Almost every broadcast engineer has to do some type of bench work. While I enjoy a certain amount of bench work, it is not my strong suit. I suppose if I had to do it more often, I would become more proficient. Truth be told, I would rather be at a transmitter site than sitting work chair studying schematic diagrams. It is becoming increasingly difficult to make repairs in the field due to surface mount components. The company I work for has a repair and rework shop where almost anything can be repaired. There is one bench tech, who is pretty proficient with power supplies and RF amplifiers among other things. There is a complete set of test equipment including several Tektronix spectrum analyzers and oscilloscopes.
Likely the most versatile piece of equipment is the IFR 1500 service monitor.
![IFR-1500 IFR 1500 communications service monitor](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IFR-1500-650x388.jpg)
The bench itself is fairly large:
![shop-work-bench Shop work bench](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shop-work-bench-650x388.jpg)
There is also a good stock of spare equipment that can be rented out while repairs are being made:
![shop-spare-equipment Shop spare equipment](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/shop-spare-equipment-650x388.jpg)
Repair work includes by is not limited to:
- RF repairs; Moseley STL systems, Marti STL and RPU systems, TFT STL systems, most exciters, IPA modules, etc
- Transmitter repairs and retuning
- Mechanical devices like transmission line dehydrators, transfer switches, etc
- Switching and linear power supplies
- Uninteruptable power supplies
- Remote control equipment; Gentner VRC-2000, Burk ARC16, Moseley MRC-1600
- Audio Processing; All Orban equipment, Symetrix, Valley, DBX
- Audio equipment; Amplifiers, consoles, reel to reel machines, cassette decks, CD players, DAT machines, etc
I am sure there are many other things that I am leaving out.
Paul, I didn’t see anything that typically has a hard drive or memory in your list.
A good chunk of my bench time revolves around those lately!
Tony, we fix a limited number of computers and similar things like 360 Systems short cuts, etc. Mostly switching power supplies. I have found actual computers to be pretty reliable and seldom need hardware repairs.
I’m with Houston Christian Broadcasters and we need repairs to four Gentner VRC-2000 Remote Control Units. Does your company repair these or do you know of anyone that does?
Errol, contact information sent via e-mail
Do you still repair the gentner VRC 2000? Have one that needs repair.
Thanks
looking for the switches for the MRC-2 Mosley it the front switches on the main control panel. looking for back up parts.