This was the same system I worked with at then Keener 14 WKNR AM [1400] in Battle Creek Michigan in the mid 1970s. This and then WKFR -FM 103.3 Battle Creek were programmed by Drake-Chenault. WKFR-FM Stereo 103.3 in Battle Creek still exists to this day.
This is "FRED" bought by Radio 6KY Perth, Western Australia in 1976. FRED wasn't all that reliable for Live on-air work but when I bought him from the radio station in 1981, I was able to use him for many years to produce Pre-recorded Hosted Programmes for clients such as the Bali Hyatt and Sheraton Hotel Bali. Worked well for some 13 years but now it's possible to do everything FRED did, on a P.C.
@ebullock1ut Our 903 was named "Sammy", for "Sammy Schafer". I still have some printouts of format files and time files. It's cool to see you here, Earl. Sorry about waking you up in the middle of the night, but you got us back on the air after the lockup.
I worked with one of these Schafer Automation Systems in the late 80's, but the station I was working for was using it for the sister AM station & used a Satellite Music Format with the Shafer System, only thing different, we had Carousels to load up the spots on. The Keyboard Display Terminal with it's fancy digital clock of the day, had tubes in it! It was not solid state! I used a Sono-Mag Automation, simular to this until 1998, when I first learned & installed a DOS based Automation System.
I remember a Schafer “Fred” system at KWAM in West Memphis, Arkansas. It was a very elaborate automated playback system, at the time. The reel-to-reel tape decks would operate in fast forward then reverse trying to find a particular cut or spot. Occasionally, it would screw up and play the wrong commercial spot. Personally, I don’t think it was worth it’s extremely high cost. By today’s digital standards, it was an extremely crude monster.
When WILS-AM gave up the ghost on a a fully staffed 24/7 facility, it went with an reel--deck automation system controlled by a DOS based computer. The owners invested $100K for this monstrosity in 1983. Now, my laptop can do so much more for less than a grand.
I worked at 2 stations back in the late 70's and early 80's that used Shafer automation. The one station called theirs "Max"... the other station called theirs "Otto"... which was short for Otto-Mation. (Yeah, just a bad joke). Max was way more advanced than Otto. Both eventually got scrapped, and both stations went back to being LIVE. Now, if they'd just try LIVE again. Randy McDaniels, TLC.
Fantastic I remember this arriving in Australia and putting Aussies out of a job. But dear "Fred" did have his problems, miscued carts and many a tape ended up on the floor. Poor "Fred" now there are more automated gadgets that continue to put announcers out of work.Today in Australia in the major markets Talk Radio rules 24/7 yes live steam radio and not one of the big name announcers has "Fred" as a Christian name.
I've heard automated radio - it is the worst idea ever... A massive BRAIN-FART from whomever thought of it. A set of songs will play through and the automated back-announce will list what songs they were(or were supposed to be) but the songs you heard, and the back-announce often-times did not match up. The back-announced songs could be the next set, or from two or even three previous sets. A total stuff-up!
wolf man jack used this kind of set up in the usa in the 70's funny thing radio heart still use a computer file lay out well all know there's no dj's in the day any more it's all recorded dj's record what they say for the day
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This was the same system I worked with at then Keener 14 WKNR AM [1400] in Battle Creek Michigan in the mid 1970s. This and then WKFR -FM 103.3 Battle Creek were programmed by Drake-Chenault. WKFR-FM Stereo 103.3 in Battle Creek still exists to this day.
Yes, I did the same thing in 1981...our Schaffer unit was named "IVAN"!
This is "FRED" bought by Radio 6KY Perth, Western Australia in 1976. FRED wasn't all that reliable for Live on-air work but when I bought him from the radio station in 1981, I was able to use him for many years to produce Pre-recorded Hosted Programmes for clients such as the Bali Hyatt and Sheraton Hotel Bali. Worked well for some 13 years but now it's possible to do everything FRED did, on a P.C.
Did Fred drop dead or did you put him in storage for future sake? I believe iHeart radio need Fred.
@ebullock1ut Our 903 was named "Sammy", for "Sammy Schafer". I still have some printouts of format files and time files. It's cool to see you here, Earl. Sorry about waking you up in the middle of the night, but you got us back on the air after the lockup.
Hi Earl. We brought you in to KDES, Palm Springs when I first got there to teach me the system. That was in 1980.
Nos anos 70, era moda colocar tudo gravado nessas engenhocas, principalmente nas FMs. Quando o formato DJ chegou, esses sistemas foram abandonados.
How cool! Do any of these still exist?
I was Eight years old when that, radio station went on the air.
I worked with one of these Schafer Automation Systems in the late 80's, but the station I was working for was using it for the sister AM station & used a Satellite Music Format with the Shafer System, only thing different, we had Carousels to load up the spots on. The Keyboard Display Terminal with it's fancy digital clock of the day, had tubes in it! It was not solid state! I used a Sono-Mag Automation, simular to this until 1998, when I first learned & installed a DOS based Automation System.
a local station had one of these in the 70s..and you could recognize the 'filler' cart...
I remember a Schafer “Fred” system at KWAM in West Memphis, Arkansas. It was a very elaborate automated playback system, at the time. The reel-to-reel tape decks would operate in fast forward then reverse trying to find a particular cut or spot. Occasionally, it would screw up and play the wrong commercial spot.
Personally, I don’t think it was worth it’s extremely high cost. By today’s digital standards, it was an extremely crude monster.
Just imagining how a very big money invested for this whole equipment.
You forgot Fred Botica who currently does Breakfast and is about to move to Drive next year on 6KY's Successor - Mix 94.5
When WILS-AM gave up the ghost on a a fully staffed 24/7 facility, it went with an reel--deck automation system controlled by a DOS based computer. The owners invested $100K for this monstrosity in 1983. Now, my laptop can do so much more for less than a grand.
I had the same system at KDES, Palm Springs. Only difference was the tape decks were Scully 270's.
That background music 🤣
I worked at 2 stations back in the late 70's and early 80's that used Shafer automation. The one station called theirs "Max"... the other station called theirs "Otto"... which was short for Otto-Mation. (Yeah, just a bad joke). Max was way more advanced than Otto. Both eventually got scrapped, and both stations went back to being LIVE. Now, if they'd just try LIVE again. Randy McDaniels, TLC.
Fantastic I remember this arriving in Australia and putting Aussies out of a job. But dear "Fred" did have his problems, miscued carts and many a tape ended up on the floor. Poor "Fred" now there are more automated gadgets that continue to put announcers out of
work.Today in Australia in the major markets Talk Radio rules 24/7 yes live steam radio and not one of the big name announcers has "Fred" as a Christian name.
I've heard automated radio - it is the worst idea ever... A massive BRAIN-FART from whomever thought of it. A set of songs will play through and the automated back-announce will list what songs they were(or were supposed to be) but the songs you heard, and the back-announce often-times did not match up. The back-announced songs could be the next set, or from two or even three previous sets. A total stuff-up!
KGIL 1260 AM San Fernando Valley CA 1978
wolf man jack used this kind of set up in the usa in the 70's funny thing radio heart still use a computer file lay out well all know there's no
dj's in the day any more it's all recorded dj's record what they say for the day
the interface was horrendous...
Ioo