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Los Angeles Area Radio Stations, 1922-30

By Jim Hilliker

 




Los Angeles Area Radio Stations as of June 30, 1922
From the Radio Service Bulletin, Department of Commerce

 
When the Department of Commerce started to license stations for “broadcasting entertainment, music, news, etc.” to the public, new radio stations went on the air much faster than the government anticipated.  All radio stations in Los Angeles and the rest of the United States, generally had to take turns transmitting on a wavelength of 360 meters.  That is equal to approximately 833 kilohertz on the standard AM band.  Some stations could also broadcast official government weather, market and crop reports.  However, to do that, station transmitters had to be re-tuned to 485 meters, or 619 kilohertz.  Four radio stations in Los Angeles also used the 485 meter wavelength, when necessary.  Those were KHJ, KWH, KYJ and KFCL. 

Since Congress had not yet passed a radio bill to regulate radio broadcasting in 1922, radio stations could not have their own frequencies to go on the air full-time.  The radio station owners and operators had to meet once a month to set up the days and hours that each station was allowed to go on the air.  By the end of August of 1922, there were 27 stations licensed, although not all of them were active. 

Here are the 24 radio stations licensed in and near Los Angeles on June 30, 1922:


Call Letters
City of License
KDYR Pasadena
KDZD Los Angeles
KDZF
Los Angeles
KDZP
Los Angeles
KFAC
Glendale
KFI*
Los Angeles
KGF
Pomona
KGO
Altadena
KHJ*
Los Angeles
KJC
Los Angeles
KJS
Los Angeles
KLB
Pasadena
KNN
Los Angeles
KNR
Los Angeles
KNV
Los Angeles
KNX
Los Angeles
KOG
Los Angeles
KSS
Long Beach
KUS
Los Angeles
KUY
El Monte
KWH
Los Angeles
KXS
Los Angeles
KYJ
Los Angeles
KZI
Los Angeles

*KHJ and KFI were moved from 360 meters to 400 meters (750 kilocycles) and were allowed to transmit with 500 watts of power in late 1922 and early 1923.  KHJ went on the air on 400 meters with its more powerful signal on November 1, 1922.  KFI began broadcasting with its new 500-watt transmitter on January 27, 1923.  Both stations were allowed to broadcast on the Class B wavelength of 400 meters at the same time, with one station 15 to 25 meters above 400 meters and the other station 15 to 25 meters below 400 meters.  The deal was worked out by Maj. J.F. Dillon, Federal Radio Inspector for the Sixth District.

Stations KYJ, KOG and KWH went off the air by January of 1923.  However, KWH was still broadcasting on 485 meters in 1923.  The other three stations combined with Earle C. Anthony’s KFI, to become the “Radio Central Super Station,” with the former KYJ and KOG broadcasting by remote control back to KFI.  The Examiner’s air time on KFI also originated from the KWH studio.



Los Angeles Area Radio Stations as of June 30, 1923
From the Department of Commerce Radio Service Bulletin


Frequency kc.
Call Letters
Licensee
City of License
640
KFI
Earle C. Anthony, Inc. Los Angeles
760
KHJ
Los Angeles Times Los Angeles
833
KFAV
Abbott Kinney Company   
Venice
"
KFAW
The Radio Den Santa Ana
"
KGO
Altadena Radio Laboratory 
Altadena
"
KJS
Bible Institute of Los Angeles Los Angeles
"
KNV
Radio Supply Company Los Angeles
"
KNX
Electric Lighting Supply Company Los Angeles
"
KSS
Prest and Dean* 
Long Beach
"
KUS
City Dye Works and Laundry Co. Los Angeles
"
KUY
Coast Radio Company 
El Monte
"
KWH
Los Angeles Examiner Los Angeles
1070
KFAR
Studio Lighting Service Company  
Hollywood
1080
KDZF
Automobile Club of Southern California Los Angeles

 


Los Angeles Area AM Stations as of June 30, 1924
From the Department of Commerce Radio Service Bulletin


Frequency kc. Call Letters
Power Watts
Licensee
City of License
640
KFI
500
Earle C. Anthony, Inc. Los Angeles
760
KHJ
500 Los Angeles Times Los Angeles
833
KJS
750
Bible Institute of Los Angeles Los Angeles
"
KNX
100
Electric Lighting Supply Company Los Angeles
"
KWH
250
Los Angeles Examiner Los Angeles
1070
KFAW
10
The Radio Den
Santa Ana
1080
KFSG
500
Echo Park Evangelistic Association Los Angeles
1170
KUY
50
Coast Radio Company of El Monte 
El Monte
1260
KFPG
100
Garretson and Dennis Los Angeles
1270
KFOC
100
First Christian Church
Whittier
1280
KFON
100
Echophone Radio Shop
Long Beach
1280
KFQI*
100
Thomas H. Ince Corp.
Culver City
1300
KFPR
500
Los Angeles County Forestry Department Los Angeles
1330
KFQG
100
Southern California Radio Association Los Angeles


* KFQI was licensed in June, 1924, and deleted in November of that year.  The owner, Thomas Ince, was a pioneer silent film maker, director and producer.  He died on Nov. 19, 1924 at the age of 44.  



Los Angeles Area Radio Stations as of June 30, 1925
From the Department of Commerce Radio Service Bulletin


Frequency kc.
Call Letters
Power Watts
City of License
640
KFI
2,000
Los Angeles
740
KHJ
500
Los Angeles
890
KNX
500
Hollywood
1020
KJS
750
Los Angeles
1090
KFSG
500
Los Angeles
1190
KFWB
500
Hollywood
1260
KFPG
100
Los Angeles
1270
KFOC
100
Whittier
1290
KFON
100
Long Beach
1300
KFPR
500
Los Angeles
1310
KPPC
50
Pasadena
1330
KFQZ
250
Hollywood
1400
KFAW
10
Santa Ana
1440
KFVF
50
Hollywood
1460
KFVD
50
San Pedro

 



Los Angeles Area Radio Stations as of June 30, 1926
From the Department of Commerce Radio Service Bulletin

 

Frequency kc.
Call Letters
Power, Watts
Licensee
640
KFI
4,000
Earle C. Anthony, Inc.
740
KHJ
500
Los Angeles Times
890
KNX
500
Los Angeles Evening Express
950
KPSN
1,000
Pasadena Star-News
1020
KTBI
750 Bible Institute of Los Angeles
1090
KFSG
500
Echo Park Evangelistic Association
1190
KFWB
500
Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc.
1260
KMTR
500
K.M. Turner Radio Corporation
1290
KFON
500
Echophone Radio Shop/Hal G. Nichols
1300
KFPR
500
Los Angeles County Forestry Department
1330
KFQZ
50
Taft Products Company
1420
KFWO
250
Lawrence W. Mott
1440
KNRC
250
Kierulff & Ravenscroft Co.--Clarence B Juneau
1460
KFVD
50
McWhinnie Electric Company
1480
KFXB
500
Bertram O. Heller


 Notes:  KNX was in Hollywood;   KPSN was in Pasadena;   KFWB was in Hollywood;   KMTR was in Hollywood;   KFON was in Long Beach;   KFQZ was in Hollywood; KFWO was on Catalina Island;   KFVD was in San Pedro;   KFXB was in Big Bear Lake and moved to Los Angeles in 1927, becoming KPLA and later KECA in 1929;  All other stations were in Los Angeles.




Los Angeles Area Radio Stations as of June 30, 1927
From the Department of Commerce Radio Service Bulletin


Frequency kc.
Call Letters
Power, Watts
Licensee
City of License
570
KMTR
500
KMTR Radio CorporationHollywood
640 KFI 5,000 Earle C. Anthony, Inc.Los Angeles
740
KHJ
500
Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles
800
KNRC
500
Clarence B. Juneau
Santa Monica
830
KFWB
750
Warner Brothers Broadcasting Corp.Hollywood
870
KWTC *
5
Dr. John W. HancockSanta Ana
890
KNX
500
Los Angeles Evening ExpressHollywood
950
KPSN
1,000
Pasadena Star-NewsPasadena
1040
KTBI
500
Bible Institute of Los AngelesLos Angeles
1090
KFSG
500
Echo Park Evangelistic AssociationLos Angeles
1140
KGEF
500
Trinity Methodist ChurchLos Angeles
1190
KFXB **
500
Pacific Development Radio CompanyBig Bear Lake
1240
KFON
500
Nichols and Warriner, Inc.Long Beach
1290
KFQZ
100
Taft Radio and Broadcasting CompanyHollywood
"
KFPR
250
Los Angeles County Forestry DepartmentLos Angeles
1310
KELW
250
Earl L. WhiteBurbank
"
KPPC
50
Pasadena Presbyterian ChurchPasadena
1340
KMIC
250
James R. Fouch
Inglewood
"
KGFH
250
Frederick Robinson
La Crescenta
1370
KFWO
250
Lawrence Mott
Catalina Island
1390
KGER
100
C. Merwyn Dobbins
Long Beach
"
KRLO
250
Freeman Lang and A.B. Scott
Los Angeles
1440
KGFJ
100
Ben S. McGlashan
Los Angeles
"
KVFD
250
W.J. and C.I. McWhinnie
Venice
1470
KGFO
100
Brandt Radio Power Co. 
Portable


NOTES:
* The FRC moved KWTC from 870 to 850 kilocycles about two weeks after its first frequency assignment to move from 1140 on June 15, 1927. This was due to interference from KNX 890. But the station was still subject to interference from KFWB 830.
**KFXB 1190 changed call letters to KPLA by July of 1927.





Los Angeles Area Radio Stations as of June 30, 1928
From the Department of Commerce Radio Service Bulletin



Frequency kc.
Call Letters
Licensee
City of License
580
KMTR
KMTR Radio Corporation
Hollywood
640
KFI
Earle C. Anthony, Inc. Los Angeles
750
KHJ
Don Lee, Inc. Los Angeles
800
KNRC
Clarence B. Juneau
Santa Monica
830 KFWB
Warner Brothers Broadcasting Corp. Hollywood
890
KNX
Western Broadcasting Co.—Guy Earl
Hollywood
950
KPSN
Pasadena Star-News
Pasadena
"
KPPC
Pasadena Presbyterian Church  
Pasadena
1000
KFWO
Lawrence Mott  
Catalina Island
1040
KPLA
Pacific Development Radio Co. Los Angeles
1090
KTBI
Bible Institute of Los Angeles Los Angeles
1100
KWTC
Dr. John W. Hancock
Santa Ana
1140
KGEF
Trinity Methodist Church Los Angeles
"
KGFH Frederick Robinson
Glendale
1190
KEJK Freeman Lang 
Beverly Hills
"
KFSG
Echo Park Evangelistic Association Los Angeles
1240
KFON
Warriner and Nichols 
Long Beach
1290
KFQZ
Taft Radio and Broadcasting Co. 
Hollywood
"
KFPR
Los Angeles County Forestry Department Los Angeles
1310
KELW Earl L. White 
Burbank
1340
KMIC
James R. Fouch 
Inglewood
1390
KVFD
W.J. and C.I. McWhinnie
Venice
"
KGER
C. Merwin Dobyns  
Long Beach
1410
KGFJ
Ben McGlashan Los Angeles
1470
KGGM
Jay Peters Inglewood-portable
"
KGFO
Brant Radio Power Co.  
Portable


 



Los Angeles Radio Stations
New Frequency Allocations by the Federal Radio Commission
Effective November 11, 1928

 

Frequency kc.
Call Letters
Power, Watts
Licensee
City of License
570
KMTR
500
KMTR Radio Corporation  
Hollywood
"
KPLA
500
Pacific Radio Development Los Angeles
640
KFI
5,000
Earle C. Anthony, Inc. Los Angeles
700
KVFD
250
Culver City Broadcast Company
Culver City
780
KNRC*
500
Pickwick Broadcasting Corp.   
Santa Monica
"
KELW
500
Earl L. White   
Burbank
850
KFQZ
250
L.E. Taft Los Angeles
900
KHJ
1,000
Don Lee Los Angeles
950
KFWB
1,000 Warner Brothers Studio    
Hollywood
"
KPSN
1,000 Pasadena Star-News  
Pasadena
1000
KGFH
250
Frederick Robinson
Glendale
1050
KNX
5,000
Guy C. Earl    
Hollywood
1120
KMIC
250
James R. Fouch
Inglewood
"
KFSG
500
Echo Park Evangelistic Assn. Los Angeles
1200
KPPC
50
Pasadena Presbyterian Church Pasadena
1250
KEJK
500
MacMillan Petroleum Company Beverly Hills
"
KFON**
1,000
Nichols and Warriner, Inc. 
Long Beach
1300
KGEF
1,000
Trinity Methodist Church Los Angeles
"
KTBI
1,000
Bible Institute of Los Angeles
Los Angeles
1370
KGER
100
C. Merwin Dobyns 
Long Beach
1420
KGFJ
100
Ben McGlashan Los Angeles
1500
KWTC
100
Dr. John W. Hancock
Santa Ana
"
KFWO ***
100
Lawrence Mott 
Avalon

 
               


* KNRC           This station changed owners and on or after November 11, 1928, and changed its call letters from KNRC to KTM.  The exact date this
call letter change occurred is unknown.

** KFON        The Long Beach station changed call letters to KFOX on December 31, 1928.

*** KFWO had already gone off the air during 1928, when the owner, Lawrence Mott, was married and moved from Catalina Island to the Hollywood hills. 
The F.R.C. deleted the KFWO license in January of 1929.




Los Angeles Area Radio Stations as of June 30, 1929
Federal Radio Commission Listings


Frequency kc.
Call Letters
Power, Watts
Licensee
City of License
570
KMTR
500
KMTR Radio Corporation  
Hollywood
640
KFI
5,000
Earle C. Anthony, Inc. Los Angeles
710
KVFD
250
Los Angeles Broadcasting Co.-E.L. Cord 
Culver City
780
KELW
500
Earl L. White   
Burbank
"
KTM
500
Pickwick Broadcasting Corp. Los Angeles
860
KFQZ
250
L.E. Taft Los Angeles
900
KHJ
1,000
Don Lee Los Angeles
950
KFWB
1,000 Warner Brothers Studio    
Hollywood
"
KPSN
1,000 Pasadena Star-News  
Pasadena
1000
KPLA
1,000 Pacific Radio Development Corp. Los Angeles
1050
KNX
5,000
Western Broadcasting Co.—Guy Earl 
Hollywood
1120
KFSG
500
Echo Park Evangelistic Assn. Los Angeles
"
KMIC
500
Dalton’s, Inc.  
Inglewood
1170
KEJK
500
R.S. MacMillan Petroleum Co.   
Beverly Hills
1200
KPPC
50
Pasadena Presbyterian Church    
Pasadena
1250
KFOX
1,000
Nichols and Warriner, Inc. 
Long Beach
1300
KGEF
1,000
Trinity Methodist Church Los Angeles
"
KTBI
750 Bible Institute of Los Angeles Los Angeles
1370
KGER
100
C. Merwin Dobyns
Long Beach
1420
KGFJ
100
Ben S. McGlashan Los Angeles
1500
KWTC
100
Pacific Western Broadcasting Federation Santa Ana

* KGFH Glendale on 1000 kilocycles was deleted by the F.R.C. in June of 1929;  KPLA in Los Angeles, moved from 570 to 1000, and KMTR became a full-time station.  On November 15, 1929, KPLA was sold to Earle C. Anthony and became KECA, on 1430 kilocycles.



Los Angeles Area Radio Stations as of November 15, 1929
With Federal Radio Commission Changes

 

Frequency kc.
Call Letters
Power, Watts
Licensee
570
KMTR
500
KMTR Radio Corporation  
640
KFI
5,000
Earle C. Anthony, Inc.
710
KEJK
500
R.S. MacMillan Petroleum Co.   
780
KTM
500
Pickwick Broadcasting Corp.
"
KELW
500
Earl L. White
860
KFQZ*
250
Taft Radio and Broadcasting Co.
950
KFWB
1,000Warner Brothers Broadcasting Corp.
1000
KVFD
250
Los Angeles Broadcasting Co.
1050
KNX
5,000
Western Broadcasting Co.—Guy Earl 
1120 KMIC
500
Daltons, Inc.
"
KFSG
500
Echo Park Evangelistic Assn.
1200
KGFJ
100
Ben S. McGlashan
1210
KPPC
50
Pasadena Presbyterian Church
1250
KFOX
1,000
Nichols and Warriner, Inc.
1300
KTBI
1,000
Bible Institute of Los Angeles
"
KGEF
1,000
Trinity Methodist Church
1360
KGER
250
C. Merwin Dobyns
"
KPSN
1,000
Pasadena Star-News
1430
KECA
1,000
Earle C. Anthony, Inc.
1500
KREG **
100
Pacific Western Broadcasting Federation


 

Notes on FRC Changes Effective November 15, 1929

KEJK 710 moved from 1170

KFWB 950 now on full-time.  It previously shared-time with KPSN.

KFVD 1000 had previously broadcast at 700 and 710 on the dial the last 12 months

KGFJ 1200 was previously on 1420.

KPPC 1210 moved 10 kilocycles from 1200.

KGER 1360 moved from 1370, and shares time with KPSN, which left the air in 1931.

KPSN moved from 950 to 1360, sharing time with KGER

KECA 1430 was formerly KPLA, at 1000 kilocycles. The station was sold to Earle C. Anthony at the same time the frequency and call letter change was made.

* KFQZ 860 would be deleted on April 14, 1930.

** In May of 1929, KWTC went silent when owner John Wesley Hancock retired from radio and sold his interest in the station.  It had been located in his Santa Ana home, 1101 N. Ross Street, since 1926.  
On Thursday night, January 2, 1930,the Santa Ana station finally returned to the air as KREG.   J.F. Burke, publisher of the Santa Ana Register, was also director and secretary of the Pacific Western Broadcasting Federation.  The  station had new office, studio and transmitter facilities in the Register building in Santa Ana.



Los Angeles Area Radio Stations as of June 30, 1930
From the listings of the Federal Radio Commission


 

Frequency kc.
Call Letters
Power, Watts
Licensee
City of License
570
KMTR
500
KMTR Radio Corporation  
Los Angeles
640
KFI
5,000
Earle C. Anthony, Inc. Los Angeles
710
KMPC
500
R.S. MacMillan Petroleum Co.   
Beverly Hills
780
KELW
500
Earl L. White 
Burbank
"
KTM
500
Pickwick Broadcasting Corp. Los Angeles
900
KHJ
1,000 Don Lee, Inc. Los Angeles
950
KFWB
1,000 Warner Brothers Studio    
Los Angeles
1000
KVFD
250
Los Angeles Broadcasting Co.
Culver City
1050
KNX
5,000
Western Broadcasting Co.
Hollywood
1120
KFSG
500
Echo Park Evangelistic Assn. Los Angeles
"
KMIC
500
Dalton’s Inc. 
Inglewood
1200
KGFJ
100
Ben S. McGlashan Los Angeles
1210
KPPC *
50
Pasadena Presbyterian Church Pasadena
1250
KFOX
1,000
Nichols and Warriner, Inc.
Long Beach
1300
KGEF
1,000
Trinity Methodist Church Los Angeles
"
KTBI
1,000
Bible Institute of Los Angeles Los Angeles
1360
KGER
1,000 C. Merwin Dobyns Long Beach
"
KPSN**
1,000 Pasadena Star-News 
Pasadena
1430
KECA
1,000 Earle C. Anthony, Inc. Los Angeles
1500
KREG
100
Pacific Western Broadcasting 
Santa Ana

 

* KPPC Pasadena shares time with KFXM, San Bernardino.

** KPSN 1360 would be deleted on June 16, 1931.




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