Here is the central processing unit for the Newstar newsroom computer. This unit was installed in 1984 making KCBS the first computer based radio newsroom. Besides accepting input from the terminals in the newsroom and studios, the computer also gathers news from various wire services, Reuters, Bay City, etc, and makes it available to everyone. In this picture you can see in the left hand rack (from the top), two input/output chassis for terminals and external sources, the CPU chassis, another input/output chassis, and at the bottom, two disk drive units.
In the right rack we have.... modems for reporters in the field, more modems for Reuters and other news services. Near the middle of the rack is a Sage EAS Endec and receiver for the Contra Costa County emergency alert system and at the bottom is a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) for the Newstar. As a wild guess, I would think that this picture was taken on, oh , April 27, 1997 at about 8:33am. So now you know.
Questions or comments about the tour?
Updated 11/07/98
KCBS-KLLC ENGINEERING DEPT