This is the Gates Radio Section of
The Broadcast Archive

Maintained by:
Barry Mishkind - The Eclectic Engineer
Last Update 12/17/07

Gates Radio Co Quincy, IL Phone: (800) 622-0022 www.broadcast.harris.com

Gates Radio was founded in 1922 by Parker Gates' father, Henry C. Gates. Turning it into a pioneering company, Parker Gates invented many different pieces of equipment for the broadcast industry. 

In 1957, Gates Radio was purchased by Harris Intertype Corporation, although the Gates Radio logo was used until 1975.  

The transmitter model numbering convention changed sometime after 1948 to use "BC" for AM transmitters and "FM" for FM models. This was likely the result of the increased interest in FM after WWII.  (The "GY" model appellation was for "Gates Year" ... the 25th anniversary of the company in 1947.)

The industry changed a bit in the early 1950s, as many Class IV stations raced to implement a power increase to 1 kW daytime. A number of manufacturers developed low cost transmitters and other equipment specifically to cash in on the "upgrade" fever. As price points were "sensitive," each company tried to provide the "best value," and gear started to be made more cheaply. The term at Gates was "Value Analysis," led by George Dively. During the time when "value" manufacturing hit its peak, in 1957, Gates Radio Company was purchased by Harris Intertype Corporation (now Harris Corporation). 

Sadly, Gates Radio began to acquire the moniker "Quincy Tin Works" as it sought ways to cut costs of manufacture. Some commentators remark about the "time line" between early Gates equipment that was "solid, well built, reliable" and "cheap, sort of OK, difficult to maintain" products. This was not said to be in harmony with Gate's reputation. 

Phil Alexander notes: "The "Quincy Tin Works" moniker came about through George Diveley's edict to build products at a lower cost once Harris-Intertype bought Gates Radio. Although Parker Gates stayed for 10 more years as President, the major policy directives came from Cleveland. Both cosmetic and cost surgery started with the cabinets. Square corners are so much cheaper than anything more esthetic. Harris insisted on a VA (value analysis) program which was a major buzzword when they bought Gates in the late '50's. Ed Gagnon was their PR honcho at the time and he headed up the program. The directives came from Cleveland, not from Parker Gates. This gave birth to the BC-1T (tin can) succeeded a few years later by the 1G."

In 1975, Harris dropped the "Gates Division" and relabeled the products as "Harris." 

AM Transmitters

Click on picture for images and additional information (when available!)
	100-A - 100 W
	250-A - 250/100 W C, C-1
	250C - 250 W - 1939? Advertisement
	250D - 250 W - late 1947.  The "D" was for "Deluxe"
	250GY  - 250 W - 1947 BC-250GY - 250 W - 1952
	BC-250L - 250 W
	500-A - 500 W
	500-D - 500 W - 1945
	BC-500K - 500 W
	BC-500T - 500 W
	BC-500G - 500 W - 1962
	1-A - 1 kW - 1945
	1-B - 1 kW - 1945
	1-C - 1 kW - ????
	1-D - 1 kW -1945
	1-E - 1 kW - 1946
	BC-1F - 1 kW - 1949 In 1953, this was $5,950 - WGEM - Quincy, IL
	BC-1J - 1 kW - 1955
	BC-1T - 1 kW - 1957 This transmitter came with a standard dummy load included. The former WSID transmitter, now on the ham  bands.
	BC-1G - 1 kW  (1962) 1967 Price - $5,590
	Vanguard-1 - 1 kW - 1966 1 tube = 30% efficiency! (V1 with cover open) The first unit reportedly went to KELP, El Paso, TX
	Vanguard-2 - 1 kW -
	BC-1H - 1 kW
	5-A - 5 kW
	BC-5B - 5 kW - 1949 pictured: WCOJ - 1963
	BC-5E - 5 kW
	BC-5H - 5 kW
	BC-5P - 5 kW
	BC-5P2 - 5 kW WJZZ A variant model (the BC-5P2S) used solid state recifiers.
	BC-10H - 10 kW
	BC-10P - 10 kW
	BC-20B - 20 kW
	BC-50B - 50 kW - 1957 Pictured  XET, Monterey, Mexico
	BC-50C - 1960
	VP-50 - 1965
	MW-50 - 1972
	DX-50 - 1991
	3DX-50
	BC-100C - 100 kW
	S-101 - 100 W
	S-101 - 250 W

FM Transmitters

Click on picture for a larger image
	BFE - 10 W
	250A
	FM-250H - 250 Watts
	1A
	FM-1B 1960 price: $5195
	FM-1H - 1 kW
	3A
	FM-2.5
	FM-3    3 kW ... 1954 WGEM-FM - Quincy, IL
	FM-3H - 3 kW
	FM-5C
	FM-5H - 5 kW and 7.5 kW
	FM-7.5
	FM-10
	FM-10H - 10 kW
	FM-20H - 20 kW
	FM20H3 - 20 kW

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