Then and now

While searching for the oldest transmitter still in daily use, the Radio magazine staff received a response about the oldest console still in use. This 1960 Collins 212G console is located at WJMS, 590 AM, in Ironwood, MI. It was installed in the station in December of 1960.

Designed for medium-sized radio stations, the console provides nine to 13 inputs. The VU meter is centered on the panel. The lights are external to the meter and can be replaced without removing the meter face. The top of the console is hinged and provides room to service components while the panel remains in position and the unit is operating. The level controls were stepped attenuators.

Only two types of tubes are used in this console: 5879 and 6V6. Slots in the bottom, back and top provide adequate ventilation for low operating temperatures. The console features plug-able line amplifier modules.

---

Do You Remember?

In 1985, Tandberg's TCD 900 series of professional cassette decks were built around an eight-bit microprocessor with 32K of EPROM memory. According to a Tandberg ad, the cassette decks were designed "as an alternative to the practice of using inferior home tape decks for professional applications."

The TCD 910 was intended to replace reel-to-reel and cartridge machines in many applications. Touting its high specs, the deck was "capable of producing tapes at sound and silence levels beyond that required by broadcast and studio requirements." It offered a real-time counter and auto-locator functions.

Features of the 910 included four-motor tape transport with direct load; a built-in azimuth adjustment was combined with Active Phase Correction circuitry; auto stop and rewind after cut; front panel bias and record current adjustment, with built-in oscillators; and an optional RS 232 computer interface, infrared wireless hard wire remote with fader start.

---

Sample and Hold

The trends shaping radio

Source: Recording Industry Association of America

Note: Numbers may not add up due to rounding.

---