[AMRadio] RCA BTA-1M "Shutter Door" AM Broadcast Transmitter

Mike - WZ5Q wz5q at wz5q.net
Sat Jul 12 10:39:49 EDT 2025


Howdy Y'all,

I posted this on the reflector about a month or so ago and still have 
this Monster up for grabs.
I've had a few tire kickers but nothing serious so far.

I recently got a hold of some disconcerting news which has forced me to 
re-evaluate my "Round-to-it" List. The Transmitters that were intended 
to get back on the air have been re-organized in priority. As much as it 
pains me to do it, I have decided to sell my RCA BTA-1M, 160m AM 
Broadcast Transmitter as I do not think I will ever get around to 
putting it back together.

The RCA BTA-1M, AM Broadcast Transmitter is the "Shutter Door" model 
with the roll top desk type of doors that open sideways in the front and 
rear of the transmitter. The cosmetics are fair with some scratches on 
the sides, and all the panels are there except a small flat rectangular 
one for the side. This monster is on huge casters so it rolls around 
pretty good. This model uses a pair of 833's for RF Finals modulated by 
a pair of 833's and uses 807's everywhere else except for the Rectifiers 
of course. I have 3ea 833 spares and a set of 8008 solid state "licorice 
sticks" for it. The transmitter was operating and all the tubes were 
good when it went dark at Mr. Steve's (K5LTK "Little Texas Kilowatt") 
QTH about 15 years ago.

It has the original UTC Plate Iron, RCA 10H Filter Reactor, RCA 
Modulation Transformer, and the matching 50H RCA Mod Reactor. This 
transmitter has already been converted for 160m operation and was Mr. 
Steve's daily driver back in the day. It would not be to difficult to 
change it to 80m. Now I must say it has a liberal coat of preservative 
all over it as Mr. Steve was a chain smoker, so it needs a good hosing 
down. It no longer has a smell, but the nicotine coating is there for sure.

It has a bad RF Current Meter, but I have an exact Westinghouse 
replacement for it. The Unit is also missing a White and Red Lamp Jewel. 
I looked thru all my Jewels but didn't have any that would work.

I also have the large factory blueprint schematic for it.

For your visual pleasure, you can see some Hi Rez pictures of it and the 
manual at my server links below.
Be warned these are Hi Rez and therefore are huge files.

https://www.wz5q.net/images/bta-1m/Trip%20home/

https://www.wz5q.net/images/bta-1m/In-truck/

https://www.wz5q.net/images/bta-1m/BTA-1MX-Manual/

I am wanting $2700 OBO, to be picked up  here in Central Louisiana near 
Marksville, zipper 71341.
Shoot me an email if interested.

Take Care,

73

Mike
WZ5Q



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