Here we have some photographs of the original KPFK transmitter system at Mt. Wilson in the summer or fall of 1959. The following pictures show some of what was involved.
A big thanks to Steve Hawes, who found these photos a few years ago while moving. As far as anyone knows, these are the only existing photographs of the original installation.
The original building. Note the lack of fences or any kind of security. The site had a full-time caretaker who lived on the property. Directly to the left of the KPFK building is the KBCA (105.1 megacycles) transmitter building. That station is still there, and is still owned by Saul Levine.
A close-up of the KPFK building.
KPFK's technical staff. Steve Hawes on the far right.
A close-up detail of the above picture
The KPFK transmitter
Another view of the transmitter
Transmitter power supply rectifier tubes.
Transmitter internal wiring detail
More detail of the transmitter power supply
Various transformers
Mercury vapor rectifier section
Transmitter power amplifier
Transmitter power amplifier in operation
Transmitter driver and power supply section
Transmitter exciter section in operation
KPFK operates at 90.7 Mhz with 112,000 watts, 5900 feet above sea level and 5600 feet above Los Angeles, California.
For more about Mt. Wilson, check out my pages about the mountain here.
© 2005 Broadcast Engineering Services of Bonny Doon