This Is| The American Forces Thailand Network (AFTN) was an affiliate
of the American Forces Radio and Television Service. AFRTS is a worldwide operation, working directly for the Department of
Defense. AFTN operated a complete radio and television station at Nakhon Phanom to bring you the "hometown sights and sounds" during your tour. A stereo FM station was scheduled for operation in the near future. FM monaural radio was on the air 24 hours a day with the latest hit recordings. The television station, Channel 74, operated from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. seven days a week. When there was a major sporting event in the states, it was usually possible to have it aired over AFTN within a couple of days via video tape. Both radio and TV boasted a fully staffed team of professional broadcasters providing a wide range of entertainment and information. NKP Radio in l966 and AFTN NKP in l967
NKP Radio (1966) was on the air prior to the establishment of the American Forces Thailand Network building in l967. Radio NKP operated out of the back of the 56th Air Commando Wing commander's office, next to the flight line. The microphone used was a stadium mike, and the board was homemade with an 8-day clock. It included a switch for choice of automatic turntable #1, or broadcast turntable# 2. There was another switch to choose local broadcast or "network news" which was coming in on a telephone line from AFVN in Saigon. Transmission was via a 40W transmitter radiating a 40W light bulb. The door to the office/studio was a swinging door that opened to the flightline and when the A1Es ran their engines up, the prop wash blew open the door. The fire station blew a whistle every day at noon and set their clock by the radio station. In turn, the station set its clock everyday when they heard the whistle. On the right above is SSgt Mike Kinchen . The phrase used by the broadcasters was this: "Serving You as You Serve in Southeast Asia" (At that time, NKP RTAFB was a classified location) |
Mike Kinchen at NKP Radio
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 Mike Kinchen on the air at NKP Radio |
