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A new 50KW... from 1941

X

xmtrland

Here is newspaper insert from the Seattle PI, for the 50,000 watt power increase for KIRO, Seattle June 29, 1941. There are six pages an well worth the look for the ads, and the pictures. Just a snapshot of that day. Interesting to see the Schoenfelds' ad, and Graybar ad because they are still around. Graybar actually sold KIRO the transmitter package (including Phasor and audio rack) for $245,100.

There are six pages total and each one worth the look.

http://vashonradio.com/towertour/images/kiro/kiro1941-page1_72.pdf
http://vashonradio.com/towertour/images/kiro/kiro1941-page2inside_lr.pdf
http://vashonradio.com/towertour/images/kiro/kiro1941-page3lr.pdf
http://vashonradio.com/towertour/images/kiro/kiro1941-page4lr.pdf
http://vashonradio.com/towertour/images/kiro/kiro1941-page5lr.pdf
http://vashonradio.com/towertour/images/kiro/kiro1941-page6lr.pdf

Now for the Trivia....
http://vashonradio.com/towertour/images/kiro/kirobidpg1.pdf
Above is a PDF of page 1 of the original transmitter bid from Graybar for that 50KW rig. On that page below the 3 listed items, are two paragraphs with a name. What company did that person start start.

No real prize but it lends a little history to the KIRO transmitter plant built in 1941.

And when was the last time a big deal was made of an AM station going 50KW.
 
Very interesting, thanks for the post. The news section is amazing. How their world was about to change in a few months.
 
Frank McIntosh started McIntosh Consulting, which later became McIntosh Laboratory, maker of high-end and "audiophile" audio amplifiers and other gear.
 
I notice the ad from KRSC 1150 congratulating KIRO on the power increase. Does anybody know if KRSC was a competitor, or was it a co-owned facility?

Also nice to know that you could buy a Buick for $930.
 
KRSC was a competitor and eventually put the first TV station on the air in Seattle (1948). About a year later KRSC Owners sold their FM and TV station to KING broadcasting.

KIRO was just a lone am station in 1941. The only dual ownership I'm aware of in Seattle at the time was the Fisher Group that had KJR on 1000Khz and KOMO on 950Khz. Eventually KJR and KOMO swapped frequency’s and KJR was sold. KOMO under fisher ownership, went on to move its transmitter to Vashon and increase Power to 50KW.

Stations, KOMO and KJR, on page 2, Just a simple and plan Congratulations. Plus another ad for KJR personality on pg5

Jim Hatfield was the engineer at the time for KIRO in 1941. He had a son Jim Hatfield Junior. Like his father, Jim Junior, went into radio engineering. Eventually he teamed up with Ben Dawson started Hatfield and Dawson. You can see a picture of Jim Senior on page four. Father and son looked a lot alike.
Jim Hatfield Junior eventually lived on Vashon not far from the KIRO tower site overlooking Puget Sound. I would frequently run into him on the Ferry to Seattle.
 
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