Career Spanning Over Half a Century Comes to an End: Brian Cunningham Bids Farewell After 56 Years in Profession
Brian Cunningham, a renowned figure in the radio engineering industry, recently announced his retirement from Crawford Broadcasting [1]. Cunningham spent nearly half of his 56-year career with the company, initially in a contract-based role and later moving on to full-time employment.
Cunningham's technical journey began early, with his father's radio and television sales and service company fostering his interest in electronics. As a high-schooler, he gained hands-on experience at a radio station through a two-hour radio show sponsorship by his father's company [1].
In 1991, Cunningham moved to Orchard Park, New York, where he worked as a maintenance engineer for a local factory. He later secured engineering roles at various radio stations, eventually joining Crawford Broadcasting through a contract engineering firm before becoming a full-time employee in 2002 [1].
Cunningham oversaw three full-power signals and two translators for Crawford in western New York, playing a crucial role in maintaining the company's technical reliability and quality [1][2]. Crawford Broadcasting currently operates these stations in Buffalo and Rochester, New York.
Cris Alexander, Crawford's director of engineering, expressed regret over Cunningham's retirement in the July Local Oscillator newsletter. He lauded Cunningham's ability to "think on his feet" during off-air emergencies and credited him as a key creator of Crawford's new Buffalo studios and transmitter plants [1].
Alexander also suggested the possibility of Cunningham working with the company in the future. In response to medical issues, Cunningham initiated a search to find his replacement [1].
For those interested in Cunningham's advice on checking backups, an article titled "A Workbench Featuring Cunningham's Advice on Checking Backups" is available [1].
As Cunningham bids farewell to Crawford Broadcasting, his contributions to the radio engineering industry and Crawford's regional presence will undoubtedly be missed.
[1] - Crawford Broadcasting's July Local Oscillator newsletter [2] - Various sources on the operations of Crawford Broadcasting in Buffalo and Rochester, New York
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- Brian Cunningham, a notable figure in the radio engineering industry, had spent nearly half of his 56-year career with Crawford Broadcasting, overseeing three full-power signals and two translators for the company in western New York.
- Cunningham's technical knowledge and expertise were crucial in maintaining Crawford's technical reliability and quality, and he played a significant role in the development of the company's new Buffalo studios and transmitter plants.
- In the July Local Oscillator newsletter, Crawford's director of engineering, Cris Alexander, expressed regret over Cunningham's retirement and lauded his ability to "think on his feet" during off-air emergencies.
- Alexander also suggested the possibility of Cunningham working with the company in the future and credited him for creating Crawford's new Buffalo studios and transmitter plants.
- For those interested in Cunningham's advice on checking backups, an article titled "A Workbench Featuring Cunningham's Advice on Checking Backups" is available and offers insights from the retiring radio engineer.
