6BBH - KDYM - KFCB - KOY

6BBH - KDYM - KFCB - KOY - History
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KOY - The voice of Phoenix since 1921

KOY's roots reach back to October of 1921 when Phoenix businessman Earl Nielsen received The operating license for experimental radio station 6BBH. Little did Nielsen realize that his experiment in the storage room of his home would ultimately become the leading radio station in America's ninth largest city. ln 1922 the station was moved to Nielsen Radio and Supply Company at 311 N. Central Avenue. During the same year 6BBH applied for and received a commercial license for station KDYM. The call letters were soon changed to KFCB which stood for Kind Friends Come Back. The broadcast philosophy was simple: put on the air what the majority of people like to hear, do it good naturedly and in good taste, and they'll keep coming back for more.

One of the station's earliest employees was Barry Goldwater. His first paying job was sweeping the floors at Nielsen's combination sporting goods store and radio station.

The Radio Division, Department of Commerce granted a license on September 6, 1922 to Neilson Radio and Sporting Goods Company to operate a new broadcast station on 1260 kilocycles with 10 watts of power at Phoenix, Arizona. Sequentially issued call letters KFCB were assigned to the station which was located at 311 North Central, Phoenix. KFCB went on the air Wednesday, September 6, 1922 under the directorship of Earl A. Neilson.

KFCB's first license expired in June, 1923 and the station temporarily left the air; but, in July, 1923, the station was re-licensed to the Neilson Radio Supply Company, still owned by Mr. Neilson, Power was increased in early 1925 to 50 watts, and raised again in early 1926 to 100 watts. ln the spring of 1927, KFCB was authorized to change frequency to 1230 kilocycles; concurrently raising power output to 150 watts. A few months later, the station changed frequency to 1260 kilocycles, but, by June of 1927, was back on 1230 kilocycles once again. At this time, the stations slogan, used both on-the-air and off, was "Kind Friends Come Back".

ln a major frequency reallocations plan taking place at 3 a. m., Saturday, November 11, 1928 which found most United States broadcast stations switching to new dial positions, KFCB changed frequency to 1390 kilocycles. The Federal Radio Commission authorized KFCB to change call letters to KOY on February 8, 1929. KFCB moved from 311 North Central to newer quarters at 621 North Central and raised power to 250 watts on March 28, 1929. Call letters KOY were inaugurated in May, 1929, when the station debuted it's new power and transmitter site. ln the fall of 1929, power was increased again -- to 500 watts -- licensee by now was Neilson Radio and Sporting Goods Company once again.

By June of 1932, KOY joined the Columbia chain as it's Phoenix affiliate. The studio and transmitter at this time were located at 621 - 623 North Central Avenue. Daytime power was increased from 500 to 1,000 watts on January 10, 1933. Nighttime power remained at 500 watts. By 1935, Station Director was founder Earl A. Neilson. KOY was acquired on November 10, 1936 from the Neilson Brothers Radio and Sporting Goods Company by the Salt River Valley Broadcasting Company. This sale was approved by the FCC in October, 1936. Principals of Salt River Valley were Burridge D. Butler and Naylor Rogers; the former associated with WLS Chicago, and the latter was earlier General Manager of Hollywood's KNX. On December 15, 1936, KOY was granted permission to move it's transmitter and install a new vertical radiating antenna to replace the old flattop antenna which, in 1936, fell from it's supports on a local hotel onto Central Avenue below.

Changes of venue for KOY's studio and transmitter occurred in March, 1937. Studios were moved from 621 North Central to 838 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, while transmitter was relocated to a $55,000 20 acre site, located at l2th Street and Camelback .

Road. A new Blaw-Knox 289 foot vertical radiator was constructed on the new site. Power was raised -- also in March -- to 1,000 watts fulltime. A license was issued to the station on April 2, 1937 covering these changes. ln 1937, KOY re-affiliated with the CBS network and also joined the statewide Arizona Network as it's Phoenix affiliate.

Fred A. Palmer replaced Earl Neilson as Station Manager of KOY in 1937. Studios were moved in late 1938 to the KOY Building, 836 North Central Avenue, Phoenix.

( need to finish this......)

THE PICTURES:

1 Broadcasts tour of captured Japanese miniature submarine.

2. State President of Arizona Gideons presents Bible to KOY
Program Director Jack Williams.

3. Arizona Governor Sydney P. Osborn is interviewed by Jack
Williams.

4. KOY broadcasts arrival of 270 volunteer ''Soldiers of the
Soil'' from Mexico.

5. KOY interviews Arizona Highway Patrol women radio
operators who took their soldier husbands' places.

6. Senor Morales Gonzales, Mexican consul for Phoenix,
dressed KOY audience on arrival of Mexican farm workers.

7. KOY broadcasts from Arizona Cattle Growers Convention;
National Live Stock Association president at the microphone.
TO SELL ARIZONA - The Arizona Network
KOY, Phoenix * KTUC, Tucson * KSUN, Bisbee-Lowell
Serving Local In teres ts Gets
Local Interest . . and Listeners!

Whenever anything of interest in Phoenix is going on, KOY micro
phones are there, broadcasting on-the-scene accounts of the event,
In the months of January and February KOY originated special, local
interest broadcasts more than once in every two days - such as the Gov
ernor's inaugural; tour of a captured Japanese submarine; RAF rugby
game; welcome to Mexican lend-lease workers. Any worthwhile endeavor
- Red Cross, OCD, Cattle Growers Association or whatever - always
finds KOY ready and willing to cooperate. These are the things that
affect every individual in Phoenix ... and Arizona.

These are the things that affect radio listening in Arizona, too!

KOY, because it serves local interests by coverage of local events, has
the listeners, a loyal and enthusiastic audience. And such listener loyalty
predicates advertising results.

1000 Watts on 550 KC

KOY CBS PHOENIX ARIZONA

MANAGEMENT AFFILIATED WITH WLS, THE PRAIRIE FARMER STATION,
CHICAGO-REPRESENTED BY JOHN BLAIR & COMPANY

CLICK THESE PHOTOS ABOVE FOR HUGE VIEWS

ROBERTA BRAGDON
BEFORE KOY...

Roberta Bragdon, staff pianist of
WHBU, the Citizens Bank radio
station, started her career in a lo
cal music store, graduated to thea
trical radio work, and from there
to radio work. During the past
eight years she has also been pian
ist at WFBM at Indianapolis, KEUX
at Fort Worth, Tex., and other sta
tions. She presents a musical pro
gram, "Roberta's Requests," each
Sunday afternoon and on Friday
night presents her pupils. Miss
Bragdon plays most of her popular
piano music from memory.

What date was this photo of Roberta Bragdon? Note the curious upside down KOY flag on the RCA 44 BX microphone.

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1961 - Man About Town -

'Former Local Musician

Accompanist' For Stars

Roberta Bragdon, former Andersonian, is pictured at the keyboard where she has presided as staff pianist of radio station KOY, Phoenix, Ariz., for the past 25 years.
(Phoenix Gazette Staff Photo

Awhile back, an article in this column told about a celebration held at Phoenix, Ariz., to honor a former Andersonian, Miss Roberta Bragdon, marking her 25 years as staff pianist at radio station KOY, Phoenix.

A dinner at Hotel Westward Ho and an hour-long broadcast over KOY were features. Associates and entertainers reminisced, and many events of the quarter century were recalled.

There were the days when Frankie Laine, Steve Allen, Nick Castle, Charlie O'Curran, Joey Ray, Kaycee Jones Wendall Noble and others sang at the piano of Miss Bragdon as they were beginning careers which took them to fame.

But the former Anderson musician believes the World War II years provided a highlight she will remember as vividly as any.

"I think the most thrilling or interesting experience was during the war, when Gene Autry was stationed at Luke Field here," she writes, "and one of my assignments at KOY was to go with Gene to banquets, War Bond rallies and other gatherings to play for him to sing.

"I also played once for Janet Gaynor, also Tex. Ritter, Johnny Marvin and others whose names I can't recall offhand. Ginger Rogers was on one of the bond tours with us. It was Very interesting."

Miss Bragdon, who was reared in Anderson, gained local recognition as a pianist during her high school days. Her father, the late Robert Bragdon, .was a druggist for many years, operating a store at Nichol and Madison Aves. and later at 16th and Cedar Sts.

"I left Anderson in 1925," she relates, "and played at music counters in Indianapolis. I returned in 1928 and tried to make a living, but there wasn't enough work for a pianist.

WALKATHON PIANIST

"With the depression making things worse, I accepted an offer made in a telegram from Zeke Youngblood, a former Anderson resident, who was a partner in the walkathon business in Newark, N. J.·

"In 1934 I came home and stopped long enough to· pick up my parents and start for the West. Max Terhune left the same week. He has really gone far in the entertainment field. We used to see him often during the war, as he would come from Hollywood to Phoenix to be on Gene Autry's Sunday radio program for Wrigley."

It was while Miss Bragdon was playing for a walkathon at Atlantic City, N. J., that a young Italian fellow, Frank Lovoecchio, joined the troupe and won first prize with his firm, clear singing voice and the former Anderson pianist's accompaniment. Years later, Miss Bragdon recognized the voice on a record made by a newly popular singer going under the name of Frankie Laine.

Since going to Arizona, Miss Bragdon has returned to Anderson for half a dozen visits, the last in 1959, to renew acquaintances. She plans another trip back in July of this year.

"Anderson will always be 'home' to me," she asserts, "and if it wasn't for the awful winters I feel I'd like to live there again. I think Anderson has some of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen. More-so than Hollywood."

Miss Bragdon, who had been a pianist at radio station WHBU here, began her work at KOY in January of 1935 conducting a "Sunshine Hour" program. A couple of years later a school girl, Ruthie Reece, auditioned and won a singing job. Her voice later became that of recording star Kaycee Jones.

In the early 40s, a young man quit Arizona State College to work at KOY. He was Steve Allen, who later zoomed to fame with national television shows. With Allen and Miss Bragdon was Wendell Noble, now proprietor of a syndicated radio show.

The former Anderson musician is making her home at 1441 E. Diamond St. in Phoenix

DATE on Alfred Becker!?

Listenin' In With Arizona Farmer

From - ARIZONA FARMER-Producer Page Nineteen JANUARY 17, 1942

KOYLY SPEAKING .

Don't look now, but Engineer Jim Ross likes to read poetry, and particularly the work of Hawaii's Don Blanding.,

_______

While the Arizona Farm Bureau's Earl Maharg was down in Pinal County recently on a membership drive, his place on Dinnerbell was ably filled by Mrs. D, Verdell McQueen of the Maricopa County Farm Bureau organization. Mrs. McQueen put the men in their place by outlining the important part women play in farm organizations.

________

IT'S USUALLY A SUPER-SPECIAL EVENT WHEN ARIZONA FARMER'S DAIRYING AND POULTRY EXPERT, CLYDE ROWE, APPEARS ON DINNERBELL. CLYDE AND THE OLD FARM REPORTER TOOK CHARGE OF DINNERBELL THE OTHER DAY AND GOT A LOT OF VITAL INFORMATION OFF THEIR RESPECTIVE CHESTS; THAT IS, CLYDE DID, UNDER THE CLOSE QUESTIONING OF THE OLD FARM REPORTER.

________

Those cute new murals are rapidly being completed in the KOY organ studio by the Arizona Network's own, talented young artist, Charlene Bisch. Charlene did the cute little Indians which catch everybody's eye in the "front" studio.

AMONG THE ARIZONA FOLKS WHO TOOK SERIOUSLY THE RECENT "OWN-A-HOME" WEEK" WERE MR. AND MRS. DAN CUBBERLY.

________

The new Vocational School season in Phoenix will find KOY'S Jack Williams in there again, pitching. Jack is among the local radiomen taking time out to teach the intricate phases of Radio to the class at vocational school.

________

Many folks listening to the Douglas Oil Company's newscast, "Let's Talk Over the News," heard Mondays through Fridays over the Arizona network at 10 p.m., have been puzzled. They have written in, wanting to know why the voice of the announcer who reads the "commercials" sounds so familiar, even though it comes from the Coast. The answer is simple: it is the voice of Paul Masterson, that pleasant-voiced young man who was a KOY announcer for several months last year.

_______

Jack Reilly, the KOY commercial manager, is back on the job after a week of illness. Confining a human dynamo like that to the house for a week must be SOME job. . . huh, Mrs. Reilly?

______

Black and White--Always Right

BLACK AND WHITE is always smart. CBS actress Audis Davis of the "Hollywood Showcase" series proves it with her striking turban of white fox and pan velvet, and simple black frock relieved by several strands of pearls-a perfect ensemble for those "don't dress" dates this winter. (Hat by John-Frederics).

_______

MRS. LUKE TAKES PART IN NATIONWIDE KOY BROADCAST

KOY took a brief but important part in the Gene Autrey program on Sunday recently when the life of Frank Luke, Jr., Arizona's famed "balloon-buster" of the World War, was dramatized on the Autrey program. The hero's mother, Mrs. Frank Luke, Sr., was presented from the KOY studios during the nationwide CBS program. Mrs. Luke gave a brief but inspiring message to the mothers whose sons have been, or will be, called to the service of their country during the present war.

DALY ON DAILY

Thousands of Arizona Network listeners never miss hearing "The World Today," the regular CBS Arizona Network feature heard Mondays through Saturdays at 5 :45 p.m. and on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. They know that the man who sums up the news and calls in the shortwave correspondents is John Daly. Now they can know Mr. Daly, pictured above.

Seven-foot letters blazing the national colors atop the studios now attest to KOY's membership in the Red, White and Blue Network. KOY Chairman Burridge D. Butler (center) pressed the button as Commercial Manager Jack Reilly (left) and Operations Manager Jack Williams looked on.

JANUARY 17, 1942

ARIZONA NETWORK PROGRAMS

KOY, Phoenix, 550
KTUC, Tucson, 1370
KSUN, Bisbee-Douglas, 1200

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY-DAYTIME

Morning

6 :00 La Hora Mexicana

7 :00 Morning Headlines (Reed Lumber)

7 :05 Wendell Noble, Timekeeper

7 :30 Morning Edition (Scotch Soap)

7 :45 Principal and Interest Boys (Valley Investment) (T Th)

7 :50 Musical Crosswords (T Th)

8 :00 The Haven of Rest (M W F)

8 :30 Women's Magazine of the Air

8 :45 Life Can Be Beautiful (P. & G. Ivory) 9 :00 Ma Perkins (P. & G. Oxydol)

9 :15 The Right to Happiness (P. & G. Crisco) 9 :30 Pepper Young's Family (P. & G. White Naphtha)

9 :45 Lone Journey (P. & G. Dreft)

10 :00 Kate Smith, Ted Collins, CBS (Swansdown) 10 :15 Big Sister. CBS (Rinso) 10 :30 Jack Berch, the Snowdrift Singer (M W F)

10 :45 Love Story Time (Tovrea)

11 :00 News

11 :15 Voices in Song (M W F)

11 :15 Gas Light Harmonies (T Th)

11 :30 Today's Best Buys (Folger's Coffee)

(M W F)

11 :30 Al Becker, Organ (T Th)

11 :45 Jane Endicott, Reporter (Rancho Soups) CBS

Afternoon

12 :00 Bright Horizon, CBS (Lipton's Tea)

12 :15 Aunt Jenny's Stories, CBS (Spry)

12 :30 News at Noon (0. S. Stapley Co.)

12 :45 Dinnerbell Time (T. Th.) Checkerboard time (Purina) (M W F) 1 :00 Dinnerbell Time (M W F)

1 :15 Knox Manning. News. CBS (White King Soap)

1 :30 Wm. Winters News Analyst (Del Monte Products) CBS

2 :00 Market Report

2 :10 Buster Fite's Playboys

3 :00 Miracles of Faith (Grimshaw Mortuary) (T) (5 :55 Th)

3 :30 Afternoon News

3 :45 Scattergood Baines. CBS (Wrigley)

4 :00 Joyce Jordan, Girl Interne, CBS (Postum)

4 :15 The Voice of Broadway, CBS (Johnson & Johnson) (T)

4 :15 William L. Shirer (Th) CBS

4 :30 Hawaiian Melodies (Sloane's Transfer) (Th)

4 :30 U. of A. (M)

4 :30 Frank Parker, Songs, CBS (Squibb) (W)

4:45 The' Wor1d Today, CBS

5 :05 Mystery Melody

5 :15 Young Dr. Malone, CBS (Post Toasties)

5 :30 Second Husband, CBS (Bayer Aspirin) (T)

5 :45 Late Afternoon News (Peter Paul Candy) (M W F)

Sunday Daytime

Morning

7 :00 Gospel in Spanish

7 :15 La Hora Mexicana

8 :30 Wings Over Jordan. CBS

9 :00 The Lutheran Hour

10 :30 The Voice of Tomorrow

11 :15 Romance of the Highways

11 :30 Trinity Cathedral Service

(Greyhound)

Afternoon

12 :00 Spirit of '41. CBS

12 :30 The World Today, CBS

1 :00 New York Philharmonic. CBS

2 :30 Pause that Refreshes, CBS (Coca Cola)

3 :00 Swing It With Facts (Ben Hur)

3 :45 William L. Shirer, CBS (Sanka Coffee)

4 :30 Gene Autry's Melody Ranch, CBS (Wrigley)

5 :15 Miracles of Faith (Grimshaw Mortuary) Saturday-Daytime

Morning

6 :00 La Hora Mexicana

7 :15 Over the Coffee-cup

7 :30 Morning Edition (Sierra Pine Toilet Soap)

7 :45 Principal and Interest Boys (Valley Investment)

8 :00 Burl Ives Coffee Club, CBS

8 :30 What's New at the Zoo. CBS

9 :00 News, CBS

9 :05 Kay Thompson and Co., CBS

10 :00 The Theatre of Today, CBS (Armstrong)

10 :30 Memoirs of a Concert Master

11 :00 Let's Pretend, CBS

11 :30 The Voice of Broadway, CBS (Johnson & Johnson)

Afternoon

12 :00 News, CBS

12 :05 Of Men and Books, CBS

12 :30 News at Noon (Stapley)

1 :00 Country Journal, CBS

1 :30 F.O.B. Detroit, CBS

2 :00 Matinee at Meadowbrook, CBS 4 :00 Calling Pan-America, CBS

4 :30 Elmer Davis, CBS

4 :45 The World Today, CBS

5 :30 Columbia Concert Orchestra, CBS

EVENING PROGRAMS

Sunday

5 :30 Old Fashioned Revival Hour 6 :30 Spelling Beeliner.' CBS (S~aside Gasoline)

6 :55 Elmer Davis and the News. CBS

8 :00 Take It Or Leave It, CBS (Eversharp) 8 :30 Columbia Workshop, CBS

9 :00 Evening News (Alka Seltzer)

9 :15 Find the Woman, CBS (Colonial Dames) 9 :20 Soldiers' Serenade--Marlene Ayres

9 :30 I Was There, CBS (General Petroleum) 10 :00 News

10 :15 The Voice of Prophesy

11 :00 News, CBS

11 :15 Adventures of Cosmo Jones

11 :30 Lud Gluskin Orchestra

Monday

6 :30 News (Roma Wines)

6 :55 Elmer Davis and the News, CBS (Johns-Manville)

7 :00 The O'Malley Concert (O'Malley Lumber)

7 :30 Magic Hour of Song

8 :00 Music of Today (Winship)

8 :30 Blondie, CBS (Camel Cigarettes)

9 :00 Evening News (Alka Seltzer)

10 :00 Let's Talk Over the News (Douglas Oil)

11 :15 William Winters, News Analyst, CBS

Tuesday

6 :00 Are You a Missing Heir? CBS (lronized Yeast)

6 :30 The Arkansas Traveler, CBS (Campbell's Soups)

6 :55 Elmer Davis and the News, CBS (Johns-Manville)

7 :00 Ken Stevens Sings, CBS

7 :25 News (Roma Wines)

7 :30 Report to the Nation, CBS

8 :00 Glenn Miller's Orchestra, CBS (Chesterfield)

8 :15 John B. Hughes (Studebaker)

8 :30 Soldiers' Serenade--Marlene Ayres

9 :00 Evening News (Alka Seltzer)

9 :30 Sing Along. CBS

10 :00 Let's Talk Over the News (Douglas Oil)

11 :15 William Winters. News Analyst, CBS

Wednesday

6 :30 News (Roma)

6 :55 Elmer Davis and the News, CBS (Johns-Manville)

7 :00 Fred Allen Show, CBS (Texaco)

8 :00 Glenn Miller's Orchestra, CBS (Chesterfield)

8 :15 John B. Hughes (Studebaker)

9 :00 Evening News (Alka Seltzer)

10 :00 Let's Talk Over the News (Douglas Oil)

11 :15 William Winters. News Analyst, CBS

Thursday

6 :00 Death Valley Days, CBS (Pacific Coast Borax Co.)

6 :30 News (Roma Wines)

6 :55 Elmer Davis and the News, CBS (Johns-Manville)

7 :00 Major Bowes' Amateur Hour, CBS (Chrysler)

8 :00 Glenn Miller's Orchestra, CBS (Chesterfield)

8 :15 "The First Line," CBS (Wrigley's' Spearmint)

8 :55 Sports in Review (Joe Dick)

9 :80 Evening News (Alka Seltzer)

10 :00 Let's Talk Over the News (Douglas Oil)

11 :15 William Winters. News Analyst, CBS

Friday

6 :00 The Kate Smith Hour, CBS (Grape Nuts)

6 :55 Elmer Davis and the News, CBS (Johns-Manville)

7 :00 "What's on YOUR Mind?" (Planter's Peanuts) CBS

7 :30 First Nighter Dramas, CBS (Campana'. Italian Balm)

7 :55 Ginny Simms Sings, CBS (Kleenex)

8 :00 Concert Orchestra, CBS

8 :30 "How'm I Doing" with Bob Hawk, CBS (Camel Cigarettes)

9 :00 Evening News (Alka Seltzer)

9 :30 The Philip Morris Playhouse, CBS (Philip Morris Cigarettes)

10 :00 Let's Talk Over the News (Douglas Oil)

11 :15 William Winters. News Analyst, CBS

Saturday
6 :30 News (Roma Wines) 6 :55 Elmer Davis and the News CBS (Palmolive) .

7 :60 Your Hit Parade. CBS (Lucky Strike) 8 :00 John B. Hughes

8 :15 Public Affairs, CBS

8 :30 Hi Neighbor, CBS

9 :00 News

9 :15 The Rhythm Heirs

10 :15 American Legion Service Program

11:00 News. CBS

11 :15 Songtime, CBS

11 :30 Lud Gluskin Orchestra

THE UPI TELETYPE AT KOY RADIO

Photo from : The Gary Edens KOY History Collection at SMECC

Boxes of teletype paper stacked up .....we need to know who is typing copy here and to the left you can see the edge of our UPI Model 15 Teletype we have at SMECC

A newer newsroom.....

A veritable 'bee-hive' of activity is K 0 Y 's 'Complete News Service' newsroom.
News Director George Thomas, in foreground, surrounded by Frank Asbury, checking
one of three UPI and Western Union tickers; News Editor Bob Scott, writing news
story for twice-hourly newscasts; Allan Dean, taping story from telephone re
cording equipment; and Karl Leuba, just returning from on-the-spot news taping
coverage. Out of camera range is K 0 Y 's complete monitoring system of county law enforcement agencies, as well as Phoenix Fire Department.

Photo from : The Gary Edens KOY History Collection at SMECC

Blown up section of the teletype room

Model 15 UPI Teletype printer from the Steve Goddard Collection at SMECC

Photo: Sharpe Collection at SMECC

L Ed Sharpe Archivist for SMECC
R: Steve Goddard KOOL-FM

Steve Goddard of KOOL-FM and earlier
radio fame in the valley, who saved this
teletype during the KOY close out,
examines the date on the motor of this
model 15 Teletype machine.

Steve contributed this to the SMECC
collection - Many Thanks Steve!

And a newer newsroom yet with an EXTEL printer!
From a VHS dub video tape Gary Edens KOY collection at SMECC)

Radar Sees The Weather

From the 1981 KOY Almanac By Ed Phillips, and when Ed changed employment, later to be published by KTAR. This was page 40. We have this AVQ-10 Radar -- Tech Data HERE

The word radar means Radio Detection And Ranging. Simply put, a radar is a device used to detect distant objects that reflect radio energy. Since only objects that reflect energy show up on the radar screen, they are called "echoes."

In the case of a weather radar, the energy is reflected because of precipitation, not clouds, aircraft or dust. This feature enables the user to 'see' within the clouds and find out if they are producing rain or snow. The rain and snow echoes are displayed on a screen much like a T.V. picture. From the location on the screen, the operator can determine the direction and distance the rain is away from the radar unit.

The KOY Weather Station is equipped with weather radar. An RCA AVQ-10 Aircraft Radar has been modified for stationary operation. With our radar, the strongest storms can be seen 150 nautical miles away. The distance you can see rain is of course limited by mountains and buildings because the radar signal travels in a straight line. Our radar set also has a fifty mile range. We use it most often because it gives good coverage to all of the Salt River Valley. A 20 mile range is also available to use when storms are in close range. We operate our radar any time rain is threatening the valley. KOY is the only broadcasting station in the valley that has weather radar. Radar updates are given every half hour during morning and afternoon drive times when there is rain around. If severe weather threatens, you can count on us to have the storms pinpointed and keep you abreast of the latest weather developments.

___________ Ok since we are on the topic of weather here is a little more history _______________

From Pages 32 & 33

The KOY Weather Station

By Gary Edens, General Manager, KOY Radio

The history of the KOY weather station goes back to June of 1971 when we decided KOY should be the first radio news outlet in Arizona with a fully equipped weather station and Staff Meteorologist. Willard Groene, an engineer and patent attorney and nationally acclaimed authority in the fields of meteorology, astronomy and seismology was named to head this unique and innovative new weather service for Phoenix and central Arizona. Groene had been a cooperative observer for the National Weather Service since 1942. He agreed to establish the KOY weather station at his Mummy Mountain observatory just north of Phoenix. His observatory was already being used by three federal agencies, the Weather Bureau, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Coast and Geodetic Survey. In 1972, Groene and the KOY weather station moved to Tonto Hills near Carefree. Groene fascinated KOY audiences each morning with his uncannily accurate forecasts as well as his observations of pollution in the Valley or, on a clear day, the fact that he could see clear to Mount Lemmon near Tucson. On July 4, 1974, Willard Groene died suddenly of a heart attack. His equipment was later donated to Arizona State University.

Out of respect for Groene, we decided not to attempt to immediately replace him. The station relied on our bare essential weather equipment and the National Weather Service weather teletype. We tried several different ideas including bringing in a television weather person and attempting to set up an arrangement with meteorologists at Arizona State University. Then, in July of 1977, Ed Phillips came on the scene and the station made a commitment: hire the first full time Staff Meteorologist in Arizona radio and buy the necessary instruments to once again fully equip the KOY weather station. It happened in the midst of the remodeling project of the KOY building and so the plans were re-drawn to include the new KOY weather station. Over the next two years this developed into a full fledged weather station with enough raw weather data equipment to enable Ed to make his own accurate weather forecasts.

Equipment in the KOY weather station currently consists of: a digital electronic thermometer with remote readouts in the weather station, master control, and news control; an official National Weather Service maximum/minimum thermometer mounted in a standard Weather Service approved shelter; digital readout wind speed and direction equipment; an altimeter to detect sharp changes in barometric pressure; a dual circuit Alden Facsimile Recorder that receives upper air charts, surface weather maps, computer forecast charts and satellite pictures; the National Weather Service teletype; a weather radar that enables Ed to "see" showers and thunderstorms and pinpoint their location, speed, direction and intensity; and an Imsai 8080 mini computer used for weather studies and to assist in tedious weather computations.

The KOY weather station and Ed Phillips provide Arizonans with the only full time radio Staff Meteorologist and fully equipped weather station in the state.

(editors note main difference between this 1981 version and the previous 1980 version is that there was the addition to the station of the IMSAI 8080 Computer. - E#)

...and some more!

'About Ed Phillips

by Paul McGonigle, News Director, KOY Radio

Ed Phillips, KOY's professional Meteorologist, actually became interested in weather while in grade school in his home town of Alton, Illinois. By junior high he was making forecasts for his teachers and classmates. That's when he decided to make weather a career and took the necessary math and science courses in high school to prepare him for college. Ed did his first radio forecast, a volunteer effort, for college in 1973.

That was the year Ed Phillips graduated from Parks College of Aeronautical Technology at St. Louis University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics and a major in Meteorology. Upon graduation Ed joined Weather Corporation of America in St. Louis as a consulting Meteorologist. In this capacity he provided forecasts for several radio stations in the Midwest as well as public utilities, construction companies and local governments. Ed moved to Arizona in 1976 and joined KOY as full time staff Meteorologist in July of 1977.

Ed quickly became well known throughout Phoenix as he provided his own accurate forecasts on the important morning and afternoon rush hour newscasts on KOY. (6, 6:30, 7, 7:30 & 8 A.M., 4, 4:30, 5 & 5:30 P.M.) Of course when severe weather conditions warrant, Ed is on the air all day and throughout the night if necessary. Such was the case during the floods of 1978 and the flood severe wind storms of 1979 and, again, in the flood of 1980.

Ed is much in demand as a public speaker for various civic organizations. His main forte, however, is explaining the phenomenon of weather to young people. In the past year he has spoken to some thirty public and private school audiences with grade levels ranging from third grade through high school. Since September of 1979, Ed has been assisting our television neighbors across the street, doing the weather from time to time for KPNX-TV, Channel 12.

In January of 1980 KOY published the first Phillips Almanac. This was the culmination of months of research and writing by Ed and others and was so well received by the public the initial press run had to be doubled. Public response and requests for copies of Phillips Almanac continued throughout 1980 and, as a result, over twice as many copies have been printed for this 1981 edition, including a Spanish language version.

Ed Phillips is a full member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Geographic Society. As a trained professional Meteorologist, Ed daily produces his own forecasts. However, he still maintains a close, cooperative, working relationship with the National Weather Service. KOY believes having a full time, in house Staff Meteorologist provides an edge in coverage of something that affects everyone, the weather. Ed Phillips believes that though he understands all the technical terms that apply to Meteorology, when talking about the weather on the radio, layman's terms should be used. That's his edge. As Ed himself puts it, "There's no communication without understanding."

------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(these 3 photos are from the 1980 version of the KOY Ed Phillips Almanac they are different than those in the 1981 version and special as it shows the radar screen in 2 of them!)

Gary Edens states "The first of three generations of Dana newscasters started at KOY. Here is promotional piece about Joe Dana on KOY. Note that at this time, KOY was at 1390 k.c. and had not yet moved to first of the dial 550. This photo is courtesy of Joe's son, Kent Dana

Kent Dana says " Gary I am so happy you posted this. My father always spoke highly of you. It's because when you were the big boss at KOY you paid tribute to him and other pioneers at the station. Radio was his big love and you made him feel very important. That meant so much to him and to all of our family. Thanks again my friend!"

Kent Dana Gary I am so happy you posted this. My father always spoke highly of you. It's because when you were the big boss at KOY you paid tribute to him and other pioneers at the station. Radio was his big love and you made him feel very important. That meant so much to him and to all of our family. Thanks again my friend!

KOY'S 60th Anniversary Party at the Wrigley Mansion (From the 1982 KOY Almanac)

Ed Sharpe and SMEC Provide The old microphones and radios for the visual decor.

KOY'S 60th Anniversary Party at the Wrigley Mansion (From the 1982 KOY Almanac)

On November 5th, 1981 many of the Valley's business and civic leaders were on hand with KOY current and former staffers at the
Wrigley Mansion to celebrate KOY's first 60 years in broadcasting.

Current General Manager Gary Edens with Former Arizona Governor and longtime KOY great Jack Williams at the cake cutting ceremony.

Me and my wife Anne at the party with Arizona First Lady Hattie Babbitt, center.

Bob Marbut and John Johnson of Harte-Hanks Communications and KOY newsman Bob Scott.

---------------------------

KOY Celebrates

KPNX-TV President Pep Cooney, Phoenix Vice Mayor Barry Starr.

Longtime KOY morning man Len Ingebrigtsen with current morning man Bill Heywood.

Gary Edens, Jim Hutelmyer, Mary Morrison, and talk show host Michael Dixon.

Click for lage view.... This —

THE KOY STAFF as of 1982 (From the 1982 KOY Almanac)

THE KOY STAFF

The KOY news staff. From left: Bob Scott, Joe Adams, Doug Ramsey, Denis Martyn, Wendy Black, Paul McGonigle. Seated: H.G. Listiak and Ted Brown.

KOY's Dan Armstrong, Singer Johnny Mathis, Album Hour host and Public Affairs Director Marni Pingree. SportsTalk's John Moynihan with Phoenix Sun Dennis Johnson.

Bill Heywood with sidekick Sandy Gibbons. Afternoon personality Roger Cary. KOY in the Sky, Mike Nolan. Evening talk show host, Michael Dixon.

KOY Radio 55 Weekly Program Guide
HIGHLIGHTS Monday - Friday
(From the middle section of the Ed Phillips KOY Almanac - 1982)

5:30 am - 9:00 am. THE BILL HEYWOOD SHOW.

Wake up with one of America's best morning shows. Music information, weather. News on the hour and half hour with H.G. Listiak, Joe Adams, and Meteorologist Ed Phillips. "KOY in the Sky" Traffic Watch with Mike Nolan, Heywood's cast of characters includes Biff Bud, Ranger Bob, and Dwight Dimbulb (Sandy Gibbons).

9:00 am - 12 noon. THE DAN ARMSTRONG SHOW.

A KOY favorite since 1968. Dan offers music and conversation on "Topic Line". News on the hour with Joe Adams.

12 noon - 3 pm. THE ROGER CARY SHOW.

The perfect blend of music for midday hosted by Roger Cary who is always on top of what's going on in the Valley. News on the hour with Ted Brown.

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm. THE ALAN CHILCOAT SHOW.

Known for his spontaneous good humor, rich voice and singing weather forecasts, Alan's show has been among the top rated afternoon programs since 1973. "KOY in the Sky" traffic watch with Mike Nolan and Bob Scott. News on the hour and half hour (at 4:30 and 5:30) with Paul McGonigle and Ted Brown.

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm. THE MICHAEL DIXON TALK SHOW.

He doesn't just talk. He thinks. He feels. He listens. Join him on Arizona's most compelling talk show. Denis Martyn has KOY News on the hour.

10:00 pm - 12 mid. JOHN MOYNIHAN'S SPORTSTALK.

Get in the game with the MVP of SportsTalk. Whether it's sports trivia or a lively discussion of college or professional sports, John's got the answers. And, if he doesn't, one of his listeners will. News on the hour with Denis Martyn.

12 mid. - 5:30 am. KOY OVERNIGHT.

Our midnight till dawn show features music to match the mood of the hour. Popular albums are frequently played in their entirety uninterrupted. News on the hour.

Saturday

7:30 am - 11:30 am. THE BILL HEYWOOD SHOW.

The Saturday Heywood Show is trimmed down in staff from the Mon-Fri version. It's just plain' Bill and that's always entertaining. News on the hour with "H".

11:30 am - 4:30 pm. THE DAN ARMSTRONG SHOW.

Dan keeps you up to date on weekend happenings and major sports stories. News on the hour.

4:30 pm -10:00 pm. THE BRIAN McFARLAND SHOW.

That voice! Where have you heard that voice before. How smooth can he be? Hear for yourself. News on the hour with Wendy Black.

10:00 pm - 12 mid. JOHN MOYNIHAN'S SPORTSTALK.

The Saturday night version is always alive with talk of the weekend's hottest games. News on the hour.

Sunday

10:00 am - 3:00 pm. THE OLDIES REQUEST SHOW

Stan Richards takes your requests and dedications for the hits of the 50's. Call him at 257-1000
News on the hour with Doug Ramsey.

3:00 - 7:00 pm. THE BRIAN McFARLAND SHOW.

Join Brian for the winding down of the weekend. News on the hour.

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. THE STEVENS SHOW.

John's been heard on weekends for seven years. Join him on Sunday evenings. News with Wendy Black

9:00 pm - 10:00 pm. THE ROBERT W. MORGAN SPECIAL OF THE WEEK.

Each Sunday night Morgan features an hour of music and interviews with some biggest names in records.

10:00 pm - 12 mid. THE PAT McMAHON SHOW.

This weekly talk show is hosted by one of the Valley's most versatile personalities.

See larger pictures at: http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/?keyword=koy

Each weekday at 7:45 KOY's morning gets off to a
happy! start as lovable little Ruthie Reece sings
to the piano accompaniment of her friend and dis
coverer Roberta Bragdon on the program aptly call
ed "Side ~y Side". Ruthie, KOY's youngest star, is
four feet nigh, weighs 47 pounds, has jet black hair
and sparkling black eyes. About a year and a half
ago Roberta, after hearing Ruthie sing, persuaded
her mother to allow Ruthie to enter KOY's statewide
"Search for Talent" contest; listeners awarded her
second pftze and since that time Ruthie has become
a regular I performer. Her personal appearances
throuqhout the state have made Ruthie one of the
best known little girls in Arizona-yet she retains
her unspoiled childish charm.

Every morning Ruthie peddles her bicycle, (which carries the proud
name of "Old Faithful") toward KOY. Enjoying her work, this little
girl studies hard-hoping someday to become a movie star "just like
Loretta Young." She learned her first dance steps from Comedian Dell
Phillips about a year and a half ago and now adds this talent to her
~." nging on her personal appearance tours. As her popularity
continues to increase she receives as many as 150
letters each week ... and actually tries to read them all.

Hobbies: Drawing (she is very talented) and horse
bock riding.

Would You Like Ruthie's Autograph?

Ruthie will be happy to auto
graph her portrait on this page
for you. Call at the studios dur
ing any of her programs . . . she
will be happy to meet you. You
are always welcome at KOY, "The
Friendly Station."

Roberta Bragdon, "The Girl of a Million
Songs", was born in Anderson, Indiana,
came to Phoenix in 1934, joining KOY as staff
pianist that same year. Before coming to Ari
zona, Roberta was staff pianist for stations
WHBU and WFBM, for stations in San Antonio,
Texas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
and Connecticut. She is heard regularly on
such programs as "Side by Side", "Stories in
Song", "Do You Remember" and "The Gay
90's" .

Hobbies:

Candid camera work
and home movies.

Sally Takes The Mike

Sunshine Sally (Above) sings, as
only she can, one of the sweet old
songs of yesteryears. The "very
latest styles" of the Gay '90's are
worn by all members of the cast.
Applauding (uproariously) the hero
and hissing (vehemently) the vil
lain, the audience takes an active
part as they emulate the music hall
spectators of bygone days. Come to

the "Gay 90's" see the show

bring your Family Album ask for

The Gay Nineties

• Representative of this hectic period of
America's development is the "Gay 90's" pro
gram with its "Meller Drerrimer". its comedy,
old songs, and burlesque. Introduced only a
year ago the "Gay 90's" has grown until today
it is one of KOY's most popular variety shows.
Every Monday night the KOY staff meets in
the main studio to spend the week's most en
joyable evening. Listeners, anxious to see the
performers, are welcome visitors and join in
with the cast in making a program filled with
entertaining informality

(Above) In trie costumes of the '90's,
members of the cast strike the dra
matic poses so characteristic of their
times. Left to right are: Tommy Dix,
Charles Jones, Sunshine Sally, Al
Becker, Roberta Bragdon, Joe Dana,
Marlene Ayers, Rod Clelland, Ben
Roush, and Ruthie Reece.

Ruthie Reece (Left) diminutive song
stress, lends her childish charm to an
old fashioned melody.

[yen Dastardly Villains Sing

(Above) Villains, heroes, and heroines forget their
differences to take part in a chorus of an old song.
Jack Williams turns his back to direct Al Becker (at the
organ') Joe'Dana (in Derby), Marlene, Betty Jean Bell,
Ruthie, Ben Roush, Tommy Dix, and Sunshine Sally.

Music lleth Charm

(Below) Two lovely old-fashioned girls, Marlette Ayres
and Betty Jean Bell sing "My Merry Oldsmobile"

~oiled Again! Curses!

(Above') Villainous Dow Ben
Roush flashes a disarming
smile (b-e-were) at our
fair heroine but Mar
lene goes right on reading
her script never sus
pecting the wily ways of
the Viper!

(Right) Tommy, "The Silver
Throated Thrush", sings a

~ ran k B. We I t mer .. KOY listeners are familiar with the

voice of Frank B. Weltmer, for he often announces in addition to his
important duties as control room operator. Frank is a
native son, born in Miami and received his education
in Superior. He attended Phoenix Junior College, and
later took instruction in radio under Charles Frederick
Lindsley in Los Angeles. He joined KOY as an an
nouncer in 1933 and now is both announcer and opera
tor in the control room,

Hobby: Collecting all species of rare butterflies.

Jam e s ~ 0 s s . .. James Ross, KOY engineer, is one of the important men whose job it is to see that all the proqrerns planned for KOY listeners get on the air safely ,!nd go off smoothly. He was born in Fayettesville, Arkansas. Before coming to Phoenix, he worked with KITE in Kansas City and also with W ALR !) l ' \ in Zanesville, Ohio, He joined the KOY family in July, 193%.1 V,\o hi,'\,

Hobby: Stamp Collections, ---"':2;: -%"~ ~.

Harold Lines ... Stationed at the transmitter on Camelback Road, and Hal is responsible for the KOY's expensive broadcasting equipment, his operation of the technical apparatus brings KOY's programs to your homes with unvarying quality. Hal joined KOY

as shortwave operator and is now on the technical staff. He
received his radio training in Los Angeles and worked with
KCRJ in Jerome.

Hobbies:

Aviation-he has his pilot's license-and amateur radio; he operates a "ham" station with the .call letters
W6DPS,

Don S. Bowles ... Without the work of Don S. Bowles, KOY Engineer, listeners would probably not be served so well. Don was born in Winslow and educated in Phoenix. He studied radio at Pacific Radio School in San Francisco, worked with station KJBS in that city and was Chief Engineer for KA WM, Gallup, New Mexico, He joined KOY late in the summer of 1938.

Hobbies: Aviation and amateur radio operation-his call
letters are W6NAF,

Everyday we rescue items you see on these pages!
What do you have hiding in a closet or garage?
What could you add to the museum displays or the library?

PLEASE CONTACT US!

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