Comments on: The Tragic Birth of FM Radio

By: Mark Hunter

Mark Hunter — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 04:57:39 +0000

Sarnoff and his engineers not only stole Armstrong’s FM system, they stole Philo Farnsworth’s television system. As with Armstrong, it took many years to set the record straight, but not before Armstrong killed himself and Farnsworth was driven to alcoholism.

By: Radio

Radio — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 01:42:18 +0000

I too have read Edwin’s story many times. My first radio job was in fm station doing on air shifts in the south. I now live across the Hudson River from Edwin’s $300,000. blinking tower still in use located in the Palisades surrounded by nature. I have read that Sarnoff greatly regretted his actions and paid for Edwin’s funeral. Makes me sad sometimes when I think of people being so unkind, causing misery instead of bringing joy. The top light continues to blink on the tower this instant, almost 100 yrs later. And it provided temporary satellite replacement location after 9/11 for continued way for many stations to communicate. Edwin’s contributions are used everywhere on earth and he is remembered by those who stop to appreciate….that is everything.

By: JarvisLoop

JarvisLoop — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 02:13:21 +0000

Looking for other posters.

By: JarvisLoop

JarvisLoop — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 01:35:40 +0000

Checking back in.

By: JarvisLoop

JarvisLoop — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 00:17:44 +0000

And I still listen to radio more than I watch television.

By: JarvisLoop

JarvisLoop — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 00:50:25 +0000

Although nearly twelve years ago, I clearly remember reading this entry. As is the case with all DI articles, it’s excellent.

I can honestly say that I listen to radio more than I watch television.

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 20:56:56 +0000

GREED, GREED, GREED!!!! Little do these big companies realize is of they were honest in there dealings, and didn’t push the GENIUIS OUT OF THE WAY FOR MONEY, BIG BUSINESS in the long run would make so much more. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY MORE INVENTIONS THIS GUY WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF. “GREED SEE’S THE SHORT TERM, INTEGRITY SEE’S THE LONG TERM”.

By: stealth

stealth — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 14:50:34 +0000

The only reason why AM radio can be heard farther than FM, is not necessarily because of the mode, but because AM radio runs on the MF band while FM runs on the VHF band. MF signals can travel hundreds of thousands of miles. VHF signals can sometimes do this, but not like MF can. That’s why you hear all those old stories about “picking up AM channels/programs from far away late at night”. As an amateur radio operator, we have a band called the 160 m band that the frequency is 1.8-2.0 MHz. (AM radio is 535 KHz-1.7 MHz) so the 160 meter band is just above the AM radio band. And at night we can work the world with the 160 meter band. Same concept with AM broadcast radio.

By: James Love

James Love — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:50:12 +0000

I noticed that there were a few comments who blamed Armstrong’s fate on capitalism. But he got screwed twice and both times were by the government.

In the first case the Supreme Court shot down his patent despite the fact that he was first for 2 years. That is all government.

As for the 1945 ruling changing the frequencies…yes RCA was clearly the culprit there. But they used their lobbying influence (and God knows how much in the way of political campaigns) to influence the GOVERNMENT to suddenly change the dial. The government was the one who actually made the decision.
That was not the fault of capitalism. That was the government being influenced by crony capitalism.

By: gypsy spider

gypsy spider — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 15:56:00 +0000

I was born in the 50s, heard the beatles in the 60s and became a pro musician in the 70s. all as a result of radio. I listened to radio more than I watched tv because I loved the music and the format. When fm really took off in the 70s we were hearing music in full versions and albums and it inspired me, and countless millions more I’m sure to want to play. Some of my best memories and times were spent around the radio with friends partying and dancing and hearing the latest version of the greatest music ever written. It wasn’t our parents music, it wasn’t muzak. it was OUR MUSIC. FM put more bands and artists on the map than ever before, it opened up opportunities for artists from around the world to be heard. The great thing was that the government overlords doing big business’ bidding could control the technical aspect of radio and tv; BUT they could not regulate inspiration and artistry…well ok we didn’t hear too much Zappa and the such, but could you imagine Cheech and Chong being widely broadcast today with all of the political correctness and easily offended special interest groups obsessively listening and striking out at anyone who dares to speak against them and THEIR ideals??? There is more regulation and “spying” going on now than ever in the past. We are all supposed to just listen to the experts and government sactioned talking heads without ever questioning or critisizing. All in the name of paranoid national interests. We used to have free speech and free radio. Now everything is packaged for political correctness. So I just listen to JAZZ-FM. They have the least amount of talk and commercials and play nothing but great jazz. I still love rock, r&b and blues but they just aren’t the same as the great days of radio of the 50s to the 70s. By the way anyone remember Raould Casablanca of CFOX in Vancouver during the early 70s. He was awsome. They just don’t broadcast like that anymore.
Plain toasted bread anyone???!!!
Sorry if I’m ranting but this is my first time and I feel like a virgin. Be gentle with me out there…LOL…G.S.