Pioneer's 2009 was a busy one; projects included a fresh design & build of Westfield State College's
new Broadcast Center and a rather interesting transmitter shelter design and build for the
Davidson Media Group AM (WACM) in West Springfield, MA.

We were also involved in the WFCR-FM Springfield bureau studio & office
at PBS Affiliate WGBY studios in downtown Springfield, MA.

WSKB

When I was contacted by the College's Facilities Manager in September of 2008, we were asked to put together
a wish list for WSKB's proposed new studio.  We spent a number of hours researching equipment that would not only
function reliably but also be "user friendly" to a group of students with little or no actual broadcast experience.

Working together with my equipment supplier of choice, (Steve Vanni of TechNet Systems Group in Auburn, New Hampshire),
I decided that the Radio Systems RS12 console was a perfect fit for this environment for a couple of reasons;
first, its ease of use and second; its acceptability of unbalanced source equipment.

A quick side note; I've worked with Steve Vanni @ TechNet almost exclusively for the better part of 12+ years. 
Steve offers very competitive pricing and an incredible knowledge of not only his product line but of the industry.
His insight is priceless and has been a huge help not only on this project but on many projects I've done over the years with Clear Channel.

Our equipment list:

Radio Systems RS12 Audio Console
Radio Systems DA4X4a Audio Distribution Amplifiers (2)
Comrex STAC Broadcast Telephone Hybrid System
Electro-Voice RE20 Microphones (4)
Electro-Voice 309A Shock Mount (4)
O.C. White ProBoom Elite Microphone Arm & Riser (4)
Denon DN-C635 CD Decks (3)
Behringer HA4700 Headphone Amplifier
Genelc 8020APM Powered Monitor Speaker (2)

Our Broadcast Furniture design was built by Vince Fiola and his team at Studio Technology out of Kennett Square, PA.
I've used Vince for many of my projects. What I love about him & his team is the fact that they DELIVER, INSTALL & MODIFY
the furniture ON site to your specs.  The stuff doesn't show up on a truck with an Allen wrench and a bag of parts.  Also, from experience, I can tell
you that their product stands up to an enormous amount of abuse and in the College Radio environment that's critical.

WSKB Studio Technology Furniture #1 WSKB Studio Technology Furniture #2

WSKB Studio Technology Furniture #3

We also decided that an automation system was necessary, something that will be easy & turn-key for the GM and Programming
staff of the station.  It didn't take long to decide this at all.  I went with Player101 offered by RCS (Prophet Systems).  The initial setup is
somewhat difficult however we purchased three hours of tech-support in case we ran into a problem.  This turned out to be a
good idea as there were many questions in the initial setup phase.  The College's IT staff put together a dynamite computer
for us and utilizing a LynxOne card for balanced audio we were up and running in no time.

After 18 months of coordination with Architects, Suppliers, Central Receiving, Facilities Management, Electrical, TELCO, Staff IT and Student Coordinators, the pictures below show WSKB's brand new studio on the top floor of the Westfield State College Ely Building.

WSKB Studio Right Return WSKB Studio

WSKB Studio Console

WACM

WACM is unique in that their transmitter site sits on an ISLAND in the middle of the Westfield River in West Springfield, MA.
It's an understatement when I say access to the site is limited. The road to the river bank, when muddy, presents quite an interesting
travel path where at one point the road angles down at a 30 degree slant. If you get through that little obstacle crossing the river itself
is also a ride. Rocks the size of bowling balls rest on the bottom and have taken out more than one skid-plate or muffler in their time.
Once you got to the Island you found something that proved just how tough it is to get there. The building (pictured below) poised 6' off the ground on top of
and old dump truck body, had seen better days. The dump body has rusted to the point that it no longer offered the support needed to hold up
the "shed" and its equipment.

So when DMG (Davidson Media Group) told me that if I could come up with an alternative they'd support me I jumped at the chance and my mind started running!

WACM Transmitter Building