From the “It Blowed Up Real Good” Desk…

These are not my pictures. I know nothing of the horror here, though it was powering the transmitter that cooked these modules. The faults may or may not be related. First off— yes, you are seeing light through that— it blew a hole right through the cover. Also, I am now adding an “Arcy Sparky” category for all future posts relevant to it.

 

It sharted.
Please, no, I do not want to know what horror lies below that tape. Never show this to me. Never. In theory it may be split bolt connectors, but I fear far, far, far worse.

Oh, yes, in case you’re wondering what I mean when I say “Zeeky Boogy Doog”….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlmyWLyEEvw#t=10m20s

ZEEKY BOOGY DOOG

I have no clue what happened to this module but it must have been a spectacular audio-olfactory experience.

I wonder if the SD2942’s survived the ordeal or if the gates are all snapped. Oh well… The rig runs fine with one module down for now.

And my Jolteon kicked that Gyrados’ butt too.

A while back I found this in service up Linguini Mountain and removed it in a session of lobbing crap into a pile in the corner. I decided to take a picture of it before shitcanning it in the e-waste box….

The open frame relay was screwed to a hole in the side of a rack, facing outwards as I recall.

What a shame. Potter & Brumfield used to make good relays too, before they just became a Tyco Electronics contract manufactured line of dumpshit. This one, alas– its service to us is done…. Whatever service that may have been.

Incidentally, trying to claim the gym at Whiskeytown for any team other than Instinct is a foolish act, for I will take it back every time I’m out there. Bwahahaha. Isn’t that right, little Mudkip of the lake?

It doesn’t exactly work that way

After I saw someone comment on the steadily spiking prices on eggs at the infamous Steelyard Walmart, I looked at the prices on the same large boxes at the one in Willows. What I saw is … Well, it’s quintessentially Walmart.

The eggs are packaged in these white mystery boxes that don’t lend themselves to being opened to check the eggs…. And every box is heavily manhandled.

Yeah, that’s about par for the course. Maybe I should yell at them about it on 151.820 megacycles, carrier squelch…. 😉

Help Wanted! HA HA.

no you don’t need a hurricane to experience this

In case you’re wondering why I cannot really see myself working in the South Florida area again —

This was a posting I saw a couple months back recruiting for one of my old jobs. Yes, the one where I had to kick the Z-BOLA out of the transmitter every few days.

Post Date: 01/08/2018
Organization Type:
– Radio Station – Non-commercial
Job Title: Broadcast Engineer
Location: Miami, FL
Job Description:

As the Broadcast Engineer, the Candidate will be responsible for all technical issues deemed necessary for the full and complete operation of the Station. That means the Candidate will oversee and ensure that the station is fully functional on a 24-hour basis.

Salary: $25,000 to $35,000
Send cover letter and resume to: (some circle of hell with a parking lot the engineer is also called upon to guard in the evening)

 

The sad part is, it’s not on that board anymore and the station’s staff page seems to indicate someone filled the position! This doesn’t surprise me – just about everyone I knew doing any sort of broadcast engineering work in Florida has asked me recently if anyone’s hiring over here in California, as the stations there have been downsizing positions like mad, treating remaining fulltime staff like trash, and bringing in random unqualified contractors based on personal friendships instead of actual skills.

Then again I just checked the same job board’s current results for California and this stupid gem appeared from the local TV station that Sinclair Broadcasting is doing their damn finest to run into the ground at high velocity with nitroglycerin in its pockets. Everyone involved and my own freaking DREAMS have warned me about this place.

Post Date: 04/06/2018
Organization Type:
– Television Station – Commercial
Job Title: Director of Engineering
Company Sinclair Broadcasting
Location: CA
Job Description:

We are currently seeking a Director of Engineering. A qualified candidate will coordinate or perform maintenance of computer and broadcast equipment of the television broadcasting stations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee engineering staff in separate locations.
• Plan, manage, train, and coordinate technician’s activities
• Oversee Station Master Control operations and supervise the master control operators.
• Operate the station in compliance with all FCC rules and regulations
• Assist and advise in planning of future equipment installations, requirements, and budgetary recommendations
• Supervise maintenance of computer software, hardware, and local area network applications on systems throughout the stations
• Establish procedures to ensure that all IT equipment is operational and secure
• Keep software versions up to date and follow software license compliance, including all corporate directives for IT security
• Supervise preventive maintenance and/or troubleshooting on almost any electronic device or support electronics whether in-house or installed at transmitter; including but not limited to: cameras, video equipment and/or audio switching equipment, processing and monitoring equipment, microwave transmitters and receivers, satellite receivers, and computing equipment
• Supervise and/or perform transmitter maintenance of all transmitters, translators, and microwave systems
• Respond to trouble calls with broadcast or computer equipment (sometimes after regular hours and weekends)
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in broadcast television engineering, preferably with prior engineering management experience.
• 21st century skill set, a great team-oriented attitude and a dedication to quality.
• Strong leadership skills and exceptional communication are absolutely essential for the successful candidate to possess.
• A strong IT background.
• A college degree, SBE certification, and A+ certification are preferred.
• Hold a valid driver’s license.

Send cover letter and resume to: man i hope you have your own 4wd truck because you’re going to need it