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ProductsFrequently Asked Questions
Whether you’ve never used a Burk system before or you’re looking at the latest upgrades for the products you do own, we know that effective deployment takes careful planning. Browse the questions below for some tips and helpful info concerning our products. Or better yet, contact us with your concerns and let our expert sales engineers share their knowledge and experience.
- What features does AutoPilot add to the ARC-16?
- I’m using an earlier version of AutoPilot. What’s new in the AutoPilot 3 upgrade?
- What makes Burk Technology different from other transmitter remote control and broadcast facility management providers?
- What are the main differences among systems?
- Can you explain how Lynx 5 is licensed? Isn’t it included with the remote control system?
- I have an older version of Lynx that works just fine. How is Lynx 5 different?
- Which system do you recommend for TV? For AM stations? For FM stations?
- I’m looking to monitor temperature conditions with my GSC3000. How is the new GT-4 unit different from the BTU-4?
- AutoPilot 2 and AutoPilot 3 are both on your price list. Are there reasons to pick one over the other?
- For dial line transient suppression, I used to buy a fiber optic “Optilator” from you. Now you have the TS-1. Is it the same?
- The ARC-16SA (stand-alone) and the VRC2500 are both single-site dial-up remote controls. How do I decide between the two?
What features does AutoPilot add to the ARC-16?
AutoPilot adds capabilities for automatic routines and corrective actions along with full-featured data management for logging and report generation. AutoPilot can handle your AM pattern changes, automatically trim FM power levels, switch from local to satellite program feeds, etc. Any action triggered by time-of-day or by external conditions can be managed by AutoPilot. In addition, AutoPilot extends the front panel of the ARC-16 to the PC for real-time remote site management via the PC. It allows simultaneous connection to an unlimited number of ARC-16 sites. Combined, these features make AutoPilot well-suited for detailed monitoring of a single site and scalable to meet the needs of a large central monitoring operation.
Return to topI’m using an earlier version of AutoPilot. What’s new in the AutoPilot 3 upgrade?
With AutoPilot 3, you can send email alarm notifications to alert station staff to out-of-tolerance conditions. Each alarm can be sent to different individuals, so information flows more efficiently. In addition, we’ve added new functionality in scripts, including automatic report printing, as well as a new Macro feature that uses the syntax in the DOS version of AutoPilot.
The Custom Views utility in AutoPilot 3 allows you to mix and match metering and status indicators from different sites, making it easier to implement a “big picture” approach to site monitoring. Even if you use AutoPilot for a single site, the ability to determine which channels appear in each Custom View gives users the flexibility to create top-level and detailed user interfaces. Virtual channels allow you to create on-screen indicators to summarize conditions on multiple channels.
What makes Burk Technology different from other transmitter remote control and broadcast facility management providers?
Our products have proven themselves to thousands of broadcasters worldwide, and you can be sure that we’ll continue listening to your needs. We work hard to earn your trust. 90% of our orders ship the same or next day. When you call with a question or if you need troubleshooting help, one of our knowledgeable support representatives will give you the dedicated attention you deserve. And if your system ever comes back for repair or for our Good As New factory upgrade, same-day service is standard.
What are the main differences among systems?
The ARC-16, GSC3000 and VRC2500 all offer similar capabilities implemented in different ways. We’ve pointed out the differences in our transmitter remote control comparison chart, so you can see how each system meets your specific needs and preferences. No matter which system you choose, we’ll work with you before and after the sale to make sure that it’s a perfect fit and can adapt as your requirements change.
Can you explain how Lynx 5 is licensed? Isn’t it included with the remote control system?
A standard Lynx 5 license is included with each new VRC2500, GSC3000 I/O unit, and Web Interface, allowing installation on two PCs each. For example, a new GSC3000 system configured with two I/O units and a Web Interface allows installation on six different computers. Volume licenses are available, and for the most extensive operations, we can work with you and your dealer on an open licensing arrangement.
I have an older version of Lynx that works just fine. How is Lynx 5 different?
If you’re using one of the initial GSC3000 and VRC2500 software releases, we strongly encourage you to plan your upgrade schedule now. After acquiring the GSC3000 and VRC2500 product lines, we released Lynx 4 as a stable, full-featured platform, including a completely updated Custom Views utility and brand new logging. Then we set out to add real-time data updates as a valuable new feature in version 5. We just came out with version 5.1, which adds virtual channels for drill-down displays, along with a brand new look. We think you’ll notice significant improvements both in version 4 (which is still available as a free upgrade), and in version 5, which is a licensed upgrade.
Which system do you recommend for TV? For AM stations? For FM stations?
You’ll find any one of our transmitter remote control systems in operation at broadcast facilities of all sizes and types. That’s why our sales engineers have the experience to help you choose and configure a system to meet your requirements. For most users, it comes down to the unique needs of the operation and simple personal preference. That being said, here are some thoughts to consider.
The GSC3000, with its channel capacity and ease of expandability is often sought out for the TV environment, both for single stations and network operations. The Lynx 5 software included with the GSC3000 has the flexibility to work in a point-to-point environment as well as a network-oriented central monitoring operation. The same benefits translate for radio groups as well as for single-station AM and FM users. Since the expansion path is modular, stations only pay for what they need.
Intended for AM, FM and translator sites with more modest capacity requirements, the VRC2500 is a 16-channel, single-site, dial-up remote control. When it comes to logging, reports, automatic routines and PC-based monitoring and control, it offers the same powerful features as the GSC3000, so broadcasters don’t sacrifice capabilities or quality when 16 channels of metering, status and command satisfy their requirements, and expandability is not a concern. The telephone dial-up control capability is built into the VRC2500, whereas it is available separately on the GSC3000. A good number of operators choose to use a complement of GSC3000s and VRC2500s when they look after multiple sites with varying requirements. Since both systems operate on the same software platform, this approach creates a seamless monitoring and control solution.
With three distinct configurations (stand-alone, full-time and multi-site), plus optional AutoPilot 3 automatic control software, the ARC-16 is adaptable to virtually any AM, FM or TV environment. The ARC-16 stand-alone is a single-site dial-up remote control, allowing access via telephone or optional software interface. The ARC-16 full-time system consists of a unit at the studio site and another at the transmitter site, so users have front panel control of the transmitter parameters from their studio, and vice versa. Telephone and software control are options for additional control. The exclusive site-to-site capability in a full-time or multi-site ARC-16 system is what allows users to control studio equipment from the transmitter, or to light up a remotely located backup transmitter while they are servicing their main transmitter. AutoPilot 3 software, available as an option, allows central or distributed PC control of all connected ARC-16 sites, regardless of configuration.
I’m looking to monitor temperature conditions with my GSC3000. How is the new GT-4 unit different from the BTU-4?
Both the BTU-4 and GT-4 units provide readings for up to four temperature probes (and they use the same probes), but the GT-4 is part of the G-Link™ G-Bus Expansion series so it may be located up to 1,000 feet from the GSC3000. In addition, G-Link units do not “take up” channels on the GSC3000 I/O unit, meaning you can add four temperature probes to the system without reducing the number of available metering channels on the system. Both units are reliable, broadcast-quality products, so it’s up to you to decide whether the extendibility and channel conservation of the GT-4 are valuable for your particular installation.
AutoPilot 2 and AutoPilot 3 are both on your price list. Are there reasons to pick one over the other?
If you are a new AutoPilot user, or if you’ve been using a DOS version of AutoPilot or CDL, there’s no reason not to jump right into AutoPilot 3. AutoPilot 3 offers Custom Views, virtual channels for drill-down displays, email alarm notifications, automatic report printing, and more options for automatic routines.
If you are already using AutoPilot 2 and it’s time to add new ARC-16s, there are a few considerations. Since AutoPilot 2 and AutoPilot 3 need to run on different PCs, it may be easiest to manage your entire system with the same version of software. In this scenario, you could a) purchase additional AutoPilot 2 licenses when you add a site, or b) purchase AutoPilot 3 licenses for the new sites and at the same time, take advantage of upgrade pricing to change your existing AutoPilot 2 licenses to AutoPilot 3 authorization codes. In both cases, all of your AutoPilot PCs would be able to connect to all of your ARC-16 sites.
If it makes sense for your particular application, you can also have a mixed operation, with some sites monitored by PCs running AP2 and some sites monitored by PCs with AP3.
For dial line transient suppression, I used to buy a fiber optic “Optilator” from you. Now you have the TS-1. Is it the same?
The TS-1 accomplishes the same reliable transient suppression as the fiber optic version, but it does so in a smaller enclosure that clamps to the station’s ground bus bar, and it requires no source of power or backup electricity. We built the TS-1 to meet the need for a rugged, broadcast-grade solution, and we recommend it for use on any dial-line equipment you have.
The ARC-16SA (stand-alone) and the VRC2500 are both single-site dial-up remote controls. How do I decide between the two?
The differences to consider have to do with how operators interact with the system, how automatic control is handled, and whether future expandability is a concern.
The VRC2500 has no front panel, so initial setup is done via a PC connection. After the unit is configured, day-to-day interaction can be via telephone dial-in with touch-tone commands and computer-generated text-to-speech responses. Macros are stored in memory so that automatic routines and time-based events can be carried out without a dedicated computer. The Lynx 5 software included with the VRC2500 can also be used for PC-based interaction. The VRC2500 is expandable insofar as an unlimited number of units can be monitored side-by-side in the Lynx 5 software. However, VRC2500 applications should require no more than 16 channels each of metering, status and command at each site. (For channel expansion up to 256 channels, the GSC3000 offers similar features, but Voice Interface is a separate unit available as an option.)
With the ARC-16SA, setup is accomplished via front panel or via AutoLoad PC software, and remote monitoring and control is carried out via touch-tone commands with recorded human voice responses. AutoPilot software for PC-based monitoring and automatic routines is available as an option. The ARC-16SA is easily expanded to a full-time or multi-site system, making it highly adaptable to changing needs or a new application. You can also expand the number of channels at an ARC-16SA site by adding one or more ARC-16T32 units up to a total of 64 channels each of metering, status and command.
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