Charles Austin: Father of Oregon Radio

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Author: Craig_adams
Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 11:43 pm
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Charles L. Austin was born April 30, 1890 in Clinton Iowa. The Austin's moved to a home in Portland Oreg. in 1902 at 651 East Salmon St. (now: 1725 S.E. Salmon St.). Charley's father, Joseph L. Austin was a Tinsmith for A.W Curry. Charley's mother might have died in Iowa. Charley attended East Portland High School. In 1903 Charley read an article in "American Boy" magazine describing the construction of a receiver using a coherer as a detector and an induction coil as the transmitter. This idea would launch him on his lifes work.

In the Summer of 1905 Charley exhibited a crude wireless receiving apparatus at the "Lewis & Clark Exposition" in Portland. The set as capable of receiving some five to six miles. By 1908 Charley had built his own 1KW wireless telegraph station, signing calls as "SN". Also in 1908 Charley and four other young men of the "Portland Progressive" wireless club, demonstrated radio at the Multnomah County Library, using a crude but sensitive microphone. In 1911 Austin became the wireless operator aboard the SS Rose City.

In December 1911 Charles Austin was elected first President of "The Oregon State Wireless Association" which held meetings at The YMCA Building at 6th & Taylor (now: 831 S.W. 6th Ave.). By 1912 Austin's "SN" was a 10,000 volt station, capable of reaching Alaska & San Francisco. In 1912 Charley became a Morse Code Instructor for the YMCA and helped build the YMCA telegraph station "PSN". In 1913 Charley was employed a metal worker. On June 11, 1913 Charley married Anna M. The Austin's lived at Charley's father's house at 651 East Salmon St. By 1914 Charley had changed jobs becoming a bookkeeper.

In August 1915 the "Radio Division, Bureau of Navigation, U.S. Department of Commerce" issued a license to Charles L. Austin bearing the calls KDP. The telegraph station was "limited to correspondence on ships, business with vessels entering and leaving the port of Portland." KDP wavelengths were 600 meters (499.6kc), 550 meters (545.0kc) & 300 meters (999.3kc). In 1916 Austin was working as Chief Radio Electrician for telegraph station KGN. (These calls would be re-assigned later to Austin's company.)

In August 1916 KDP added wavelengths 425 meters (705.3kc) & 200 meters (1498.9kc). KDP was "limited to communications with vessels entering and leaving the port of Portland, or bound to, or from Columbia River points and with amateurs." In 1917 during World War I Austin joined the U.S. Navy, serving as Chief Electrician and Radio Inspector of the Portland Naval District for 3 1/2 years. He helped build a Naval telegraph station in Northwest Portland and hired all wireless operators, plus he was in charge of all Naval codes in the district. During World War I all telegraph station licenses expired.

In Spring 1920 Charley applied for a "Special Amateur" license from the Radio Division, Bureau of Navigation, U.S. Department of Commerce. In June 1920 Charles L. Austin was issued a license bearing the call sign 7ZI for 200 meters (1498.9kc). By late 1920 Mr. & Mrs. Austin moved into their own home in the Mt. Tabor area, at 1556 East Taylor St. (now: 5830 S.E. Taylor St.) with station 7ZI. By March 20, 1921 Charles Austin had developed radio broadcasting, talking on 7ZI and being heard as faraway as Los Angeles with satisfactory results, making 7ZI Oregon's first broadcasting station, as we know radio today. At this time Austin founded Northwestern Radio Manufacturing Co. (Charles L. Austin, President & Frank Phillipi, Vice-President). The Company manufactured three radio sets a day for amateur use. The plant, the only one in the Northwest was located in the Austin's backyard. Charley wanted to play phonograph music over the air. To do so he would need an "Experimental" license.

In May 1921 Charles Austin was granted Experimental license 7XF to his firm Northwestern Radio Manufacturing Co. for 200 meters (1498.9kc) using a 500-volt sending apparatus capable of being heard 600 miles. By June 25, 1921 7XF had broadcast phonograph music to various radio operators on ships and to any others who might listen in to Charley's evening programs. These broadcasts made Charles Austin, Oregon's first disc jockey. By this time Austin was elected first President of the "Northwestern Radio Association". This organization of 65 members would later decide the broadcast schedules of all Portland stations in 1922.

In August 1921 7XF became Oregon's first station to accept advertising, when Clyde Freeman, Manager of "Remick's Song & Gift Shop" at 324 Washington St. (now: 612 S.W. Washington St.) approached Charley after hearing his broadcasts. Freeman replaced 7XF's old phonograph with a new player and began sevicing 7XF with the lastest in Jazz dance & Classics. In return Charley would announce the name of the song, artist, record label number, price, shop name and address before each song. By September 1921 the phonograph shop had reported many record sales attributed to 7XF broadcasts, from farmers to sailors visiting when in port. 7XF had been heard as far as 1,400 miles at sea.

In November 1921 7XF was allocated additional wavelengths: 550 meters (545.0kc), 450 meters (666.2kc), 375 meters (799.4kc). On November 27, 1921 Austin's 7XF in association with the "Portland Telegram" newspaper and the YMCA's 7YG, organized Oregon's first multi-station broadcast schedule, utilizing three stations. Two of the apparatus were Austin's, one on loan to the "Portland Telegram". This three night concert event was a first in Oregon Broadcasting history to use live music. It's believed to have been conceived by Austin to promote radio sales for his company. The wavelength used was 250 meters (1199kc).

more to come.

Author: Craig_adams
Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 2:15 am
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On February 27, 1922 Austin's firm applied for a Limited Commercial Broadcast License. On March 4, 1922 7XF began sharing time on 200 meters with 7XG, Oregon's first station to broadcast a regular schedule. 7XG's apparatus was designed by Charles Austin.

On March 13, 1922 7XF began a collaboration with "The Oregon Journal" newspaper and inaugurated Oregon's first regularly scheduled newscast at 7:45pm weeknights. This made Charles Austin, Oregon's first newscaster. The broadcast lasted 15 minutes and included news bulletins, sports and market reports. Also on this Monday, Meier & Frank began sponsoring a broadcast of phonograph music on 7XF, heard over M&F's newly installed Magnavox receiving speaker system station. This was on M&F's 5th floor, in the Radio Dept. These programs were broadcast at 12 Noon and at 3:00pm weekdays. The M&F debut at Noon had a reported crowd of over 200 listeners. Side note: This was years before radio's came with speakers.

By March 19, 1922 7XF & 7XG had moved to 360 meters (832.7kc) in preparation for their commercial licenses. The Radio Division permitted stations applying for these licenses to move from 200 meters which was now becoming exclusively for telegraph stations. Joining 7XF & 7XG on the wavelength was the new 7XI. By this time 7XF's broadcast schedule included: Meier & Frank sponsored music, 12:15pm to 12:45pm & 4:00pm to 4:45pm Monday through Saturday; The Journal News Service (general & n.w. news, sports, market reports) 7:30pm to 8:00pm; Journal of Electricity & Western Industrial News Bulletins, Mondays at 7:30pm; U.S. Health Bulletins, semi-weekly Tuesdays & Fridays 8:45pm to 9:00pm. On March 25, 1922 KGW was added to the wavelength. On March 28, 1922 7XI became KGG and began broadcasting The Journal News Service program. Also on this date KYG was added to the wavelength.

On March 31, 1922 Northwestern Radio Manufacturing Co. was granted a Limited Commercial License bearing the call assignment KGN, replacing Experimental 7XF. KGN's composite v.t. telephone apparatus was authorized to broadcast with 100 watts and did so on that date. The flat top antenna continued to be located at Austin's home with the apparatus. Also on this date KQY was added to the wavelength.

By May 18, 1922 KGN's broadcast schedule included: New phonograph records, sponsored by Remick's Song & Gift Shop, Noon-1pm, followed by; New phonograph records, 2:30-3:30pm. Both programs were on Monday through Saturdays; Phonograph selections, sponsored by Remick's Song & Gift Shop, plus U.S. Public Health Bulletins, Monday nights 9-10pm; Latest popular phonograph & dance music, plus U.S. Public Health Bulletins, Tuesday nights 8-9pm; Newest dance & popular phonograph selections, Friday nights 9-10pm. On July 25, 1922 KFAB was added to the wavelength. On August 4, 1922 KFAB was deleted.

On October 1, 1922 Remick's Song & Gift Shop discontinued sponsorship on KGN. On October 4, 1922 KGN's weekday Noon music hour was cancelled. On October 14, 1922 KGN's weekday afternoon music hour was cancelled. On October 17, 1922 KGN's Tuesday night music hour was cancelled. On October 19, 1922 Meier & Frank launched their own station on the wavelength, KFEC. On October 20, 1922 KGN's Friday night music hour was cancelled, leaving the entire KGN schedule vacant. On October 24, 1922 KYG was deleted from the wavelength.

On November 6 & 7, 1922 after 22 days off the air KGN presented two live vocal music programs Tuesday & Wednesday, Noon-1pm. Then five days later on November 13, 1922 KGN presented instrumental & vocal selections Monday night 9-10pm. The Northwestern Radio Association had assigned KGN to the 10 o'clock hour. Austin wanted an earlier time slot so KGN fell silent for 76 days. It is believed KGN was given the late night time slot because the station was mostly playing phonograph music instead of unique live programming. Austin tried his hand at live programming but for whatever the reason, the Association was not obliging. How things had changed for Charley in 12 months. One year earlier Austin had complete reign over the Portland airwaves. On November 16, 1922 KDYQ moved to the wavelength. On November 18, 1922 KGW moved to 400 meters.

On January 29, 1923 KGN returned to the airwaves at 7:00pm. The Northwestern Radio Association recognized Charles Austin as The Pioneer In Oregon Broadcasting and was worthy of an earlier time slot. KGN began vocal & instrumental music 7:00pm to 7:30pm Monday through Saturdays. On March 23, 1923 KFFO was added to the wavelength. On May 2, 1923 KQY was deleted. On May 3, 1923 KFIF as added to the wavelength. In May 1923 KFFO moved to 229 meters.

On May 31, 1923 KGN broadcast it's last program. Even with the earlier hour, I believe Charley felt he was just another voice on the radio. The pioneering days of the wireless were over. The excitement and novelty was gone. Just two years earlier Charley and a handful of broadcasters covered America, now there were hundreds of stations. Austin pushed for this change, so his Company could sell radio's but I doubt many could have foreseen the 1922 explosion that took place.

more to come.

Author: Craig_adams
Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 4:10 am
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In August 1923 Charles L. Austin was granted a "Special Amateur" telegraph license bearing the call sign 7ZK for 200 meters (1498.9kc). Charley was reaching back to his radio roots. This was most likely a hobby station since it wasn't licensed to his Company. On March 4, 1924 KGN's license expired. Charley then sold the KGN apparatus to Eric H. Chambers. On March 24, 1924 KFOH began operation, licensed as The Radio Bungalow. In June 1924 The Radio Division deleted the KGN calls.

On July 12, 1924 Northwestern Radio Manufacturing Co. applied for a renewal of the KGN license. Perhaps Charley was told the license would be worth money in the years to come as radio developed and to keep the station active, or he was just having second thoughts. Whatever the reason, the application was denied, noting that the license had been cancelled, therefore, it can not be renewed. The Radio Division was in the process of thinning out radio licenses of the less serious broadcasters. In 1927 the Austin's moved to 376 East 58th St. (now: 1944 S.E. 58th Ave.) continuing to stay in the Mount Tabor area.

In 1929 Northwestern Radio Manufacturing Co. was shut down. The Company had manufactured and sold over 100,000 radio sets. Patent litigation was the determining factor. In 1930 the Company name changed to "Model Aircraft Works & Radio Apparatus". One of Charley's hobbies was building models. This was thought to be the next step for his Company to take. Maybe it was the Depression, Model Aircraft Works didn't fly long. In 1932 Austin was hired by the City of Portland to install Portland Police station KGPP at Mount Tabor. He would become one of two Radio Operators taking care of the transmitter. The other being Temple V. Ehmsen. By 1944 Austin's title was Radio Technician. By 1950 the City of Portland had created a Radio Dept. "The Bureau of Radio Communications". Austin continued as Radio Technician with Temple Ehmsen as Chief.

In 1955 Charles Austin retired at age 65 but continued to teach Morse Code classes at the YMCA as he first did in 1912. Charley also occupied his time with building model train locomotives. On August 29, 1971 Anna, Charley's wife of 58 years died. Charley & Anna did have a daughter Virginia L. Austin. In 1978 Charley moved to the town of Blue River in Lane County. It's believed Virginia lived there and that's where Charley died on June 11, 1980. Charles L. Austin was 90 years old. I think we can say, Charley led a very unique life.

Sources for this history were: Dick Howard, Ron Kramer, Edmund H. Marriner, Art Redman, Thomas H. White, The Oregon Journal, The Oregonian, Polk Directories & The Portland Telegram.

Author: Kq4
Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 8:55 am
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Awesome job Craig!

Author: Craig_adams
Friday, July 14, 2006 - 2:28 am
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Thanks! I've been compiling his history for years believe it or not.


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