The Broadcast Electronics STX-5 transmitter

Another install, this time a new BE product. I am familiar with the BE FM “C” series transmitter. Those are pretty solid units and we take care of many of them.

BE STX-5 LP transmitter
BE STX-5 LP transmitter

This new version of the transmitter looks like it has a little bit of Elenos in its DNA.  Perhaps I am wrong about that.

The STXe exciter is an all-purpose analog/digital unit that will do standard FM stereo, hybrid FM +HD radio, HD radio only, DRM+, or FM and DRM+.  I like that.  It gives the owner lots of options with regard to future planning.  Frankly, I would love to see some DRM+ testing done in the US.

We have actually installed a couple of “C” series transmitters with the STXe exciter as well.

BE FM2C with STXe exciter

The rest of the transmitter consists of four RF amps and an output combiner all in a short rack.  Frankly, if I were ordering one of these units, I’d order the taller rack.  Not that I am getting old or anything like that, but stooping over to program the date/time, frequency, and power output introduced a slight discomfort in my lower back.

BE STX-5 LP controller/exciter
BE STX-5 LP controller/exciter

Running into the antenna.  At 4.1 KW, 18 watts of reflected power is slightly high.  This antenna has always had a little bit of reflected power.

"The chicken coop, " WHUC and WZCR transmitter building
“The chicken coop,” WHUC and WZCR transmitter building

The building I installed this in is nicknamed “The Chicken Coop,” likely because it used to be an actual chicken coop.  I am not kidding.  The site was originally just the AM station (WHUC).  That station had a different transmitter building located some distance away which was fed with open transmission line.  This building was put in place sometime around 1969 when the FM station signed on as WHUC-FM (now WZCR).  It has seen better days, but we are working on fixing some of the issues with air conditioning and cleanliness.

Remains of open wire transmission line left over from orginal 1947 installation
Remains of open wire transmission line left over from original 1947 installation

The transmitter fired up without any issues and sounds much, much better than the QEI which it replaced.

Tired old QEI transmitter
Tired old QEI transmitter

The QEI transmitter had problems over the years, mostly burned-out resistors in the RF combiner network.  It has since been scrapped.

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5 thoughts on “The Broadcast Electronics STX-5 transmitter”

  1. For an FM who is on a relatively short tower, low to the ground, that FM signal gets out very nicely. That big 3 bay looks huge on that small tower from the street. I think it helps that it is on a relatively open frequency there as well.

  2. The open-wire support picture seems to show signs of urban sprawl encroaching on the site.

    I still haven’t had the pleasure of working with the most current BE FM products, but one of my clients has a STX-1 (not e) that has been trouble-free.

  3. Mike, it is at -5 meters HAAT, so you are correct. For something that is below average terrain, it gets out remarkably well.

    Gregg, that is a hotel that has been built in the last couple of years. The area is on the outskirts of town, but as you said, the town seems to be moving down the road.

  4. The QEI Quantum is a transmitter I swore at more than swore by, The RF combiner network in this model, ate those resistors often. And occasionally, the ones I cared for ate FET devices by the bucket load. The 2 I cared for were used in East Tennessee Lightning Country, and in transmitter buildings which were not well sealed, and not climate controlled (tightwad owners, one a religious tightwad owner, who I insisted on cash in advance before I’d work for him).

  5. Dear All,
    We are looking to have information where we can find this part: N/P (959-0509-313) ASSY, RF AMP MODULE, FM-10S/FMi
    FM Transmitter from Broadcast Electronics

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