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

[John Lyles]

Hi Mike

Thats a classic. You are right about the 'varnish'. In the DSC_xxx 
photos its evident. One question, the photo DSC_5178 shows different 
modulation transformer and mod reactor layout than the ones in 5-BTA-1M, 
maybe they are oriented 90 degrees different in the two photos?

Best regards and luck with getting that thing out of the garage. It 
looks to be a beast. My BTA250L is similarly monsterous and its only 250 
watts with 810s etc.

John

K5PRO

> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2025 08:07:25 -0500
> From: Mike - WZ5Q <wz5q at wz5q.net>
> To: amradio at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [AMRadio] RCA BTA-1M "Shutter Door" AM Broadcast Transmitter
> Message-ID: <a410089b-785d-42d2-9b42-db9a19070c12 at wz5q.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> Howdy Y'all,
>
> 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, as well as the ones I need to finish building,
> have been re-organized in priority. As much as it pains me to do it, I
> have decided to sell some of them. First on the chopping block is my RCA
> BTA-1M, 160m AM Broadcast Transmitter as I do not think I will ever get
> around to putting it back together. I have other KW Transmitters that
> will operate 160m, so it is really not needed.
>
> 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. 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 think I might have a few 833
> spares and a set of "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.
>
> I also have the large factory blueprint schematic for it.
>
> For your visual pleasure, you can see some Hi Rez pictures of it at my
> server link below.
> Be warned these are Hi Rez and therefore are huge files.
>
> https://www.wz5q.net/images/bta-1m/Trip%20home/
>
> I am wanting $2700, to be picked up? here in Central Louisiana near
> Marksville.
> Shoot me an email if interested.
>
> Take Care,
>
> 73
>
> Mike
> WZ5Q
>