In time of Crisis Blue Lake Public Radio Turns to Broadcast Electronics

BE delivered a new STX-1 transmitter within 48 hours to get WBLU back on the air

Broadcast Electronics, part of the Elenos Group, a global leader in designing and manufacturing broadcast products, including transmitters for TV, AM, FM, HD Radio® and media software has a long history of providing rapid, high-quality service to their customers.

Recently long time BE customer Blue Lake Public Radio (BLPR), and their radio station WBLU servicing the greater Grand Rapids, MI area encountered server damage to their transmitter due to powerful storms.

Their first call for help was to Broadcast Electronics.

“One of the 1kW transmitters that we use for our station in downtown Grand Rapids went down,” said Klay Woodworth, Director of Broadcasting for BLPR. “Our choices were to bundle up the old unit and send it in for repair or purchase a new unit, we chose to purchase a new unit and then get the older one overhauled so that we would have a back-up.”

Broadcast Electronics Sales Manager, Ben Marth acted swiftly upon talking with Woodworth, to get the BE team quickly building, testing, and delivering a new STX-1kW transmitter within 48 hours of hearing about the issue.

The STX series of transmitters provides high energy efficiency, outstanding audio performance, integrated RDS, easy to use HTML web interface, and can seamlessly be upgraded to HD Radio when BLPR decides the time is right.

“From the first call we made to BE, customer service was excellent. Our staff was able to secure the equipment we needed and BE had it prepared and shipped out to us very quickly”  Woodworth explained. “We were only operating at reduced power for a few days. Once we got the new transmitter on the air, BE was also efficient in getting our old unit overhauled and back to us promptly to provide a much needed back up.”

“Not only was the product and service first rate, the costs for all services and equipment were very reasonable. Our licensee (Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp) is actually a nonprofit summer camp for kids which counts its pennies; so, this was very much appreciated!” Woodworth added.

“The complete package from Broadcast Electronics, especially the service from start to finish, was remarkable. I would definitely recommend BE to another radio station” Woodworth said.

“We are extremely pleased we were able to promptly return WBLU to full power, and thank Blue Lake Public Radio for trusting Broadcast Electronics to help them deliver their message to the Grand Rapids area.” said Rich Redmond, President and COO of Broadcast Electronics – Elenos Group, “We are thankful to have a very dedicated team of broadcast professionals at the Elenos Group who understand the challenges of operating radio and TV stations in a 24/7/365 environment, and stand ready to jump in and support our customers in need.”