As we continue to work on upgrading KOLU’s power to 39,000 watts, we now have electrical power connected.  We have also re-connected the wiring inside the transmitter in preparation for initial testing.

The transmitter with wiring completed. Back doors are taken off to make the work easier to do

Several listeners have wondered why it is taking so long to complete this upgrade.  There are several reasons for this, the first being that we are optimists!  In order to save a huge amount of costs (literally over $100,000), we have been searching for used material that will do the job.  The biggest item (both by cost and weight!) is our “new” transmitter, a 1995 model that did nearly 20 years of continuous service in Iowa.  Bringing used equipment and material back to operating condition is a much greater challenge and takes time, and sometimes progress is halted while necessary parts are found.

We have many volunteers working on this project and others that are working for very low rates.  Jobs and businesses must be attended to, so we have to wait for them to have time.  But, of course, we really appreciate the sacrificial giving of their “spare time”!  This is the highest powered transmitter that I have ever installed, and we are taking our time as we learn while we repair and rebuild.

The shelf that holds the huge (over 100 pounds each!) capacitors in the transmitter

We are confident in bringing this project to a fruitful close.  God has brought many into this project that have excellent skills and experience in dealing with exactly the equipment and needs we have.  Our transmitter engineer has over 40 years of experience working with this type of transmitter.  Our electrician runs a very productive industrial electrical contracting business.  Many others are lending their extensive experience to this upgrade.

We are now getting very close to seeing KOLU’s power raised to 39,000 watts in the coming weeks!  Stay tuned…