Message-ID: <4EBA76AC.3090906@charter.net>
Date: Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:48:44 -0500
From: John Andrews <w1tag@charter.net>
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Subject: Re: LF: Radio 4 Long Wave to close.... (soon?)
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Warren,

> "Building a new long-wave transmitter for Radio 4 would cost "many
> millions of pounds"
> Many millions ? I doubt that they sought a quote!

They may not have, but I'm not entirely surprised by that off-the-cuff 
estimate. The Beeb would likely set up specifications requiring a custom 
design. As has been pointed out, that design might include standard 
modules from a manufacturer like Harris, but Auntie would set up specs 
that require considerable engineering and testing expenses.

And it doesn't end there. There would be contracted costs for training 
at the manufacturer's plant and on-site in the U.K. They would, of 
course, not just be training one guy...

There's also the issue of spare parts. No tubes, obviously, but 
quantities of boards, modules, big RF components and power supply stuff. 
Not cheap.

Little of this would apply to U.S. commercial broadcasters, but the BBC 
has somewhat different procurement systems.

John, W1TAG