[grc] Advice on allowing beverages in on-air studio

[al davis]

On Thu, 12 Jan 2023 12:31:13 -0800
Dana Matthews via grc <grc at maillist.peak.org> wrote:
>  beverages in 
> a restricted area of our on-air studio

Ideally, the policy would be "no", but that is hard to enforce in
practice.  It more important to know how to deal with a spill and to
make sure everyone knows how to prevent spills when the liquids are
there.

This probably means to provide cup holders, like the ones in cars, and
strictly use them, and strictly prohibit the liquids from the danger
spots.  Also, insist on a container that is spill resistant, like a
sippy-cup or bicycle-style water bottle.

Most equipment can be cleaned with water, but check to be sure.  If you
get a spill, immediately turn it off, especially if the liquid is not
plain water.  The soundboard is probably the most vulnerable.

A kitchen sink with a sprayer is the best.  Wash it as good as you can,
and let it dry.  Do not apply power until it is dry.   You will need to
take the modules out, if you can.  You will probably need to relube the
faders after you do this.

In the better boards, the faders plug in, and are not on a PC board
that contains electronics.  The best boards use Penny & Giles faders,
which do a good job at protecting the innards, but you only find these
on older boards and high end boards, because they are very expensive.
(around $100 per channel as of the last time I checked).  The enclosed
rail-type faders from Bourns or Alps are pretty good at protecting the
guts, and are reasonably priced.  (adds a dollar or two over the thin
faders)  The "thin" faders are asking for trouble, especially if mounted
on a large PC board that has electronics on it.

Guessing what the various boards use ....

Mass produced boards like Behringer and Mackie are probably thin faders
on the PC board.

I believe Arrakis ARC and MARC series are thin faders on the PC board.

I believe Audioarts AIR series are thin faders on a pigtail.

I believe Audioarts R55, and most Audioarts digital are Alps rail type
on a pigtail.

Some early Kaatskit (mine) were thin faders on a pigtail, later ones
Bourns rail type on a pigtail.

Most high end older boards, have P&G on a pigtail.  These are the ones
that cost a fortune new, but a lot of them have made their way to
community radio through donations, as the rich stations convert to
digital.  If you are fortunate enough to have one of these, what you
have is better than anything you can buy new. You might need to re-cap
it, but it is worth the work and expense.