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Television antenna tower of stations WRBL-TV and WTVM. Columbus, Georgia, is 1749 feet high - tallest man-made structure in the world.

In the competition for tallest tower honors, broadcasting's equivalent of the space race, stations WTVM and WRBL-TV of Columbus, Ga., are the new joint titleholders. The new champions have pushed their tower to a record height of 1749 feet over the Georgia pine woods, making it "the world's tallest man-made structure."

When first erected in 1960 the two-station tower reached to a mere 1261 feet overall. It was extended in a two-month project that saw a crew of iron-nerved riggers clambering about a gin pole that had been hoisted nearly a third of a mile into the sky.

The antennas - an RCA 6-section Super-turnstile and an RCA Mark II Supergain - weighing a total of eleven tons - were stored in the tower base area while 488 feet of tower steel was added to the top of the structure.

Then, after additional guys had been fixed, the antennas were replaced,
transmission cables attached and the power switched on.

Thus it was that the two Columbus stations took top honors in broadcasting's sky probes, a title last held by the 1676-foot spire of KFVS-TV, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

The RCA project was sub-contracted to Stainless, Inc., tall tower manufacturers, who had designed the original tower for an ultimate maximum height of 1760 feet. Erection work on the extension was by Furr $ Edwards Tower Company.

But, even as the first signals were radiated from the augmented tower, it was evident that other broadcasters soon would challenge the Columbus titleholders. Two-thousand-foot towers are under serious consideration.

Having far outstripped the Eiffel Tower (984 feet) and the Empire State Building (appro*. 1500 feet), the tall tower men appeared headed for a race that to some could end only in a soft landing on the moon.
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Station WOC-TV, Davenport, Iowa, has awarded a contract in excess of $500,000 to the Radio Corporation of America for a full complement of television broadcast equipment to be used in its new studio building now under construction.

The contract covers two TR-22 transistorized color television tape recorders, four TK-12 4 1/2-inch I.O. cameras, color and black-and-white film chains and a complete TS-40 Transistorized Switching system.

Dr. David D. Palmer, president, Tri-City Broadcasting Company, owner of WOC-TV, made the announcement recently. He also noted that the facilities provide for the later addition of four live color TV cameras.

When the 135-by-l50 foot building is completed and equipped late this year, WOC-TY will have one of the most modern television studio facilities in the Middle West.

The two-story and basement structure, located on a plot adjacent to the station's present studios at 805 Brady Street, is designed to reflect both the twelve years of WOC-TV's broadcasting experience in Davenport and station management's plans for its future growth and venture into color.

Mr. C. H. Colledge (left) vice-president and general manager RCA Broadcast and Communications Products Division at newest transistorized RCA TV Tape Recorder Type TR-22, with Dr. David D. Palmer, president, Tri-City Broadcasting Company, who has acquired two ot these new color recorders for station WOC-TV.
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Just south of Palm Beach, two new 1049-foot towers now rising into the Florida sky signify the dynamic growth of that resort city's two television broadcasters: WEAT-TV and WPTV. In moving to the new antenna sites, each station has purchased a complete RCA transmitter plant in a general upgrading and modernization of facilities.

Bv mid-summer, when the tall towers begin radiating their signals, viewers and advertisers alike in the booming South Florida area will be treated to the best coverage and the most reliable service that quality broadcast equipment can provide.

To the Sunshine State, proud home of the astronauts, the technical surge of its two Palm Beach broadcasters adds up to a new electronic penetration of space - this one aimed at the living room screen.
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Mr. Rex Rand (center) president of Palm Beach TV Co. Inc. owners of WEAT-TV and (right) Mr. Bertram Lebhar. Jr. executive vice-president and general manager. Roy Giles (left) RCA representative in Florida.

Equipment shown is newest RCA TV Tape Recorder Type TR-22. WEAT also ordered a Type TR-11 Compact TV Tape Recorder. Included in the new facilities is RCA's recently introduced 25-kw TV Transmitter. Type TT-25DH together with transmission line, tower, and a Traveling Wave Antenna with gain of 15.

Added film facilities comprise a TK-21 film chain with TP-11 Multiplexer. TP-7 Slide Projector and two TP-6EL Film Projectors. An STL Microwave Link. Type TVM. complete the excellent new equipment package for WEAT-TV.
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Mr. Chester E. Pike, Jr., (left) general manager and Mr. W. Lewis Evenden (right) chief engineer of station WPTV, owned by Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Company.

Equipment shown is part of station's new RCA 25kw Transmitter Type TT-25CL for channel 5 operation. Included in expanded transmitter plant are new transmission line, tower, and Type TF-6B Superturnstile antenna.

In expanding its technical facilities WPTV has also ordered two new RCA TV Tape Recorders: a Type TRT-1B Advanced TV Tape Recorder and a Type TR-11, Compact RCA Recorder. These newest additions will make the station one of the finest in equipment facilities.
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