I’d like to welcome the newest station in the Wyoming Public Media network, 90.9 KUWW in Fort Washakie. This station was recently transferred to WPM by another broadcaster. I visited the transmitter site recently to install some additional equipment and ensure FCC compliance.

Once again UW88 stands waiting at the building inside the fence.  This is a very nicely built transmitter site.

Another view of the tower with the building and UW88 at the base…This is a 6 bay FM antennas.  3 KW of transmitter power output and 8 KW of radiated power from the antenna.  The number of antenna bays multiplies the transmitter power by approximately .5 per bay–closer to .43 in this case (i.e. 3.1 kw times 6 bays times .43 equals about 8 kw)

This microwave antenna serves as the primary audio path to the site.  It connects with a link in town that provides internet access to an audio codec at the site.

A backup internet link to the site…

A propane tank fuels a backup generator on site in the event of power failure.

The backup generator…

Inside the generator–I was having a bit of difficulty getting it to start.

Further investigation revealed that the generator needs slightly less airflow through the carburetor in order to start and run properly.  I temporary inserted a wedge of cardboard into one of the intakes in order to get things functioning.  Most likely this engine needs some adjustment for the altitude, fuel or both… 

Another view of the tower looking up at the microwave radio and FM transmit antenna bays…

The equipment rack and a local audio mixer (just in case).  The transmitter is at the bottom of the equipment rack.  Additional equipment in the rack is for monitoring, control, emergency alerting and audio delivery.

Another view of the site–yes, it is built on an incline.

Who the heck is that guy?  Looks like he has a tower growing out of his head!  🙂