[Rfu-station] Re: [RFU] Studio

[dan blah]

there is also a anonymous tech contact for at:
http://wrfu.net/contact/tech

On 4/12/07, Mike Lehman <rebelmike at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
> I wanted everyone to see what some of the problems we've been going
> through, mainly because people attempt to solve problems in the studio
> without getting the tech group involved. I am sure you can read Dan's
> frustration in it, which I fully agree with. The difference is that Dan
> has been going crazy with trying to fix things that people break or just
> simply mess up because they don't know what they're doing. I myself have
> little time, but have dealt with some of the emergencies.
>
> Everyone should have this email address memorized:
> rfu-tech at ucimc.org
>
> You should use it to report problems, so they can be fixed.
>
> You should NOT do ANYTHING to the wiring or cables between equipment,
> unless you're a qualified member of the tech group.
>
> I invite everyone to report problems to tech via email and _require_
> that you quit messing with things, unless you're qualified to fix them
> properly. If nothing else, this will help us track down whoever it is
> that is constantly disrespecting the rest of us by messing with the
> studio gear -- and then we'll decide if we want to keep you around or not.
>
> What we also need is more people to get involved with Tech, as it right
> now depends on a few of us who already have many other responsibilities.
> That is the other reason why tech has been barely hanging in there,
> because there just aren't enough hours in the day to do everything we
> need to do.
>
> So it's time for some new blood. You don't have to be an ezpert about
> any of this. Part of community radio is it is a way to develop new
> skills. Those of us who do know what we're doing are glad to tech. And
> I'm certain we have others out there who have skills that are already
> useful. This isn't rocket science, just basic electricity and wiring,
> mixed with the ability to analyze a problem step by step. If you've ever
> learned to use a new piece of software, then you can handle most of this.
>
> But you should be messing with cables and stuff ONLY if you join the
> tech list and communicate with th rest of us on what needs fixing and
> how we're going to fix it.
>
> Otherwise, HANDS OFF those cables! Leave 'em be!
>
> Thanks very much to Ed and his daughter for taking the brief moment it
> does to report a problem. Come on folks, there's a computer right in
> front of you in the studio you can use to report a problem, so there's
> really no excuse...unless someone's unplugged the monitor, like happened
> today. Yet Ed still managed to get the message through to us to fix things.
>
> Also, if you read Dan's message closely, you'll see that some of the
> problems anonymous cable yankers seem to be attempting to fix are really
> not a problem with your signal going out, but with a cable we need to
> fix that you can't get to. This is one example of how, if we'd had good
> reporting of problems and people didn't start yanking on cables all the
> time without telling us, we probably could have figured this out MUCH
> sooner. Trust us. We know what we're doing when we ask that you only
> report things and NOT try to fix them  yourself.
>
> Further discussion and involvement on this topic is _encouraged_, on
> either the main RFU list that some of you are on or at the RFU-tech list.
>
> Now Dan's letter of frustration.
> Mike Lehman
>
>  From Dan:
> issues today:
> monitor unplugged - i plugged it back in
> automation computer not working - drive G (the one will our content)
> was borked and will likely break again... its working for now.
> cd1/2 not working - both work now with the original cable (i even
> wiggled them to confirm)
> speakers not working - someone had set the input to AM (we are an FM
> station all)
> headphones are now all rolled up on top of the cassette player
>
> other notes:
> the cable from the mixer to the transmitter is fubar'ed meaning your
> channels will often go out.  this is not your input, your mixer,
> laptop or anything else so dont play with cables behind the mixer and
> components.  if you want to know more subscribe to the tech list.
>
> the wireless access point and computer showed signs of meddling again.
> please dont play with these.  if you want to know more get involved
> in the rfu-tech group.
>
> so heres the deal... i am getting tired of daily having to fix stuff
> as it takes out of my day job.  i am also getting even more tired of
> people with good intentions trying to fix things and making them
> worse.  guaranteed the reason the cable from the mixer to the
> transmitter is bad is because so many unneeded hands play behind the
> mixer.
>
> this is a two part problem:  1) the tech group sucks and has not
> addressed the general memberships needs properly and 2) the general
> membership sucks at letting the tech group know when there are
> problems.
>
> i really (really) hate to say this as its against how i learned how
> everything worked, but i really feel we need to now spend money that
> could best be served else where to not allow hands to play with stuff.
> if something is broke tech group approved only members should be
> allowed to fix things.  time and time again i come into the studio and
> look at what i am calling the 'wrfu domino effect' where well
> intentioned members try to troubleshoot an issue rather than informing
> the tech group right away making the original issue worse rather than
> better along with breaking other items when initial notice to the tech
> group would have fixed it asap.  email works when you have an active
> tech member upstairs reading email several times an hour.
>
> i apologize if this email is taken negatively but you must understand
> that the hour+ i spend during the day fixing the studio is time taken
> away from what pays my bills.  if this current trend continues to
> happen my charity will have to end.
>
> other suggestions, comments, questions, rants?
>
> On 4/12/07, Ed Schell <eschell at uillinois.edu> wrote:
> Just got a call from my daughter. She was in the studio to do our show
> "Almost Lunch" from 11am to 12am. She called me to say that the studio is a
> mess. The headphones, monitors, and automation don't work. Just wanted to
> give you a heads up and maybe help figure out a timeline as to when someone
> is messing with the equipment. I know that it was an issue last Thursday
> (we
> couldn't make it in last week).
>
> Thanks much
>
> Ed Schell
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-- 
Daniel