Year Born: 1890
Year Died: 1971
Year of Induction: 1985
Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame
Holstead, Arthur “Sparks” (1890-1971)
In 1923, Arthur “Sparks” Holstead obtained a license for a 10 watt radio station in Nanaimo, B.C. with the call letters CFDC using recordings from the local music store, broadcast a couple of hours each evening.
In 1925, he moved his transmitter (without authorization) and carried on broadcasting from Vancouver; after a brief “off air” period occasioned by Ottawa officials, he returned to the air using the call letters CKWX.
He obtained authority in 1928, to increase power to 100 watts with a somewhat expanded broadcast schedule.
In 1940, while maintaining control and Presidency, he sold an interest in CKWX to principals of Taylor, Pearson and Carson of Calgary, which took over the day to day management of the station and a power increase to 1,000 watts.
In 1985, Arthur “Sparks” Holstead was inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame.
Arthur Holstead died in North Vancouver on January 14th, 1971 at age 81.
Written by J. Lyman Potts – September, 1996