[GreenKeys] Rumination

[Richard Knoppow]

        I remember when this happened.   KNX had just installed a new 
transmitter and building.   They demolished the old building.   The new 
transmitter was automated so they laid off the transmitter engineering 
staff.   I have always suspected it was one or two of those guys who 
downed the old tower.
       KNX moved to Torrance from the San Fernando Valley in 1938 
following the terrible flooding.  An article at the time said the 
engineers had to get to the building via a row boat.   I am not quit 
sure where the original site was but it was near the flood control basin 
that was created after this flood.  Either they did not want a 
repetition or the old site became a part of the basin,   Its also 
possible the original site was not very good.   CBS had bought KNX in 
1936 and built an elaborate studio in Hollywood (opened 1938). After the 
downing of the tower a new tower was erected.  There are two towers 
there now since the FCC requires high power stations to have an 
emergency tower.  I was told by a former CE that they considered going 
directional but doing so lost coverage in the "inland empire" area of 
Southern California.
     When the new transmitter was put on the air KNX had a big show with 
several prominent celebrities.  They then switched to the new 
transmitter, which gurgled and hummed and continued to do so for days. 
  I don't know what was wrong with it.  The original was one of the few 
RCA 50-D types,  an attempt by RCA to get around the Doherty patent.  It 
sounded very good and I was told was moved to Mexico where it was 
restored to operation.   I don't remember what was installed in its 
place, maybe a GE but eventually KNX got a couple of Continental 
transmitters.
      I currently live a couple of miles from a site that has three 
stations on it:  KBLA, a 50KW directional with six towers, KHJ, a 5KW 
directional at night, and KYPA, a 1 KW non-directional.  They get into 
everything.


On 8/23/2015 10:09 AM, Jeffrey D Angus wrote:
> On 8/23/2015 11:56 AM, tony.podrasky wrote:
>> "So - how's your reception of WWV?"
>>
>> He sent a one-word reply:
>>
>> "OUTSTANDING!!!"
> *laughs*
> He could probably copy it with the fillings in his teeth.
>
> Growing up in Torrance, CA, we had KNX, 1070 AM 1.5 miles from the
> house. Trying to build a crystal radio, the tuning across the dial was
> basically, knx knX kNX KNX KNx Knx knx. No other stations.
> Imagine how much fun we had suddenly when some disgruntled vandals
> cut a guy wire and brought the tower down and they were off the air
> for a day. ;-)
> <http://www.whittierdailynews.com/general-news/20091028/south-bay-history-knx-radio-towers>
>
>
>

-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL