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Old KLUE Tower Longview

C

Chuck

I was driving past the tower site this afternoon, and someone was actually mounting what looked like a UHF omni directional antenna on it. The funny thing is, it’s about ¾ of the way to the top. It is mounted on the Longview side of the tower, which will cause it to reflect away from the Lake Cherokee area. I guess they figure that there are more prospective viewers in Longview. I am puzzled why it is not at the top though. Maybe it's all the height the FCC would give them.

It looks like the story about the new LPTV station moving into the old building is coming true rather rapidly. At least, it will save an old radio landmark.
 
Is the building salvageable? Last time I got within looking distance (between the interminable drive bys and dope deals) it looked hopeless. Maybe there's a few breaths of life left in tne old place yet.
 
nuzguy said:
Is the building salvageable? Last time I got within looking distance (between the interminable drive bys and dope deals) it looked hopeless. Maybe there's a few breaths of life left in tne old place yet.
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I casually looked at the location a few years ago for a translator site. On one visit, I'm fairly sure I interrupted a dope deal going down. I did not hang around to find out, but the gentlemen who were exchanging merchandise were not happy to see me drive up.

My next visit was a little better, but the place looked absolutely trashed. There was junk everywhere and it looked like the building had been vandalized. It is possible that the building's shell is salvageable, but it is going to take a lot of work. I wish them luck.

I'll try to drive by in the next few days and see what they are doing.
 
I dropped by the site this afternoon. A large crew was industriously working to install the LP-TV transmitter, sat dish and antenna. It seems they plan to remove the top mast (which is bent), which explains why the antenna is not mounted on it. They have moved in a pre-fab transmitter building and should be on the air fairly soon.

While there, I got to see the inside of the 1970's vintage KLUE building. The original building was bulldozed some time ago. The 1280 AM transmitter is still inside, but not much else. The original radio studio cabinets are still there, but little equipment remains. What is there is fairly well beyond reasonable repair. The place has been vandalized rather extensively. The TV station plans to remodel the building and originate local religious programming from it.

It's going to be a lot of work, but perhaps it will save an historic East Texas radio landmark.
 
Thats good news.. wouldn't mind seeing some pictures of the construction work. I was in the building last in 1996... lots of trash scattered around inside, old records still in sleeves in cardboard boxes, but the transmitter, some audio processing gear and Gates control boards were still there. There were a lot of little offices inside, so I guess they will have to gut most of the old studios to put a tv studio in there.

I would love to see some old pictures of the station in its 60's-70's prime, if any exist. BTW what channel will the new TV station be on?
 
It really breaks my heart to see that old building in shambles. I had lots of great times in that place. Lots of memories. :'(

At least that wonderful tower is being put to some good use.
 
Hey snoman,
it's been awhile since I've noticed you on the board.

How are ya?
 
snoman said:
It really breaks my heart to see that old building in shambles. I had lots of great times in that place. Lots of memories. :'(

At least that wonderful tower is being put to some good use.
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I noticed this weekend, the tower has a nice new coat of paint and new lights. It looks good! The TV station manager tells me they plan to restore the old building and do local origination from it. I'm glad to see it put to use.
 
Musicradio said:
Hey snoman,
it's been awhile since I've noticed you on the board.

How are ya?
Click to expand...

Things are good, Musicradio. Thank you for asking. I left for awhile, because a few people on the Houston and Dallas boards became confrontational, and it seemed like they were just on the boards looking for a fight. So, I decided to take a hiatus. It's good to be back though.

And, glad to hear about the TV folks trying to resurrect the old digs out at 2929 Signal Hill Rd. If that building could talk, the stories it could tell. :eek:
 
I worked at KLUE, 1280 for about months in the mid 60s. Station was owned by Tony Bridge. He also owned KMHT in Marshall and burned up the road between the two towns. I signed on every day and went by the name "Ron Riley." I think I replaced a guy for whom jingles had already been cut. Great jingles, by the way; PAMS. I was required to go by the Longview police department every morning on the way to work and copy the offense log from overnight, then use it for the local news when I got to work. I was late to work several times and didn't get the station on the air until 7:00 or so. Then when I fired up the transmitter, I'd do i too fast and the damn thing would lock up. Tony was less than happy on those mornings. Left KLUE
 
(CONTINUED)
in same year to go to KNOW in Austin. Just retired as weatherman from Disney/ABC station in Houston. Interested in hearing from anybody who remembers anything about those great days of Texas radio.
[email protected]
 
Welcome to the board, Ed -- good to see your post -- and thank you for all your great years of service while at ch. 13.

I like to hear old Texas radio tales, too -- love the story about your East Texas radio days.

I remember having to run from one radio station to another to do two diffreent air shifts that were virtually back to back.

On weekends in 1976 in Austin, I would sign off Classical KMFA downtown at midnight, then charge up Lamar Boulevard to work the overnight shift at the legendary KOKE-FM...from Mozart 'n Beethoven to Willie 'n Waylon in seven minutes flat!
 
Ed,

Good to have you on the board. I hope your health is good and you are enjoying retirement. I worked Texas radio back in the late 70s. Ah, those were fun days.
 
As far as I know, Tony Bridge is alive and well. I sat next to him at dinner at the TAB convention a year ago (August 2006). He had some great tales to tell. I wish I could remember them....
 
Chuck said:
As far as I know, Tony Bridge is alive and well. I sat next to him at dinner at the TAB convention a year ago (August 2006). He had some great tales to tell. I wish I could remember them....
Click to expand...


Talk about a legend in Texas radio....

And the stories that man can tell, too. I cut my radio teeth under him at KCUL/Marshall.
 
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