Chollas Heights (San Diego) Naval Radio Station
Chollas Heights Naval Radio Transmitting Facility was a component of the U.S. Naval Communication Station San Diego. Elements of what was the Naval Communication System were first established in the San Diego area in 1906 as part of the Eleventh Naval District. The first facilities were located on Point Loma in one small frame building in which was installed a "Massie" type spark transmitter. With limited equipment and facilities, Radio San Diego handled in excess of 3,000 messages during the first year of operation.
The Naval Radio Station site is located in the Chollas Heights area of the City of San Diego, California, approximately six miles east of downtown San Diego. The Navy acquired a total of 74.552 acres; 73.65 acres in fee from Mr. Harry Flavel Carling in 1914, and 0.902 acre in easement from the City of San Diego. The Navy constructed a high-power radio transmitter facility, including three 600-foot towers, a powerhouse, condenser house, pump house, blower house, office, garage, shop, and housing for a small number of officers and enlisted men. The station, consisted of one (1) 200-KW arc set, adjusted for the following wavelengths: 4000 meters (primary calling),5300 meters ( primary working), 9800 meters (primary working), 13,300 meters (super-primary working) and 151 200 meters ( super-primary working) ; and one (1) 5-KW 500 cycle quenched spark set, adjusted for the following wa e lengths: 600 meters (commercial and distress), 952 meters (secondary calling), and 2400 meters (secondary working).
Construction took place during 1915 and 1916 with Bureau of Yards and Docks plans. The transmitting station at Chollas Heights was commissioned in 1916 and was subsequently identified as the U.S. Naval Radio Station (T), The first transmitter was a giant 200 kilowatt, Poulsen-arc transmitter, capable of being remotely keyed from the Point Loma operating site. The complex created at Chollas Heights consisted of a number of components necessary for radio transmission and support services. The principal features of the transmitting facility at Chollas Heights were the three steel self supporting towers, Building 1 for transmitting, a modern antenna and ground system, a powerhouse and quarters for operators, all built in 1916. Over the years additional support buildings were constructed, residence capacity expanded, and recreational facilities, including a pool (the pool was also used to cool the equipment) and tennis courts, were added for the enjoyment of Station personnel and their families.
In 1917, when the transmitter first went on the air, it was the most powerful in North America. As technology progressed MF and HF transmitters and antennas were added. On the outbreak of war in 1917 a military fence was erected on the north side of the station at Point Loma and a detachment of Marines was assigned to the station. The Marines were withdrawn in 1919 On 15 July 1917, a company of Marines from the 5th Regiment was assigned to the Chollas Heights station, a military fence was erected, electrically charged and flood-lighted, and the station grounds were closed to the public. The Marines were withdrawn on 30 June 1921.
BELOW IS SMALL SELECTION OF THE IMAGES IN THE CHOLLAS HEIGHTS (SAN DIEGO) NAVAL RADIO STATION COLLECTION
