A former engineer (who was eventually banned from the facilities for various people problems including throwing a chair at a DJ) had made dozens of these splices where almost anything that’s an analog stereo pair goes into an electrical tape covered Y connection into some kind of 4-wire shielded cable.
Out of curiosity I unwrapped the tape from one of his splices to see what was inside.
Oh, no. No no no no no no my entire facility is wired like this no no no no NOPE FUCK AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHNOPENOPENOPEARONIWITHCHEESENONONONO
Well that answers my question I never exactly asked as to how Myat line sections come packed. Anyone want some firewood?
The pictures I took of the inside failed to save somehow… The section was supported down the length of the crate by 2×4 braces and foam in place packages.
At the entrance gate to one of my mountaintop sites I came across a pickup truck idling right before the gate with all the lights off. I got out next to it to unlock the gate and the truck kinda rustled a moment then the dome light eventually came on revealing a guy and a lady having hastily covered themselves up—-
Ooooooops, we have just experienced broadcast engineer induced coitus interruptus.
I managed to avoid laughing until I was well out of sight.
Come on man, there’s a much more secluded road you could have turned off on like 1/8 mile earlier.
That being said, for local communications via radio, ham radio isn’t a necessity – other services such as MURS, CB, and FRS work for some distance. They’re all good to have around in general – it can be a refreshingly simple way of talking to someone else in the neighborhood.
* I’m sorry to use such nonsense sensational language, but I think it’s true at this point – the US is about thiiiiis close to having Ma Bell reformed via a few rapid fire corporate buyouts and mergers that will be rubber-stamp approved by federal agencies and make access to electronic communication highly selective, expensive, and genuinely impossible in some communities, and the net neutrality rules that would have forbidden them from deciding to filter out communications that were not in compliance with their business plans and offerings are gone.
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
