Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert Yowell, who writes:
I walked into an awesome store today in Manhattan which specializes in vintage radios and ephemera. He had these two small lucite paperweights which I bought – one from KDKA the other from WOWO – two historic AM stations. The WOWO one contains a piece of the “world famous fire escape” [see above] which was from the original studio building on Washington Blvd in Ft Wayne Indiana.
The other lucite is a mystery that I hope your readers might help with. It was issued in 1995 for the 75th anniversary of KDKA. It appears to be a silver disc sandwiched with something orange colored in the center. Could it be from the transmitter site? I have attached photos here.
Thanks so much for maintaining such a great Blog site for SWL and other radio listeners ! I hope someone out there can help with my question – thank you!
A few hours later, Robert wrote this follow-up message:
Thomas – I just found the answer to my question. I now own a piece of the original KDKA transmitter tower!
What a great piece of history you have there, Robert. Both WOWO and KDKA are legendary! Thanks for sharing!
Yes indeed that is the place where I found them- Waves on 25th St. inside the Antique Mall. The guy has lots of neat ephemera besides lots of neat radios!
I purchased one of the KDKA ones when they were first on sale. I believe that the proceeds went to the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. It was gathering dust so two years ago I donated it to the Radio Club of America for auction with the proceeds going to their Youth program.
I’ll pile on too with the name and address please as I’m in NYC twice a week.
Yeah, I have one of the KDKA ones. Probably heard about it back then from an antique radio or AM DX newsletter. It’s one of the two items I have from the early-mid 90s that really take me back, the other being a QSL from the KTRK military transmitter tests.
And where is the shop in NYC where these items were purchased?
I’d like to know too! Is it this place?
http://www.wavesradios.com/index.html
Yes that is the place!