wrote:
Hello, My name is Benji Mallicoat, I am a journalism student at San
Jose State University. I am writing a research paper on the origins of
radio in the United States. The focus of the paper is specifically
regarding the locations of the first radio stations. Any information
you can give me will be extremely helpful, and greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/decdoc/engrser.html#EARLY
The older annual reports often include lists of stations licensed as of
that date. However, the FCC's predecessor agency FRC didn't exist until
1927 - before that date, radio was regulated by the Department of
Commerce - so FCC/FRC records don't go back to the first days of
broadcasting.

http://earlyradiohistory.us/

Look for a copy of the "Broadcasting and Cable Yearbook" in the
University library. This book has a list of radio stations with the
date they first signed on the air. (however, that list is missing many
stations that have gone off the air before the date of publication. If
the library has more than one copy you may want the *oldest* copy
available.)

But I think you'll find there's considerable disagreement as to which
radio stations were first.

- Do you mean only broadcasting stations? (hams and ship-to-shore
transmissions came first)

- Do you mean the first station licensed with the specific intent of
broadcasting? (some stations were licensed for other services but also
engaged in broadcasting, or later transferred into the broadcasting
service)

It's generally accepted that KDKA in East Pittsburgh was the first
station authorized in the U.S. specifically for the purpose of
broadcasting. WWJ (Detroit), WHA (Madison, Wis.), and KCBS (San
Francisco, originally in San Jose) claim to have been on the air first
but not with broadcasting licenses.
--
Doug Smith W9WI
Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66
http://www.w9wi.com