The AM Forum

On October 2, I reported that a Gates BC-500T had followed me home; then 6 full size racks hitched a ride home on my trailer, and TODAY, just 22 days later an RCA BTA-1MX followed me home. Is the answer to get rid of the trailer? What's happening to me? A bunch of extra 833As and 807s hitchhiked with me and an original RCA Manual road in the back seat with these big transformer like thingys.

Seriously my thanks to KI4RUS, WA4NFY, KA4JVY, W1GUD, N4TTJ, KI4HHK and Contract Engineer Tony Fernandez for helping me extract this old beauty from WRXB in St. Petersburg. 

I know a uTube video is being edited and I'll post some pictures here too.

I have some knowledge of the Gates boxes but never worked on an RCA in my broadcast years, any ideas on conversion to the hame bands would be greatly appreciated.

Rodger
K1HH

Hello Rodger,

Seems that your trailer is working FB,  but a larger one,  or perhaps an Air-Ride truck would be a welcome addition.   You seem to be getting good at this !

73  Have Fun     Vic

These transmitters are like when the aliens visit from outer space -- they know which humans to follow around.

I was driving along in Penna. a while ago, when suddenly the CLICK and CLUNK of a U-Haul bumped the trailer hitch while I was underway.

When I got home, there it was -- an RCA 500MX that had "hitched" a ride home with me.

See proof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQj0ScIaENw

Rodger,

Isn't it great?  And the parts bonanza is something if you don't do a restoration.  The 833 by my reading of its specs is a fantastic tube. 

73

Rob
K5UJ 

News Flash!!!
We actually captured the RCA Transmitter chasing Roger home on videotape!!!!
Check it out, here's a link!

73, Warren W1GUD

FLA AM GROUP NET 3675/3805 Sundays 7am East



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opxGRbHLaBk

I guess prices are coming down or the owners do not see these transmitters as ASSETS any more and something that's in their way.
I have heard a number of RCA's on the Ham bands so, you should have good success with yours.
Lucky guy.....................two in one month!!!!!!
Fred

Our Florida AM Group is discussing the possability of centrally locating the RCA, putting it on 160 meters, and remotely controlling it via the internet and using VOIP for audio. We have issues to resolve, including  technical, legal, operational, and power.

The idea is a strapping (375 watt) transmitter that could be used by Group members and we would listen on out own individual receivers.

First, is to make the box work again.

Rodger
K1HH

A preliminary inspection of the transmitter on the trailer today shows a few items loose on their mounting bolts and one broken capacitor. Don't know if the cap was already cracked or the vibrations of 150 miles of Florida Freeway did it.

As soon as I get the box upright, I'll do a little circuit tracing. The cap was not an original because it didn't fit the mounting bolts and you can see the outline of a smaller cap underneath. There's some "juryrigging" at the attachment point using both strap and ordinary 12 gauge TW wire.

I don't suppose Rat Shack has any of these in stock.

Rodger
K1HH

Great find Rodger.........Good luck and hope to hear them on the air soon....Patrick

RCA back vertical today and on casters. Now if I've got this right, the RCA puts out 1000 watts and the Gates puts out 500 watts. If I feed them into a di-plexer I have my 1500 watts and that would mean I would not be a peanut whistle AM station any more ????????

Air compressor and shop-vac in hand; there's 50 years of dirt in this rig.

But it sure is easier to move without the IRON.

Rodger
K1HH