[SBE] WUVT Station Update: Equipment Needed

[chscherer at everestkc.net]

This information was released by WUVT today.

Chriss Scherer



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350 Squires Student Center
VPI & SU
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
www.wuvt.vt.edu
(540) 231-9880

RADIO PROFESSIONALS GIVE BACK TO VIRGINIA TECH RADIO STATION

BLACKSBURG, Va. (May 14) -- In the wake of the tragic events that unfolded at
Virginia Tech on April 16, a tremendous amount of support has been extended to the
students and staff of the university. In the weeks following, officials from Clear Channel
Radio, the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), and many other companies teamed up
with the campus radio station, WUVT 90.7 FM, to support the station’s aged transmitter.

Since the beginning of the spring semester, the current transmitter has
experienced extensive technical difficulties due to its age and undesirable environmental
conditions in the top of the dormitory, Lee Hall; this led to the station broadcasting at a
significantly lower power level. Steve Davis, the Senior VP Engineering at Clear
Channel Radio and Chriss Scherer, the President of SBE, expressed their desire to return
the station to its full licensed power as soon as possible.

Kevin Sterne, Chief Engineer of WUVT, helped return the station to partial
power after the malfunctions began. On April 16, Kevin was in Norris Hall during the
Virginia Tech shooting. Kevin sustained a gunshot wound but the doctors have since
said that he will make a full recovery. Kevin says that instead of flowers and gifts, he
asks that people help him achieve is career-long goal of upgrading the station and the
transmitter come true.

After hearing about Kevin’s strong passion for the radio station, officials from
Clear Channel and the SBE contacted WUVT to help. Coordinating efforts between
organizations, WUVT was able to achieve full power on April 28. The 22 year old
Broadcast Electronics transmitter has been repaired; however, Harris and Clear Channel
is sending a back up transmitter for stand-by in case WUVT needs it.

In addition to WUVT facility returning to full power, Clear Channel Radio and
the SBE have been working with the General Manager of WUVT, Kim Foley, Business
Manager, William Glynn, and the university to help secure WUVT’s future in the New
River Valley. The university is supporting WUVT in attempting to relocate the
equipment, to a tower on Price Mountain.

Clear Channel is donating a Harris Z5 transmitter, transmitter building, antenna sufficient
to generate 10 KW ERP, and engineering help to WUVT to assist in their upgrade at
Price Mountain.

Dane Erickson of Hammett & Edison has offered to prepare the engineering
portion of the FCC filing required for the WUVT-FM upgrade. SBE has also offered their
FCC Counsel, Chris Imlay, to finalize and submit the FCC filing once signed and
authorized by WUVT-FM. SBE is promoting donations to be made to the station on
behalf of the engineer recently wounded. In addition, Orban has provided us with an
Optimod 8500 processor. Telos/Omnia/Axia, CBS, and Dielectric offers to provide
whatever assistance they can. Tom Silliman, President of Electronics Research, Inc. also
offers help in retuning the donated antenna to the 90.7 frequency.

In the light of a tragic event, many organizations have come together to lift the
spirits of WUVT.

WUVT is still looking for cash donations or in-kind donations of equipment or
services still needed (see below for a complete list); if you believe you can provide
assistant to help WUVT see their project followed through, please contact our General
Manager Kim Foley at 540-231-9880 or mailto:Kimfoley at vt.edu.

WUVT is Virginia Tech’s independent, student-run, not-for-profit radio station.
http://www.wuvt.vt.edu.


Items WUVT is still looking for:
Equipment and services needed:
Digital STL transmitter receiver
STL antenna for 900MHz
Coordination of STL path
RF line and cnnectors for STL
Iceguard/tramway to tower for feedlines
Excavation of foundation pad for building
Slate bed for pad pour
Concrete pour
Electrical conduit and hook-ups, lighting, etc.
Additional remote control system
Additional security fencing needed around site
HD Radio modulation monitor