[BC] Re: When did GE die? RCA, Westinghouse, Collins Western Electric

[R J Carpenter]

In the middle 1950s the radio propagation part of the National Bureau 
of Standards (later transfered for NOAA) had an RCA 50kW FM rig at 
their transmitting site near Havana, Ill.  It was on a long rhombic 
pointed at Boulder, Colo.  The transmitter came from some station in 
the South, either WBRC or WMCF, I suppose. The cables between the 
individual racks had been "disconnected" with a hatchet before 
shipment.  A mess to get it working again. I don't think it was run 
above 25kW many times since getting the two finals synchronized was 
VERY touchy.  IIRC they generally operated using only one of the two 
25kW finals.

As for the value of major market FMs, people who should know recently 
told me that Class A 102.3 which serves Washington, DC, would bring 
$100 million or more.  It is usually within the top two or three in 
ratings.

bob carpenter