Conestoga Television Association Records, 1941-2001

Call Number:  MG-400

1 box     20 folders     .5 cubic ft.

Repository:  LancasterHistory.org (Lancaster, Pa.)

Shelving Location:  Archives South, Side 10

Description:  This collection contains documents on the Conestoga Television Association’s work to receive and transmit television broadcasts in Lancaster County in the 1940s and 1950s. The papers include copies of correspondence to the FCC and others, a lease with Ivan Newswanger for the the first tower site, copies of FCC applications, technical diagrams and reports, newsletters and programming schedules.

Creators:  Cairns, I. Donald; Richards, Philip A.; Conestoga Television Association (Lancaster County, Pa.)

Conditions for Access:  No restrictions.

Conditions Governing Reproductions:  Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research or Archives Staff with questions.

Language:  English

Source of Acquisition:  Gift of I. Donald Cairns, 8 June 2006.

Administrative/Biographical History:  Don Cairns was the Supervisor of Electronic Equipment at the RCA Lancaster Plant. He served terms as president and secretary of the Conestoga Television Association.

The Conestoga Television Association was founded by RCA employees who had relocated to Lancaster from metropolitan areas and local ham radio enthusiasts. The organization was incorporated in August 1945 with twenty seven charter members, with Philip A. Richards as president and E. E. Hoffman as chief engineer.

The organization made technical information available to all members through the newsletter, “The Synchronizer.” The group obtained permission from RCA managament to work on the “after hours project” and WPTZ in Philadelphia to rebroadcast their signal, and a license from the FCC to transmit. RCA was supportive of CTA’s efforts and supplied the group with some of the materials they needed.

The first transmitter tower, built on the property of Ivan G. Newswanger on the summit of the Welsh Mountains in East Earl Twp., was tested in September of 1946. The CTA’s tower aided homes in Lancaster that could not receive a good signal from Philadelphia until WGAL began operating in Lancaster in 1949. CTA continued transmitting into the 1950s as an experimental television relay station.

From “Early Television,” prepared by I. D. Cairns.

 

Folder 1  History

Insert 1  “Early Television.” Three type-written histories of the Conestoga Television Association and television broadcasting in Lancaster County prepared by Don Cairns. Slightly different. No date.

“Early Television.” Revised history of the Conestoga Television Association and television broadcasting in Lancaster County. Revision by George Gadbois, November 2010.

 

Insert 2  “Early Television in Lancaster County.” Brief type-written history on the back of the last page of a document prepared by Philip A. Richards. No date.

Abstract from the book, From the Beginning, by C. Nat Netscher. No date.

Insert 3  “WGAL history repeats,” Stephen Kopfinger. 25 March 2001.

 

Folder 2  Purpose and By-laws

Insert 1  “Our First Year.” A report of the activities of the Conestoga Television Association prepared by Philip A. Richards, president. 1 October 1945.

Insert 2  By-laws of the Lancaster Television Association. No date.

Insert 3  By-laws of the Conestoga Television Association, Inc. [17 June 1946].

Insert 4  By-laws of the Conestoga Television Association, Inc. No date.

Insert 5  The Program of the Association. Conestoga Television Association. 16 September 1947.

Insert 6  Brief Statement of Purpose and Aim of the Conestoga Television Association. January 1950.

 

Folder 3  Membership Lists

Charter members of the Conestoga Television Association. Prepared by Philip A. Richards. 27 September 1945.

Membership roster. Prepared by R. S. Wenger, secretary. 10 January 1948.

Officers and appointments. 1950-1951.

Membership list. Prepared by Don Cairns, president. (2 copies) 6 May 1951.

Membership list. 1 February 1952.

 

Folder 4  Minutes, Reports, Annual Reports

Insert 1  Meeting minutes. 3 October 1945.

Organizational chart. 14 October 1945.

Meeting minutes. Prepared by P. A. Richards. 30 November 1945.

Organizational chart. 30 November 1945.

Insert 2  Letter to members from R. K. Voight, secretary, regarding a special meeting about changing the by-laws. 5 April 1946.

Notice to selected members from J. M. Forman, Electrical Data and Life Test Section, regarding a meeting about an F.C.C. license. 11 April 1946.

Letter to members from Philip A. Richards regarding a meeting agenda and transmitter problems. With proposed budget for 1947. 5 September 1946.

Insert 3  Letter to select members from R. K. Voight, secretary, regarding the third class radio-telephone examination. 11 February 1947.

A report of advance contracts concerning the use of a room in the Griest Building. Prepared by Guy Bechtold and Donald Cairns. 8 September 1947.

Insert 4  Progress report of the Transmitter Committee. Prepared by Philip A. Richards. 9 September 1949.

Insert 5  Letter to members from R. G. Wiegand, secretary, regarding meetings and a new meeting space. 2 February 1950.

Letter to members from Robert G. Wiegand, secretary, regarding a meeting and the annual dinner. 26 April 1950.

Notice to members from R. G. Wiegand, secretary, regarding the annual election meeting. 6 September 1950.

Letter to members from Robert G. Wiegand, secretary, regarding the new meeting space. 1 December 1950.

Insert 6  President’s Annual Report. Prepared by Don Cairns, retiring president. 1950-1951.

Insert 7  Letter to members from Robert G. Wiegand, secretary, regarding the collection of dues. 1 February 1951.

Report of a visit to the F.C.C. by P. A. Richards and A. E. Hardy regarding a license for a transmitter. 27 April 1951.

Financial statement. Prepared by James F. Doering, treasurer. 5 September 1951.

Insert 8  Annual report for 1951-1952. Prepared by John F. Wilhelm, president. 1 September 1952.

Insert 9  Second page of meeting minutes or notes. Prepared by Don Cairns. No date.

 

Folder 5  Project Assignment Sheet. Shows name of project, brief details of project, and member(s) assigned. December 1946.

 

Folder 6  “The Synchronizer: News and Views of the Progress of Television in Lancaster”

Insert 1  Contains articles on televised Army-Penn football game, work on the tower, project assignments, and transmitting equipment. Issue 1. [November 1946].

Insert 2  Contains articles on the sale of the Crystal Sand Co., proposed amendments, and meetings. Issue 2. December 1946.

Insert 3  Contains articles on recent activities and the transmitter. Issue 3. January 1947.

Insert 4  Contains articles on modulation project, transmitter project, and radio-telephone examination. Issue 4. February 1947.

Insert 5  Contains articles on radio-telephone licenses, sound relaying, and the obituary of Harlan E. Buller. Issue 5. March 1947.

Insert 6  Contains articles on station projects and dues, and lists commercial television channels. Issue 6. Original and photocopy. April 1947.

Insert 7  Contains articles on recent activities, the new transmitter, and results from a survey on programming. Issue 7. May 1947.

Insert 8  Contains a report on the picnic and telecast and the third annual meeting. Issue 8. June-July 1947.

Insert 9  Contains articles on safety and the future of the association. Issue 9. August 1947.

Insert 10  Contains articles on the Hamilton Watch Company’s program on Christmas afternoon, television kits, utilities, results of a survey, and keys. Shows next meeting 5 January 1948. No date.

 

Folder 7  “Conestoga Television Association News”

Insert 1  Contains information about the transmitter, the cover of Radio Electronics, and Operation B. (2 copies) 25 April 1949 to 12 May 1949.

Insert 2  Cartoon drawing by CEC (Charlie Cramer). Contains information regarding the power supply and telephone system to connect transmitter with lab. (2 copies) 3 October 1949.

Insert 3  Contains information on the cost of a new building and upcoming trips. Vol. 4, no. 3. 19 October 1949.

Contains information on color television updates by Dick Hughes and Gene Hoffman’s experiments with an antenna. Original and photocopy. Vol. 4, no. 4. 11 November 1949.

Insert 4  Contains a remembrance of Dr. Donald H. Smith and information on a new meeting place. [Vol. 4, no. 4.] 13 March 1950.

Insert 5  Announcement of broadcast, demonstration, and meeting. Broadcast scheduled for 7 August 1950. No date.

Contains update on transmissions and instruction classes. (2 copies) Vol. 5, no. 1. 18 September 1950.

Contains updates on progress with installing cable, broadcasting, and working on the transmitter. (2 copies) Vol. 5, no. 2. 9 October 1950.

Insert 6  Meeting notice with broadcast date of 14 November 1950. (2 copies) [Vol. 5, no. 3] No date.

Contains information on the broadcasting of amateur local talent, the production crew, and the names of recent participants. (2 copies) Vol. 5, no. 4. 27 November 1950.

Insert 7  Invitation to a Christmas program. Vol. 5, no. 5. 19 December 1950.

Contains information on the transmitter, license, and a progress report by the Site Committee. Drawing by F. P. K. No date.

Insert 8  Contains information about a request for a license and the next program. Vol. 6, no. 6. 8 January 1951.

Flyer for a program by the C.T.A. Talent Group. Vol. 6, no. 7. 30 January 1951.

Flyer for a program by the C.T.A. Talent Group. (2 copies) 27 February 1951.

Insert 9  Contains information on F.C.C. decisions copied from Broadcasting & Televising, 12 February 1951. Vol. 6, no. 9. 7 March 1951.

Asks for assistance in preparing for an upcoming meeting with the F.C.C. The referenced questions were not with the newsletter. (2 copies) Vol. 6, no. 10. 30 March 1951.

Insert 10  Flyer for a program by the C.T.A. Talent Group. (2 copies) Vol. 6, no. 11. 24 April 1951.

Meeting notice. Vol. 6, no. 12. 7 May 1951.

Meeting notice. 4 June 1951.

Insert 11  Meeting notice. 3 August 1951.

Letter to members regarding election of officers, the tower at the Welsh Mountain site, and thanks to Ollie Smith for painting the tower. Prepared by Don Cairns, president and J. F. Doering, treasurer. 22 August 1951.

Meeting agenda. 10 September 1951.

Insert 12  Announcement of elected officers and the names of committee members. 1 October 1951.

Insert 13  Contains information on lease of the Welsh Mountain site, budget for maintaining that site, and new members. 25 October 1951.

Announcement of a construction permit and equipment testing. 26 November 1951.

Meeting notice. 3 December 1951.

Contains information on a portable antenna made by Joe Chalala, that Crosley is interested in working with the C.T.A., and future programming. 17 December 1951.

Insert 14  Meeting notice. 3 March 1952.

Meeting notice. 7 April 1952.

Insert 15  Notice of a special meeting to vote on a proposed amendment to the by-laws. 14 April 1952.

List of officers and organizational chart. 11 February 1952.

List of members. 1 February 1952.

Insert 16  Meeting notice. 8 September 1952.

 

Folder 8  P. A. Richard’s Binder of Notes

These papers have been kept in the order in which they were filed in the binder.

Insert 1  Loose pages from front of binder. Diagrams enclosed test pattern slides (in photograph collection). Jammer transmitter selector switch diagram. 1949.

Insert 2  “Report on Relative Strength of Television Signals from WPTZ Philadelphia.” 2 August 1945.

Charts: “Signal vs. Antenna Height”; “Effect on Signal with Dipole Lowered Below Road Level” 22 June 1945.

“Lectures on Television.” 6 August 1945.

Preference of meeting nights questionnaire. No date.

Unused agreement form to pay the Lancaster Television Association for the privileges of Grade I. No date.

“Video Amplifier Stage Coil Design Sheet.” Drawn by Philip A. Richards. 13 May 1941.

Insert 3  “Report on Relative Strength of Television Signals from WPTZ Philadelphia.” With penciled annotations. 2 August 1945.

Charts: “Signal vs. Antenna Height”; “Effect on Signal with Dipole Lowered Below Road Level” 22 June 1945.

“The Reduction of Harmonic Power Output in Amateur Transmitters.”10 August 1948.

Diagram of 150V regulated power supply. Drawn by R. H. Hughes. 8 September 1947.

Insert 4  “NBC Presents RCA Lancaster and the 1,000,000th Tube,” 7 June 1949.

Diagrams; notes regarding electric and phone bills; notes on New Year’s show.

Insert 5  Notes on Hamilton Christmas show. 25 December 1948.

Blueprint for receiver. 2-3 September 1947.

“Notes on Cafeteria Cable Installation.” 14 December 1948.

Diagrams.

Blueprint for Master Unit #2, RMA Sync. Generator. 22 May 1947. Marked “obsolete” with pencil diagram on back.

Insert 6  Notes on Christmas show. “The Men & Women of Hamilton: A Joint Sponsorship RCA-CTA-Hamilton.” No date.

Technical notes and drawings. 1947.

Special work order for Cathode-ray Laboratory #96. 15 December 1947.

Insert 7  “The Dec. 5thProject.” Marked “cancelled.”

Insert 8  Carbon copy of letter from P. A. Richards to the FCC regarding BPVB-290-W3XBR and operating unattended. 7 December 1948.

Carbon copy of letter from P. A. Richards to Mr. Raymond Simonds, RCA Frequency Bureau, regarding an application to move to Lancaster. 27 January 1950.

Carbon copy of letter from P. A. Richards to Mr. Raymond Simonds, RCA Frequency Bureau, regarding broadcasting in Lancaster. 8 March 1949.

Notarized copy of Application for Broadcast Station License. 11 March 1949.

List of enclosures for application for station license with enclosures:”Station Block Diagram,” Calibration of Frequency Meter,” “Tower of Station W3XBR.” 1949.

Insert 9  Carbon copy of letter from P. A. Richards to Mr. Raymond Simonds, RCA Frequency Bureau, regarding an application for station license. 19 April 1949.

Notarized copy of Application for Broadcast Station License. 13 April 1949.

List of enclosures for application for station license with enclosures:”Station Block Diagram,” Calibration of Frequency Meter,” “Stacked Dipole Radiator,” “Change in Program of the CTA.” 1949.

Notes.

Insert 10  Carbon copy of letter from P. A. Richards to Mr. Raymond Simonds, RCA Frequency Bureau, regarding reinstatement. 6 June 1949.

Copy of Application for Construction Permit to Replace Expired Permit.” 6 June 1949.

Attachments: “Improvement of the Station,” Construction of W3XBR.” 1949.

Insert 11  Notes. 1949.

Carbon copy of letter from P. A. Richards to T. J. Slowie, secretary of the FCC, requesting additional time for the construction and testing of Station KG2XBI. 3 February 1950.

Notarized copy of Application for Additional Time to Construct Radio Station. 3 February 1950.

Carbon copy of letter from P. A. Richards to T. J. Slowie, secretary of the FCC, requesting alterations in the construction permit. 3 July 1950.

Copy of Application for Additional Time to Construct Radio Station. 30 June 1950.

Notarized copy of Application for Broadcast Station Construction Permit of Modification Thereof. 30 June 1950.

Notarized copy of Supplemental Application for Television Broadcast Station Construction Permit (License) or Modification Thereof. 27 January 1950.

List of exhibits to accompany application including: “List of Members,” Financial and Business Relations of the CTA,” financial statement, changes for the CTA transmitter, diagram of 425V general purpose regulated power supply, blueprint of tower of Station W3XBR, diagram, diagram of 600 megacycle dipole and reflector, supplemental reports, data from the log for KG2XBI, “Progress on the CTA Transmitter” and operational expenses. 1945-1950.

Notes. 1950.

Draft of letter from P. A. Richards to T. J. Slowie, secretary of the FCC, regarding a map requested by Mr. Slowie. 6 July 1950.

Insert 12  Notes. 1949.

FCC Public Notice: “Notice if Issuance of Report of Ad Hoc Committee” regarding an amendment rules and regulations. 8 June 1949.

Notes and drafts. 1950.

 

Folder 9  Reports and Diagrams for Relay Station

Insert 1  Meeting minutes for Relay, Transmitter and Receiver Committee. 3 May 1945.

General directions to site for a television relay station. 15 July 1945.

Insert 2  Notes on a visit to Washington, D.C. regarding plans for a television relay station, including plans for a Television Club, operational program and financial program. 4 May 1945.

Insert 3  Copy of letter from L. R. Bloom, RCA Special Development Division, to R. W. George, Radio Communications, Inc., regarding a television relay station in Lancaster. 4 June 1945.

Copy of letter from Ralph W. George to L. R. Bloom, RCA Special Development Division, with equipment requirements for a television relay station. 14 June 1945.

Diagram of UHF Signal Generator 400-580 MC, AC Model-DC Model. No date.

Insert 4  Memorandum from E. T. Dickey to P. A. Richards regarding data on television relay systems. 13 June 1945.

Information on crystals prepared by F. P. Hoenig. 19 June 1945.

Map: “Published Route of the Philco Relay System.” 19 July 1945.

Insert 5  “Report on Relative Strength of Television Signals from WPTZ Philadelphia.” 2 August 1945.

Charts: “Signal vs. Antenna Height”; “Effect on Signal with Dipole Lowered Below Road Level” 22 June 1945.

“R.F. Television Amplifier.” 31 August 1945.

Diagrams of pre-amplifier, channel three section, 31 August 1945 and voltage supply, 27 September 1945.

“Notes on Picture Quality.” 7 September 1945.

“Picture Quality Questionnaire.” 2 August 1945.

Insert 6  David Bradley Windmill Towers, copied from the files of Sears, Roebuck and Co. Lists members of Tower Committee. 8 December 1945.

Diagram of antenna tower. Drawn by H. K. Glick. CTA Tower Committee. 26 December 1945.

 

Folder 10  Diagrams

600 megacycle dipole and reflector. 20 August 1946.

Lead-in connectors for four dipole antenna. 29 March 1947.

150V regulated power supply. 8 September 1947.

Cavity converter changes for channel 2 output. 12 October 1950.

 

Folder 11  Technical Reports

Insert 1  600 Megacycle Receiving Equipment Penthouse Station. Work done by Richard K. Voight. Report prepared by Philip A. Richards. Drawings by Helen K. Glick. 19 September 1947.

Insert 2  600 Megacycle Transmitting Equipment Welsh Mountain Station W3XBR. Work done by E. E. Hoffmann, R. H. Hughes. Report prepared by Philip A. Richards, Drawings by William A. Bentley, R. H. Hughes, Don Cairns, Helen K. Glick. 6 October 1947. (notation: “Two Dia. Missing)

Insert 3  600 Megacycle Transmitting Equipment Welsh Mountain Station W3XBR. Work done by E. E. Hoffmann, R. H. Hughes. Report prepared by Philip A. Richards, Drawings by William A. Bentley, R. H. Hughes, Don Cairns, Helen K. Glick. 6 October 1947.

Insert 4  Observations on the Relative Change in Received Signal Power with Antenna Height. Work done by E. E. Hoffmann. Report prepared by H. C. Moodey. Drawings by H. K. Glick. 9 February 1948.

Insert 5  Extending a Television Service Area. Work done by the active members. Report prepared by Philip A. Richards. Drawing by G. Wolfe. 3 January 1949.

Insert 6  600 M.C. Signal Generator and Attenuator for Field Strength Measurements. Work done by D. L. Prosser, A. F. Hardy, R. H. Hughes. Report prepared by D. L. Prosser. Drawings by L. A. [Ezard], John T. Wilhelm. 10 June 1952.

Insert 7  Field Strength Measuring Equipment Construction and Operation. Work done by D. L. Prosser, R. H. Hughes, A. E. Hardy. Report prepared by D. L. Prosser. Drawings by I. D. Cairns, L. Ezard. 19 June 1952.

 

Folder 12  Lease between Ivan G. Newswanger of Blue Ball and Conestoga Television Association, Inc. for use of land in East Earl Twp. on the summit of the Welsh Mountains for a television broadcast tower. 1951. (2 copies. One is signed, 3 March 1951.)

 

Folder 13  “Experimental TV Relay,” Radio-Electronics. Cover picture of experimental television relay station W3XBR with Dick Hughes and R. Barrett in front of the building. May 1949.

Part of newspaper article about a broadcast of the Louis-Conn boxing match, “200 from Here Witness Fight on Television Sets.” No date, [1946]. (photocopy)

 

Folder 14  Graph, “Profile-W3XBR to I. D. Cairns’ Home, Location C.” No date.

Topographical map of W3XBR service area. Drawn by G. Wolfe. 7 September 1948.

 

Folder 15  “1st ‘Met’ Televising Seen in Homes, Taprooms Here,” Lancaster New Era. 30 November 1948. (scanned copy)

“Relay Television Here from Welsh Mts.” No date. (scanned copy)

 

Folder 16  Lists of Papers, Lectures, Library Materials

Insert 1  Papers Published by RCA Engineers on Ultra-High Frequency. March 1945.

Insert 2  List of lectures on the reception and transmission of television presented to Lancaster Television Association members. 6 August 1945.

Lists of materials prepared for members in the secretary’s files. 28 September 1945, 30 November 1945.

Insert 3  Conestoga Television Association Library list. 25 January 1949.

 

Folder 17  W3XBR Operator and Program Schedules, 1948-1949

Insert 1  Program for Philco Radio and Television Corporation for the week ending 29 September 1945.

Insert 2  Operator schedules for April and May 1948.

Programs for week of 26 July 1948.

Insert 3  Programs for the weeks of 1 August 1948, 8 August 1948, 16 August 1948 (2 copies), 30 August 1948.

Insert 4  Programs for the weeks of 6 September 1948, 20 September 1948, 27 September 1948.

Insert 5  Programs for the weeks of 11 October 1948, 18 October 1948, 25 October 1948 (2 copies).

Insert 6  Programs for the weeks of 3 November 1948, 8 November 1948, 15 November 1948, 22 November 1948, 29 November 1948.

Insert 7  Programs for the weeks of 6 December 1948, 13 December 1948 (2 copies), 20 December 1948 (2 copies), 27 December 1948.

Insert 8  Programs for the weeks of 17 January 1949, 24 January 1949, 31 January 1949, 7 February 1949, 14 February 1949, 21 February 1949, 28 February 1949.

Insert 9  Programs for the weeks of 7 March 1949, 14 March 1949, 21 March 1949, 29 March 1949, 12 April 1949 (2 copies).

 

Folder 18  C.T.A. Show script. “This entertainment is an example of amateur television in action.” April 1952.

 

Folder 19  Correspondence

Carbon copy of letter from P. A. Richards from J. P. Veatch, RCA Frequency Bureau, regarding trip to Washington, D.C. to discuss the CTA’s plans for the future. 4 October 1949.

Letter from L. W. Teegarden, RCA Victor Division, to Don Cairns thanking him for his personal contributions to RCA and his support of others in the organization. 31 December 1949.

Carbon copy of letter from I. D. Cairns to J. H. Bussard, AVCO Manufacturing Corp., regarding plans for television transmission. 13 June 1951.

 

Folder 20  Photocopies of Photographs

Don Cairns being filmed holding a mannequin head. No date.

Three gentlemen being filmed. [John Wilhelm] at camera, Don Cairns, Phil Kelly, Bob Wiegand. No date.

Original digging at tower site. Dick Innes, Frank Geiger, Don Cairns, Al Comins, Phil Richards. No date.