NBC Transmitter (Jan-Dec 1939)

JUNE, 1939 / KDKA PITTSBURGH by Kay Barr Ground was broken at the new site of the KDKA transmitter May 16, 1939, and Dr. Frank Conrad, assistant chief engineer of the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, dug the first earth. The new location is just off Route 8 on the Clearview Road, about 10 airline miles north from downtown Pittsburgh. Engineers estimate the move from Saxonburg, 25 miles distant, will give the center of Pittsburgh a signal strength of 100 millivolts at the present time. Dr. Conrad’s work with radio before, during, and after the World War led Westinghouse, in 1920, to create KDKA and originate regular broadcasting. Participating with this distinguished engineer in the ground-breaking ceremony were Sherman Gregory, manager, and Joe Baudino, plant manager, of KDKA. It is expected the new station will be operating by the first of next year. All of the major equipment will be new. The only equipment of major importance to be moved will be the 718-foot steel antenna. A “pickaback” aerial will perch a-top the 718-foot vertical antenna and will send out noise-free experimental short-wave programs within a radius of a 35-mile line-of-sight to the horizon. Two additional short-wave rhombic antennas will be installed at the new location. One of these short-wave antennas will be aimed at Europe and the other KDKA executives look on as Dr. Frank Conrad turns the first spadeful of dirt at the new location for the station's transmitter. From the left they are General Manager Sherman Gregory, Dr. Conrad, Westinghouse assistant chief engineer, and Joe Baudino, chief engineer at KDKA. at South America. Both will transmit programs by short-waves to foreign countries, continuing a service started by Westinghouse in 1922. AAA Francis Fitzsimmons of the Press Department, started the 1939 vacation season at KDKA May 29. One week then, and the other by way of accepting Ray Perkins’ invitation to “Hi, ho, Come to the Fair.” Program Manager Derby Sproul left May 31 for a motor trip to his old home town of Denver, Estes Park, Grand Lake, and other Pikes Peak points. Janet Ross of Shopping Circle planned her annual trip to Dade City, Florida, starting June 19. Family visit and some fishing. Over on the Westinghouse or engineering side of the house, Night Supervisor Carl Wyman was in Florida in March; Buck Dice took a week in April ; Paul Sloane dated his leave from May 21 to June 3. AAA Terrill Jacobs, lion tamer with the B. B. & R. B. Circus, went to South Africa after lions. Bernie Armstrong, KDKA organist, says Production Chief Charley Urquhart went to South Africa after Terrill Jacobs went after the lions. At any rate Charley and Terrill have been close personal friends since they met in the jungles or some place, and they had a tall story re-union when the show played Pittsburgh June 5 and 6. AAA Announcer Bill Hinds presents a “Trails to Happiness” program from KDKA each Sunday morning. The other day he received a letter from a newspaperman listener in Kingston, Jamaica, asking for copies of some of the poems Billy had read on recent broadcasts. AAA For several days some of the KDKA staff wished they had not been so enthusiastic about it. But it was fun at the time. They left the studio May 26 for the home of Anne Kendlehart, general office, for a picnic, then on to South Park for a bicycle ride. Announcer Ed Schaughency had the foresight to apply for the linament concession. AAA Announcer and Mrs. Aidan Fitz EXCHANCE CORNER ATTRACTIVE FOUR ROOM COTTAGE For rent by week or month. Situated in pines, on waterway, in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. River and ocean bathing, boating, and fishing. Comfortable beds — unusual in summer cottages. Inquire of NBC Transmitter. WORLD’S FAIR VISITORS!— Rooms in Flushing, private house close to Fair. Single room, $2.00; double room, $3.00. Phone Flushing 7-4681. WANTED — One or two passengers to share expenses to California in new Ford Mercury. Leaving New York July 22. Call Miss Goddard, Ext. 367. patrick are broadcasting the glad tidings. She is Miss Gail Fitzpatrick and made her 50 per cent addition to the family personnel at Allegheny General Hospital May 22. “Fitz” is breaking in a new pair of shoes, but the two principal members of the cast are doing nicely. AAA Pittsburgh will entertain thousands of Lions in July. It will be the annual convention of Lions Clubs. The June issue of “The Lion,” official magazine of the organization, gave KDKA a feature story with pictures of Sherman Gregory, and the spectacular 718-foot antenna. AAA W. B. “Mac” McGill, KDKA Sales and Station Promotion, is making good use of a new Multigraph Duplicator, getting out some impressive art work for the enlightenment of agencies and NBC salesmen. Even the salesman who closed the deal for the device didn't believe such work could be done on it. “Mac” showed ’im. AAA Charley Urquhart, production chief, presents a IF omen and the News program from KDKA every afternoon. Memorial Day he wanted to liven up the show a bit so invited two gals from a transient Roller Skating Derby outfit to come up and be interviewed. After the sport was described, with all its hazards and spills, and Charley painted a picture of the nerve it took to compete, he asked one of the “White Shirts” a simple question. Listeners heard about four faltering words and she faded out, completely whipped by a harmless little eight ball mike.