My fascination with radio began when I was a Cub Scout.
Our troop built crystal radios, and strung up wire antennas.
Mine would only pick up KDKA, and sometimes, WWSW.
I caught the "bug" !
I wanted to broadcast, too !
So, when I turned 10, my parents bought me a Lafayette KT-195 am
phono oscillator kit.
Dad helped me learn to solder, and I got it on the air, at 1600Khz.
I was loving it !!
Walking all over our neighborhood listening to albums on
my 6 transistor Truetone radio.
I knew what I wanted to do in life; Broadcast
Engineering!
In High School, I found
Robert Schrader's book Electronic Communications, and
there began my study to obtain my FCC 1st
class license.
After Graduation, I found a job with WWSW as an apprentice, and was encouraged by Hank
Kaiser, the Chief Engineer, to go take the FCC exams.
I got my 3rd easily, then after 2 tries, my second class, and finally, my First.
Over time, I got promoted to a transmitter Engineering position on WWSWs 8 tower, 5
KW transmission site.
This was a learning experience to say the least !
We monitored phase readings with a scope
using Lissajous patterns,
What an advanced training ground !
After WWSW, I worked for almost every AM/FM in the Pittsburgh market, filling in, and enjoying it all.
After Reagan took the wrecking ball to radio
Engineering, by De- regulating the industry, I started my own contract engineering business.
Eventually, I decided to go to work in radio
robotics for a local military contractor.
I still miss the magic of those old radio days !
Our troop built crystal radios, and strung up wire antennas.
Mine would only pick up KDKA, and sometimes, WWSW.
I caught the "bug" !
I wanted to broadcast, too !
So, when I turned 10, my parents bought me a Lafayette KT-195 am
phono oscillator kit.
Dad helped me learn to solder, and I got it on the air, at 1600Khz.
I was loving it !!
Walking all over our neighborhood listening to albums on
my 6 transistor Truetone radio.
I knew what I wanted to do in life; Broadcast
Engineering!
In High School, I found
Robert Schrader's book Electronic Communications, and
there began my study to obtain my FCC 1st
class license.
After Graduation, I found a job with WWSW as an apprentice, and was encouraged by Hank
Kaiser, the Chief Engineer, to go take the FCC exams.
I got my 3rd easily, then after 2 tries, my second class, and finally, my First.
Over time, I got promoted to a transmitter Engineering position on WWSWs 8 tower, 5
KW transmission site.
This was a learning experience to say the least !
We monitored phase readings with a scope
using Lissajous patterns,
What an advanced training ground !
After WWSW, I worked for almost every AM/FM in the Pittsburgh market, filling in, and enjoying it all.
After Reagan took the wrecking ball to radio
Engineering, by De- regulating the industry, I started my own contract engineering business.
Eventually, I decided to go to work in radio
robotics for a local military contractor.
I still miss the magic of those old radio days !
