I've seen (and personally tested) AM transmitters dead shorting, and within less than a second (probably less than 100ms, but I haven't measured precisely) it will fold back on a dead short to like 1% of its operating power, lower if it still detects a short.

This is to protect the (even more expensive) transmitter from lightning strikes or other weird eventualities (like the line leaking pressurized nitrogen, used to prevent shorts from moisture mainly).

But replacing that 3" transmission line is not cheap or fast. Usually the runs are planned and designed, and every elbow / connection has losses that are accounted for.

A few brave thieves went after power substations. For some thieves a lack of knowledge was fatal.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2017...

Assuming between 3-1/8″ - 6-1/8″ diameter.

Somewhere between $1,360 - $6,400 of scrap value. $70k-$100k to repair...

Absurd.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable#Hard_line

Nominative determinism in action.

They say it could cost $70,000 - $100,000 to repair, but I also wonder if they'll have to refund ad buys while they are running at 10 watts and such reduced coverage. Makes me also wonder what kind of insurance broadcasters might have for such incidents when they can't broadcast.

I replaced the 100W FM transmitter on our college radio tower and got in front of the emitter beam for like 10 seconds and my head rung for a week. The amps and power aren’t to be messed with.

I can’t even imagine messing with 100K line that’s a solid block of copper

That thief should be indentured until he pays it back in full.