Voice heard ’round the world: Voice of America museum near Cincinnati a historical marvel
WEST CHESTER, Ohio — Imagine, if you will, a voice so strong that it shakes the very foundations of global tyranny.
In the early days of World War II, a group of Americans, including President Franklin Roosevelt, actor and director John Houseman and Cincinnati entrepreneur Powell Crosley Jr. imagined such a voice, one that could counter Nazi propaganda in Hitler’s own backyard.
They named it The Voice of America.
I got to visit this museum the last time I went to the Dayton Hamvention. If you ever get to Dayton, make sure this is on your list of things to do…Dan
From the Austin (MN) Daily Herald….
Ask a Trooper: Ham radio license allows for scanner
Question: I have a friend who drives around with a scanner in his vehicle. He says because he has a ham radio license it’s legal, is that true?
Answer: Your friend is correct. Peace officers, the State Patrol, and people with an amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission are allowed to have a scanner in their vehicle. Emergency response personnel are also allowed to use scanners if they’re employed or authorized by the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision to provide fire suppression, police protection, emergency medical services, or emergency activities relating to health and safety and in compliance with the requirements of the state statute.
People not authorized to use a scanner could be found guilty of a misdemeanor. Second and subsequent offenses are gross misdemeanors.
People using such devices while committing or attempting to commit a felony could be convicted of a felony.
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention, and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848 or reach at, [email protected]).
From the Georgetown (CA) Gazette…
Radio to the rescue
As the most recent series of storms showed, power and communications infrastructure can be vulnerable, resulting in extended outages. Many El Dorado County (CA) residents not only lost power during these storms but also vital phone and internet services failed and residents could not reach 911. In areas where heavy snow fell residents were cut off or trapped at home and did not know how or where to obtain vital help or supplies. Even the 24/7 emergency telephone outside the Georgetown Fire Department’s Volcanoville fire station went dead due to downed power and telephone lines.
Since 2019 the El Dorado County Amateur Radio Club has implemented neighborhood radio watch programs throughout El Dorado County.
Dave New, N8SBE says
A friend mine and I got the “cook’s tour” of the VOA Bethany relay station, when it was a going concern. We visited on the Sunday of Dayton, after the prize drawing, on our way back to Tennessee at the time. We just went up and knocked on the door, and were greeted and shown around like royalty, including a visit to the antenna switch bay when they were switching from one curtain array to another. The feed lines were made of water pipe, and at night when the humidity was high, Jacob’s ladders were run down the feed lines across the fields. They had a screen room so they could make oscilloscope measurements, not so much because of their signal, but they were next door to a clear-channel AM broadcast station that essentially got into everything there.
This was long before cell phones with their ever-present cameras, and I didn’t have a camera with me then, so no pictures of our visit. It is still clear in my mind, though, the look/sound/smell of the place, and the friendliness of everyone there. It’s an era long gone, though, with everything moving to satellite service. The few remaining shortwave services are religious or heavily political.