Honduras Radio Tegucigalpa

Radio in Honduras dates back to 1928, when the Tela Railroad Company established Tropical Radio . The first commercial radio station, Radio HRN, dates to 1933.

History

In August, 1920, a group known as “Los Chicos del Coliseo”, began broadcasting from Teatro Coliseo in Buenos Aires. It would take many years for radio to arrive at faraway countries, like in the isthmus of Central America. In Honduras, for example, someone had begun to experiment with local transmissions.

Investment from the USA known as “bananeras”, were just a few of the companies providing employment before and after World War II. In 1928, the Tela Railroad Company, one of the major two, had secured a license to establish its radio station known as Tropical Radio. Its signal located on the dial was in the 51 meters, short-wave. This historic fact, therefore, establishes HRB, La Voz del Trópico, as the first radio station of Honduras.

What it’s not mentioned often enough, is that, HRB was NOT a commercial radio enterprise, rather, a medium for the Tela Railroad company to broadcast its own bulletins while playing recorded music as well as featuring live performances by local known talent like The Sisters Cordova act, pianist Guadalupe Ferrari Hartling, marimba bands, singers, poets and other artists. HRB however, did not last long but precipitated a chain of events in where several individuals wanting to follow on their footsteps, decided to keep the flame alive.

Mr. Rafael Ferrari Garcia, a young entrepreneur with high ambitions but short on resources, decided to mortgage everything he owned to embark on a risky plan, requesting and receiving permission to install the first commercial radio station in Tegucigalpa, its name: “La Voz del Comercio” and to maintain this newly created enterprise operating, he went out to secure sponsorship or commercial announcements from the local businesses, either retail, professionals or government agencies.

From this, HRN, La Primera Emisora del País, was born and it should also be noted that Mr. Ferrari would be credited as being the first radio personality of Honduras.

The station was officially founded November 1 , 1933 and listed Kenneth See and Paul John as the principal technical engineers, attorney Manuel Bonilla Rodriguez, Nicholas Odeh, Rodolfo Brevé Martinez and of course, Mr. Ferrari, as the station’s staff announcers.

Attorney Bonilla Rodriguez enjoys the distinction of having been the first to describe a soccer game in 1935 between a team from the neighboring country of Costa Rica and one of the most revered teams of Honduras, Club Motagua. Assisting Mr. Bonilla as engineer was Nat Lopez Fuentes, the latter, a member of a family dynasty of radio individuals, known throughout the country.

There were only a handful of radio sets and in order to reach a wide audience, Mr. Ferrari decided to install loud-speakers at various locations in Tegucigalpa. This was a daily past-time and also a special occasion for the locals to meet and enjoy the programming, casual conversation or just getting together.

In the beginning, the programming was limited to news, government bulletins and recorded music. However, in the 1940’s, the station acquires more powerful equipment, reaching audiences in faraway countries on its short-wave signal. This makes HRN very important during War World II in that, the station began re-transmitting information from affiliates BBC from London and NBC from the United States.

Mr. Ferrari continues to support local talent by broadcasting programming, which included pianists, marimba bands, orchestras, singers, poets, composers, comedians and amateur artists.

After the War, Europe, Asia and North America began to rebuild their economies and Honduras enjoys some prosperity and tranquility under the administration of the Carias Andino regime. HRN positions itself as one of the many private enterprises enjoying a modest increase in business. During this time, the station had replaced “La Voz del Comercio” for what became it’s trademark: "LA VOZ DE HONDURAS".

Mr. Ferrari decides to expand, giving opportunities to a younger generation of promising individuals. From this list, some later became household names helping in solidifying HRN as one of the most powerful names in the Central American radio industry.

1. Rafael Ferrari García
2. NAHUM VALLADARES (*)
3. Nicholas Odeh
4. Manuel Bonilla Rodriguez
5. Rodolfo Brevé Martinez
6. Rigoberto Cuellar Cerrato
7. Gustavo Acosta Mejía
8. Raul Agüero Neda
9. Christina Rubio
10. Manuel Villeda Toledo
11. Francisco Rolando Ramos
12. Antonio Mazariegos y Velasco
13. Ruben “Chito” Fuentes Flores
14. Moisés Ulloa Duarte
15. Orfa Mejía Arauz
16. Jorge Figueroa Rush
17. Roberto Diaz Lechuga
18. Carlos Eduardo Riedel Morales
19. Hector Maradiaga Mendoza
20. Sigfrido Munéz

(*) Nahum Valladares , is considered by his peers in and outside Honduras, one of the best announcers of all time.

(The writer of this article, Roque Moran Hernandez, had the distinction of being a member of the staff of announcers during the glory days of HRN in the late 1950's).

Radio America

1948 marks another milestone of major significance. The entry of RADIO AMERICA.

During these years, Tegucigalpa, the capital, boasting two cities divided by the Rio Choluteca, was nevertheless a very small metropolis, both geographically and in population. Considering today’s standards, three kilowatts it’s not a powerful signal, but, as mentioned above, this was sufficient, especially for exploratory purposes in early broadcasting. In very short time, Radio America increased it’s power and with ten kilowatts was able to reach audiences in the twin cities: Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela.

The station was first owned by Sergio Castellón, who, within a few years sold it to a Cuban entrepreneur by the name of Silvio Peña. The latter, bringing the Cuban concept and injecting a fresh approach, beginning with the creation of live performances, especially in the area of one of the most used formats in radio and later on Television, that of the “radio-novela”, or soap-opera. To this effort, Mr. Peña hires Emilio Díaz and the two bring programs that were popular in Cuba, like “La Tremenda Corte”, one of the most revered of the island, which featured an awesome and talented group of performers known throughout Latin America.

Subsequently, doctor Andonie Fernandez acquires ownership, keeping the tradition and bringing in a new era. Several well planned changes take place. The most important at that time was the addition of well known radio personalities as well as bringing the best rated program “Platicando con mi Barbero”, (after the cast’s parting with HRN). This program featured a formidable group headed by the renowned humorist Herman Allan Padgett, considered a genius for his great range and originality.

Padgett had formed an alliance with the best talent of the time, which included: Julio Lopez Fuentes, Abelardo Enrique Avendaño and one of the most beloved radio figures, Ricardo Antonio Redondo Licona, all of them, starts in their own right.

Just like HRN, Radio America continues to strive. Mr. Fernandez, having created his own conglomerate, has cemented a distinguish reputation in the communication industry of Central America.

No doubt, when historians look back at the glory days of radio, these individuals will be remembered as the true “Pioneers of Radio in Honduras.

References

Sources

• Valladares, Nahum (2000). "La Historia de la Radio en el Siglo XX", UNAH. 384.54-V176.C2.

"La historia de la Radio en el siglo XX". "Grandes Veteranos de la HRN"

• Valladares, Nahum (2008). "Grandes Veteranos de la HRN", "La Tribuna.hn, article/47768/2008-11-04

Honduras Radio Stations Live - Listen Online

Honduras Radio Stations.Listen to over 3000 Radio Stations. Listen to Online Radio ... Radio HRN: Tegucigalpa: Mix: Listen Live: Super 100 Stereo: Tegucigalpa: Mix: Listen Live

...

Radio America - Tegucigalpa - Honduras - Internet Radio & Television ...

Alsat TV links to its internet broadcast signal, Alsat TV Homepage, etc

...

Power Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa/Honduras) - Radio and TV stations in ...

Power Tegucigalpa: traditional/folk music - listen and get familiarized how people speak the Spanish in Tegucigalpa/Honduras.

...

RadioStationWorld - Honduras - Radio Station Websites

Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazan Province, Honduras: AM RADIO: 610: 10kW : Radio America |on FM - Tegucigalpa (Francisco Morazan) 670: 10kW: Radio HRN |on FM - Tegucigalpa (Francisco Morazan)

...

Tegucigalpa, Honduras News - Topix

Honduras radio station attacked. Nov 7 ... Tegucigalpa, Nov 4 Honduras' constitutional President Manuel Zelaya warned that the United ...

...

Letters From the Missionary - Tegucigalpa, Honduras

LETTER #1 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)

...

Internet radio stations and TV online from Honduras | Online Radio ...

HRN La Voz de Honduras: Radio: Tegucigalpa: 32: Spanish: HRVC La Voz Evangelica: Radio: Tegucigalpa: 32: Spanish: Maya TV: TV: Tegucigalpa: 150: Spanish: Radio America: Radio

...

Honduras Radio Stations - Listen Online

Honduras Radio Stations ... San Pedro Sula: Tegucigalpa: More in Honduras... Find: (Advanced)

...

Radio America Honduras - Radio América 610 AM Tegucigalpa ...

Radio America Honduras - Radio América 610 AM Tegucigalpa, Tegucigalpa - listen online, hosts, location, and broadcast information

...

LIVE Honduras Radio Stations broadcasting on internet

Honduras Radio Stations ... Tegucigalpa: 32 Kbps: Adult Contemporany : Alternativa 103: Tegucigalpa: 32 Kbps: Christian ...

...