Overview
Gates-Harris was a branding used by Harris Corporation for its broadcast communications equipment following the acquisition of Gates Radio Company. The name appeared on a wide range of professional radio and television transmission products and studio equipment during the mid-to-late 20th century.
Technical Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Gates-Harris |
| Parent Company | Harris Corporation |
| Origin | Gates Radio Company (acquired 1957) |
| Industry | Broadcast Communications Equipment |
| Primary Products | AM/FM transmitters, TV transmitters, studio consoles, audio processing equipment |
| Active Period | Primarily 1960s–1980s |
Description
Gates-Harris equipment was designed for professional broadcast use, serving AM and FM radio stations as well as television broadcasters. Product offerings included high-power transmitters, audio consoles, limiters, turntables, and studio support equipment.
The Gates-Harris name reflected the integration of Gates Radio Company into Harris Corporation, combining Gates’ established reputation in broadcast equipment with Harris’s expanding electronics and communications capabilities.
Equipment bearing the Gates-Harris name was widely used in commercial broadcasting and is still recognized among broadcast engineers and collectors.
History
In 1957, Harris-Intertype Corporation acquired Gates Radio Company of Quincy, Illinois. Initially, the Gates name continued as a division within Harris.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the branding “Gates-Harris” began appearing on equipment, reflecting closer integration between the two organizations. This period marked significant growth in broadcast infrastructure, and Gates-Harris became a major supplier of transmission and studio equipment.
By the 1980s, Harris began consolidating branding under its corporate identity, gradually phasing out the Gates-Harris name in favor of Harris. Despite this, the Gates and Gates-Harris names remained well known in the broadcast industry.