Output Power Issues

As of today, Thursday, Sept. 29th we at 10% power output. It looks like I have a failing final output tube. This will speed up my efforts to install the new solid state transmitter we took delivery of yesterday. Please bear with us. Over the next week our signal will be weaker and probably next weekend we will get the new system installed. Thanks in advance for your understanding. These upgrades will help us in the future.

Future Upgrades, Outages and Changes

In the next 3 months expect some hiccups in our broadcast signal as we make upgrades for hardening our main and backup transmitter sites. Here is a quick synopsis.

1. We have a new transmitter building for our backup in Duson. As of now I am moving all things into that building.

2. In the next few weeks I will turn off the HD signal so that transmitter can be moved to the backup site and then put in the analog mode so it can run as a backup while a new transmitter is installed into the main site in Maxie.

3. After a new main transmitter is installed in Maxie then I will move the old analog transmitter to the backup site in Duson.

4. All this should take a few months and you should expect no downtime on the analog signal, but the HD signal will be down for a while.

5. Please be patient as this will improve reliability overall for the future.

Podcast Issues and Network Outage

Last Saturday we had a campus wide network outage for a few hours which interrupted our stream. That is why the stream was not available.
Then Sunday morning the computer I use for podcast recordings and uploads retired unexpectedly. It was 8 years old and I revived it many times in the past but it finally gave up.
Today another computer takes its place. We'll try to get as many podcasts as we can back on line.

Analog Full Power Reliability and HD Woes

Finally got the correct parts to bring full reliability to our analog transmitter. So full power should be strong and solid. The HD transmitter however, still has issues. I am awaiting return of our HD encoder from the manufacturer. Once received I will get it installed as quickly as possible.

We are awaiting arrival of our new transmitter shelter for the backup site. Once that is done then I will be ready for a new main transmitter. Look for good things ahead for KRVS.

Low Power Operation Temporarily

Christmas morning surprised me with an off air situation. I had us back on the air within an hour but we're limited to around 10% power. That will not cover Lake Charles and cause the radio reading service to be noisy. I need to replace a relay and a contactor which I can order on Monday 12/27 and then install on Tuesday 12/28. Please be patient and we'll be back up to full power soon.

Back Up to Full Power

Just finished and now KRVS is back up to full power at 4:40pm CDT. This morning began the job of replacing the cooling blower motor for the transmitter. The low power backup was used since 10:30am this morning. I removed the motor/blower assembly and made a trip to Judice Electric where I obtained a replacement motor and they installed it for me onto the blower housing.
Thanks to Blair Gee for the muscle. So today I saved lots of $$$ by doing this job through a local parts outlet. I'll have a little more tinkering in the next day or two but expect greatly reliability in the future for KRVS.

HD Transmitter Off Air

The KRVS transmitter for the HD radio signal is off air due to an encoder issue. The has been returned to the manufacturer for repair. Still no date for signal restoration but I am anxiously awaiting the equipment return so we restore the HD signal.