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

[Susan Sheldon]

Before our engineers, hosts, and other volunteers came back from the
pandemic, I asked our imprint vendors for samples of travel mugs.
We tested these out for "spillability" and then ordered the best-priced *vs*
quality mug to supply all our volunteers, with about 10% extra. These had
our logo and were good-quality mugs. The cost was about $3 if I recall
correctly, but they were discontinued so I got a great price.

Because they looked alike, we wrote the volunteer's name or initials on the
bottom of the aluminum mug in permanent ink as we gave them out. The
volunteers appreciated the welcome back gift, a gift that came with
instructions that they needed to use either the mug we were supplying or
something with similar spillability qualities when in the studios or around
any computers.

I'm guessing, given the low cost of travel mugs, that you could find a
reasonably priced one and offer it to volunteers as their studio mug,
charging them a little more than the cost to cover shipping. Maybe put the
samples (with prices) somewhere where volunteers could sign up under the
one they want (picture on the top of the page) and let them know you will
be going with whatever gets the most votes, in order to meet quantity
minimums.


Warm regards,
Susan Sheldon
Donor Partner
WORT 89.9 FM
118 S Bedford St
Madison, WI 53703
susan at wortfm.org
(608) 321-9579
she/her

*Community radio is 90% community and 10% radio. ~ Zane Ibrahim*


On Mon, Jan 16, 2023 at 2:47 PM Caitlin Reading via grc <
grc at maillist.peak.org> wrote:

> Thank you Al Davis for that great tutorial on handling the hardware in case
> of an
> "accident".  Truly though, if someone must have a beverage then definitely
> a container that does not require it constantly be handled, for example
> allowing bottles w/caps is a nonstarter as few have the discipline to
> prioritize
> replacing the cap first & foremost. They spill ounces of liquid..
>  Sippy cups for folks who are not around small children, allow only a small
>  amount of liquid to escape, teaspoons v. ounces if any, if it is tipped
> over.
> They are cheap, easy to find ($ stores), have much variety in configuration
>  & colour and are lifesavers.
>     Why not use a sippy cup in a designated cup holder and everyone
> is served.  Ask your station volunteers to test a cup's ability to leak
> BEFORE
> they would use it and the point is made. Most adults don't even
> think about this.
>    Let's not forget, this is a radio production booth or room, not the
> living room
> at home.       c
>
> On Thu, Jan 12, 2023 at 7:39 PM al davis via grc <grc at maillist.peak.org>
> wrote:
>
> > 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.
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> >
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