A Team of Highly Experienced Communications Technicians

John Whitford Communications

John’s Story

From a Stunt Show to the High-Tech World

JOHN WHITFORD is a proud native of California. While attending Norco  High, he founded a western stunt team, The Cockeyed Cowboys. The Cowboys preformed thrill shows throughout southern California. The leader, John specialized in high falls and explosions. After high school, John  attended OCBQ Radio School, becoming a Disc Jockey. Following his broadcast dreams, John left California to work at various out-of-state radio stations in Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona. In Arizona, John also worked as a TV antenna installer with Tower Communications and Alpine Communications. He and his cohort installed the first 10ft satellite dish in the Lake Havasu City area. Convinced of the potential of high-tech communications, John returned to California. In 1982, John started his own company serving the Central Coast, John Whitford Communications of Atascadero, CA.

John says, “With my years of radio and TV experience, it was only natural that I start my own business.” John Whitford Communications began by installing TV antennas and large, home satellite dishes. The technology improved, the dishes shrank, and everything changed for viewers. Local folks could get every channel they wanted, no matter where they lived. John installed the first DIRECTV dish in San Luis Obispo County in Atascadero. Once the advantages of the small dish became apparent, sales exploded for DIRECTV and Dish Network. It was an exciting time to be in the industry.

Technological progress accelerated with the arrival of satellite internet and several companies offering service; Hughesnet, Wildblue, Exede, and now Viasat. John Whitford Communications became an early adopter and installer of this exciting technology. John says, “Satellite internet has connected rural folks to the wide world.” Now, anyone can surf the net anytime, anywhere. With high-speed internet came streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, and Prime video. Once again, John saw the future and realized the Internet of Things is going to revolutionize communications again, and he is ready.  John’s business has become one of the largest TV and Internet companies in Central California.

John says, “It’s kind of funny how the past returns, full circle. We’re now installing TV antennas again so people who stream video can get local channels.” John goes on, “If you want the best in TV, satellite is where it’s at, but if cutting cost is important to you, a TV antenna is a money saver.”

Serving the Central Coast has been a dream come true for John Whitford. It provided him a place to call home and to raise a family. His business has grown thanks to the many satisfied clients he gained over the years. “Central Coast people have been great to us and I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” John says. To pay it forward, John offers, as a public service, his ace technician, John Rickwald, as a disaster preparedness educator. Rickwald, a FEMA-trained CERT member, provides a fascinating, personal presentation; a positive approach to disaster preparedness. John Rickwald is also the San Luis Obispo County CERT Trainer. CERT is the Community Emergency Response Team. John Whitford is also a team member. Another way John supports his community is by offering a Mobile Communications Trailer, a donated service in time of need. This high-tech mobile communications node has been deployed by the Red Cross several times across SLO County for disaster response efforts.

John Whitford Communications is an owner-operated business. A hands-on manager, you will find John actively involved answering phones calls, greeting customers in the showroom, and out in the field, working. John Whitford is not just a figurehead but a real person you can meet and talk with, getting the answers you need regarding communications. John and his team have the experience and knowledge to handle every size project, from the small to the mega, residential or commercial.

Today, John Whitford Communications is a full-service communications company offering nearly every type of installed and connected device. John Whitford attends several training classes each year and tests new products monthly. He is, as he has always been, up-to-date with the latest technology. John says, “I love this stuff, it’s always changing, so it’s always exciting. We’ve done many fascinating projects; connecting remote locations for the USGS, amazing home theater systems, high-fidelity sound systems, military and NASA projects, as well as basic home installations. We get to meet some great people. That’s the best part.” John hopes to meet you soon.