[SBE] TV Station Purchase Checklist

[Rolin Lintag]

Thank you all for the helpful advice. We're doing both inspection and then due diligence. The after-sale concerns and tips are all good.

Rolin

-----Original Message-----
From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of sbe-request at sbe.org
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 10:30 PM
To: sbe at sbe.org
Subject: SBE Digest, Vol 140, Issue 2

Send SBE mailing list submissions to
        sbe at sbe.org

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
        http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
        sbe-request at sbe.org

You can reach the person managing the list at
        sbe-owner at sbe.org

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of SBE digest..."


SBE Roundtable

Today's Topics:

   1. Station Purchase Checklist (R.V.Zeigler)
   2. Re: TV Station Purchase Checklist (Bob Reite)
   3. Re: TV Station Purchase Checklist (George Nicholas)
   4. Re: TV Station Purchase Checklist (Jeff Welton)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:02:08 -0600
From: "R.V.Zeigler" <rzeigler at krvn.com>
Subject: [SBE] Station Purchase Checklist
To: sbe member discussion mail list <sbe at sbe.org>
Message-ID: <49A2E4A0.6080900 at krvn.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed"

One thing I would make sure of is that the siting of the towers, etc.
coincide with the licenses.
I worked for a company that did a swap. Upon checking the STL tower site, after the deal was done, I found that the height of the tower as well as the licensed site were off by a long way. This site was very near an airport.
Apparently the license was applied for to meet FAA specs, and then built so it would actually work. I left the company soon after this and never heard the final outcome, but I do know that there was some serious "lawyering" going on.
Rod

--
R. V. Zeigler, Dir. of Eng.
Nebraska Rural Radio Assn.
KRVN-KTIC-KNEB
rzeigler at krvn.com


------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:27:23 -0500
From: Bob Reite <br at telcen.com>
Subject: Re: [SBE] TV Station Purchase Checklist
To: sbe member discussion mail list <sbe at sbe.org>
Message-ID: <49A33EEB.4090304 at telcen.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Sometimes the seller may have a hard time believing you when you find
things at fault.  The way around this is to put in the contract that the
buyer will pay for an Alternative Inspection by your state broadcasting
association (a neutral third party to the transaction), but the seller
is responsible for correcting any deficiencies that are found.

A9xw at cs.com wrote:

> Are you doing inventory or due diligence?  Due diligence would also

> include license inspection, public file, legal issues for lawyers to

> comb through financial records, liens, leases, rent, utilities, space

> rentals, tower condition, and tower inspection, FAA approvals (with

> license info usually).  If equipment current, (condition) needs upgrade,

> repairs. Vehicles? properly licensed, passes EPA inspection, mileage,

> repair records, OSHA compliance for OB trucks, if classed as commercial,

> most recent inspection.

>

> Transmitter site, FAA registration placards, RF hazard placards,

> grounding, guys, tower lights, paint, rust, age, type, if necessary,

> hire crew to inspect, when were guys last tensioned and plumbed?

> Building condition, transmitter efficiency, power consumption, back up

> hardware?  STL licenses, RPU licenses, other links, translators, does

> GPS show correct location per license? Antenna AGL to center of

> radiation (laser measurements) Coax condition, nitrogen generator, tank

> or compressor? HVAC, maintenance records, visual inspection of belts,

> condenser. Coolant condition (transmitter) coolant pumps main and

> standby working? Transmitter logs?  Tower light inspection quarterly

> forms. Posted TPO, line loss, antenna gain calculation to show proper RF

> output level. Document frequency is within tolerance, (all RF devices)

> Tube hours. Mains breaker and distribution meet electrical code?  Fire

> extinguishers current and proper type. Main shut off clearly labeled and

> placarder?  Utility easements? Police, fire, ambulance phone numbers

> posted.  STL calibration records. Emergency exit placards at studio.

>

> Location of fire extinguishers placarder? Sufficient number for each

> area of building?  Any history of building, fire or other governmental

> violations. Emergency exits work? Fire/smoke alarms, emergency exit

> lights working, emergency illumination lights working? Public file up to

> date?  I did one for a TV station and noted that it was next to a cement

> factory and cement dust was contaminating everything. General condition

> of facility (neat or rats nest wiring) water supply and plumbing,

> electrical boxes have breakers labeled?  Emergency power generator:  run

> logs, fuel condition, last oil change/maintennace, signs of leaks, fuel

> type, leakage, old hoses, transfer switch tested with load.

>

> Studio lighting, dimmer working? Any floor cracks (concrete) chuck

> holes, cyc condition, and asbestos light cords? Any asbestos insulation

> in buildings? Any asbestos removal certificates?  Chemicals and paint in

> fire proof lockers and hazard marked?  Lead warning for solder? Proper

> ventilation for paint or wood shop? Lock out on hazard items such as

> radar, uplink power?  External power shutoff within sight of external

> items (sat antennas as example).  Proper clearance from electrical

> panels, high voltage properly placarder?  Binder for manufacturers

> hazard data sheets for chemicals, solder, paint. Eyewash or first aid

> stations?

>

> That's a start.

>

> Henry Ruhwiedel

>



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:43:55 -0600
From: "George Nicholas" <georgenicholas at csi.com>
Subject: Re: [SBE] TV Station Purchase Checklist
To: "sbe member discussion mail list" <sbe at sbe.org>
Message-ID: <34DA73CB7551449185B3E41C06F69BCD at NewRadioGroup.INT>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Lots of good suggestions here.  I would also verify the transmission line(s) are holding pressure.  Kind of hard to do just on inspection, as it's real easy to tap a line 5 minutes before you show up.

One thing I did on my company's most recent acquisition was to hire a certified building inspector, who focused on the buildings, roofs, concrete and infrastructure (HVAC, etc).  An independent third party can make things a bit easier to make the seller fix, or determine a discount to rep and warrant.  The key is to ask, otherwise a seller will never admit anything unless it's obvious.  Get them to agree in advance, or you'll pay the repair cost and the legal fees when all is said and done.

gn
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: A9xw at cs.com
  To: sbe at sbe.org
  Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 11:50 AM
  Subject: Re: [SBE] TV Station Purchase Checklist


  Are you doing inventory or due diligence?  Due diligence would also include license inspection, public file, legal issues for lawyers to comb through financial records, liens, leases, rent, utilities, space rentals, tower condition, and tower inspection, FAA approvals (with license info usually).  If equipment current, (condition) needs upgrade, repairs. Vehicles? properly licensed, passes EPA inspection, mileage, repair records, OSHA compliance for OB trucks, if classed as commercial, most recent inspection.

  Transmitter site, FAA registration placards, RF hazard placards, grounding, guys, tower lights, paint, rust, age, type, if necessary, hire crew to inspect, when were guys last tensioned and plumbed? Building condition, transmitter efficiency, power consumption, back up hardware?  STL licenses, RPU licenses, other links, translators, does GPS show correct location per license? Antenna AGL to center of radiation (laser measurements) Coax condition, nitrogen generator, tank or compressor? HVAC, maintenance records, visual inspection of belts, condenser. Coolant condition (transmitter) coolant pumps main and standby working? Transmitter logs?  Tower light inspection quarterly forms. Posted TPO, line loss, antenna gain calculation to show proper RF output level. Document frequency is within tolerance, (all RF devices) Tube hours. Mains breaker and distribution meet electrical code?  Fire extinguishers current and proper type. Main shut off clearly labeled and placarder?  Utility
  easements? Police, fire, ambulance phone numbers posted.  STL calibration records. Emergency exit placards at studio.

  Location of fire extinguishers placarder? Sufficient number for each area of building?  Any history of building, fire or other governmental violations. Emergency exits work? Fire/smoke alarms, emergency exit lights working, emergency illumination lights working? Public file up to date?  I did one for a TV station and noted that it was next to a cement factory and cement dust was contaminating everything. General condition of facility (neat or rats nest wiring) water supply and plumbing, electrical boxes have breakers labeled?  Emergency power generator:  run logs, fuel condition, last oil change/maintennace, signs of leaks, fuel type, leakage, old hoses, transfer switch tested with load.

  Studio lighting, dimmer working? Any floor cracks (concrete) chuck holes, cyc condition, and asbestos light cords? Any asbestos insulation in buildings? Any asbestos removal certificates?  Chemicals and paint in fire proof lockers and hazard marked?  Lead warning for solder? Proper ventilation for paint or wood shop? Lock out on hazard items such as radar, uplink power?  External power shutoff within sight of external items (sat antennas as example).  Proper clearance from electrical panels, high voltage properly placarder?  Binder for manufacturers hazard data sheets for chemicals, solder, paint. Eyewash or first aid stations?

  That's a start.

  Henry Ruhwiedel






------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  The SBE Roundtable, SBE at sbe.org
  To unsubscribe, go to http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe

  http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://seven.pairlist.net/pipermail/sbe/attachments/20090223/df151d42/attachment-0001.html>

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:29:29 -0500
From: "Jeff Welton" <jwelton at nautel.com>
Subject: Re: [SBE] TV Station Purchase Checklist
To: "sbe member discussion mail list" <sbe at sbe.org>
Message-ID:
        <73C9DD5521F9A24A8448B3D5E2725DE104E2F001 at mse12be2.mse12.exchange.ms>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Another suggestion would be to scribble down the make, model and S/No of
big ticket items (transmitters, generators, etc.) and give the
manufacturer a quick call to chat about service history, updates, etc.
While we can't tell if a field update has been installed, most equipment
manufacturers can certainly tell if any apply and should have records
regarding any that were shipped, as well as keeping databases on service
calls and any exchanges or in-house module repairs. You don't really
need that level of detail, but a quick overview from factory support can
give an idea as to whether there is anything that they think might need
to be addressed at the site. At the same time, check spares stock for
excessive parts count - if there are 10 spare PA's on the shelf, it most
likely could be a clue as well.



Best,



Jeff



Jeff Welton

Regional Sales Manager - Central U.S.

Nautel

Toll-free Tel:    1 877 662 8835 Ext. 5127

Mobile:  +1 902 489 1635

Fax:      +1 902 823 3183

www.nautel.com <http://www.nautel.com>



expect MORE

www.nautel.com/expectmore/ <http://www.nautel.com/expectmore/>

________________________________

From: sbe-bounces at sbe.org [mailto:sbe-bounces at sbe.org] On Behalf Of
George Nicholas
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 23:44
To: sbe member discussion mail list
Subject: Re: [SBE] TV Station Purchase Checklist



Lots of good suggestions here.  I would also verify the transmission
line(s) are holding pressure.  Kind of hard to do just on inspection, as
it's real easy to tap a line 5 minutes before you show up.



One thing I did on my company's most recent acquisition was to hire a
certified building inspector, who focused on the buildings, roofs,
concrete and infrastructure (HVAC, etc).  An independent third party can
make things a bit easier to make the seller fix, or determine a discount
to rep and warrant.  The key is to ask, otherwise a seller will never
admit anything unless it's obvious.  Get them to agree in advance, or
you'll pay the repair cost and the legal fees when all is said and done.



gn

        ----- Original Message -----

        From: A9xw at cs.com

        To: sbe at sbe.org

        Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 11:50 AM

        Subject: Re: [SBE] TV Station Purchase Checklist



        Are you doing inventory or due diligence?  Due diligence would
also include license inspection, public file, legal issues for lawyers
to comb through financial records, liens, leases, rent, utilities, space
rentals, tower condition, and tower inspection, FAA approvals (with
license info usually).  If equipment current, (condition) needs upgrade,
repairs. Vehicles? properly licensed, passes EPA inspection, mileage,
repair records, OSHA compliance for OB trucks, if classed as commercial,
most recent inspection.

        Transmitter site, FAA registration placards, RF hazard placards,
grounding, guys, tower lights, paint, rust, age, type, if necessary,
hire crew to inspect, when were guys last tensioned and plumbed?
Building condition, transmitter efficiency, power consumption, back up
hardware?  STL licenses, RPU licenses, other links, translators, does
GPS show correct location per license? Antenna AGL to center of
radiation (laser measurements) Coax condition, nitrogen generator, tank
or compressor? HVAC, maintenance records, visual inspection of belts,
condenser. Coolant condition (transmitter) coolant pumps main and
standby working? Transmitter logs?  Tower light inspection quarterly
forms. Posted TPO, line loss, antenna gain calculation to show proper RF
output level. Document frequency is within tolerance, (all RF devices)
Tube hours. Mains breaker and distribution meet electrical code?  Fire
extinguishers current and proper type. Main shut off clearly labeled and
placarder?  Utility easements? Police, fire, ambulance phone numbers
posted.  STL calibration records. Emergency exit placards at studio.

        Location of fire extinguishers placarder? Sufficient number for
each area of building?  Any history of building, fire or other
governmental violations. Emergency exits work? Fire/smoke alarms,
emergency exit lights working, emergency illumination lights working?
Public file up to date?  I did one for a TV station and noted that it
was next to a cement factory and cement dust was contaminating
everything. General condition of facility (neat or rats nest wiring)
water supply and plumbing, electrical boxes have breakers labeled?
Emergency power generator:  run logs, fuel condition, last oil
change/maintennace, signs of leaks, fuel type, leakage, old hoses,
transfer switch tested with load.

        Studio lighting, dimmer working? Any floor cracks (concrete)
chuck holes, cyc condition, and asbestos light cords? Any asbestos
insulation in buildings? Any asbestos removal certificates?  Chemicals
and paint in fire proof lockers and hazard marked?  Lead warning for
solder? Proper ventilation for paint or wood shop? Lock out on hazard
items such as radar, uplink power?  External power shutoff within sight
of external items (sat antennas as example).  Proper clearance from
electrical panels, high voltage properly placarder?  Binder for
manufacturers hazard data sheets for chemicals, solder, paint. Eyewash
or first aid stations?

        That's a start.

        Henry Ruhwiedel





________________________________


        _______________________________________________
        The SBE Roundtable, SBE at sbe.org
        To unsubscribe, go to
http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/options/sbe

        http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://seven.pairlist.net/pipermail/sbe/attachments/20090223/fe244275/attachment.htm>

------------------------------

_______________________________________________
The SBE Roundtable
SBE mailing list
SBE at sbe.org
http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/sbe


End of SBE Digest, Vol 140, Issue 2
***********************************