In this letter to the editor, the author responds to engineer Michael Baldauf’s tech tips column, on “Let’s Keep Things Moving.” Radio World welcomes letters to the editor on this or any story. Email [email protected].
I just finished reading Michael Baldauf’s article on moving transmitters. I wanted to add a couple tips that have helped me with moving and installing larger transmitters.
The first is the use of a piano dolly or dual hand truck.
Designed to move large, heavy and bulky equipment, they strap to each other on opposite sides of your transmitter or power supply, and each one has a pneumatic lift to raise the equipment.
Once the transmitter is up, it’s very easy to move and maneuver. I’ve replaced two older tube transmitters with solid state transmitters this year, and moving the 1500-lb. power supply of a 40-kW transmitter can be quite the task, but the piano dolly has made it a breeze.
You can rent a set from SunBelt for around $60 for a week.
The only caveat with the piano dolly is that they are pretty heavy themselves; plan on a team lift if you have to get them in and out of a truck bed or van.
Michael is spot on about using plywood, but I would add with large transmitters that it is well worth it to purchase 3/4″ plywood and not waste time with thinner material or OSB. I have crushed and gone straight through some plywood trying to save a few dollars. I keep several sheets of 3/4″ in our warehouse that have been used for several transmitter moves and are still holding up.
The last would be having a come-along winch handy. A five-ton winch is relatively affordable, and can prove to be quite valuable in easily and safely clearing thresholds or even getting your old transmitter onto a truck.
I often tend to resort to “brute strength” to accomplish some of these tasks, but sometimes a little added mechanical help is just what’s needed to clear a bump.
Hope this helps someone!
