Talk:WVKC

Station History
I made some revisions and partial reversions today (9/6/06) based on my personal recollections as general manager of the station and some research about station history that I conducted in the Knox College Archives in 1986-7. I would enjoy any discussion and clarification about these changes, particularly if my memory is faulty. Stejjie 22:22, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

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================================ I modified the WVKC entry into the Wikipedia radio station format. I have initated or provided additional history for 15 other radio stations -- that I was associated with from 1973 to 1986. For WVKC, my postings and memory are based upon assistance requested by Mr. Al Perkins (1971 Knox alumni and then chief engineer of station) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Mr. Perkins (WB9UOE) should still be available (17 Summer Avenue in Dover, NJ) for confirmations during this time period.

Gary Breed, well known RF/microwave engineer, then working for D.L. Markley and Associates, Peoria, IL, well known broadcast engineering consulting firm (Don Markley, president and owner, grew up in western Illinois and regularly writes articles in Broadcast Engineering magazine. He will be closing his consulting firm at end of 2006, due to health) did the initial construction permits in 1979 and 1980 for WVKC (these records are 'on file' with the FCC - accessible through their web site). The station was "off the air" for the summer of 1979 during this move -- but I don't remember how soon it returned to broadcasting during the regular school year.

I remember removing the Gates/Harris Yard (mono mixing console) from Whiting Hall in summer of 1979 - as wrecking equipment sat outside of the building (to tear it down the following week). BTW, the Knox facilities staff had to partially disassemble the Collins transmitter and use a block and tackle system to get the transmitter to the 4th floor (I know that photos of this were taken - at the time)

The original Collins exciter (old) eventually would not pass certification, which prompted the conversation with Harris (in Quincy, IL) for an appropriate stereo exciter to drive the 1 KW transmitter. I thought that this occurred earlier than 1984 (purchase records should confirm). I was refurbishing WRSK in Slippery Rock, PA (1982) during this period -- so my trips to Harris plant (Quincy, IL) - were for multiple client/stations.

The adjacent channel problem with Augustana College was known, and frequency change planned for since 1980. I thought the frequency change occurred almost immediately (early 1980s) with the 1 KW power change.

The 2 bay antenna (horizontal polarization) was an acquisition (free) from another radio station that went to circular polarization (upgrade). I am surprised that WVKC has not upgraded this antenna over the past 25 years - since car / portable radios can not hear the station as well with this older configuration. Greg Beat 17:36, 10 Sept 2006 (UTC)

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I remember Al Perkins well from my days at Knox. Al resigned as chief engineer in early 1984, as I recall. I have seen the pictures of the transmitter being installed. The college decided to eliminate what I am told was an elevator shaft at the east end of George Davis Hall.

The frequency change was planned since 1980 but was not finished until 1990. Stephan Bitter and James Rodd, the co-managers at the time, can confirm this, as Steve kept in touch with me regarding the change. I am told that WVIK payed for all of the modifications and fees associated with the frequency change.

You are correct that the stereo exciter was purchased before 1984, but it was not installed until the 1984-85 school year. My recollection is that it had to be modified for use by the station. As an aside, it had a very nice, clean sound.

One last by the way -- the Yard board was still being used (albeit infrequently) at least as late as 1987. Al, who did a great job wiring the new studios, moved the Yard into a small news studio, and I remember doing some production work with it. Stejjie 18:37, 13 September 2006 (UTC)