American Technical Services (ATS) announced the company had delivered UHF digital TV transmitters to Pegasus Communications group stations WOLF-TV in Scranton, Pa. and WDSI-TV in Chattanooga, Tenn. While you may not be familiar with ATS, the company has a long history in designing and building TV transmitters. ATS is a Don Adams company that started as Advanced Broadcast Systems. After transmitter manufacturer Townsend went out of business and sold the design of its unique, easy to maintain CST transmitter to Midwest, Advanced Broadcast Systems picked up the design, updated it and improved it.
WOLF-TV transmitter engineer Bill Myers likes the ATS transmitter design. " Non-proprietary software and components allow an operator to choose other vendors in addition to ATS thus reducing operating costs. Ease of maintenance, troubleshooting and good documentation is impressive. For example, safe access to the roomy transmitter cabinet reduces maintenance time. You have 180 degrees visibility of the high voltage area while the unit is operating.," he said.
WOLF-TV Chief Engineer Rich Chofey added, "Besides the price, design, and reliability of the TV transmitter, the staff at ATS is willing to work with our unique situation. We wanted to reuse parts of an existing RF system. That saved us money."
For more information on the Pegasus Communications purchase of the ATS transmitters and a picture of the transmitter (which looks very similar to the original CST transmitter), see the press release on theLucid Incorporated Web site.
