Technology, John Sandles built the facility in 1990, and has managed the site ever since (there is 35 years between the picture above and the picture main!). The 96three FM transmitter celebrated its 50th birthday this year and while it was still chugging along nicely, the valves that were part of its infrastructure are no longer made, however John may have held onto one or two for posterity.
The four new Nautel NV5-LTs are supported by new electrical systems and more power efficient cooling closed air systems for solid state technology.
The four stations banded together for the purchase. The transmitters being able to be freighted and installed together meant significant cost savings as compared to just one install at a time.
The only slight hiccup, after preparatory electrical works, cooling systems pre-installed and old valve transmitters were decommissioned and removed from the site, was that the new transmitter shipping crates were 1cm too high for the site door!
They were eventually positioned, an electrician connected all at once and the RF plumbing installed. From arrival to on-air took just over a day, and that included sleep time for John and Broadcast Engineer Dean Gray.
Bay 93.9 and K rock also installed Nautel VX2 transmitters as standby for each service.
Murradoc Hill site
John loves the radio medium and has witnessed firsthand the role transmitters play in times of emergency connecting the community with essential information. Through his broadcast engineering business he recently assisted Territory FM and numerous other commercial and community stations with their upgrades and is always happy to provide guidance to stations on their individual needs.
