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Does anyone remember the old "Seattle Marine Operator" that used to provide Puget Sound and coastal marine radio service on 2Mhz. Was operated by Pacific Northwest Bell until the early 1980's when the Bell System was broken up.

I have been trying to learn more about this system for years. It was what sparked my interest in radio when I was a kid. (I accidently tuned it is on my grandma's tube type AM radio at the high end of the band.)

Any info would be appreciated.

Hmmm, not sure about the operator you speak of but great question none the less. Maybe one of the smart kids in the group will have an answer.
Lots of fun maritime monitoring in these parts. BTW, welcome to the group.

Ok, you're really making me think this one out and the info I give may not be correct - but might help someone else remember. I believe the callsign was KOW and I think the station was in West Seattle on Pigeon Point. There is still an active radio tower at that location, which is on 21 Ave SW at approximately the 4800 block and if that's the correct tower, then there are presently two AM radio transmitters transmitting from that tower. I do remember many years ago seeing an old marine chart with KOW listed as the callsign for that tower. I listened to them for years on the 2 Mhz band and I think they were on 2638. The present station engineer for that site is Jim Dalke (W7PB) who may be able to answer the questions - Jim is the same station engineer for the AM transmitter that is (or was temporarily located) on a boat anchored in Elliot Bay near Salty's Restaurant. Any other cobwebs you can stir up for me?

FrankM, you are right in that the callsign for this station was KOW. From what I have been able to learn so far, the system consisted of a transmitter station and at least five receiving stations. I believe that the transmitting station was located on the beach just south of the Edmonds marina. I have heard that there were receiving stations near Richmond Beach and near Newcastle, but I have been unable to locate these.

Pigeon Point is the home of another historic radio site. The property that now contains Cooper Elementary School used to be a radio site for what was known as the "Alaska Communications System". This system was operated by the US Army Signal Corps and provided radio service to Alaska, the Far East, and the east coast. A microwave was used to link this site to the old Federal Office Building in downtown Seattle. In the late 50's, the site was turned over to the UW who used it for research until it was sold.

The site was also used as a tracking station for one of the first satellites in the early 1960's. If you look carefully, you can still find a small monument just south of the school that commemorates the tracking station.

Ok. The tower that I was referring to is immediately West of that comm site, on the West side of 21 Ave. S.W. I'm really sure that it used to be listed as KOW.
I grew up in Richmond Beach and knew every inch of that area, and have no idea where any receiving station could have been located. In fact, when I was 10, I learned American Morse code at the train station in Richmond Beach and got my ham license while I was living there - at 12. So I really noticed any type of antenna in the area. I also knew Point Wells and don't recall any antennas there. I do recall some sort of antenna site South of what is now the Edmonds marina. It had some tall cyclone fences around it but that's all I recall of it. The 'busy signal' sound of the marine operator is still a vivid memory...
Since someone else brought this up, I also remember 640 and 1240 and the 'Conelrad' triangles on the AM radios. "This is a test of the emergency broadcasting system. For the next sixty seconds this station will be conducting a test of the emergency broadcasting system. This is only a test (1000hz tone)". Then, "Had this been an actual emergency, you would have been instructed to tune to 640 or 1240 on your radio dial. This concludes the test of the emergency broadcasting system. ". One of the guys at work has all the "duck and cover" videos on CD and he's promised me a copy. I still have a couple of 'mint' Shelter signs in my garage.

Frank, it's all here, even Gene Hackman was in on it...
http://www.conelrad.com/index.php

I think you are talking about seattle traffic on 156-700MHZ

The AM tower on SW 21st is KKDZ - 1250, the old KTW, and KBLE AM 1050. KBLE was at one time on Harbor Island and relocated to the AM 1250 site --- after AM 1590 moved to a new fulltime site. During the 1960's and 1970's -- the site was shared by just KTW 1250 and then KUUU - 1590 -- during the day. The 156.70 Mhz is Marine Channel 14 -- part of the VTS - Vessal Traffic System. The KOW site was within the U Of W site location --.

I found KOW listed in an old marine directory at the coordinates of 47.48.15 122.23.36. My investigation showed this location to be in Edmonds/Woodway just south of the Edmonds Marina. I was able to locate some old aerial photos from the 60' and early 70's that show what looks like a transmitter site on the beach at this location. There are tall vertical poles (much taller than surrounding utility poles) and a small shack about 20' x 20'. Can't make out too many other details but I'm quite sure that this is the KOW transmitter site. (I would post my photos to this BBS if I knew how.)

FrankM, this location would jive with your memory, and if you lived in Richmond Beach during that time period, I would think the signal would have blasted you out of your chair. :)

MTM, I am curious about your info that KOW was at the Pigeon Point UW site. I suppose that the station could have moved at some point or was licensed at more than one location.

I am still pursing the locations of the elusive receiving sites. As I mentioned previously, there were at least five; two or three in the Seattle area, and at least a couple more up north to pick-up ships entering Puget Sound from the ocean. I have heard that the Newcastle receiving site was also referred to as being on "Mount Newcastle". I can't find this on a map. Anyone else know where this might have been?

Gman247, I am quite familar with Seattle Traffic on VHF but what I am talking about is something completely different.

The U of W site in West Seattle -- Was built by the US Army -- as a communications net with Alaska. It was at one time transfered to the Phone Company -- and then over to the U of W. There was a radio system as well as under sea cable from the West Seattle Site. It appears to be one of the receive sites -- at one time. I also was lucky enough to visit the Los Angeles area counter-part -- before it was de-commissioned. It sat at 183rd St and Bloomfield -- in Cerritos. It' had three 300 foot towers and over 20 -- 80 foot poles. The San Franciso site is still around. There were several Shortwave Marine Telephone Operators on each coast and the gulf -- at one time. All are now just histrory.