Comments on: Taco Bell Arena it’s not

By: RDS

RDS — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 19:33:38 +0000

I’d like to correct some dates I gave in an earlier post. I was posting from memory and did look back at my notes and files. Tower #1, the west tower, went up in 1935. Tower #2, the east tower, went up in 1946 and was part of the increase to 1000 watts which went on the air in 1947. The back two guyed towers were built in 1951 and were part of the upgrade to 5000 watts which was completed in 1952.

By: Muck Raker

Muck Raker — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 15:51:50 +0000

In the mid 60’s, I lived for a time in what was then referred to as “The Little House.” Had a roommate for a while who is now one of the most respected production guys in Boise radio. It is not true that I taught him how to drink.

I had to do a bit of remodeling (countertops, etc.) to make the place semi-habitable but the furnace (actually an oil stove) worked and we had hot and cold running water. No carpet, but if you ground down the frost heaves in the concrete floor you could cover the bare spots with throw rugs

As I recall, my period of residence there lasted just one winter and part of the following summer. It ws a great commute — less than a hundred yards — and the rent was right (free). Cornils even paid the electricity bill. He called it payment for us being the “Night Watchmen.” At the time the station signed off from midnight to 5:00 a.m. and I was doing mornings This was way before the new studio/office building was built.

I long ago swore not to reveal details of the night-time jock, the radio groupie girl and the carpet burns on the knees.

Ahhh nostalgia.

By the way, Tom Scott has a boat-load of old KFXD photos someone gave him before one of the subsequent owners had a chance to toss them. Tom, I’m still waiting to take you up on your promise to let us pick through and keep the pics of most significance to us.

By: boosters

boosters — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 20:18:38 +0000

I actually saw a photograph and held it in my hand of the KFXD TV test pattern taken with a black and white camera by a local Ham. He was forced into a nursing home by his son…The son was a real nice guy let me tell you. I asked if I could have the photo for hisotrial reasons but they never got back to me….I really regret that. I did get a Western Electric 1920-30’s open metal microphone from him though. Maybe someday that photograph will show up…keep your fingers crossed on that one.

Yah, I got a real kick out of KTVB taking it upon themselves to rewrite history. They are the longest running in the state…but were never the first TV station. Perhaps if the Dumont Network had not been run off by the existing big three, things might have a lot different today

Frank and son were true pioneers and risk takers in the world of early broadcasting… We and this entire industry could sure use a little of that spirit today!

Please, everyone who knows information on this please submit it here and the knowledge will not be lost forever…. BOOSTERS.

By: Don@IdahoRadio

Don@IdahoRadio — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:42:39 +0000

From my research a couple of years ago (for KTVB’s 50th), KFXD actually was the first — but they never aired anything more than a test pattern before folding its deck of cards. KIDO TV launched in July 1954 with a studio at Bosie Hills Village (on Crestline drive). KIDO-TV later became KTVB.

By: Wrabbitt

Wrabbitt — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:24:02 +0000

Television would have come about much sooner than the 50s if it wasn’t for the war. The 1939 World’s Fair in NYC demonstrated Television to the public for the first time. 1941 brought a halt to pretty much all inovations until the war was finished. This delay was what caused so many troubles for my Uncle Philo and his patents as they were running out…as was the money from investors also due to the war effort.

So, KFXD TV later became KTVB? KTVB claims to be Idaho’s first. Be fun to see the history on all this.

By: RDS

RDS — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:25:50 +0000

Here’s what I’ve found so far….

From one source:

KFXD, ch. 6, Nampa, used Gates Lab. Transmitter, granted license in early 1953, on air June 19, 1953, at 1:10 pm, on for 5 hours. Was approved for 19.72kw video, 12.95kw audio, but was operating 500w, 250w. Off Aug. 12th, sold and call possibly changed to KTVI, (KGEM, dropping the ch. 9 license) around Nov. 19, 1953. Idaho Statesman reported KGEM/KTVI had acquired equipment in Nampa but suspect this was the old KFXD-TV equipment. Had plans for main studios at Deer Point and additional studios at Boise and Nampa. Was to be ready to go on air in May 1954, but did not. Believe deleted in Oct. 1954. KFXD-TV was independent, unable to secure ABC Network.

From another source – This lists the TX site at current 580 location:

Idahoâ€™s first television broadcast was on June 18, 1953. On June 13, the Idaho Free Press published a photo of the installation of the transmitter for KFXD-TV. It was located about ten miles from Nampa, near the intersection of the Meridian-Kuna Road and Amity Avenue. On the 17th, the Free Press carried a brief announcement that KFXD planned their first tests for the next day. The following articles from the local newspapers detail the results of Idahoâ€™s first television broadcast.

By: RDS

RDS — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:16:22 +0000

OK .. Back to the history books. I’ll see what I can find out. I thought I had read somewhere it started in the valley and was moved. But I’ve been wrong before. I’ve got some history filed on paper somewhere. I’ll pass along what I uncover. The mast was used for their first FM, and I thought it was also used for the TV. Maybe not.

By: boosters

boosters — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:09:08 +0000

My research, what I was able to find when I was in college, indicated that the TV station was hauled up to Bogus on a trailer driven by a truck. I have a picture of it, it looked like a small house. The TXing was done during the evening hours? When or what details can you all give me on this valley based tower being used for the transmitter? I have always been lead to believe that the whole project was mountain originated… This really interests me. Has anyone ever written this down in one location…anyone want to? Thanks.

By: H

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 05:28:14 +0000

Everytime that I drive past Amity Road, I always pass the old KFXD building, and that in itself has a lot of nostalgia..

By: RDS

RDS — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 02:30:41 +0000

To answer Norm’s question, it was the east self supporting tower. If you look at it, it is not the same at the top as the west tower. The upper portion is just a mast. The TV antenna was supported by that mast.