First Test of Examiner Radio Wins Huge Success -- March 21, 2022

San Francisco Examiner, 24-March-1922

KUO, the radio station of the San Francisco Examiner, officially went on the air on 01-April-1922, but this article describes a test broadcast. Like many early stations, KUO did not last long. By 1924, it had stopped entertainment broadcasts and by 1927, it was off the air. I found it interesting that the article explained that listeners did not have to pay for the service. Note the use of "broadcasted" instead of "broadcast."

FIRST TEST OF EXAMINER RADIO WINS HUGE SUCCESS

ENTIRE STATE

RESPONDS TO

'K.U.O.' CALL

Army of Fans Hears Results of

Efforts for Their Benefit

Achieve Goal; Program Soon

By OLIVER W. TUTTLE.

Success.

This one word spelled the first test of "The San Francisco Examiner's" radio broadcasting station last night.

Promptly at 9 o'clock, when the ether wave was stiled from hum drum of radio traffic, Charles Gaal, licensed radio operator at "The Examiner's" high powered station, threw in a switch and spoke out into space.

His voice carried to distant points and announced:

"Hello, hello, hello. This is 'The San Francisco Examiner's' broadcasting station. K. U. O. -- K. U. O. Receivers will kindly give us a check. Thank you. Thank you.

Then followed a short musical concert to test the radiation.

A corps of radio engineers of the California Electric Supply Company stood breathlessly by as Gaal made his test. Only the dull hum of the motor interrupted the stillness.

The moment was the crucial test of weeks of work and in the construction of the apparatus, and like all radio broadcasting apparatus, and like all radio broadcasting stations, nothing definite is known until the first test is made.

Within a few moments after Gaal's voice went crashing out over space telephone messages and wires came in a steady stream into the radio editor, offering congratulations and explaining the merits of the test.

First honors for reporting the test went to C. W. Caplinger, 560 Geary Street. Then came J. A. Shea at 22nd and Mission Street. Oakland added its report with ten phone calls and closely following came wires from distant points.

California and the whole coast is on the wave of a new epidemic.

It is scientifically termed Radio-itis and everybody seems determinedly bent on joining the rapidly growing army of radio fans as o participate fully in the extensive musical and news programs which will shortly be broadcasted daily by "The San Francisco Examiner" from its high powered radio station on top of the Hearst Building.

Constantly the radiophone brings into the home or office music, voices and information broadcasted out over the ether wave of space.

Weird, to be sure, is this new-born infant of science, but it is so simple in delivery and charm that no home or gathering will be complete without it.

A small wooden box, possibly two feet square, with the proper equipment inside makes it possible to capture out of space the mystifying electric currents bringing into the room or hall concert music and other broadcasted data.

NO SERVICE COST.

Unlike other means of communication there is no cost for service. Like opening the window and inhaling the air this new means of entertainment fits any pocketbook and popularizes the family fireside.

You need not be a city dweller to participate fully in enjoying "The Examiner's" broadcasting program. receiving sets far flung in the mountain hamlets, on ranches down the valley or on ships at sea will all\ be in reach of the musical concerts and news programs which will be distributed broadcast from "The Examiner's" high powered station on the Hearst building.

Under government regulation the air is proportioned off into wave meters. Over one of these meters already assigned, "The Examiner" will broadcast its program. But all receiving sets can listen in. No government license if necessary for a receiving set and no fees are payable by the radio fan for the entertainment.

Station KUO broadcast from the roof of the Hearst Building at Third and Market Streets in San Francisco. I took the photo in 2010.

San Francisco Examiner, 24-March-1922

I keep telling people we need more women in technology. I wonder if I know any of Alice Daly's grandchildren. 

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