The KTRH Transmitter in 1930

I have been sitting on this clipping for several years hoping to come across a better picture of the transmitter itself, but to no avail. So I decided to go ahead and post it. The description of how the transmission process works is priceless so I've posted the article in its entirety instead of trying to summarize it.



This is the 1000 watt KUT transmitter that Jesse Jones purchased and had moved down from Austin, according to legend in the back of a pick-up truck (must've been piled pretty high).

The explanation under the photo reads: "...part of the KTRH apparatus housed in the modern hollow tile and concrete building at Deepwater, .... From right to left the control panels govern first, amplification, and application of speech to transmitter; crystal control for keeping frequency at 1120 kilocycles and the large water-cooled tube for building power up to 1000 watts. From the power tube the program is sent to the tuning house, antenna and ground whence it takes the air route to your receiver.

One side of the building houses the radio equipment, while the other is ideally arranged for the home of T.F. Smith and his family."

I'm not an expert on 1930s era broadcast equipment but I wonder if the article got it's directions reversed and it should read left to right? Perhaps some blog reader can comment.



This was one of many congratulatory ads published in the special section of the Chronicle when KTRH launched. It was just a bit too large for the scanner bed; all that is missing was the address and phone number of the advertiser, 1010-12 Main St., Fairfax 1361.