Larcan TX company shutting down.

[kc9hta]

http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/lar ... ors/271300

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA—TV Technology has learned that LARCAN, a Canadian television and radio transmitter manufacturer that has been in operation since the early 1950s, ceased operating on July 10, several sources familiar with the situation confirmed. One said the company shut its doors and dismissed the roughly 35-40 employees remaining at its Mississauga, Ontario and Lafayette, Colo. operations. - See more at: http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/lar ... Ec0hP.dpuf

Moderator edit: first couple of lines from article placed here, and this topic moved to the news forum. Thanks. -- Mike

[NECRAT]

This isn't good news. A very fine broadcast company goes under, especially with 1000's of parts and equipment of theirs in service.

I believe Charles Layno's (W4CL) rig is a Larcan, and our primary exciter is a Larcan...

[Kelly]

I did a group buy with Larcan for several of their DTV transmitters for the Fisher stations. Unfortunately some of Larcan's issues started showing up, with Larcan reducing the field service staff and delivering transmitters with known poorly designed power supplies. I'd hoped that Larcan would turn things around because there are a lot of stations with their rigs. The problem is; transmitter manufacturers were betting that the DTV conversion would be a huge uptick in business. That uptick really didn't happen and sales never were as brisk as they'd hoped. Ackrodyne and Larcan were casualties of an incorrect business assumption.

[Baylink]

FOLO: There appears to be some question about this; the Chinese parent is denying it. Shane Toven at Radiomag says the NewBay folks are looking into it.

[Deep Thought]

I'd say that a dozen confirmations (including employees), phones not working in Colorado, and email bouncing is pretty good evidence that Sumavision pulled the plug no matter what they are saying now. The email they sent to TV Technology is amusing at best...sounds like some PR person covering their ass.

“Dear TVtechnology (sic), We are Sumavision from China. We saw news ‘LARCAN Closes Its Doors’ on your website, We formally notice you that this news is not true. Sumavision did not have any order to discontinue operations of Larcan, and Sumavision is still working on Larcan issues and no conclusion for now.
Please pay attention to truth of your report.
Sumavision Retain legal rights and interests.

[w4cl]

This isn't good news. A very fine broadcast company goes under, especially with 1000's of parts and equipment of theirs in service.

I believe Charles Layno's (W4CL) rig is a Larcan, and our primary exciter is a Larcan...

Yes, we have THREE Larcan's on site. One is a VHF high M Series configured for digital channel 8 that we had intended to use as a full power backup before we changed back to UHF and has been looking for a new home ever since, a two tube 50kw Landmark that has been THE MOST RELIABLE TRANSMITTER I HAVE EVERY HAD. It is simple in design and never quits. It is still running the original IOT's that were installed when it went on air in 2006. And we have a 5kw solid state Magnum we use for backup.

All three transmitters have been very reliable and I hope someone will pick up the support for them. It is a real shame the new owners pulled the plug. A lot of good people in both Toronto and Denver are out of jobs.

[Deep Thought]

Looks like the remaining bits are being sold off next week...
http://danburysales.com/Auctions/Ontari ... ction.html