New Uses for Old Frequencies Rhombic True and False Airwaves

This column is open to your considered comments. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Monitoring Times. Your letters may be edited or shortened for clarity and length. Please mail to Letters to the Editor, 7540 Hwy 64 West, Brasstown, NC 28902 or email [email protected] Happy monitoring! Rachel Baughn, Editor Rachel Baughn [email protected] New Uses for Old According to web references, it is theoreti- Keep up the great work and thanks for the terrific cally a switchable array of folded monopoles made article.” Frequencies directional by a rear screen. But it certainly isn’t a Don Young N2DY “Bob, I noted something interesting about the rhombic. ‘new’ frequencies of WWCR in Nashville. They are I’ve often wondered why they didn’t just use very close to the old RCMP-Interpol frequencies an Adcock Array! Another Source for New of the 1980s. I just happened to notice the new Bob Grove W8JHD Old-Time Radio frequency of 4.775 kHz is what was probably the “Fred, as a subscriber to Monitoring Times, SSB carrier frequency for 47765.5, listed in [an I enjoy reading your ‘Programming Spotlight’ old] MT clipping and referring to your Shortwave Airwaves are Public! “After reading your article in the Communica- column each month. Frequency Directory. “Your February 2010 column about the “The new FCC Test Freq for WWCR is 4.840 tions column (‘Say Good-Bye to OTA-TV’ MT Feb., 2010), I for one was really upset to think that the ‘Golden Age of Radio’ provoked me to let you kHz. This is close to 4837.5 kHz listed by Steven know about a small outfit that creates new old-time J. Handler in World Radio Communications Guide FCC thinks that they are the sole owners of the air space in the United States. I think that the citizens radio productions. They are called the Atlanta Radio in 1979. Handler would have gotten a kick out of Theater Company, or ARTC. Most of their work is his guide still being used 31 years later. of this country are the owners...I hope your article will wake some of these people up. Why do they in the fields of science fiction, mystery, and horror, “I am interested in these old frequencies. I but they do a few other things as well. suspect some may go back to the 1930s, but there think that they can just keep on selling air space off as they please? OTA-TV is not anywhere near dead. “For years they have performed live in theaters seems to be little information. What I am interested and at special-interest conventions. They now have in are the old Canadian CW-AM nets of RCMP, Million and millions of people bought the digital converter boxes and use them on one or more TVs a broadcasting outlet on an Atlanta-area radio sta- Hudson’s Bay Company, Transcanada Air Lines, tion. They also distribute podcasts and sell CDs. … and other Air Lines, Interpol. I am also interested in their homes. Not everyone can afford to have cable-TV...The taxpayers of this country should not Their website is www.artc.org. in the SSB nets post WWII. “I have attended a number of their perfor- “In the U.S., I find very little info on callsigns have to pay for any more new TV systems.” Joseph Connelly, North Bergen, NJ mances. Even though they are an all-volunteer of the Civilian Conservation Corps. In a list I am group, their work is of high quality and worthy of compiling of the CCC camps, I find no callsigns for While the FCC does not claim to own U.S. wider notice.” New York, New England and Texas. Any ideas? Mike Rogers, Hixson, TN “In the event I get a website up on ancient airwaves, it does claim to represent the interests of communication , could I have permission to copy the people in attempting to decide spectrum issues. But, thanks to an over-friendly relationship with Thank you for the heads up about the Atlanta the RCMP-Interpol frequency, callsign, location Radio Theater Company. It’s something I will cer- info from your Shortwave Frequency Directory business interests, the result of a lucrative “revolv- ing door” policy that allows FCC commissioners to tainly look into! I’m a big fan of old time radio and with proper credit to you?” those that keep it alive. Sounds like an interesting Don LeFevre KD5RCG move seamlessly between adjudicating the interest of the people and working for industry, the real group. There is also a program on BBC Radio 7, Absolutely; I’d be delighted to know that the interests of the people appear to be shortchanged. Interestingly, this cozy relationship thrives regard- which reconstructs old Marx Brothers radio scripts. old Shortwave Frequency Directory is still useful! It makes me wonder if they are done by the same Just give the attribution to be safe. less of which party is in power. Without any groundswell of rebuke by the group or another similar group, and just how many Good luck in your frequency search. such groups exist. A future column for sure! Bob Grove people, the FCC and commercial interests will continue to push for changes that will not sit well Thanks for the feedback; it’s very much ap- with many of us. Your recourse is to write your preciated. Rhombic True and False congressional representatives and urge them to Fred Waterer “In the November Monitoring Times under protect OTA broadcasting. Letters there are comments about the Navy AN/ The FCC allows comment from individuals Longwave Kudos FRD-10 antenna. Most of the information is ac- on various issues that are before it. However, this is “Hey Kevin, Thanks for your interesting curate, but it is referred to as a ‘rhombic direction- usually done during an official “comment” period, article about longwave websites to bookmark in finding antenna.’ of which most individuals are unaware, but which the April issue. I`ve just gotten interested in the “A rhombic antenna is a fantastic, highly are widely known among industry lobbyists. For basement band and have logged several stations directional, but absolutely fixed antenna. Once the more information about FCC policies got to www. already. Your article was a real help for me in finding poles are planted to support the wire it does not fcc.gov or call toll free at 888-225-5322 or FAX toll places to look things up and people that share my move. free at 866-481-0232. interest in the basement band! I like your articles “On a related subject, the Maritime Radio Ken Reitz and loggings. Real neat stuff.” Historical Society is looking for funding to restore Robbie Spain, Wyoming the remaining rhombic antenna at the KPH Receiv- ing Station (‘RS’) in Point Reyes, California. At Flying High one time RCA had many of those antennas, and Rick NQ4I forwarded the following email Robert Thomas one remains, although some of the wires are on the regarding his First Person Radio article “CQ at MT Frequency Manager Gayle Van Horn ground.” 51,000 feet and 565 MPH” (MT March, 2010): says, “One of my long-time frequency contribu- Bill Ruck, Maintenance, Maritime Radio tors passed away March 30. For over ten years, Historical Society “Rick, I just wanted to let you know that I Robert Thomas of Bridgeport, CT kept me up really enjoyed your article in this month’s Monitor- to date from his monitoring the new seasonal ing Times. It’s great the way you have been able to I see various references to the AN/FRD-10 as changes. Like clock work, Bob was always there, ‘Classic Bullseye,’ Wullenweber Array,’ ‘Circularly combine your two favorite hobbies into a career and serious contesting. Your HF contesting station and I will miss his friendship and correspon- Disposed Dipole Array (CDDA),’ ‘Circularly Dis- dence.” posed Antenna Array (CDAA),’ ‘Elephant Cage,’ is phenomenal. I have had the pleasure of going on my company’s G-V and it is a beautiful aircraft. We extend our condolences to Robert’s ‘Turkey Cage,’ and ‘Dinosaur Cage!’ family and friends. 74 MONITORING TIMES June 2010.

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