Category: History || By

Did you know that one of the first 100 radio broadcasting stations in the United States was in Our Fair City?

It's true. Radio station WIK, operated by the K&L Electric Co., was located on Shaw Avenue near Jenny Lind Street. The "L" in "K&L" was Hunter Lohman, whose ham radio callsign of W3OC is still in use by McKeesport's Two Rivers Amateur Radio Club.

WIK operated from March 1922 until early 1925. Broadcasting hours were daily from 6:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m., and Sundays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Programs included live music (mostly ethnic and light classical selections) and speeches by local dignitaries and ministers.

Like many early radio stations, WIK wasn't a success. Radio receivers were extremely expensive. The cheapest, crudest sets cost nearly a third of the average worker's weekly take home pay, while better sets were priced (relatively speaking) to what we would expect to pay today for a high-definition, large-screen TV.

Worse yet, until May 1923, all U.S. radio stations operated on the same two frequencies, 750 kHz and 833 kHz. Trying to receive any signal was a challenge for even a dedicated radio buff.

Two or three weak signals in the same town just created noise and interference, while stronger stations could push weaker stations off the air. Little WIK was no match for KDKA, KQV and WJAS, which were owned by wealthier companies, and which all used the same frequency.

Some day, I'll write up a history of WIK. For now, you can get a taste of what radio was like 85 years ago by reading today's installment of "Monday Morning Nostalgia Fix" over at Pittsburgh Radio & TV Online.

. . .

Meanwhile, Alert Reader Mike wants to remind me that there's another candidate --- Dan Davis --- running for state legislature in the 38th District:

Hey, Tiger! There's a third choice in the wonderful fracas that festers in the tumultuous region of the 38th District wherein which you reside.

Granted, under the illustrious Commonwealth's closed primary system you'll be unable to cast a ballot for him this Tuesday, you might consider him for the general election.

Wait, there's something besides the Democratic Primary? Now I'm really confused.

Next Mike will try to tell me that I can vote for third-party candidates.