Modern exciter adapters for older BE FM transmitters
BE exciter/IPA interface
Many stations have chosen to replace the original IPAs in their Broadcast Electronics FM-A and -B series high power FM transmitters (which used early solid-state bipolar RF transistors, long unobtainium) with modern exciters, which put out enough RF to serve in place of the old IPA and drive the PA directly (500W is common). For several years, Elenos owned BE, and so BE recommended Elenos’s exciters. But the muting of a modern Elenos exciter is not compatible with the mute voltage for the old IPA/exciter, and the transmitter’s controller depends on a DC sample of IPA power out to enable the APC circuit, which is advantageous to have running for a number of reasons, including the soft-start that only works when in auto power mode. Spurred by a local stations’ request to help them sort this out, we turned it into a product! Our board mounts on the remote control connector on the Elenos ETG series exciter and handles the muting and sample voltage interfacing needed. The board comes with detailed instructions on how to install it.
Update: Since Elenos no longer owns BE, they are now offering a different retrofit exciter/IPA for their existing tube-type high power transmitters. But no matter what type of exciter/IPA you purchase, we can provide you an adapter that will pass the muting function and APC sample voltages needed to properly integrate a modern exciter/IPA into these rugged tube-type transmitters.