Jack Armstrong, Virgin Sturgeon, KFRC San Francisco, 1982 (0:11:36)

… . . . the only radio station in the world that is moving while you’re listening . . . …

KFRC, like many stations in the early ’80’s, bought one of those big GM motorhomes (dual rear wheels … big windows on the side) to use as a mobile studio. KFRC nicknamed theirs The Sturgeon.

PD Gerry Cagle decided to take “The Sturgeon”, equipped with a 14-channel Pacific Recorders console and nine cart machines – put the entire air staff (except Dr. Don Rose) in it, and drive it from KFRC’s downtown San Francisco studios to Sausalito, and back – bouncing the signal off a small plane circling over the motorhome during the two-hour round trip.

Jack Armstrong anchors the proceedings; it was his shift. He is joined by Bill Lee, Sandy Louie, Mark McKay, Sue Hall, Dave Sholin and Thom O’Hair.

Jack Armstrong passed away March 22, 2008 at his home in North Carolina. Thanks to The Slim One for providing a longer version of this exhibit.

Welcome to the new ReelRadio!

This site is now operated by the North Carolina Broadcast History Museum. 

We want to thank the board of ReelRadio, Inc. for their stewardship since the passing of the founder Richard Irwin in 2018.  It has not been easy and they have maintained the exhibits for future generations to enjoy.

I met Richard Irwin, aka Uncle Ricky, when we were freshmen at East Carolina University.  We both had worked at local stations in our hometowns.  No one was more passionate about radio, especially Top 40 radio, than my friend Richard. 

Our goals with this site are to preserve the exhibits and make them available free of charge for people to enjoy.  Over time, we hope to add some airchecks to the site.  This will not happen immediately.  Time and resources will determine the future of new exhibits. 

Many thanks to the web folks at the Beasley Media Group for countless hours of work.  Again thanks to the board members of ReelRadio, Inc. for their faith in us. 

Richard Irwin’s hope was that his site would live on long after his passing. He said, “I hope REELRADIO will survive as my contribution to the ‘radio business’. The business is allowed to forget me, but the business should never forget the great era of radio that we celebrate here”.

We remember Richard and we thank him. If you enjoy this new site, we would appreciate a contribution. We hope you enjoy the new ReelRadio!

Board of NCBHP
North Carolina Broadcast History Project