UPDATE:
What the site looks like now with the old building removed:
![](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PXL_20230413_134514940-1195x900.jpg)
Putting the finishing touches on another transmitter site rebuild, this time in central NY. This station for many years used this rambling white residential-looking structure for both the studio and transmitter site:
![](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_20221031_091523074_HDR-1200x900.jpg)
Unfortunately, over the years, the building has deteriorated beyond economical repair. A few years ago, the studio facility was moved to a new location in town. Now the transmitters are being moved to this repurposed cellular building:
![](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_20221024_135702371_HDR-1200x900.jpg)
This was purchased used from a local crane company, which had dozens of them on their lot after NEXTEL was absorbed by Sprint. During the permitting process with the town, they referred to it as a “Circular Use.”
They are actually nice buildings, coming prewired with a 200 amp single phase service, two working Bard HVAC units, ready-made coax entry ports, etc. My only complaint (so far), is the light switch timer. I like the idea, the lights get switched off automatically and are not left on for months at a time when nobody is at the site. However, the timer only goes up to 2 hours. Thus, when we were doing the installation work, periodically there would be an audible click, then everything would go dark. Not terrible.
![](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_20221024_140531763-1200x900.jpg)
![](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_20221024_140518035-1200x900.jpg)
There are also two other FM stations that have an STL transmitter here.
![](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_20220915_154532862-675x900.jpg)
![](https://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_20221005_144846648-1200x900.jpg)
All in all, an enjoyable project.
Purpose built for transmitter equipment, even if it is ‘a little’ different. Glad to see those shelters put to good use.
Now that is a nice little transmitter building.
What I wouldn’t have given for something like that being in the AFCC Scheme Catalog back in the day. Would have made standing up a new small (1-2 transceiver) permanent narrowband comm facility quick and easy. Just designing the electrical, and speccing out the conduit, panelboards, etc. by itself was a real chore.
Huh, didn’t know most of these buildings were pre-made. Makes sense, sometimes you just want a little shack you can drop down and put stuff in without having to retrofit a premade shed. Also, I spy an Optimod 8000… would love to get one of those.
WDLA was my first broadcasting gig, nice to see the investment in the transmitter plant. I was sorry to hear that the Downtown Walton studio did not work out in their current business plan, but at least they were able to maintain the signals.