In 1965, an array of 32 antennas was installed at the Empire State Building in New York City. They were mounted in a ring around the 102nd floor of the building, with 16 above and 16 below 102nd Floor Observatory. At one time, 16 New York City FM stations operated from this antenna array, known as the Alford Antenna (named after Andrew Alford, the design engineer), making it the largest combined FM station system in the world.
Many years later, the NYC FM stations constructed a new multi-user antenna system on the broadcast tower that extends above the 104th floor of the building, but they continued to use the Alford Antenna as a backup system when the main antenna needed to be shut down for repair or maintenance.
Several years ago, the antenna was decommissioned and removed from the building. Some of the antenna elements have been relocated to various people and locations. Recently, Bud Williamson, chapter chair of SBE Chapter 15 New York City, and Andy Gladding, CBT, moved the remaining 14 elements that were in storage in Manhattan and moved them to a site in New Jersey to save them from becoming scrap. The question remained: What to do with them?
Bud contacted the SBE National Office with a suggestion: Auction the antennas and give the proceeds to the SBE Ennes Educational Foundation Trust general scholarship fund. If you would like to own a piece of history, you can. Here’s how:
Until April 30, 2025, the SBE is accepting sealed bids for an antenna element. Use the online form to submit your bid, or send a letter to the SBE. Mailed letters must be received at the SBE National Office by 4:30 p.m. April 30, 2025, to be included. The minimum suggested bid is $300. The top 14 bidders will be notified and payment collected by credit card. The Ennes Educational Foundation Trust will receive all proceeds.
The winning bids must arrange for pickup on-site in New Jersey, either personally or through a shipping service provider. The organizers will not handle shipping. Complete rules follow.
This is your chance to own a piece of history and support the educational efforts of the SBE and the Ennes Educational Foundation Trust.
The name and image of the Empire State Building are registered trademarks of ESRT Empire State Building, L.L.C. The Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT) owns the building and enforces these trademarks under U.S. and international law. ESRT is not affiliated in any manner with the Alford Antenna Auction, the Ennes Educational Foundation Trust or The Society of Broadcast Engineers Inc.
Source of some historical information: https://www.smithandfisher.com/the-story-of-the-alford-antenna-on-the-empire-state-building/
Photos from NAB Pilot.
Alford Antenna Auction
Complete this form to place a monetary bid in the SBE Educational Foundation Trust Alford Antenna Auction.
Alford Antenna Auction Official Rules:
Bids on one of fourteen (14) will be accepted via the online form or by letter mailed to the SBE National Office (Antenna Bid, c/o the Society of Broadcast Engineers; 9102 N Meridian St, Ste 150; Indianapolis IN 46260). Bids must be received by April 30, 2025, 4:30 p.m. EDT.
The SBE or anyone working on the auction are not responsible for lost or missing bids, whether submitted online or by mail.
One bid per person. Payment must be in US Dollars. If multiple bids are received from an individual, the highest bid will be accepted.
Winning bidders will be notified by May 2, 2025. Payment must be received by May 5, 2025.
Antennas must be picked up on site in Hackensack, NJ, by May 31, or at the SBE Chapter 15 meeting on June 19, 2025, at the Armstrong Tower. Auction organizers will not provide packing or shipping services.
Antennas that are not picked up by June 21, 2025, will be offered to the next highest bidder. Any received payment for antennas not picked up will not be refunded to the bidder.
If a winning bidder does not provide payment by the deadline, the next highest bidder will be contacted until all 14 antennas have been paid for and picked up.
By submitting a bid, you agree to the rules of this auction.
By submitting a bid, you agree to make a donation and pickup the antenna if you are a winning bidder.
Other Information
Each antenna weighs about 100 pounds (45 kg). The antennas are a “T” shape and measure 33″ tall, 5.5″ thick and 56″ long.
