“Show Us Your Mic Collection” is a new Radio World feature in which intrepid broadcasters and readers show off their microphones. Have a submission? Email us at [email protected].
When it comes to radio, you can’t have that one-on-one connection without a microphone.
Martin Biniasz connected with us for our “Show Us Your Mic Collection” feature. He has had a lifelong love of both radio and television broadcasting.
Biniasz is recognized for his leadership and creative thinking in Western New York for his involvement in community and civic initiatives. He is a founding member and past president of the Buffalo Broadcasting Association.
His radio career included work as an anchor and reporter at WJJL(AM) in Niagara Falls, WPIG(FM) Olean, N.Y., WESB(AM) in Bradford, Pa., and WBEN(AM) in Buffalo. He has TV stops at WNED and WNGS in Buffalo.
Biniasz has authored numerous books, including Buffalo Radio from Arcadia Publishing and an upcoming book on Buffalo TV.
His microphone collection? It dates back to his days as an elementary school student.
“I’d ‘dumpster dive’ for hidden treasures behind radio and TV stations,” Biniasz told us.
Over the years, his curiosity grew into a collection of memorabilia. You can see some of his prizes online at his outstanding Buffalo Broadcasting website.
“I have been blessed to be able to purchase a number of microphones and flags from the estates and family members of a number of famous broadcasters,” Biniasz said.
One such broadcaster worked at WLS(AM) and WCFL(AM) in Chicago. Another item, which included an RCA-77, came by way of the wife of a WNEW(AM) broadcaster who has since passed away, Biniasz told us.
His KDKA microphone came by way of a long-time collector of New York City-based broadcasting memorabilia.
Biniasz has traded a number of items over the years, too, which resulted in the KDKA prize.
Notable items in Biniasz’s collection include the actual mic flags from such well-recognized stations as KDKA, KLZ, WOR, WGN, WOL, WSB and KYW. In the photos, you’ll see a beautiful collection of mics and call letters that make up a huge part of radio broadcast history! For more pics of Martin’s mics and flags, you can see many at his website.
Thanks to Martin for sharing with us! If you have a cool collection of mics, or even one very special mic with a history, then “Show Us Your Mic Collection.”
