New KOMO Transmitter Supplants Some History

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Fisher Radio-Seattle has turned on a new Nautel XR50 transmitter at its all-news flagship, KOMO(AM), airing at 1000 kHz.
The XR50 replaces a Continental 317, which becomes the back-up transmitter, according to Walt Lowery, working with RF Specialties of Washington. Lowery says the Continental was the last tube-type, 50-kW rig on the air in the Pacific Northwest.
“As a footnote, the arrival of the XR50 at KOMO means decommissioning of the RCA BTA-50, which has been in service at KOMO since the ’40s,” Lowery told RW Online. “This fully operational, legacy transmitter will be disconnected but not disassembled.” KOMO’s RCA BTA-50 was among the last plate-modulated, 50-kilowatt transmitters in operation, he said.
Kelly Alford was station chief engineer and made the decision to install the XR50 after seeing it at NAB2005, Lowery said. The XR Series was also his choice for KVI(AM) on Vashon Island.
John Barrett is CE, Bob Holcomb is Fisher’s radio transmitter engineer and Kelly Alford is VP-CIO. Lowery represented Nautel in the sale.