Harris, BE, Nautel and the other big boys make good equipment...no doubt about it....but you can stay on the air very nicely without spending the dollars they're asking for. Energy-Onix and Bext, for example make excellent equipment which will cost thousands of dollars less and you'll enjoy excellent factory support. I once called Bernie Wise, owner and CEO of Energy-Onix, at 3:00 AM with some questions and he gave me the answers. I don't get to talk with the factory folks very often because their equipment works so well. My Energy-Onix ECO-10 has been on the air for around 10 years now and it's still going strong. My Bext STL and a Bext VJ-10,000 transmitter I installed for another station are pumping out the RF day in and day out.
I would also suggest the use of "consumer" audio gear to save hundreds or thousands more. I have a dual cassette deck in my control room which I bought off eBay for $35.00 a couple of years ago. I use a Stanton dual-CD player with a price tag of about $150. Radio Shack is my favorite store.
If you want a great automation system...talk with Smarts Broadcast Systems in Emmetsburg, Iowa. I'm on my third Smartcaster now...and the only reason I've replaced an older unit was a desire to upgrade to a newer model. The price is right and the support is excellent. My second Smartcaster is still in use at another station.
Don't be sucked in by glossy magazine ads and the advice of contract engineers who think you have to buy the highest priced gear. It's just not necessary.
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