2015: WELCOME TO MY AMATEUR AND BROADCAST RADIO WEBSITE

Back before cell phones came along and took the charm out of our ability to make a phone call to a repeater on 2 meters, call our wives (or husbands) and carry on a mobile conversation, our exclusive technology was the envy of John Q. Public. With the aforementioned arrival of cell phones, mobile communications among hams has lost its charm and the bands are relatively quiet. I have fond memories of my daily 32 mile commute from Trenton to New Brunswick conversing "round table" style with 5 or 6 fellow commuters going to their respective work QTH's. We called our little early morning and early evening net the "commuter's net." I miss those wonderful years.

1912 - 1913 WIRELESS RADIO

I have been a licensed amateur radio operator for 38 years. It is one of those incredibly interesting adventures that relatively few outside the hobby know or understand. Cell phones, Ipads, tablets, email, texting, "Skype," and other internet communication possibilities have made it possible to communicate around the world. As these new electronic miracles evolved, I looked back on my 3 years in the Army Security Agency when I was over in Europe. A 3 minute transoceanic call to my dear wife would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 dollars per minute....or was it 3 minutes? Today, those folks who replaced me and my military contemporaries, can text each other, talk to each other via the computer screen and basically come much closer to home. How I would loved to have had that technology back in 1956! 

We can take comfort in the knowledge that there will ALWAYS be amateur radio operators involved during any emergency; be it a local or national disaster. It is comforting to know that in the event of a dreaded "EMP" electric magnetic pulse attack where ALL standard electronic communications will be useless, amateur radio operators will come to the rescue, passing emergency messages through their incredibly efficient emergency radio nets. With cell phone and cell phone towers rendered powerless, radio communications running on temporary battery power, and other taken for granted electronic equipment unable to function without power, the amateurs will be the "minutemen" who come to the rescue.

"TOM GLOVER REMEMBERS RADIO" A QUICK VIDEO LINK

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a41334d7a59324f546b3d0d0a&blogview=true

1947: WHEN THE "BOAT ANCHOR" WAS KING

The above article would have been an interesting program at the January, 1947 meeting of the area's DVRA (Delaware Valley Radio Association) meeting. I got into the amateur fraternity in the 1970's when the "old timers" like Les Allen, Les Wood, Steve Csorgo, and numerous other veteran operators were in their twilight years. What interesting stories they told and could tell! Speaking of boat anchors, that R390 all band receiver was sitting next to me in Germany and Italy as I monitored Russian and Yugoslav military messages back in my ASA (Army Security Agency) years of 1955 - 1958. It certainly wasn't considered a boat anchor back then. They were the newest radio receivers to replace many of those outdated Hammerlund receivers that were stacked in the familiar "rack" of receivers that was at every monitoring post. That R390 happened to be installed at my post during the 1956 -57 season when the sunspot cycle was favoring reception. I recall sitting at my post, turning to 1130 on the AM dial and listening to ground wave broadcasts from the good old U.S.A. That was a real treat back then, before the modern satellite transmissions allows us to listen to radio all over the world without the static. Egads, as I write this, I realize that I was an operator of one of those very hi-tech short wave - all band boat anchors! Time marches on!

1909 AND 1911: VERY EARLY AMATEUR RADIO

As you can see in the article to the right in the graphic, my Father-in-law, Ray Britton was one of Trenton's earliest radio pioneers. Had he continued his interest in radio, he would have been right been right next to Trenton's Ed Raser as a very early devotee of radio communication. Commercial broadcast radio as we know it today, didn't come into vogue until the early 1920's. It must have been truly exciting back in those very early years to communicate via wireless to another radio operator in another town. I also assume it would have been a somewhat dangerous hobby for those who are not familiar with high voltage and primitive equipment.

1977: IS CB STILL ALIVE AND WELL?

fraternityI never worked the CB bands. My very limited SWL'ing on that band which was at least 7 or 8 years ago was not positive. The in-your-face foul language I heard was not what I was accustomed to when compared to the more disciplined amateur operators. On the other hand, there are honest and disciplined CB operators who are always ready to assist those in need of assistance in emergency situations, and I am sure they would be equally valuable in a national emergency. Converts from CB to the Ham fraternity often bring with them the CB jargon, "what's your 20," "10-4," and where Hams use actual first names, in CB they are tricky "handles" like "Jackhammer," "Noisy lady," etc. Different strokes for different folks.

2011: DVRA AMATEUR RADIO "FIELD DAY"

"Old Friends are the Best Friends." Above is a photo of two of my friends from the "DVRA;" (Delaware Valley Radio Association) during my 15 or so years as a member of that organization. An unfortunate and UN-deserved personal email attack some years ago effectively severed my relationship with the group for which I still hold great respect. I fondly recall the wonderful "Hamfests" we had over in the Lawrence National Guard Armory where I was the official sign-maker and general "helper outer." During those pre-cell phone years, I was part of the W2ZQ "commuters' net" which met each morning on the way to work, and each evening on the way home. We came from all points of the compass: Hopewell, Ewing, Hamilton Bucks County, Bordentown and other Burlington County areas. "K2AAR," "AB2F," "K2ZSY," "K2ITX" "W2SVV," "WB2EIZ," "W2BOO," "W2AEI, K3MNX," "W3ZLP," "WA2JZF," "KA2BJC," "KA2DHA," and I could go on and on. All were a part of a very wonderful era in my life. How time has flown! I was in my 40's when I became a licensed amateur back in the mid 1970's. Today happens to be my 78th birthday, and the memories of the wonderful years I spent communicating with all those wonderful "hams" are indelibly imprinted in my memory. I fully intend to keep my WA2RU amateur license and at some point, I hope to pop up a vertical antenna in my back yard and go international. (Thanks to my dear friend W2AEI who gave me a Kenwood TS820 "work horse," I hope to one day get back on the "DX" trail as I become less and less physically active.)
As a personal observation, amateur radio will still prove to be the saving grace for any terror attacks or other disaster that could come at any time,any place. There will always be those of us who know the Morse code, and those dedicated hams who practice emergency message handling on a daily basis in the event of a national disaster. We seldom hear of them in the local press now that the cell phone has become fashionable. However, during any real emergency, cell phone phones become virtually useless as lines become overloaded. Fortunately there will always be the ham radio fraternity standing by to fill the communications void. We have all heard of the the lack of communication during 911 when the New York Police Department and the New York Fire Department had communication problems. Such would not be the case with amateur radio should a national disaster occur. These dedicated hams are quietly standing by, ready to spring into INSTANT action!
That's what the above field day illustrated above is all about.

1925: RADIO CLUB AT TRENTON'S WOOD SCHOOL

Unfortunately the paper didn't list the names of the boys in the photo. I would bet that most of them went on to become amateur radio operators. Wouldn't you like to find one of those "superhets" at a flea market?

2009 TRIBUTE TO A SILENT KEY, K2DQR

As an amateur radio operator for more than 25 years, I am sure I "worked" Joe Lewandowski at some time during the past. I am not a collector of QSL cards, so I really can't verify the contact. However, I did converse on many occasions with Benny Civiletti and a number of other Chambersburg Hams, and I would bet that Joe was one of them. Thanks to the Lewandowski family for the tribute to still another "silent key." R.I.P. and 73's, Joe.

2009: HAROLD VAN DYKE IS A SILENT KEY

One of my friends on the old DVRA 2 meter radio net was the gentleman above. "Van" was a dedicated radio man and a true gentleman. How I miss those guys and gals who were so much a part of the DVRA "Commuter Net" back in the 1970's. Rest in peace harold, and best 73's.

Tom Glover
WA2RVU

1921: THE PRINCETON "WIRELESS CLUB"

1938: AMATEUR LEGEND (W2ZI) ED RASER

Young Ed Raser is seen in the 1938 class photo above. He is the third boy from the right, bottom row.

1925: SLOGANS OF EARLY BROADCAST STATIONS

I found this article to be completely fascinating. "My Old Kentucky Home" used as station I.D. by a Kentucky station; how interesting! I remember when WOR Newark New Jersey identified itself as a Bamberger Broadcasting station. (Before the moved to NYC). Egad, I'm getting old!

1925: HARRY KIDDER'S RECEIVER

When I got into ham radio back in the 70's, the veteran hams were QSO'ing each other with the observation that we newcomers were nothing but "appliance operators." Indeed, I would assume that to be the truth. All the work was done for us, and few indeed were guys (and gals) who were interested in taking on a Heathkit, or other home-built rig. My very first rig was an Eico 723 (?) I'm not sure of that nomenclature and too busy to search on the web. I remember that black and gold cabinet and the thrill I got in the 1960's when I had the call sign WN2NXX. (Remember novice calls?) I even recall my first contact on CW. It was a station in Kansas and I was completely bowled over by the contact. (I let it that novice call sign lapse and renewed my interest in amateur radio in the 70's. Ahh, the memories!)

2009: MY SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY COLUMN I S NOW ONLINE

Talk about "hi-tech!" As I was writing this post, I recalled with bittersweet memories how as a lonely and homesick soldier, serving two and a half years in Italy and Germany, I was starved for hometown news, I asked Mom and Pop Glover to send me the Trenton Times. It took upwards of two weeks to cross the ocean and be put in my barracks mailbox, but I savored each and every paper. Now, those lonely G.I.'s and others who yearn for the news from home, can just click on their computer and journey across the miles to read their hometown newspaper. Incredible!

Online newspaper readership is growing rapidly and a portent of things to come in this digital age. Personally, I don't think anything will ever replace my first-thing-in-the-morning cup of coffee with my favorite morning newspapers spread across my breakfast table. Most of my fellow senior citizens prefer reading the morning paper as they have been for decades. Conversely, most of the younger generation are computer users, and reading the local news online. Realizing the changing demographics, Times Editor Brian Malone has brought the "Times of Trenton" (known to we old timers as the "Trenton Times") into the digital age with a much easier to negotiate website. The Times is the oldest daily newspaper in Trenton, and among the oldest in the Trenton-Bucks-Burlington-Delaware Valley area. The website is very attractive, and those who prefer to read their local news via the online newspaper, along with those who live anywhere in the world can now read comprehensive daily hometown news in brilliant, living color.
My bi-weekly "Sentimental Journey" column, along with all of your other favorite Times columnists, is now available online and quite easy to access. The graphic above is a cut and paste of today's "Sentimental Journey" column. Bookmark the website below for your daily online read of the Times of Trenton, and thanks for being a reader!

Go to:

http://www.nj.com/times

Arrow down to "COLUMNISTS" and click on my name, along with any of the many Times columnists.

1954: CURT CARLSEN "FLYING ENTERPRISE"

THIS UPDATE RECEIVED FROM STEVE CSORGO, JR. ADDS AN INTERESTING BIT TO CAPTAIN CARLSEN AND W2QJO.
THANKS, STEVE.

April 3, 2009 9:09 PM

Hi Tom,

Glad to see this posted and the story about his accident with the Flying Enterprise II. Just wish to add that Capt. Curt, before leaving his ship, stayed awake by talking to other amatuer radio operator including dad. It was many hours before the ship was going to be a loss and he finally left her. Steve Jr.

Thanks to Kathy Csorge Annaccarato and her brother Steve for a nice collection of the late Steve Csorgo's amateur radio adventures. Steve was an avid amateur radio man and counts among numerous notable peopele, this QSL card from Captain Curt Carlsen, hero skipper of "The Flying Enterprise." As I age, I note that many visitors to my site are not familiar with some of the newsmakers from a mere 50 years ago. Herewith some background on W2ZXM, AKA Capt. Curt Carlsen:

From the website http://www.communigate.co.uk/ne/lookback/page15.phtml
The Flying Enterprise was an American ship built in 1944 and named Cape Kamukaki and owned by a Steel Co in the USA. In 1947,she was renamed the Flying Enterprise and sailed between Hamburg and the USA.
On December 21st 1951,she set sail from Hamburg to the US with a cargo of pig iron and coffee and ten paying passengers.After steady progress on December 25th,she encounted very heavy seas and gale force winds,approx. 400 miles west of Lands End and Capt Carlsen decided to hove to and ride out the storm. These conditions continued unabated and during this time she suffered considerable structural damage and her cargo started to shift. On December 28th Capt Carlsen sent out an SOS,which was picked up by quite a few ships who went to her aid.Early on December 29th the steamer 'Southland' arrived and tried to get alongside but it was too dangerous,so the passengers and crew jumped into the raging seas and were all picked up safely.

FYI: THE TRENTON TIMES WEBSITE

They tell me that multitudes are reading newspapers on line. Personally, I don't think anything will ever replace my first-thing-in-the-morning cup of coffee and my favorite morning newspapers. But for the growing internet newspaper readership, the folks at the Times of Trenton have made it easier to surf their website. It will be much easier for out of towners to access my latest
"Sentimental Journey" column. Go to:

http://www.nj.com/times

Arrow down to "COLUMNISTS" and click on my name.
Thanks to all my loyal readers!

1940: Ca. 1940 Allen and Hurley Display Window

Many thanks to Bob Ballentine for this excellent photo of (W2CCO) Les Allen's "Allen and Hurley" Trenton radio store. The photo is un-dated, but I would guess that it would be in the early 1940's.

Wireless was coming of age! Imagine ordering a life saving prescription through thin air! In my mind, the very early years of wireless are completely fascinating and intriguing,.

1922: "BICYCLE MOBILE"

Even thought the young lad was "broadcast radio mobile" he was completely enthralled with the concept of going mobile with his rig. Apologies for the poor photo. The newspaper industry hadn't quite figured out to reproduce an offset photo.

2008: REMEMBERING "THE DICK AND BENNIE SHOW"

Many thanks to Bob Ballantine, W8SU for still another local Trenton area amateur radio "Classic." Bennie was a regular on 147.24 back in the 70's. He and Dick Parent became local legends with their daily banter on the "Cream Ridge" machine. Every one was fair game for their
entertaining 2 meter daily QSO's.

1944: HALLICRAFTERS HT4 CONVERTED TO SCR299 MOBILE

Don't miss this incredibly interesting of a World War II film which details Hallicrafters Corp. Engnering workers converting an HF transmitter to mobile military use. Many thanks to an old time amateur radio buddy, N2HX (Bob Schroeder) for forwarding it.

http://www.w3vpr.org/node/509

2008: VERONICA HORVATH GARNIER

Here's the QSL card from Matt Horvath's daughter, lovely Veronica Horvath Garnier. She and husband Bob were both members of the amateur radio fraternity. Like a number of amateurs, the hassle with antenna restrictions, the arrival of the internet and cell phones, and the prohibitive cost of equipment, has resulted in rendering many facets of our facinating hobby irrelevant, resulting in the Garniers letting their licenses lapse. Rhode Island Red must have really been proud of his daughter achieving the very difficult process of passing the original FCC tests which are much easier to get today. Many thanks, Bob and Veronica. Even though amateur radio has lost some of its popularity due to the aforementioned situations, I still intend to keep my license updated. One never knows what the future holds. Recent disasters have proven that amateur radio reigns when all other communication methods fail.

BOB GARNIER WROTE:

Hi Tom

Dug around our old junk and found my wife's QSL. She is daughter of Matt, W2 Rhode Island Red. Her last call was VK4SM.

Have a great 2009 Tom

Regards

Bob & Veronica Garnier

Brisbane, Australia

Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!

2008: AMATEUR RADIO: FRIENDS FOREVER!

I received the following email and the above photo from Bob and Veronica Garnier. Bob is a native Hamiltonian from the White Horse area, now calling Brisbane, Australia home. Bob recalls his and Veronica's years as amateur ops, and also recalls "RIR" as we called him "Rhode Island Red."
Bob, I couldn't get past 35 words per minute in morse, and you navy coast guard guys were always the best when it came to ultra high speed C.W. I spent 3 years in the Army Security Agency where I reached 35 wpm, and with that speed was assigned to copy the Russians during the cold war. Russian ops are also aces with the bug. Thanks so much for writing. It is a pleasure to hear from you. I have been concentrating on my local history website, www.glover320.blogspot.com and will be adding more to my amateur/broadcast radio site in the future.
73's to you and 88's to Veronica.

Tom Glover
WA2RVU

BOB WROTE:

Greetings from Brisbane Australia

I just finished chatting with my good friend Byron, w7swc in seattle on skype. We got around to talking about the "old days" of amateur radio and Byron said "I wonder if w2rir was ever reissued"

(w2rir was my wife's father) so I did a google of w2rir and up popped your website on Rhode island red a local legend. I know everyone on that photo, it brought back memories. W5MLU is my wife's godfather. All the guys in photo were local Trenton burg guys, w5mlu met a gal from Villa Platt La while in the army and after ww2 moved to Villa Platt.

My wife was WA2IMR, then KP4BIE, then KH6FRT, and finally VK4SM.

I started out WA2AFT first lic in 1957 (Hamilton High West class of 60)

held KP4BHR, KH6FRT, VK4EA.

I was born a Hamilton guy, norton avenue in the white horse area of Hamilton. Moved around a lot due to 10 years in the Coast Guard where I was a distress radio operator. Have certificate for 40wpm which as you know is about as fast as you can get. My last duty in CG was Hawaii and it completely spoiled us, after leaving the CG we just couldnt resettle in Trenton area. Missed the warm climate so we moved to Australia on what was going to be a 2 year job assignment but after 2 or 3 weeks we knew we had "found our final home". Its been 38 years now and have made the long flight back to Trenton 14 times. No one left now, last time back we paid our final visits to all the graves so doubt that we will be back any more. Just too long on a plane for my old bones....

Anyway - starting to ragchew too much, just wanted to drop a short email to let you know your webpage was viewed down here and it sure brought back memories of all the old gang...

Regards

Bob & Veronica Garnier

(we both are no longer licensed hams, it was part of our lives for many years but the internet is now where we communicate, no antennas to worry about blowing down hehe)

Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!

1979: MR. AND MRS. GARY KATONA CONVERSE WITH A KING

As I advance in age, I realize that I have acquired a large number of folks whom I can call
"old friends." Once such is Gary Katona, a gentleman I met way back in the mid '70's when we were both "young men." As seen in the graphic above which I extracted from one of the Mercer Messengers in my collection, along with a photo of King Hussein of Jordan, whom Gary and Carol had the honor of conversing with through that wonderful media we all know as amateur radio. In my lengthy radio career, I can only claim conversing with two celebrities. Larry Ferrari, and my favorite satirist, Jean Shepherd.

2008: Doug Mertz-The Gentleman Ham

K2ITX, W2AEI, W2FDE, N2HX (Formerly WA2JZF), K2AAR, W3SHY, W3GWZ, WB2EIZ, N2GJ, K2ZE (Formerly K2SNK), K2ZSY, W2SVV, W2CCO, -----oh my gosh, I could go on and on! We have just lost one of the finest gentleman it was my privilege to call a friend. Along with the aforementioned call signs, and many more whose call signs elude me at this particular moment, Doug Mertz was one of our regulars on the morning and evening "Commuter Net" which was a very popular morning QSO center back in the mid 1970's. One of the real treasures to be found in the hobby of amateur radio is the acquisition of life long friends. The memories of our DVRA "Commuter Net" will be with me until we hams all join Doug, K2ITX, in that eternal DX-pedition which will come when we receive the final "CQ" from above. RIP, DOUG!

YOU CAN SIGN DOUG'S TRENTON TIMES GUESTBOOK.
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING URL:

http://obits.nj.com/trenton/GB/GuestbookEntry.aspx?&PersonID=120246757

1977: DVRA RADIO LEGEND "B.B." WENTZEL

Amateur radio also had a proliferation of members of "The Greatest Generation."
Back when I became involved in amateur radio, those of us who constituted the "new breed" were derisively called "appliance operators." In the photo above, B.B. Wentzel is holding a revolutionary "HT," or in technical amateur talk, "Handy-Talky." The demise of the WWII tube type behemoth known as a "Walky-Talky" was replaced by the revolutionary transistorized HT seen in the photo. I would guess that it was a "Wilson," but I am probably incorrect.
I humbly ask that a more knowledgeable ham who is able to properly identify that radio come forward and rescue me.

LEFT CLICK TO ENLARGE

REMEMBER:

TO SEE THE FULL SIZE GRAPHIC,

LEFT CLICK ON YOUR MOUSE!

1947: BLIND AMATEUR RADIOMAN JOE PIECHOWSKI

Thanks to amateur radio operators like Joe Piechowski, many lonely military men and women were treated to a trans-oceanic telephone conversation with their loved ones stateside. I was also privileged to have a phone patch from my Army A.S.A. barracks in Bad Aibling, Germany, all the way home to an amateur radio operator in the Bucks County area. It was that Christmas Eve contact with home that led to me becoming an amateur radio operator. (WA2RVU).

1925: SECRET ANTENNA

EVEN BACK IN THE EARLY YEARS OF BROADCAST RADIO, MANY RADIO LOVERS HAD NEIGHBORS WHO OBJECTED TO UNSIGHTLY WIRES POLLUTING THEIR ENVIRONMENT. TODAY APARTMENT AND GATED COMMUNITY DWELLERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME SITUATION. I KNOW A NUMBER OF AMATEURS WHO ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO INSTALL AN ANTENNA.

DVRA NEWSLETTER FEATURES COVERAGE OF SUNSPOTS

THE SUN SPOT PROBLEM GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO MARCONI AND EVEN EARLIER. EVERY 11 YEARS THE SUNSPOT CYCLE REVOLVES FROM GOOD RECEPTION TO BAD.

1980 DVRA CELEBRATES 50 WONDERFUL YEARS

IT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST AMATEUR RADIO CLUBS IN EXISTANCE. IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT ED RASER, THE GRAND OLD MAN OF LOCAL AMATEUR RADIO, WAS FEATURED ON THE ANNIVERSARY QSL CARD.

1940 DVRA HAMFEST AND OUTING COMBINED

THE HAMFEST WAS HELD IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE OUTING WAS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE FESTIVITIES.

DVRA "OLD TIMERS" NO. 5

THANKS TO STEVE CSORGO'S DAUGHTER KATHY, IHAVE MANY AMATEUR ITEMS TO POST AS TIME PERMITS. BILL PETTY WAS ONE OF THE MAIN COGS IN THE WELL-OILED MACHINERY OF THE DVRA IN THE EARLY YEARS.

DVRA "OLD TIMERS" NO. 4

HERE'S GARY KATONA'S NOVICE AND UPGRADED K2BDK CALL. I WISH THE OLDTIMERS HAD STAYED WITH THEIR ORIGINAL CALLS. EARL, W2UNT WAS A REGULAR 4 PM 2 METER VISITOR WITH JIM SINCLAIR, FRANK BIJASICK, CARL POLHEMUS IN THE 70'S.

DVRA "OLD TIMERS" NO. 3

THESE CARDS REPRESENT 4 GENTLEMEN WHO WERE CONSUMMATE AMATEUR RADIO MEN. THEY ALL HAD VERY FAMILIAR SIGNALS ON THE W2ZQ TWO METER REPEATER.

DVRA "OLD TIMERS" NO. 2

K2DOV AND K2DPS ARE "REGULARS" ON THE W2ZQ PEPPER NET EACH NIGHT AT
10. PM. K2ASG IS THE SON OF HERB SPAIR, K2ASF. THESE TWO HAMS LIT UP THE AIRWAVES BACK IN THE 70'S AND 80'S WITH THEIR 147.075/675 ROBBINSVILLE REPEATER.

DVRA "OLD TIMERS" NO. 1

THIS IS ONE IN A SERIES OF QSL CARDS FROM THE COLLECTION OF W2AEI. THEY ARE "OLD TIMERS" WHO WERE ACTIVE ON 146.07/67, THE DVRA 2 METER REPEATER. MORE TO FOLLOW. MANY THANKS TO PAUL, W2AEI FOR SAVING THESE GREAT OLD CARDS.

PRESS RELEASE FROM HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

I HOPE SOME OF THE LOCAL VISITORS TO MY WEBSITE WILL JOIN ME THIS COMING WEDNESDAY AS I PRESENT A PROGRAM OF LOVE SONGS AT THE KUSER FARM MANSION. I HAVE SEEN POLITICALLY MOTIVATED SUGGESTIONS IN THE LOCAL NEWS THAT THE PROGRAMS ARE AN UN-NECESSARY EXPENSE. NOTE THAT ALL OF MY EFFORTS ARE ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS, AS ARE ALL THE OTHER CITIZENS WHO BELIEVE IN GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WE LOVE. HERE'S THE TOWNSHIP PRESS RELEASE; I SURE HOPE TO SEE A FEW OF YOU THERE:

“April Love”

Wednesday, April 16^th at 7:00 p.m.

Advance Reservation Required

Musical ProgramBy To lover

Enjoy an evening musical program presented by Tom Glover in the 45 foot dining room of the mansion. Tom will bring his music on his computer, and you’ll have a lovely evening listening to his love ballads. Guests are invited to join in, by singing along during the entire evening. Tom always presents a memorable evening.

NOTE: Tom Glover presents this program on a volunteer basis – and therefore it is not at taxpayer expense. Residents may call 890-3630 to confirm reservations.

==============

(WHEN YOU CALL, WAIT FOR THE RECORDED MESSAGES TO PLAY, THEN LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE AT THE BEEP.)

1931: RADIO COMING OF AGE

FROM ITS INCEPTION IN THE 1920'S, RADIO REALLY BEGAN TO BECOME A NECESSARY PART OF AMERICAN LIFE IN THE 1930'S. BY THE LATE 1930'S NETWORK RADIO WAS AS IMPORTANT TO AMERICAN AS TODAY'S TELEVISION. (AND THE PROGRAMMING WAS SUPERIOR!)

1930: WHEN RADIO WAS KING

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE ESCAPE FOR THOSE OF US WHO RECALL THE MAGIC OF BROADCAST RADIO! MOM COULD READ A BOOK, DAD THE NEWSPAPER, AND WE KIDS COULD PLAY WITH OUR ERECTOR SET WHILE LISTENING TO AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF RADIO PROGRAMS. FROM "MR. KEENE, TRACER OF LOST PERSONS," TO "YOUR FBI IN PEACE AND WAR," TO THE "LUX RADIO THEATER," "CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT, AND OH SO MANY EXCITING BROADCASTS THAT USED THE "THEATER OF THE MIND."

1922: LONG BEFORE TRANSISTORS AND PORTABLES

THIS YOUNG LAD PROBABLY WENT ON TO BECOME A RADIO AMATEUR. HERE HE PROUDLY EXHIBITS HIS MOBIL BROADCAST RADIO PROVING THAT HE WAS RIGHT IN THE MIX WITH THE BROADCASTING CRAZE WHICH WAS SWEEPING AMERICA.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE OFFSET PHOTO PROCESS IN THE 20'S WAS LACKING IN MANY RESPECTS....ONE OF WHICH WAS THE DIFFICULTY IN PRINTING A CLEAR IMAGE. HOWEVER, IT IS STILL INTERESTING TO SEE HOW BROADCAST RADIO, SCARCELY TWO YEARS OLD, WAS CAPTURING THE IMAGINATION OF AMERICA'S YOUTH.

1922: RADIO OUT OF CONTROL

I found this article of great interest. Broadcast radio was only a couple of years old when the airwaves were filled with very strange transmissions.

BOB BALLANTINE'S GPR90

THIS FROM W8SU, BOB BALLANTINE:

These babies were made out on Long Island and were considered top of the line in the 50s. They also had a military contract and made a lot of money engineering radio and transmitting equipment for them and the amateur community.

1941:DVRA EXTRACTS

SEVEN MONTHS PRIOR TO THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR...THESE OLD DVRA NEWSLETTERS HOLD A CERTAIN FASCINATION. LIKE MY TRENTON NEWSPAPER COLLECTION, I NEVER TIRE OF PERUSING THE PAGES AND TAKING A TRIP BACK TO THE YEARS WHEN LIKE TODAY, THE TYPICAL AMATEUR WAS AN ELECTRONIC "TRAILBLAZER."

HERE'S RHODE ISLAND RED = TNX W8SU

Following i	s a note from Bob Ballantine, referring to his amateur radio experiences as a younger man in the Trenton area. Bob has been sending some really nice amateur radio memorabilia to me for on this site, (SEE THE ACCOMPANYING QSL CARD BELOW FROM "RHODE ISLAND RED," W2RIR. This website was established with the idea of touching on the fascinating past of central Jersey amateur radio, and the many friends we hams have had over the years.
THIS FROM BOB:
	Tom, my friend Margie K2UTS told me of your great work on area history. I am spending a lot of time here and appreciate what you are doing. I love wireless and area radio history, Mr. Raser and Carl Dannerth & Bob Singer were hero's to me when I attended THS in the 50s. I am searching for a picture of Mr. Dannerth but as yet can't locate anything. I got my chance there in Trenton and joined the CG and eventually Ohio State Highway Patrol. I look back with appreciation to my amateur radio heritage in Trenton, Thanks. Bob - Warren, Ohio W8SU

"THE BRETING 14"

RIGHT ON THE HEELS OF MY POST SHOWING STEVE CSORGO'S SHACK AND MY QUERY AS TO WHAT THAT STRANGE RIG WAS, ALONG COMES BOB BALLANTINE WITH THE ANSWER! WHAT A GREAT OLD RADIO! I WISH I HAD THE AFFLUENCE TO BEGIN A COLLECTION OF THOSE VINTAGE RIGS.

1975: W2QJO, PORTABLE 2, TROUT CREEK

I REMEMBER EVESDROPPING ON STEVE AS I WENDED MY WAY HOME FROM NEW BRUNSWICK BACK IN THE 60'S AND 70'S. WHAT A GREAT LOOKING SHACK! WHAT A GREAT PANORAMIC VIEW OUT HIS WINDOWS! DON'T MISS THE D104 LOLLIPOP!