Marion, IN - Sep 1, 2011 - WXXC-FM, Marion, IN, has installed a Harris HPX30 high-power tube transmitter as part of the station’s recovery efforts from a recent electrical storm. Its previous transmitter had years of lightning damage prior to the spring storm, with other intermittent problems over the past several months. The station decided to stop spending money on repairs and shop for a new transmitter.

"We had a 30-year old transmitter that had been costing a ton to maintain and repair, and it was hard to find parts," said Race Ashlyn, general manager of WXXC. "We discovered there had been arching in the plate power supply that gradually blew a gunshot-sized hole through one of the transformer sections. That was the last straw."

WXXC remained on air during the transition, first running on reduced power from its backup tower with a seasoned 10kW 1968 Gates transmitter. This worked well until lightning struck a second time - a direct hit to the antenna. WXXC engineers revived the main transmitter to broadcast at 350 watts, giving the station enough power to cover the market until the Harris transmitter arrived.

The HPX30, outfitted with a Harris DigitCD exciter, arrived soon after. The station returned to full power (50kW) on July 17 at 1:30 p.m., transmitting at 27.5 kW TPO.