Massive technological changes in every aspect of the radio industry have left behind a trail of obsolete equipment. Facility downsizing is the next logical step, and ongoing consolidations will reduce the number of facilities.
If the radio stations you are responsible for are not already “lean and mean,” it’s time to get ahead of the curve.
Here are a few suggestions to get started.
Do the PR. Get written approval from the boss.
Let staff know this is nothing more than housecleaning on your part and solicit their suggestions. Are there interns who can help and learn at the same time?
Make a timeline and set deadlines. Otherwise, the process will go on and on.
Be methodical. Develop a plan and share it. How will you dispose of the equipment? Are there electronics recyclers in your area? How will the equipment get to the disposal area? How much will it cost?
Designate a location for any equipment that is going to be stored.
If the equipment has inventory tags, keep a spreadsheet listing of all the major items to be removed and their tag numbers. Take pictures and remove tags if necessary.
Odds are someone in the organization eventually will demand this information. Remember that there can be tax and valuation implications if obsolete items remain on the inventory. Items that are obsolete may still be on the inventory list at their original purchase price.
Then it’s time to get your hands dirty.
Start with the low-hanging fruit. Look in every space. There’s stuff in places people rarely go including closets, vacant offices, attics, basements and sheds.
Donate consumer electronics and other suitable items. Sort them into a separate department as you go along.
Readers of Radio World are well aware that studios have evolved dramatically. We read stories all the time about how much wiring was pulled out when a studio went AoIP. But you don’t need a complete rebuild to freshen your room. Clean out unused equipment and as much old wiring as feasible. Are you still looking at rarely used CD players? Old computers? Fill-in-the-blanks?
Now hit the racks and your engineering spaces. Is there an STL transmitter sitting in a rack even though its dish was removed years ago? How about that first-generation HD Radio importer? Satellite receivers?
Of course you also should turn your attention to your transmitter site(s).
Whatever time you think you’ll need, double it. Unless you’ve followed a regular program of keeping your site current, you’ll find equipment and materials that have become invisible because you’ve walked past them hundreds of times.
There might be an old STL receiver. How about that ancient audio processor? Bring a box of trash bags, gloves, masks, cleaning materials. What about a vacuum? And will your usual vehicle have enough space to carry off the items you’ll remove?
Once the process is completed, notify the staff that you consider the work done and thank them for their patience. The station now will be more prepared for whatever the future brings, and troubleshooting will be simpler in the future.
Got tips for freshening and spring cleaning? Email [email protected] with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject field.
