By Russell Shaw

WGNO moves, but tech problems remain

On April 12, Tribune-owned WGNO began a two-day process of moving into temporary facilities in New Orleans' World Trade Center complex. But then trouble struck. The station discovered that, in the eight months since Hurricane Katrina made its former headquarters unsafe, much equipment at the old site was harmed-simply by not being used.

WGNO Chief Engineer Steve Zanolini estimates the total cost to replace gear in the 'low six figures.' He has been resourceful, though, buying four pieces of sophisticated audio and video equipment on eBay for less than $3,000.

WGNO had expected some damage, but thought some other pieces were in working order.

'One of the difficult things no one realizes is, when you operate TV equipment 24/7 and turn it off, there's a great probability it will not power up again,' says WGNO General Manager Larry Delia. 'You have to be prepared and make the assumption that equipment will completely fail, and find...