It is a flamethrower in Northern California that has not only an interesting signal, but a past that combines innovation with community service. KFBK is 100 this year. There is no question, KFBK is a true “Flamethrower.” Its 50,000 Watt signal not only blankets the West Coast of America, but has been heard […]

This spring, we have been spotlighting stations that have been on the air for 100 years. Some have turned into 50 kW, some have moved to another state and back, and some have been key local stations for many years. This is Part 2 of the story. Part 1 is located here. In […]

This spring, we have been spotlighting stations that have been on the air for 100 years. Some have turned into 50 kW, some have moved to another state and back, and some have been key local stations for many years. In 1920, commercial radio was making its debut in cities like Detroit, greater […]

Back in 1922, when radio stations exploded across the nation, most of the action was in the largest cities. However, some of the pioneer stations were built way out in what was then “the middle of nowhere.” That does not mean they were not influential, in more than one way. For millions of […]

Spring 1922 saw major growth for Radio with an explosion of stations. It is always interesting to see those that have survived for the century, sometimes with a three-letter call intact. WJR in Detroit is one of those stations, growing from a shakey beginning in 1922 to become a 50,000 Watt Flamethrower and […]

Radio is quite different from the way it started in 1922. In Los Angeles, when KFI signed on 100 years ago, the half dozen or so stations all shared one frequency. Today, KFI is still there, standing among the top rated stations among over 100 stations broadcasting in the air over LA. On […]

Radio Caroline is one of the most famous “pirate stations” that broadcast off the coast of England starting in the 1960s. The story of the war between the stations, the BBC, and the UK Government has been chronicled a number of time, including the motion picture “Pirate Radio” which was loosely based on […]

As we continue the year 2022 many pioneering stations turn 100, and it is interesting to learn the background stories of how many of them got their start. In Omaha, what is now KCRO made its first noises 100 years ago this month. In this, the 101st anniversary […]

It was the spring of 1922. There is no better way to say it than that the radio dial was starting to “crackle” with all sorts of programs. All over the country, stations were being built as fast as equipment could be assembled. In some cities, like Atlanta, Georgia, there were races between […]

As we continue our look at the pioneering stations from 100 years ago, WLW looms large on among them. In the late 1920s and early 1930s the race to 50 kilowatts – and higher – filled many transmitter buildings. But WLW got bigger than any other station. A major reason was the relentless […]