Tour of WRET-TV, Charlotte, NC in 1977 Part 2

Late one July night in 1977, I and two other engineers, Eric Hyatt and Mike Young, on duty at independent station WRET-TV in Charlotte, NC pulled out the PCP-90 handheld camera and shot a video of the operations of the station. It was more than 30 years ago . . . . This is part 2 of 2 parts.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• broadcast
• behind-the-scenes
• TV
• station
• master
• control
• videotape
• transmitter
• handheld
• camera
• 1977
• Charlotte
• NC
• WRET-TV

[wmbrown6]

Looks like then-WRET used RCA TK-27 film chains back then, would I be correct?

[DennisDegan]

@wmbrown6 One was a TK-27, the other was a General Electric PE-350 (I think).  The GE is visible at 3:46 as the video is about to end.

[wmbrown6]

@DennisDegan - You sure the GE chain wasn't a PE-24, PE-240 or PE-245? PE-350's were live studio cameras.

In any case, a very worthwhile time capsule.

[DennisDegan]

@wmbrown6 No, I'm not sure. It looks like a GE, but I don't know their model numbers too well, so I'll bet you're right. That's why I said 'I think'.

I'm an RCA-trained technician, mostly involved in VTR maintenance (both RCA and Ampex VTRs). I used to know TK-27s somewhat too, but it HAS been 34 years since this video was shot, after all. ;)

[scottgfx]

Hey Dennis,

I'm watching your video again. :)

The CG keyboard looks like something I've seen before. I'm guessing it's a 3D D-1100?

What kind of studio cameras were out there? I'm guessing something like LDK-5's?

[DennisDegan]

@scottgfx

I don't have any idea which CG it was. I don't even remember where a CG was seen in the video.

The cameras were Phillips PC-100s.

[Vag0oT]

lol



[DennisDegan]

Thanks for the more up-to-date info on this building. I remember there was a large garage entrance on the back which led into the studio. Perhaps you could tell me more about what's changed since I was last there, FJ. I'd appreciate anything you might know about it. Is the tall tower still there and if so, is it still used as a TV transmission tower? Does your friend use the whole building or a part? Which part (I'm guessing, he uses what was the studio)?

[fjbakis]

Wow! Dennis,

Talk about a blast from the past! I remember when it was an independant station, I never knew that Ted Turner owned it! A friend of mine now leases the building for his small engine repair business. It is about 5 miles from where I grew up...

[melollylolly]

oh my gosh-i am from this town; i grew up here; but i am now a grandmother living in los angeles; california--i moved away in 1995.