Q: What is the scope of your equipment disposal service?

A: SES provides two options for obsolete equipment removal. Option 1: Your staff dismantles the equipment and places it in a convenient and easily accessible exterior location for our team to pick up and haul away.  Option 2: We disassemble the transmitter and related equipment including combiner and channel filter, load it onto our trailers and haul away.

Q: Will SES pick up non-transmitter related equipment?

A: Yes. We can provide additional disposal services while on site.  A separate bid is required for this service.

Q: What does SES do with the equipment hauled away?

A: We use environmentally friendly recycling firms for disposal.

Q: How does SES know what to estimate for the job?

A: SES will provide an estimated number of days needed to complete the job after reviewing the Site Survey response and site photos. A simple job may be 3 or 4 days, whereas a complex disassembly and removal may range from 5 to 9 or more days depending on number of transmitters; power of transmitters; cooling method; and site conditions including site access. We estimate days needed from information contained in a survey document you complete. In more complex cases we may need to do a site survey.

Q: What are my responsibilities as the station owner?

A: We will need full access to the site including any permits or passes for our staff and truck(s); agreed upon working hours and a station representative present during sensitive work. The old transmitter must be disconnected from active remote controls to avoid any interlock issues with the on-air equipment and completely disconnected from the electrical panel. Full details are provided as part of the contract.

Q: Is SES insured?

A: Yes, our crew is covered by workman’s comp and liability insurance. We will get an insurance document listing the station as ‘Additional Insured’ prior to our arrival on site.

Q: What are your rates?

A: We have several service options and can tailor to the needs of the station. For more information please fill out our Survey Form or call us at 210.482.0624. Our daily rates vary depending on service needs and site conditions. We have several options and will work with the station to determine the level of service the station and site conditions require. Prices can range between $3,200 to $4,000 a day depending on SES staff needed for the job, site access, equipment required and recycling options.

Q: What would be considered expenses and why are these not included?

A: Expenses include cost for hotel, car rental, airfare, and a daily per-diem for crew. We charge expenses using 2009 IRS Publication 1542.  Many stations have established trade agreements for lodging which we will honor if possible.  Travel will be coordinated prior to arrival.  For more complicated projects, fees for the rental of special equipment such as a crane or fork lift would be extra.

Q. How does SES handle EPA listed hazardous material disposal?

A. All broadcasters may have transmitter equipment containing PCB, cadmium or beryllium, particularly in older transmitters.

Hazardous material must be disclosed to SES during the site survey process. We can arrange for the removal and proper disposal of these materials in compliance with applicable laws using EPA permitted companies. Costs for these services are an additional expense that is added to our daily rate. SES passes the disposal cost through with a small markup to cover our project management costs. The costs for hazardous material disposal are due at contract signing.

Q. What if I’m unsure if my transformers contain PCB?

A. If the transmitter oil filled capacitors or power supplies were manufactured prior to 1980 they probably do contain PCB. If the station does not have past testing documents, probably as a result of your insurance company requests, the hazardous material disposal costs will be an estimate based on contamination level greater than 500 ppm. An EPA permitted disposal company must test to determine the acceptable method of disposal. The level of contamination determines the method of disposal and therefore affects the disposal costs.

Q. What if I want to directly deal with a hazardous material disposal company.

A. Not a problem. Those items will not be tagged and will not be removed under SES contract. The station can coordinate removal of those items directly with a company permitted to deal with contaminated materials.

Q: What are the payment terms?

A: Payment terms are 1 (one) day’s fee with contract signing and the remaining balance due net 30 when job is completed. This deposit allows us to hard schedule your job and start job logistics. Any costs for disposal of Hazardous material are due at contract signing as well.

Q: Are discounts available?

A: Yes. Discounts are available for groups. We also attempt to schedule work regionally to minimize travel expenses.

Q: Why choose Systems Engineering Solutions, LLC?

A:  Because you get a great job at a fair price with the work performed by experienced RF engineers that will do no harm to your on-air facility. We are the ideal solution for today’s reduced staff count allowing your existing staff to stay focused on daily operations and revenue generating tasks.