WSAZ Xmtr fire

If it's about broadcasting, radio, TV, satellite, cable, this is where to talk about it.

Moderators: Hoosier Daddy, The People's DJ, Arp2

Post Reply
User avatar
genlock
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5866
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2001 4:09 pm
Location: OW

WSAZ Xmtr fire

Post by genlock »

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- WSAZ is back on the air late Tuesday night.

That comes after a transformer fire earlier Tuesday night at our main transmitter on Barker Ridge in Cabell County. That fire disrupted the transmission signal to much of our viewers.

Our engineers worked quickly to resolve the issue.

The Tristate's CW remained off the air late Tuesday night, but engineers are working to resolve that outage, as well. We appreciate your patience and will have it restored as soon as possible.
"Everyone Should be aware that you're just a screen grab away from infamy."
Tom Taggart
Member
Member
Posts: 768
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2001 11:30 am
Location: Marietta, Ohio

Re: WSAZ Xmtr fire

Post by Tom Taggart »

Probably started by a stray spark from "Ignite FM," (see other post). :roll:
User avatar
Chris Kittinger
Newbie
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 4:25 pm
Location: Huntington, WV

Re: WSAZ Xmtr fire

Post by Chris Kittinger »

User avatar
genlock
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5866
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2001 4:09 pm
Location: OW

Re: WSAZ Xmtr fire

Post by genlock »

Okey Meadows looked the part of a real hero in the recording.
WSAZ guys did a good job getting back on the air so quickly.
"Everyone Should be aware that you're just a screen grab away from infamy."
User avatar
Chris Kittinger
Newbie
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 4:25 pm
Location: Huntington, WV

Re: WSAZ Xmtr fire

Post by Chris Kittinger »

Yes, Okey is all business. We are lucky to have him, and even more lucky that he was in the right place at the right time.
User avatar
Waveguide
Member
Member
Posts: 138
Joined: Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:23 pm
Location: Somewhere lost in S.W. Ohio

Re: WSAZ Xmtr fire

Post by Waveguide »

OMG!!!!!...... WOW!!!!!! Talk about LUCK!!!

Shades of the WOWK xmtr fire 1984 (?) I think that's the year.
I still have lots of pictures of the total damage to all of there stuff.
That wasn't a transformer fire, but caused be bad connections in the Gen-Set transfer panel.

Looked at the on-line reports of the WSAZ fire.
From what I saw, the old building hasn't changed all that much sense when I worked out there about 35 years ago.
Microwave dishes still on the roof, Charleston dish on a steel stand in the parking lot. They can't possibility still use that old stuff. Do they??
Generator is out side now. The original generator was in the basement. A beast but reliable.
I shot 2 giant rats behind that thing. The exterminators couldn't do the job. They keep having babies.
Looks like they got rid of the old pole mounted pig transformers on the edge of the upper parking lot. Those always looked deadly.
Tried to got John Clay to think about some modernization of some of the power facilities, but ya know the spend money thing and TV stations.
Only building heat was the from the old TT-10 transmitters.
When we installed the RCA G-Line, those didn't put out the BTU's like the old TT's. It got real cold in the winter in that building.

Well, thanks for the memories......
"..... If you are not part of the solution,
then you are part of the problem........
Tom Taggart
Member
Member
Posts: 768
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2001 11:30 am
Location: Marietta, Ohio

Re: WSAZ Xmtr fire

Post by Tom Taggart »

Luck is made. Transmitter sites--especially here, where they are not that easy to get to--tend to get neglected.

Frequent checks can catch problems before they become real disasters.
User avatar
Chris Kittinger
Newbie
Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 4:25 pm
Location: Huntington, WV

Re: WSAZ Xmtr fire

Post by Chris Kittinger »

Tom Taggart wrote:Luck is made. Transmitter sites--especially here, where they are not that easy to get to--tend to get neglected.

Frequent checks can catch problems before they become real disasters.
True, which is why we are glad Okey was checking in when he did. We have a great crew of Engineers here. I have to say in my nearly two decades and numerous positions in the business I have always had the pleasure to work with great Engineers. And they are usually some of my favorite people to work with.
Post Reply