Louisville actually had the national coaxial feed in June, 1950 on a branch feed from Indianapolis. WHAS-TV Louisville (on air 3-27-50) and WSM-TV, Nashville had started work on a private (non-AT&T) intercity microwave link to provide Tennessee with its first network service. This 180-mile, 6-hop link was completed, network service was routed from Louisville, and WSM-TV signed on in September, 1950.
I know several retired engineers who can recall the earlier days of the Derby on TV...I will inquire about the remote facilities available then. I do know that the older 2 stations (WHAS and WAVE-TV)had full B&W remote units, with WAVE having the first color remote gear with two huge RCA TK-42 cameras.
I know several retired engineers who can recall the earlier days of the Derby on TV...I will inquire about the remote facilities available then. I do know that the older 2 stations (WHAS and WAVE-TV)had full B&W remote units, with WAVE having the first color remote gear with two huge RCA TK-42 cameras.