VashonRadio.com
Tower Tour - KOMO
VashonRadio.comTower Tour - KOMO |
|
The KOMO Transmitter Building |
|
Orignally built in 1943 Calls: KOMO Click on any Photo to enlarge, opens in new window. |
|
As you drive through the gate onto the station property you see the back of the building. Behind the garbage dumpster is the power side of the building. |
The building has two levels. Blowers to cool the tubes in the RCA 50kw transmitter are located in the basement. There is a full size shop on the main level. The generators are also located inside. KOMO is the only station with line of site from the roof to Queen Ann hill. |
The power panels, generator controls and generators are located just beyond. |
Looking from the south tower back at the KOMO building. KOMO still takes very good care of the building grounds given how big it is. Hedges are not over grown. Despite the sagging O, which is an easy fix this site is very well maintained. The same can be said for the KVI site, which Fisher also owns, the KOMO site is several acres. |
KOMO started to broadcast at 50,000 watts using an RCA BTA50F. Like many 50kw transmitter sites of the time, the building was built large to accommodate the transmitter. KOMO later bought a Continental 316B 10KW transmitter in the 60’s as a backup transmitter to the RCA. |
The final power tubes in the RCA. They were air cooled. |
In the late 70’s KOMO bought a continental 317C2 to run as the main transmitter. The RCA was retired to standby duty. In 2006 KOMO bought a Nautel XR50 solid state 50kw transmitter to replace the Continental as the main transmitter. The RCA was disconnected but is still in place at the KOMO transmitter plant. The XR50 pictured to the right is takes up 1/10 the floor space the original RCA took up. |
Nautel XR50 |
Nice hedge! |
Trough for transmission lines. |
. Looking from Northwest.
|
The three towers almost looks like two are leaning but its an illusion. |
North Base. These are the same towers used by KIRO |
Middle Base |
Looking back at the building with the 3 towers. |
 |
Gate to Satellite facility |
KOMO Satellite building |
Behind the main satellite building are.....more dishes notice the old KOMO Husky remote trailer to the right. |
|
KOMO onsite engineering residence just across from the main transmitter building. |
|
| Extra Stuff: See The KOMO Location on VashonMap.com or Google Maps (opens in new window) |
* Built date refers to when station transmitter site was built on Vashon Island. Not the date the station license was issued. |
|
Tower, Building Photos and Text by Steven Allen. RCA Transmitter photos John Schneider, Nautel by Nautel |
|
