The Helderberg relay tower in the microwave relay system used by General Electric.
A four-link microwave relay system was placed in operation in August of 1947, between 
New York City and Schenectady, to supply programs for WRGB in Schenectady.
Programs from any of the New York City television stations may be picked up for relay from
 the terminal at the General Electric Building in NYC.  (the original GE Bldg, 50th & Lexington) 
Relays were; GE Building, Beacon, Roundtop, Helderberg Mountains and WRGB studios, all New York.
System was in operation from 1947 to 1950, at which time  WRGB joined the newly completed Bell System.
The tower, 125 feet high, has a room 26 feet square, providing ample space for the radio equipment, and two
 reflector antenna.  One receiving the Roundtop signal, the second transmitting the video to the WRGB studios.
Only the video is relayed, audio is sent to Schenectady via telco land lines.
   Click here to see ID slide.

A similar three-link microwave relay system was installed between South Bend, (IN) and Chicago
for the Balaban and Katz Corp. (WBKB) to permit broadcast of the Notre Dame football games.

(General Electric Company)

Previous month     Return Home