I work for a local radio station that has a few remote transmitter sites. They widen the broadcast area or put out specific frequencies for that area. Annoyingly, this happens more often than you’d think.
Over the years we’ve had about a handful of transmitters stolen. We’ll get complaints about poor reception or a frequency being off air and we send a tech guy out. And sure enough, the transmitter’s completely gone.
Of course it’s all insured, but it tales a few days to get the new gear and install it. That costs us listenership and potential ad revenue.
Usually the thefts are done by people who run pirate radio stations. Because if you’re doing crimes already, one more doesn’t make a difference. They use the stolen transmitter to set up their own remote site so they don’t get caught. We’ve had gear recovered by the police when they discovered pirate station locations.
We haven’t had OUR towers stolen per se, but we have had people strip wires and lightning strike protection stuff from them when the scrap metal prices soared years ago. Most of our towers are close-ish to populated areas, so I doubt it’s worth the risk to hang out for a few hours to dismantle one. I could see someone stealing one of it’s remote enough and given enough time.
Even so, it’s a pain in the ass involving police reports, there’s a deductible, the equipment needs to be special order, etc. etc. Not to mention the week or two of complaints you get. But yeah, insurance is good to have when an FM transmitter can cost anywhere between 3000 and 16000 euros depending on wattage and features. The remote ones are at the cheap end of the scale, but you’re still looking at about 4 grand when all other costs are factored in if you didn’t have the insurance.
I work for a local radio station that has a few remote transmitter sites. They widen the broadcast area or put out specific frequencies for that area. Annoyingly, this happens more often than you’d think.
Over the years we’ve had about a handful of transmitters stolen. We’ll get complaints about poor reception or a frequency being off air and we send a tech guy out. And sure enough, the transmitter’s completely gone.
Of course it’s all insured, but it tales a few days to get the new gear and install it. That costs us listenership and potential ad revenue.
Usually the thefts are done by people who run pirate radio stations. Because if you’re doing crimes already, one more doesn’t make a difference. They use the stolen transmitter to set up their own remote site so they don’t get caught. We’ve had gear recovered by the police when they discovered pirate station locations.
The transmitter, sure, I can see that, but a 200 foot tower?
We haven’t had OUR towers stolen per se, but we have had people strip wires and lightning strike protection stuff from them when the scrap metal prices soared years ago. Most of our towers are close-ish to populated areas, so I doubt it’s worth the risk to hang out for a few hours to dismantle one. I could see someone stealing one of it’s remote enough and given enough time.
How in God’s name does a person simply steal a 65 m transmitter?? Do they not bolt that thing to the building or to the pavement?
With a big wrench
Cut the cables and the bolts will break.
At least y’all had the sense to be insured.
Even so, it’s a pain in the ass involving police reports, there’s a deductible, the equipment needs to be special order, etc. etc. Not to mention the week or two of complaints you get. But yeah, insurance is good to have when an FM transmitter can cost anywhere between 3000 and 16000 euros depending on wattage and features. The remote ones are at the cheap end of the scale, but you’re still looking at about 4 grand when all other costs are factored in if you didn’t have the insurance.