Note
Radio News, Jan 1946, p. 121. (teaser ad)
Radio Craft, Feb 1946, back cover. (teaser ad)
Radio News, Mar 1946, p. 95.
Radio Craft, Mar 1946, p. 405.
Let's start with the name. Kluge. It would be fun to refer to the California Kilowatt using the pronunciation of kluge that virtually all amateurs use derisively to describe a poorly constructed or ill-conceived piece of equipment. But the name belongs to Kluge Electronics president Myron E. Kluge, and is pronounced "kloog," from the German word meaning clever. Still, probably not the best choice for a company name.
A teaser ad in February 1946 promised a "new era" for hams, and went on to say "It's so logical, so ingenious in its use advanced electronics and ultra-modern principles of design..."
The following month Kluge revealed the big secret--a desk console--with an that said, "Premier showings...will be held in key cities soon throughout the nation..." As of this writing, none have been found, and it is widely believed that none were ever made, beyond, perhaps, a prototype. "Designed and engineered to bring amateur radio out of the attic and shack and into the living room."
The transmitter, modulator, and power supply were housed in the cabinets on the left and right sides. The cabinet doors would have made adjustments to any of these pieces inconvenient while seated in the operating position.
While the unit is shown with what appears to be an RME 45 receiver, ad copy said that there were "provisions for your choice of receiver." It isn't clear from this brief statement if you could specify the receiver you wanted and Kluge would install it for you, or if you had to provide and install the receiver yourself.
Advertising also said that a VFO was provided, but it is conspicuously absent from the front panel. Having to reach over or around the cabinet door to adjust the frequency would have been a pain.
The California Kilowatt also includes a built-in speaker (with provisions for a "high fidelity" remote speaker,) a "built-in frequency monitor--all band crystal controlled," a 24-hour clock, and an illuminated map of the world with a cork backing. The map and main section of the console could fold down to create a flat surface and hide the equipment.
In spite of the name "California Kilowatt," generally construed to mean some level of power above the legal limit, the Kluge ran only 1000 watts.
The price was left unstated but Kluge said, "...costs far less than you would expect to pay for a transmitter alone."
This concept of an amateur radio station as furniture was subsequently explored by E. F. Johnson with the Desk Kilowatt (1954), by Hallicrafters with the SR-500 (1955), and by Morrow with the MAH (1956), all of which were only modestly successful.
Frequency coverage: 80–10 meters
Modes: AM, CW
RF Power: 1000 watts (input or output not specified)
Other specifications not provided.
120/240 VAC
