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GatesAir Minimizes Long-Term Operating Costs for Minnesota Broadcaster KFMC(FM)
Radio station reduces monthly power bills, maintenance requirements with high-efficiency Flexiva™ solution
Cincinnati, OH, October 08, 2014
GatesAir, a global leader in wireless, over-the-air content delivery solutions for radio and TV broadcasters, is helping a Minnesota FM station slash monthly bills and long-term operating expenses to enhance total cost of ownership. The station, KFMC(FM) in Fairmont, has significantly reduced energy use and utility costs since installing a GatesAir Flexiva™ high-efficiency transmitter this summer.
The 30kW solid-state Flexiva transmitter replaces an aging tube model from another vendor that was increasingly more costly to operate. Since installing the Flexiva transmitter, the station has reduced its annual energy consumption by over 28 kW, resulting in a more than $3000 power bill reduction. These savings, along with vastly simplified maintenance procedures, deliver exceptionally low total cost of ownership over the transmitter lifecycle. Due to the evidence of significant long-term energy reduction with the GatesAir Flexiva transmitter, KFMC was also granted a rebate from its local utility company exceeding $1200.
“Our previous transmitter was nearly three decades old, requiring constant maintenance made more difficult by a dwindling supply of spare parts,” said Woody Woodward, general manager of KFMC and sister station KSUM(AM). “The money we were putting into maintenance exceeded the value that the transmitter delivered. The Flexiva solid-state transmitter is affordable even at higher power levels, and we no longer have to worry about replacing tubes every three years. The PA modules are plug-and-play and the spare parts are minimal, further simplifying maintenance. The dollar savings from reduced energy use and maintenance offer a clear economic incentive that will help us reap more benefits in the long term.”
Flexiva transmitters are based on GatesAir’s ultra-efficient PowerSmart® 3D architecture, with broadband designs that eliminate complex maintenance requirements. Hot-swappable module and power supply replacement ensure that stations continue to operate at high power while supporting a simple exchange of components to enhance safety and working conditions. The PowerSmart 3D architecture also delivers the highest transmitter power density in the industry, reducing size for more efficient real estate use. In the case of KFMC, the compact footprint also improves cooling and circulation.
“The Flexiva is about 45 inches less in length, which allows us to move around the building and work more efficiently,” said Woodward. “The compact footprint enables more airflow for cooling, which results in better transmitter performance and lower bills over the long haul. In the winter months, we’ll recirculate the transmitter heat within the building to reduce demand on our furnaces, saving additional energy.”
In addition to the cost- and energy-reducing benefits, Woodward reports that the Flexiva transmitter, with its built-in GatesAir FAX exciter, has delivered a noticeable sound quality improvement.
“The audio quality has been amazing since we put the Flexiva on the air,” he said. “We sat out in my vehicle after turning on the transmitter, switched between KFMC and our competitors, and adjusted the output for the best presence on the dial and the best possible sound quality. We are filling the signal to its maximum capacity without the compressed sound that you experience with a lot of rock stations on the air today. The FAX exciter has a lot to do with that, and it also gives us an all-in-one package with its built-in Orban processor card, RDS display and remote monitoring capabilities.”
About GatesAir
GatesAir, Inc. provides complete solutions for over-the-air radio and television broadcasting, leveraging wireless spectrum to maximize performance for multichannel, mission-critical services. Powering over-the-air networks worldwide with unparalleled reliability for nearly 100 years, GatesAir’s turnkey solutions enable broadcasters to create, transport and transmit radio and TV content. With customers in more than 185 countries, the company leads the industry in innovation and design breakthroughs, improving efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership. Visit www.gatesair.com for more information, and follow us on Twitter at @GatesAir.
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Contact info:
Brian Galante
Dimension PR
207-494-8428
brian@dimensionpronline.com
