WJJZ

[saintrichard]

I passed the tower today, I cannot believe that fantastic signal comes out of that small, rinky dink tower with the three bay antenna mounted on top. Its just as good as the Antenna Farm signals, but if you look at the tower, it does not look like it can deliver that type of coverage. The tower looks no more than 500 feet in height, although the FCC has it higher, the bays are not in line and the tower is loaded with so many antennas and dishes its mind boggleing, it also looks like it can fall to the ground at any time.

 

[elevator_opratr]

You're not the first to mention this. I have to drive by it if ever I get down that area. I hear it is a really crickity stick, yet, you're right. I live way out in Schuylkill County (north-eastern PA) and WJJZ is one of the clearest Philly signals.

 

[jmd]

It probably helps that the tower is erected on one of the highest points in Philadelphia, the Ivy Hill section of the city. The tower is visible with it's landmark white strobes from my employers rooftop in CC Philly. Schuylkill County!!! That's a hike for a 22.5 Kw signal(Radio-locator). Have a good one ! JMD

 

[saintrichard]

Its located in Wyndmoor, just off Mermaid Lane off of Cheltenham Avenue, near Holy Sepulchre Cemetary and Beaver College. The tower is in poor shape, the paint is almost off and it bends a bit. Its well worth the trip just to check it out. To the other poster, there were no white strobes flashing yesterday.

 

[BobAltimari]

> Its located in Wyndmoor, just off Mermaid Lane off of
> Cheltenham Avenue, near Holy Sepulchre Cemetary and Beaver
> College. The tower is in poor shape, the paint is almost
> off and it bends a bit. Its well worth the trip just to
> check it out. To the other poster, there were no white
> strobes flashing yesterday.
>

Ahhhhhhh, yes....the old Varan tower. Named for George Varan, the original owner and founder of 106.1fm, when it was that powerhouse "Quality 106 - WQAL".<P ID="signature">______________
I've done it all...HOO HOO...tell 'em, Fred!
FOX News Alert: YOU SUCK!!! Ya like apples?</P>

 

[athegymtday]

> It probably helps that the tower is erected on one of the
> highest points in Philadelphia, the Ivy Hill section of the
> city. The tower is visible with it's landmark white strobes
> from my employers rooftop in CC Philly. Schuylkill County!!!
> That's a hike for a 22.5 Kw signal(Radio-locator). Have a
> good one ! JMD
>
Let us not forget that this tower was originally ericted by Philco WPTZ Channel 3 back in the late 40's and in the mid 60's channel 17's original studios were directly under the tower. Dance shows like the Ed Hurst Show and The late Georgie Wood did his 17 Canteen show from that site.

And almost lost in history Philo Farnsworth, the inventor of "electronic television" ericted the first TV studio there and was broadcasting experimental TV in 1932!

I agree, the tower is in poor shape it was erected by a company called Blow Knox.If you look at the base of the tower you can see that time and weather have taken it toll. It was repainted about 7 or 8 years ago.

Just before Ch. 17 went on the air in 1966 they replaced the top portion of the tower. How do I know all of this? I grew up in the shadow of that tower!
And until recently worked next door to the tower for 12 years!

I believe the brosdcast pioneers website has a very early picture of the tower with the original top section. I believe the tower is 580 Ft

 

[billjacobs]

> I agree, the tower is in poor shape it was erected by a
> company called Blow Knox.


Actually, it's Blaw-Knox, which is also the name of the town
outside Pittsburgh where the company is (or was) located.

Bill