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
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