ACs Barely Working

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Frank

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Jul 3, 2026, 1:06:11 PMJul 3
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Hello ops   AC in Studio A is barely working. The other ACs are even worse.  Suggest neccessary maintenance asap or replace with window ACs with correct btu's for each room. Thanks. Stay cool.

Frank

Ray Charbonneau

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Jul 3, 2026, 1:10:33 PMJul 3
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I won't be in today, but perhaps someone can check into this....
I suspect one could swap the broken (per Ryan) vent tube attached to the Studio A A/C with the one attached to the useless A/C in the record library. 

Ray Charbonneau
Listen to Tardis Jukebox on WMFO!


On Fri, Jul 3, 2026 at 1:06 PM 'Frank' via wmfo-ops <wmfo...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Hello ops   AC in Studio A is barely working. The other ACs are even worse.  Suggest neccessary maintenance asap or replace with window ACs with correct btu's for each room. Thanks. Stay cool.

Frank

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Moreno-Comstock, Sebastian

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Jul 3, 2026, 2:18:43 PMJul 3
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I will head over and take a look in the next hour

The one in the record library hasn’t been working properly for a while. Many of the units in the station need replacing so I’m going to reach out to Tufts Facilities to see if they are able to get them fixed or replace them


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Frank

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Jul 3, 2026, 3:33:10 PMJul 3
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Sebastien, "right on" for the quick response and getting on this. Window ACs would be best and a lot less maintenance (simply clean/vac the "pull out" filter once in a while). I've read even after a couple years of every day use, the window ACs still blow out cold air, but we'll need the correct BTU for each AC based on room size so they'll be more economical and for best performance. Window ACs are good for at least 20 years or longer. WMFO had them for decades. And Ray, thx for responding as well. I have no experience with the portable, money guzzling, constant maintenance ACs we have now. Portable ACs are not meant to be on all day 7 days a week. WMFO needs ACs that can stay on all day & night, 7 days a week, to protect the very expensive equipment and to protect the extensive vinyl  record collection, CDs and cassette tapes. Hopefully it's not too late.  Happy 4th of July, have a great holiday tomorrow. Stay well, stay safe.

Frank


Frank

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Jul 3, 2026, 4:09:38 PMJul 3
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Also wanted to mention...  I know the portable ACs we have now were purchased and installed with good intent, and I'm sure everyone appreciated that very much, including myself, but after researching, I found out they're the wrong ACs for a studio of WMFO's magnitude. But thx again for the effort and all the work you put into it, much appreciated.

Frank

Nick Andre

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Jul 3, 2026, 4:11:39 PMJul 3
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Portable ACs with single hose have like 1/3 the cooling power of equivalent BTU window ones. We traditionally reimbursed Home Depot units and carried them up the stairs. 

With our duty cycle they tended to last 2-6 years. 

—Nick

Jesse Weeks

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Jul 3, 2026, 5:57:57 PMJul 3
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It's sad that the central AC that covered the studios was never repaired/replaced (was in need of a coolant recharge back in 2010). With the open attic it wouldn't be that hard to get the front half of the station central AC that would be quieter and more durable than portable/window units.

-Jesse

Nick Andre

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Jul 3, 2026, 6:39:55 PMJul 3
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Maintenance fought me real hard. They’ve been under the opinion that Curtis is being knocked down next year for like 2 decades. 

I asked for a mini-split setup but they basically said due to union rules nobody could go out on the roof where the unit is installed and they just yeeted a bunch of R20 into it without fixing the leak which lasted all of 3 weeks. 

The thought of picking up a Mr Cool DIY or something did cross my mind. There’s three phase power out there and assuming someone was willing to do brazing out there it wouldn’t be that hard. But would be worth verifying the structural integrity of whatever platform that is though. 

Frank

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Jul 3, 2026, 9:59:53 PMJul 3
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Yeah if the central AC could be fixed, it would be better than getting window ACs. But the question is, how reliable would the central AC be if fixed, and can it be maintained by ops? Sebastien, could you keep us posted on any progress?  Thanks. 

Have a great holiday weekend!

Frank

Moreno-Comstock, Sebastian

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Jul 4, 2026, 10:52:43 AMJul 4
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I went in yesterday to take some photos for filling out a facilities request - I’m gonna try and fill that out by tomorrow evening so that they can (hopefully) get started on it next week. It’s always been a hit or miss with the work requests, but I spoke with someone from facilities on the phone yesterday and it seemed like they would be able to get on it pretty quick once I fill out the form. 

I'll see what I can do about possibly getting window units. I'm not sure what they'll say about repairing the central AC system, but I can certainly ask about that. Hopefully I can get someone to come by the station to take a look and discuss all this stuff.

Happy 4th everyone!
Sebastian
From: 'Frank' via wmfo-ops <wmfo...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, 03 July 2026 21:59:48
To: wmfo-ops <wmfo...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [External] Re: [wmfo-ops] ACs Barely Working
 

Nick Andre

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Jul 4, 2026, 11:54:52 AMJul 4
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We always just went to Home Depot for that reason. I don’t think facilities ordinarily stocks ACs.

The Desperate Hours

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Jul 4, 2026, 8:48:12 PMJul 4
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Hi,

I once again tried to extract the stuck CD from CD1 to no avail. Can anyone help with this? Maybe even swap it out with one from Studio C (NOT CD Up-it only successfully reads half the CDs...if that).

Thank you,

Alex
___________________________________________________________
The Desperate Hours
Thursdays 6-8pm US Eastern Time


Moreno-Comstock, Sebastian

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Jul 4, 2026, 11:13:08 PMJul 4
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I think we’re gonna need to manually remove the CD by taking the deck out and using the emergency release pinhole (it should have one I think). I will try and do that sometime next week. 

Sebastian


From: 'The Desperate Hours' via wmfo-ops <wmfo...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 04 July 2026 20:48:05
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Subject: Re: [External] Re: [wmfo-ops] CD1
 

mike stewart

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Jul 5, 2026, 10:16:27 AMJul 5
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in the past i have used butterknives and clamping scissors

Frank

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Jul 5, 2026, 3:31:58 PMJul 5
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Sounds good Sebastien. Keep us posted. Thanks.

Frank 



WMFO General Manager

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Jul 9, 2026, 10:16:18 AMJul 9
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Good news - I just met with facilities and they are going to install 4 new window units in Studio A, Studio D, the vinyl room, and the GM office today. The guy I spoke with seemed open to fixing the central AC and said he would bring it up with the HVAC people. I will keep everyone informed as things progress.

Sebastian



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General Manager
WMFO Medford 91.5fm

Frank

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Jul 9, 2026, 12:37:40 PMJul 9
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Awesome news Sebastien on getting Tufts facilities to install 4 brand new window air conditioners today, and to possibly fix the central AC at a later date. We all appreciate the time & effort you put into this. Keep up the great work!

Frank

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