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.