Oldest transmitter

The oldest transmitter still in use has been located. WNAH in Nashville began using its Gates BC-1T transmitter in 1960. It is currently used as the station's main transmitter.

This 1,000W AM transmitter was manufactured and sold between 1957-1962. It features an in-built dummy antenna for off-air testing and its RF output impedance matched loads from 50Ω to 70Ω. The transmitter weighs 800 lbs. and has provision for two vacuum-type crystals and holders. The transmitter is encased in a steel cabinet with a meter panel that slopes forward for easy observation.

A selling point of this transmitter was the combination of a cathode follower, a modulation system that modulates the Class C and RF driver amplifiers and overall feedback, which resulted in a new distortion low. The prototype of this transmitter actually produced 50-cycle distortion as low as ½ of 1 percent.

The transmitter's frequency response is 50Hz to 10kHz to balance response losses often found in other parts of the overall broadcasting system. All BC-1Ts shipped with an internal dummy load. It was the first Gates model to include one as standard equipment.

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That was then

This ad graced the back cover of the September 1952 issue of Complete Baseball, a “big league baseball magazine.” The ad is trying to sell booklets that will teach people how to be radio and TV engineers. At the bottom of the ad is a coupon to send in to get both booklets for free.

“Many students make $5, $10 a week extra fixing neighbors' radios in spare time while learning. The day you enroll, I start sending you special booklets to show you how to do this,” the ad reads. “Tester you build with parts I send helps you service sets. All equipment is yours to keep.”

“Your next step is a good job installing and servicing radio-television sets, or becoming the boss of your own radio-television sales and service shop or getting a good job in a broadcasting station.”

“And think of the opportunities in television!” the ad reads. “In 1950 over 5,000,000 television sets were sold. By 1954 authorities estimate 25,000,000 television sets will be in use. Over 100 television stations are now operating, with experts predicting 1,000.”

The prediction fell short. Today, there are nearly 4,500 TV stations, including all low-power stations.

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Sample and hold

If you were considering purchasing a satellite radio for yourself or someone else, what would be a reasonable price to pay?


Source: eBrain Market Research -
Digital and Satellite Radio Mini Study - March 2003