Society of Wireless Pioneers - California Historical Radio Society

The World Wireless Beacon

Newsletter of the Society of Wireless Pioneers, Inc., P.O. Box 86, Geyserville, CA 95441 - 0086 USA

Vol. 11 No. 3 September 1999

END OF MORSE AT KPH

by historically correct Mackay Radio into the fraternity. This is of course a radiogram blanks. I secretly dared hope ceremony we have not been permitted Dick Dillman, W6AWO that I myself might be permitted to to witness, a ceremony that will never Chief Operator at K6KPH of the send these messages. I brought along again take place. Maritime Radio Historical Society Col­ my favorite straight key in its carrying I sat down next to Paul Zell as we lector Of Heaw Metal: Harlevs, Willvs case and my radiotelegraph license just listened to Russian and Cuban ships and Radios Over lOOlbs. in case. calling their respective coast stations. I Printed with permission I have visited KFS many times over the realized that true to its nature, Morse years. On my first visit the operating will cany? on in other parts of the world The end came yesterday. We knew room had nothing but Morse positions. even after the keyes in North America it had to come. But the end had been Over the years the number of com­ are finally silent. I had to ask Paul the predicted so many times for so many puters steadily advanced as the Morse question... “How are you feeling about years while Morse soldiered on. paying positions retreated to the west end of today?” An impossible question to no attention, providing good, reliable the building. When we walked in answer but he answered it. “CW was service for decades after it was declared yesterday both sides of the operating my life,” he said and turned back to the dead... maybe some ot thought the day room were lined with racks holding receiver. would never come. But when KPH/ sleek black computers and monitors. More people started to arrive, a surpris­ KFS signed off the air for the last time And way down at the end was the one yesterday it was the end of commercial ing number of reporters among them. remaining Morse operating position. Morse in North America. But the real dignitaries in my eyes were Tom spotted him first... Paul Zell, the the radio men and women who knew It was a sad day but one I knew I morse operator on duty. We knew him they had to be there on this day. Jack couldn’t miss. by his green eyeshade. All real radiote­ Martini, manager of KPH when it shut Tom Horsfall, WA60PE and I were legraph operators seem to wear green down (he intentionally left the receivers invited along with many others to be eyeshades. Pictures I have taken at on when he left). Ray Smith, thfc present at the Half Moon Bay master KFS and KPH decades ago show men operator who sent the farewell message station of Globe Wireless from which in green eyeshades at the key or the when KPH at Bolinas/Pt. Reyes shut the final messages would be sent. I held Kleinschmidt. Pictures taken at those down. John Brundage, manager of m my hand two messages 1 hoped to stations decades before that show the KFS in its golden age of Morse. have transmitted. They were messages same thing. I am convinced that there Denise, the first female coast station ot greeting and farewell from the is a secret ceremony of the green operator on the west coast. Rex Patter­ Maritime Radio Historical Society and eyeshade in which the distinctive son, chief engineer at KFS in its glory the San Francisco Maritime Historical headgear is carefully placed upon the (continued next page) Park -typed of course with a mill on head of the operator newly welcomed The World Wireless Beacon September 1999

END OF MORSE AT KPH Then he copied the last commercial praise indeed in that crowd. message KFS would receive, from the From Page 1 Then the final messages from KFS/ Liberty ship Jeremiah O’Brien/KXCH KPH began. Paul Zell sent the first years. And many more. We swapped on 500kc. The op on the O’Brien said ones. Then Tim Gorman sat down and stories and I showed them my photo he would standby until 15 past the proved himself to be much more than album. We ate from the delicious hour. Zell replied “better make that IX just a competent manager. He sent the spread of food provided by Peter past, OM.” The operator on the final message in meticulous Morse Kierans of Globe Wireless. But our O’Brien understood and said that yes, using the chrome-plated Vibroplex, sig­ eyes kept glancing at the clock. It was he would observe the silent period - ned off with “What hath God now less than two hours to the end. which ot course is no longer required wrought”... then SK... and it was over. by regulation but is absolutely required I finally screwed my courage to the by tradition. Then Paul said that he’d There were wet eves in that room, sticking place and asked Tim Gorman, standby “on will” The crowd got a big mine among them. I heard more than Director of Operations, if my messages kick out ot that - Win meters instead of one tough-looking old timer mumble, might be sent and if, perhaps, I might 500kc. Subtle, but all the more mean­ ”1 didn’t think it would get to me, be permitted to send them. Tim had ingful tor that. but...” and then turn away. met me only that day. I might be a fumble-fisted lid for all he knew. And I saw' Tim approaching me across the I had one further item on my agenda: he was busy with the press and with all room: “Get your key.-.”, he said. Get j-fy r tf if r n y |i.-* p itted the details of the ceremony. "We'll your key! Holy mackerel, they were as an ooeratort at KFS,'KPH on the last see...”, he said. And that was enough going to let me do it! So I got out the day of North American Morse. Once for me. key, gathered up my messages, and again Tim Gorman showed himself to plugged in. But then I realized: the best be a gracious and understanding man Now the final transmissions from Morse operators in the country... the as he took pen in hand to write WCC/WNU began. We copied them best Morse operators in the world, “satisfactory” in the blank provided for off the air. The room fell silent. I probably... would be listening to every operator evaluation on the back of the noticed one man in particular. He was dot and dash I sent! They would be too license and add his signature. probably the oldest person there but polite to say anything if I flubbed it of had a presence that we used to call Finally it was time to go. I gathered up course... but they and I and everyone “spry”. He had a quick laugh and mv key and my photos and my papers else in the room and all the ships at sea twinkling eye. I watched him now. He and shook hands once more with all would know'! My palms started to stood leaning forward, eyes closed, as the great men and women who were .sweat at that thought but there was no the sound washed over him.... drinking there. And finally we were heading turning back now. I took Paul Zell’s in... the Morse. He was a pioneer north on highway 1 with the beautiful seat. I sent a couple if Vs to see if there operator, the genuine article, no doubt Pacific sunset on our left and the green was side tone in the ‘phones. The knob about it. I wanted to meet him, to ask coastal hills on the right. “That was one on the key was loose! I tightened that his name at least. But of course I helluva day,” Tom said. “Y ep” I up... and began to send. couldn’t possibly interrupt his reverie. agreed. I sent the first message from the Paul Zell sent the first of the KFS/KPH Vy 73, Maritime Radio Historical Society and sign off messages from the local posi­ all went well. Then I signed the station Dick/”RD” tion. Again we were all silent and when calls., “de KPH/KFS” Tom and a few he finished... there was a round of others noticed that I sent KPH first and applause! Applause for a radiotele­ understood why. Then the second mes­ graph operator! Well deserved sage from the San Francisco Maritime applause, deserved by even' radiotele­ Historical Park. And the calls again- graph operator everywhere, applause followed by my “sine”... and K. I had Please see back page (Page 12) for unheard for i>0 years. Paul made a gotten through it! And there was a copy by Ben Russell SOWP 1X53 small, embarrassed nod of his head, round of applause for me! Thoroughly V, N6SL accepting the tribute for himself and for undeserved but very much appreciated. all the operators on all the ships and at Someone even said, “Nice fist”. High all the coast stations over the years. The World Wireless Beacon September 1993

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Motor Tanker "Josiah Macy" (Pb ote provided by Peg McKinney)

A VOYAGE TO portion of the bridge deck. There was a transmitters and checked the batteries, narrow door connecting the two rooms auto-alarm etc. for the trip back across FREETOWN that was out of sight behind the radio the South Atlantic. (Continued from June 1999 YVWB) room door whenever the radio room It was on the second night out of door was fully opened. On earlier Aboard SS Josiah Macy/HPFE Freetown when I was awakened by a occasions when the radio room had crew member shouting, "Get on the April 15,1941: been "sealed” no one had entered my bridge, the mate needs help, there’s stateroom. If they entered the radio By John McKinney someone blinking at us!” I jumped into room they would have found the door a pair of trousers and hurried through SOWP 1001-P, WOAP fully opened and hooked back against the wheelhouse to the starboard wing the bulkhead, concealing the presence 1 found the radio room still sealed off of the bridge where the second mate of the second door. I never volunteered and to my knowledge no inspection of was staring at a fast-blinking signal light this information to the authorities as I the seal was made by the port auth­ off the starboard bow. By the time I found it most convenient to have access ority. Not that it mattered, for in reality reached for our blinker light key to the typewriter, stationery, tools etc. 1 had full access to the room and its beneath the bridge rail, Captain Wing that were kept in the room. contents when this door from the appeared in pajamas, bathrobe and passageway -was sealed. As 1 mentioned After clearing the room of cameras and slippers from his quarters on the deck before, my stateroom and the radio two or three personal radios, I began (continued next page) room were side by side across the rear standing a listening watch, tested my me woriq wireless Beacon ______September 1999

A VOYAGE TO it to Australia where she joined the and needles for the remainder of that FREETOWN fighting against the Japanese. afternoon, but when we heard no more from the sub, the Captain had the mate This was the first of two successive From Page 3 resume course and posted extra look­ incidents that took place on our return below. In the darkness it was difficult to outs for the night. I had explained the voyage to Aruba. Two days later I was make out the vessel that was signalling shellinq to the operator at WCC who in the radio room on watch at about 2 but from the intensity of the light would check with me every fifteen P.M. ship time when I heard a whine source I knew instantly it had to be a minutes. When we resumed course and overhead followed by a deep "thud" naval vessel. I hit my key a few strokes speed I so notified him and thanked and within seconds another of the same and his dit-dah-dit-dah attention-getting him for his vigilance. I don’t think and a shout from the bridge, “Some­ rhythm stopped and he asked the usual anyone slept too well that night and body's shooting at us, Captain." question, “WHAT SHIP?" I relayed most of the crew quartered below this to the Captain who replied, “WHO Captain Wing, who, had been sunning decks remained topside with their mat­ IN HELL WANTS TO KNOW?” himself on his deck below, could be tresses. Nothing further was heard from seen bounding up the ladder to the our surprise "visitor”. By this time it was apparent who bridge wing. There was a great com­ wanted to know! Looming alongside a The remaining voyage to the Leeward motion on deck below where several few hundred yards away was the most Islands went without incident. On the sailors w'ere painting. The captain called formidable naval vessel I had ever 8th day I noticed that my call, HPFE, through the speaking tube and told me seen; at least from our vantage point. was appearing on the WCC traffic list. I to stand by for a possible distress. By Standing some fifty feet above us with took the message which diverted our now ail three mates were on the bridge all her starboard side guns trained on ship from Aruba to Caripito, Vene­ and I could hear the bells of the engine us stood the newly launched British zuela, where we were to load crude for room telegraph ringing for someone to cruiser PRINCE OF WALES. (No, her Buenos Aires. answer the telephone from the bridge. I name was not engraved on her hull and could tell from the sun’s shadows that As we passed through the strait bet­ it was not until later that we found her we had suddenly altered course some ween Trinidad and Grenada we were identity). By this time I had exchanged 45 degrees to the south and heard the challenged by the French submarine the usual information via blinker which diesels pick up a bit more speed. No guarding the strait. This was not a new' consisted of the name of our vessel vessel had yet been sighted. It was one experience. Later I learned that this “M/S JOSIAH MACY/HPFE bound of those lazy, hazy days with quite same sub was sunk bv an armed Allied Aruba from Freetown under ballast." limited visibility and the sea was quite merchantman who was unable to make We had stopped engines as requested calm with gently rolling swells and no out the colors on the conmnq tower. and waited for some reply from the white caps. The second mate reported The French submarine did have the cruiser. After what seemed like a long seeing a flash off the starboard bow bad habit of surfacing quite unexpec­ wait, but w'as probably only a few when the second shot was fired. It tedly dead ahead of an approaching minutes, an officer on the bridge of the appeared to come from a low-lying vessel. cruiser shouted to us through his bull­ object hardly visible through the mist. The news that w'e were going into horn, “Sorry to have stopped you. We conjectured later that we had Caripito caused a rumble through the Cheerio, be on your way," and the probably surprised a German sub crew'. Caripito was a crude oil dock signalman sent me the ever familiar which w'as taking advantage of the poor some eight hours sail up the San Juan “OVG” (International signal code for visibility and calm sea to surface and River out of the Gulf of Paria. Here Bon Voyage). charge batteries. there was no shore leave, no town, As I mentioned we did not know at the We never heard a third shot. By now I nothing but a loading dock surrounded time the identity' of the naval vessel that had fired up the Lorenz shortwave by jungle. I had been here several had stopped us but some time later I transmitter and had contact with WCC times. heard news reports that the newly at Chatham, Massachusetts and told As we entered the Gulf of Paria and constructed cruiser "Prince Of Wales" him to stand by for a possible distress anchored to pick up our river pilot, the had slipped out Scotland, eluded the and passed him our noon position, German U-Boat fleet and safely made course and speed. We were ail on pins (continued next page) The World Wireless Beacon ______- 5 - ______September 1999

A VOYAGE TO Run Road, Livingston, MT 59047 FREETOWN [email protected] first assignment NPD Seattle, RM2 in USNR 1965-68, corss- From Page 3 rated to CTR/M2 to USN Commsta rumblings among the crew grew louder Philippines 69-71 and the words “sit-down-strike" and ALGRANT, James J. 5632-V ..../ “war bonus" were heard. To tie up the Patricia 207 236-7714 P.O. Box 1047, loading facility at Caripito seemed good Camden, ME 04843 [email protected] strategy as only one ship at a time first ship SS African 1944 3rd Radio Communicated by could be serviced here. Officer Wireless - Amateur, But that is another story - for another Commercial or ESTRADA, Frank 5633-M Frank/ issue. (Mac. WOAP, 1001-P) M ilitary 40 years ago? Zohira 972 662-7260 3621 Frankford Licensed ham today? ..... 0 — Road Apt. 134, Dallas TX 75287 JOIN festrada@ prodigy, net CW radio opera­ OLD OLD TIMERS CLUB tor 1971-75 Ojus Radio WAX 3191 DARVANY DR WELCOME NEW MEMBERS DALLAS TX 75220-1611 CORRECTION: Please correct mem­ Phone: 214-352-4743 A warm “Welcome Aboard”to the ber number listed in the June 1999 E-MAIL [email protected] following who have joined SOWP since issue of the Beacon for SUPIK, our last issue. Edward A. to read 2625-TA (Add to Section I of your 1998 Wireless — O — Register). THE EXECUTIVE SECRE­ TARY’S COLUMN CROSSLAND, Ross S. 5626 M Ross/ Walt Boyd, SOWP 2958-P, K6DZY. Joan W5NV 512 263-2537 5410 Car­ bine Circle, Austin, TX 78736-1555 Among the most disturbing SOWP [email protected] 1969 05B4S Army chores to which I must attend is closing the door to a member's next Beacon. A MERTENS, Larry A. 5627-TA..../.... December 1998 Beacon was returned Licensed Amateur at least N6LM 916 383-8648 7904 La Raviera in this morning’s mail with a post office Drive 309, Sacramento, CA 95826 25 years ago? notation that the addressee had closed And licensed now? ZIEGLER, Charles G. 562S-SGP out his p.o. box and left no forwarding Then you should belong to the Chas/.... WD4JTR 491 758-3776 3719 address. I checked the Ham Callsign Quarter Century Wireless 35th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205- (Buckmaster) page on the Web, but his Association 1803 first assignment USS Columbine address there was the same as the one For information write: 159 E. 16 th Ave 1919 the returned Beacon carried. With Eugene, OR 97401-4017 reluctance I inserted the "!" (address PARRY, Stephen J. 5629-TA ..../.... unknown) in the top line of the G4LJZ 9 Hillside Close Wells, Somer­ database record -this sign directs the set England BA5 2NA computer labeler to skip this record in JAWORSKI, Thomas P. 5630-M the future. Where might our member Tom-TT/Marilyn WA1MJE 413 528- have gone, including the possibility of 9002 101 Cottage Street, Great Barring­ flight to our Chapter Eternal? Perhaps ton, MA 01230 [email protected] 1963 a “clearing house” in our new web NQC/NUD page could help this recurring problem, but less than a third of our members Douglas R. 5631-M Doug;' DUNN, are “on the Internet” as yet. Psggy K.7YD 406 222-6292 11 River (eontinuted next page) The World Wireless Beacon ______-EL-______September 1999

THE EXECUTIVE SECRE thought is hot. Send it to either Earl or antennas have been dismantled and TARY’S COLUMN myself (addresses in the masthead). sold, and will not be a part of the museum exhibit. From Page 5 And please do check your Beacon expiration date: the last few characters The museum intends to display the Web page? SOWP has established a on your label membership-line. They station intact and hopes to recreate the direct presence on the Internet. might read 12/98 or DEC/98; both look and feel of the original Goldwater Although we sincerely thank Joe Gard­ mean the same, that your dues expire ham shack through the use of digital ner, K7CI, for his past and transitional on the last day of December of the photographic techniques. While it's un­ carry’ of our oOWP informati un on his year indicated. And w

AN OT’S STOKY J. Harold "Gib” Gibson SOWP 3977-P, W9PQO

interviewed by

Fred W. Field

SOWP 3875-V, K6IHY

1 was born January 3, 1916 in Chicago, IL My father was James Leroy Gibson. He was an early ham who had a kilowatt spark station. 9JL operating in 1910, before amateurs were formally- licensed. Although he shut the station down before I was born, 1 had an early awareness of his prior ham activity because of the big multi-wire antenna (end-fed flattop with spreaders) which was still prominently towering over our "Gib" Gibson operating W&UOR at Coldwater, MI in December 1941. Home­ house. We lived at 5626 Ridge Ave. in made rig is crystal controlled on 7200 kc with a 35T final. Antenna is a 40 meter the section on north side Chicago called dipole up about 25 ft. Receiver is Hallicrafters Super Defiant SX-25. Edgewater. In 1924 we moved from that house to 110 W. Kenilworth Ave., Villa Park, IL I first got personally involved in radio a pair of 852 triodes modulated with in 1926 at the age of 10. Like a lot of another pair of 852s. High voltage dc other kids in that time, I set out to came from a motor generator. He had make a crystal set. When my father a commercial receiver, a Pilot Super learned of my interest, he took me Wasp. This was the first time I partici­ down in the basement where he had pated in operating a station. his old radio gear stored. There he dug Later I started experimenting with tube out a variometer. This was a well-built circuits. My first serious receiver was one with the internal rotating coil the customary homemade regenerative wound on a bakelite ball. He also fixed detector with one stage of transformer me up with a silicon detector. This was coupled audio. Both tubes were type probably when the bug bit. For the first 199. The plate current for the audio time I paid real attention to his fascinat­ amplifier ran right through the head­ ing old gear - 1 especially remember the phones. About 1930 I built my first big antenna coil which was pancake- transmitter. This was a TNT circuit wound and had movable taps. using a single type 71A with about 135 I had a lot of fun with the crystal set. volts on the plate. My antenna was an At that time in the Chicago area we off-center fed hertz which was clipped had broadcast stations WBBM, WGN, onto the tank coil through a capacitor. WJAZ, WLS, WMAQ, WTAM and During this time I got a lot of help and KYW. inspiration from Malcolm H. Romberg, W9BE. He died about 1950. Like most I got a lot of early inspiration from youngsters starting out in those days I Frank Roman, W9GS, a nearby ham Gib, W9PQ0 who then lived in Elmhurst, IL. He had (continued next page) So. Bend, IN, 1970 a pretty elaborate phone rig which used The World Wireless Beacon - 8 - September 1999

AN OT'S STORY anything that needed to be done. in South Bend was the day I talked to Air Force Gen. Curtis Lemay, As a result of the move to Michigan From Page 7 W6EZV, while he was flying over our my ham call got changed to WSUOR. couldn’t, resist the temptation to get n city. I knew of his interest in SSB and In Coldwater I made friends with j the air. I went on SO meters to work when I asked him a technical question, Carroll Kenyon, W8DUH. He was in another unlicensed teenager, Tohle S. he handed the mike over to Art QSO with Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941 and Kane. Collins, W0CXX who was in the called to tell me about the Japanese cockpit right next to him. Art and Wes I finally took the FCC test in 1933 at attack. The last station I worked pre­ Schaum were pioneers in bringing SSB age 17. Three months later, my ticket war was W8EW in Grand Rapids on into ham radio. Art was a firm believer arrived and I was legally on the air with 7200 Kc. in the filter method of SSB generation, the W9PQO call. Tohle Kane took the I met my wife, Donna Mead on a blind while Wes favored the phasing method. test the same day I did, but flunked the date Sept. 1936 in Quincy, MI. We We early SSB enthusiasts enjoyed lis­ written part. He eventually did get were married Jan. 31, 1938. She died tening to the many heated discussions licensed about 1934 or 1935 with the April 11, 1981. She was a great lady! they had on the air. call, W9RNB. He didn't stay active and We had a son born April 26, 1940 who this call was eventually reassigned. I retired from Indiana-Michigan Elec­ died as a baby and is buried in South Tohle had a career in aviation and tric on Jan. 1, 1981. My wife, Donna Haven, MI. Our daughter, Donna was became a pilot for United Airlines. In died soon after. Then in 1984 I went to born Feb. 9. 1942. his later years he moved to Oregon, got live with my daughter in Minneapolis/ active again and about 1959 became In 1937 I had joined the Naval St. Paul. After 6 years there we moved K7TAW. Tohle was listed as a silent Reserve. In 1942 the Navy activated to Springfield, MO for one year. key in the 1996 callbook. me and I was sent to Oak Ridge, TN. In my years as a widower I developed There I did technical work for Profes­ In 1934 the country was facing some a close and lasting friendship with sor Frederick E. Terman, who was on hard times with no jobs available Nellie Yoder of South Bend. Nellie’s leave from Stanford University where anywhere. That year, at the age of 18,1 son, Ron (now deceased) was K9TXF. he was well-known for his radio joined up for a 2-year hitch with the Through our relationship, Nellie engineering textbooks and handbooks. Civilian Conservation Corps, (the became seriously interested in ham CCCs). I was sent to St. Louis, MO In 1945, with the war over, I got my radio herself and became N9KAP. She where I operated Army station WVV discharge. Soon after I was employed is an avid CW operator and we stay in at Jefferson Barracks. Later I operated by Indiana-Michigan Electric Co. in touch on 20 meters while I am staying CCC headquarters station WUGJ at South Bend, IN as a carrier current with my daughter Donna Parrish, Decatur, IL. While in St. Louis I passed engineer. Later I was made head of the KA9SZU in California from November the tests for my commercial tickets. To communications department and even­ through April. There I work 80, 40 and my great surprise and joy, the inspector tually became supervising engineer. 20 meters CW using an Icom 751 and a told me that passing the commercial 102-ft. G5RV nailed up under the The move to South Bend put me back test entitled me to an automatic eaves. I also have a backup Kenwood in the 9th District, and I was able to get upgrade to Class A on my ham license. TS-930 and a Heath SB-200 power back my old call, W9PQO. amp. if needed. Most of the time I run In 1936, with my CCC service conclu­ In 1949 I met Wes Schaum, W9DYV. about 50 watts, ususaily on 14,060 kc. ded, I returned to Chicago where Mai He was one of the early proponents of Romberg helped me get my first radio I’d like to hear from any old friends amateur SSB and founded Central job doing transmitter watch at WBBM. that I have lost touch with over the Electronics in Chicago, an early manu­ years. My winter address is: c/o Donna In 1937 I went to work for the facturer of specialized SSB equipment.. Parrish, 27000 Abbey Glen Dr., Yorba Michigan Associated Telephone Com­ I got intensely interested in this new Linda, CA 92887 or from mid. Apr. to pany and moved to Coldwater, MI. technology and soon had an SSB rig of mid. Nov.: c/o Nellie Yoder, N9KAP, There I was the southern stock keeper my own on the air. In 1952 I was on a 303 E. Chippewa, South Bend, IN and also worked on the carrier equip­ list of 200 hams active on SSB. 46614 ment. In those days you were lucky to One of my vivid ham radio memories have a job and I was glad to do The World Wireless Beacon September 1999

Annoancing - the Annual SOWP International QSO Roundup

December 9 - 11, 1999

The Annual SOWP Internationa! CW Roundup has become an event of great popularity among our members, providing a i'*uftiofl ifflonj oureolv'M rwar th* Holiday S«a«on. In addition, th« affair has proven to be an excellent public relations exercise, extending worldwide.

DATE/TIME: The Roundup will begin at 1901 Eastern Standard Time, Thursday, December 9, 1999 (0001 UTC December 10) and will end 51 hours later at 2200 EST, Saturday, December 11, 1999, (0300 UTC Sunday, December 12). This time period accomodates members who are unable to participate on weekdays (Wed., Thur., Friday only) including our overseas members. No participant should feel compelled to operate for a period longer or shorter than he or she wishes.

FREQUENCIES: Five amateur bands, 3.5 MHz; 7 MHz; 14 MHz; 21 MHz; and 28 MHz will be used. A ten (10) kHz portion is allocated at 50 to 60 KHz up from the low end of the bands. Example: 7,050 KHz to 7,060 KHz. Note: Listen for "DX" stations +/- 5 KHz above and/or below these segments.

MESSAGE EXCHANGE: Message content shall be as follows:

NR. Your SOWP membership number without suffix: (M, V, P, SGP , etc.)

Your First name or Nickname

Location: Your State, Province or Country EXAMPLE: NR 783 W4HU John VA (Sent)

NR 2581 W4ZC Jack MD (Rec'd) NOTE: NO CONTACT or QSO NUMBERS SHOULD BE SENT.

SCORING: Each completed exchange with another SOWP member will count ONE (1) POINT. However, if you contact the same station on three (3) or more bands, add three (3) points to your overall total point score for each station so contacted. We encourage greater use of 3,5 MHz and 7 MHz. Look for contacts on those bands during the first 15 minutes of each hour during band openings. LOGS: Please make up your own log sheets. Include columns for:

1. Band Used. 2. Date/time of QSO. 3. SOWP Nr. received. 4. Call of Station Worked. 5. Operator’s name. 6. Name of State, Province or Country. The heading of your log sheet should show your own call sign and the text of the message you transmitted for each exchange. For example - f NR 881 W8TP Ted OH). Your completed log sheets should be forwarded to our Vice President for Awards, John H. Swafford, W4HU, 2025 N. Kensington St., Arlington, VA 22205 USA by January 15, 2000.

AWARDS: Certificates will be presented to the top seven scorers indicating their positions. Certificates of Participation will be sent to all who submit logs showing five (5) or more contacts.

WE HOPE MANY, MANY SOWP MEMBERS WITH AMATEUR STATIONS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE SPIRIT OF FELLOWSHIP IN THIS GET TOGETHER EVENT. We encourage extended exchanges between members, rather than mere “contesting”. - 73 and good luek-

Your 1999 SOWP ROUNDUP COMMITTEE: John Swafford, 783-V, W4HU, Chairman; Jack Kelleher, 2581-P, W4ZC, President, SOWP; Ted Phelps, 881-P, W8TP The World Wireless Beacon -10 - Sept ember 1999

Corrections/Additions to THE Signal Birgade and home of the Army's Okay, Earl - hope the above answers WIRELESS REGISTER -1998 Intelligence Center & School. your questions. If not ask again and I’ll answer if I can. From Page 6 If I could go back 25 years, I would apply as code instructor because the After I retired from the USCG in ‘58, I page 24 - change address, NOR­ Post has continued to teach Morse, but stayed away from any aspect of radio WOOD, Charcles A. 1480-V, P.O. Box retirement life is much easier than and CW for 35 years - had had enough 17236, Winston Salem NC 27116-7236 getting up and going to work each CW on too many ships for too many page 48 - Antone, Carl F. 4362-V morning. years but here, an old timer hounded W60ZA [email protected] me for a year to get a ticket and wore I didn’t known Sergeant Hill (received me down. He was W4MX (Slim) now page 49 - Flook, Kenneth G. 1664-P Fort Huachuca’s Distinguished Instruc­ a silent key. I miss him greatly. kgfwasobsectr@j uno. com tor of the Year for 1998) was the Morse instructor until I read the article 73 page 50 - Metcalfe, William 2313-M in the Huachuca Scout, the Post weekly [email protected] — O ...... paper. I contacted the writer who also ----- 0 ..... happens to be one of the honchos for Member Correspondence the Scout and he gave me permission Fort Hnadmca Dear Waldo: to sent it to SOWP for publication after by I explained my own background and ... On the TV news last week saw the the interest it would impart to old time part where they closed KSF. On my John James Murray members of SOWP. first ship, C’TS California State WTDQ SOWP 5016-P, KB7L0H I received my first message from KSF Often run across old Army men who and did not make a mistake. That was Greetings from Arizona's Hi Desert: were stationed here or back at Mon­ January 14,1941. mouth, Detrick and Devens. By the Fort Huachuca was founded in 1877, way, Detrick has closed down and the I enjoy every part of every copy and site picked by a Captain Whitside high majority of their people w'ere transfer­ don’t w:ant to miss any. in the foothills of the Huachuca moun­ red out here. tains because of abundant water supply Thank you and keep up the good and timber. Sole purpose of the Fort, I’ve been living in southern Oregon for work. originally Camp Huachuca, was to 15 years following retirement from the 73 drive the C’hiricahua Apache off their U.S. Coast Guard - getting sicker and lands. Original camp was run by w'hite sicker of state politics, politicians and a Carl F. Antone SOWP 4362-V, brass in charge of Negro troopers and fun and games educational system. W60ZA non-coms. Starting pay was $13 a Heard about this then relatively remote — O — month and a miserable existence. Post in SE Arizona, 70 miles SE of Desertion was not uncommon. The Tucson and up 4,700’. I drove down DUES NOTICE extensive use of the Heliograph keep­ 1,230 nliles out of our way to check it ing track of Indian movement was a out back in ‘72. Liked it immediately. It’s considerably past renewal of prime factor in their defeat and being Pristine air, fabulous year round cli­ dues time for members whose sent to the Florida swampland by a mate. After a nice 2-months vacation labels read DEC/98 or 12/98. Col. Nelson Miles. back east (Buffalo), returned home but Those members will miss the fully intending to move. We did the December 1999 issue of the Beacon During WW2 the Post was a staging following year. unless dues are paid. Those labels area for Negro WAC. After the War reading DEC/99 (12/99) will need the Post closed down for a tew years Unfortunately, the developers and to renew by January 2000 or but reopened when it was discovered a money grubbers have found this place February at latest. Dues are $15 prime location tor an electronics pro­ and are ruining it, just as they did per year, or 3 years for $40, pay­ ving ground, Oregon back in the ’60s. Sometimes I able to the Secretary at POBox 86 wonder if our “democratic” wav of life, Currently it is a huge communications/ «■ Geyserville CA 95441. i.e. dog eat dog, is the best way to go. electronics complex, home of the 11th The world wireless Beacon - 11- septemDer 1999

NPL History Author Seeks SILENT KEYS Boyd. Served with Merchant Marines Help during World War II. With Deep Regret, we report the by passing of the following SOWP mem­ bers as they join our Chapter Eternal. Fred W. Field Silent Key Reporting We send our sincere sympathies to SOWP 3875-V, K6IHY those they held dear. Please send reports to SOWP Exec. Sec’y Waldo T. Boyd., P.O. Box 86, The author has an extensive article in BLASSER, Marvin R. 4403-V, Geyserville, CA 95441-0086. If avail­ preparation about NPL San Diego, W5NFZ, Dallas, TX. No date or able, include date, age of deceased and CA. The historical high-pcwer station details. Reported in QST, August 1999. cause of passing. was rut into service in 1917 and was BUSHELL, C. William 2149-V, dismantled in 1995. Fred has collected — O -— VE3DXY, Kingston, Ont. Canada. No much information about the design, date or details. Reported in QCWA erection and beginning years - and has Journal, Summer 1999. photos and newspaper articles about the takedown. He has tried in vain to GUNTIIER, Frank A. 3957-SGP, Radio Officers Union In reach a “Base Historian” at USN San W2ALS, Staten Island, NY. May 24, Bankruptcy Diego in order to gather some mile­ 1999. No details. Reported in Spark From the MEBA Telex Times stones about the various operational Gap Times, July 1999. phases during the station’s long service. The Official Union Newsletter for MacLAREN, Harry A., Sr. 1111-SGP, Can any retired Navy member near the MEBA Marine Officers W5FGO, Gretna, LA. No date or base help him establish the contact? details. Reported in QST, August 1999. Fred would also like to include recollec­ MYHRE, Robert 4794-P, AD4XC, from Vol. 6 No. 28, July 16, 1999 tions of former radio operators who Crossville, TN. March 4, 1999. No remember NPL. The Radio Officers Union (ROU) - details. Reported by Dan Courtney formerly District No. 3 of the National Contact: Fred W. Field, K6IHY 1516 1156-P Marine Engineers' Beneficial Associa­ Avenida Selva, Fullerton, CA 92833- OKU, George I. 1272-P, W6GRF, tion - has entered bankruptcy proceed­ 1531 714/871-5767 Modesto, CA. No date or details. ings. — o ----- Reported Buckmaster Publishing at -Court filings by the ROU indicate URL: www.buck.com Member Correspondence that the union intends to wind up its OSBORNE, David B. 522S-TA, affairs and cease operation. WB6LNL, La Mesa, CA. No date or -Representatives of NMEBA are Greetings OM, details. Reported in QST, July 1999. closely monitoring the bankruptcy pro­ ... Sorry to read about the closedown of SACKS, Clayton H. 4242-P, W1YB, ceedings to insure that the interests of the Edelweiss Chapter. Nobleboro, ME. No date or details. the NMEBA and the District No. 1 - Reported in QST, August 1999. Have to agree whole hartedlv with Bill PCD, MEBA Plans are protected. Eckels. He’s so right about a conscien­ VARGAS, John F. 2801-V, W2ULO, -The ROLI ceased to be District No. 3 tious CW Op outweighing the technical Raleigh, NC. No date or details. of the NMEBA in December 1998 gadgets - as he puts it. Hope some of Reported in QST, August 1999. when it notified the NMEBA President us old timers are around long enough that it was exercising its unconditional WALLACE, Leona 5472-TA, to see ship owners eat crow. right to withdraw from the organiza­ WA60HB, Las Vegas, NV, Aug. 11, tion. 73 1999 age 84. No details. Reported by Bob Hickman via Waldo T. Boyd. J.J. Murray WALTERS, Arthur R. 3724-V, SOWP 5016-P, KB7LOH KB2JTC, Millbrook, NY, Nov. 17, 1998 age 80. Reported by Waldo T. The World Wireless Beacon 12- September 1989

COPY BY RATIONS. WCC WILL CONTINUE V W DE KPH KPH KPH = TO SERVE THE MARITIME COM­ Ben Russell SOWP 1853-V, CQ CQ CQ DE KPH KPH KPH - MUNITY IN ASSOCIATION WITH N6SL THE GLOBAL RADIO NETWORK WE NOW CLOSE THE RADIOTE­ Ted & Earl, Copied fig on 4310 KHz: OPERATED BY GLOBE WIRE­ LEGRAPH OPERATION OF LESS. DE WCC VA STATION KPH. SINCE 1904, CQ DE WCC/WNU QSS QSW 4310 STATION KPH HAS DIS­ 6376 12826.5 16972 17117.6 khz = V W DE WNU TINGUISHED ITSELF AS ONE OF CQ CQ DE WCC WCC = 12/2340 CQ CQ C'Q DE WNU WNU 12/2347 THE MOST WELL KNOWN AND U TCJU L99 = LJTC JUL99 RESPECTED CALL SIGNS IN THE WORLD, AND WILL CONTINUE IN 1901, CALL SIGN WCC WAS PEARL RIVER RADIO/WNU NOW TO DO SO AS PART OF THE ASSIGNED TO THE SOUTH CEASES RADIOTELEGRAPH GLOBAL RADIO NETWORK OF WELLFLEET MASSACHUSETTS SERVICE AFTER EIGHTY-SEVEN HF STATIONS = WIRELESS TELEGRAPH FACI­ YEARS OF CONTINUOUS OPE­ LITY OPERATED BY RATION. WE WILL CONTINUE NW CL DE KPH SK GUGLIELMO MARCONI. MORSE TO SERVE THE MARINER ------Ted; i had to start the CODE SIGNALS FROM WCC THROUGH OUR ELECTRONIC 40m net and did not copy the final KFS HAVE BEEN HEARD AROUND MAIL SERVICE AS PART OF THE msg pis qsp. tks THE WORLD EVER SINCE, GLOBE WIRELESS NETWORK. TODAY WE RETIRE WCC FROM AR 73 DE WNU WNU WNU CL WIRELESS TELEGRAPH OPE­

+ + + + SOCIETY OF WIRELESS PIONEERS, Inc., a Non-Profit (IRS 501(c)(3)) Corporation chartered in California - FOUNDED 196/1 + + + + ~ W'illiam A. Breniman - Founder and President Emeritus ~ CORRESPONDENCE: SOWP Headquarters - Send letters re Dues, Change of Address and all membership correspondence to: Exec. Sec. Waldo T. Boyd (K6DZY) P.O. Box 66, Geyserville, CA 95441. [Tel: 707-857-3434][email: [email protected]] Dues are $15 U.S. per Calendar Year or 3 Years - $40 and must be paid to subscribe to this newsletter. Orders for SOWP emblems, stationery & SLOP CHEST items to: Roy I. Couzin, (W6JET) 151 Waner Way, Felton, CA 95016 [TEL:406-335-78/4] [email: [email protected]] Please enclose SASE. SOWP QSL CARDS may be ordered from RUSPRINT, 12730 State Line Rd., Leawood, KS 66209 [Tel: 1-800-962-5783.] EDITORIAL OFFICE: The World Wireless Beacon is published by The Society of Wireless Pioneers, Inc., 5319 Sierra Vista Rd., Murphys, CA USA 95247. [Tel: 209-728-8316][ematl: [email protected]] Editor & Publisher, Ear! D. Wilson, Jr. (K6GPB). Send comments, letters and editorial contributions, (with SASE) to the Editor. ORIGINAL MATERIAL IN THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE QUOTED IF CREDIT IS GIVEN.

Society of Wireless Pioneers, Inc., NON-PROFIT ORG. P.O. Box 86 Geyserville, CA., USA 95441-0086 U S. POSTAGE PAID REYNOLDSBURG, OH ♦ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED* PERMIT No. 81

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