We fight for every scrap we can get. Sometimes it is not a fair fight. Sometimes the most frustrating thing can be the suits in the corner office. We eat, drink and sleep RF. I have transmitter dirt permanently embedding in my skin. If a thunderstorm passes by, I get my shoes on. Last time I was home during a blizzard, I was in high school, and believe me, that was a long time ago. I’ve been hot, cold, soaking wet, dirty, dusty, hungry and dehydrated all in the same day. Those days can be 8-36 hours long or longer. 240 volts AC is low voltage. Arcs and sparks are a diagnostic tool.
I have clip leaded things, used non-standard parts to get a transmitter back on the air, employed fans on power supplies, filed, cut, bent, tightened, burnished relay contacts, put plate transformers up on a block of wood and crossed my fingers while turned the plate supply on.
My DVM looks like this:
But the best part is, when I walk into a radio station studio, the DJ says “THANK GOD YOU ARE HERE!” I don’t drive a fancy car or wear a fancy suit, but the respect I get is there, even with the young too cool for school guys on the CHR station.
I am a broadcast engineer and I am here to fix your shit.