Schenectady Shortwave Transmitters, 1941

General Electric built a trio of high-power AM stations in the early 1920s

Here is GE’s 100 kW “Big Bertha” transmitter installed at KWID at Islais Creek in San Francisco. An adjacent concrete vault held the transmitter’s massive transformers and water cooling system. KWID was operated by the Associated Broadcasters, which also owned KSFO. The KSFO transmitter was to the right, out of view. Photos courtesy John F. Schneider

The General Electric Co. was truly among America’s premier broadcasting companies.

In addition to developing much of early broadcast technology and building a trio of high-power AM stations in the early 1920s — WGY Schenectady, N.Y.; KOA Denver; and KGO Oakland, Calif. — GE was also the country’s pioneer shortwave broadcaster.

GE’s initial shortwave station, 2XI, first broadcast in 1923, and in 1924 it was used to relay…



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