Big Sur translator problem: update
Last week, Big Sur area listeners began experiencing problems receiving our translator at 95.3 FM. Murphy’s Law dictates that the hardest-to-troubleshoot problems with our equipment will crop up when our Chief Engineer is out of state, and so it was this time.
He’s back now, and went to Big Sur to investigate first thing today. It appears that there’s a problem with the final power amplifier for the translator (the last piece of equipment before the signal goes up the transmission line to the antenna, and out to you). The problem seems to be aggravated by fluctuations in the voltage of the utility power coming into our equipment, which we’re also experiencing.
We’ve made adjustments to the power amplifier this afternoon that we hope will cure, or at least minimize, the audible signal problem. Longer term (as in, before winter) we plan on repairing a more robust power amplifier that is presently out of service and substituting it for the amplifier that’s been pitching a fit.
Big Sur listeners — if you continue to experience reception problems, especially if they persist for more than a few minutes, please phone the station at 800-655-5877 and let us know. We depend on you to help us keep tabs on our occasionally-grumpy equipment…
