Surfin': Revisiting Radio Monitoring Memories
By Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU
Contributing Editor
November 21, 2008
This week's Surfin' reveals new information about broadcast band and shortwave listening.
Who knew that the FBI would be interested in the successful quest for
this QSL card (as displayed at the SWL QSL Card Museum)?
Four weeks ago, this column, "Clandestine Radio in Uncle Tom's Corner," wondered who were the men behind the curtain at Radio Swan, aka Radio Americas. In response, Donald Wilson, K6DSW, wrote that On the Shortwaves' DX History Web page contains a link to a copy of two Popular Communications articles by Tom Kneitel about his 1968 visit to Radio Americas on Swan Island. By the way, the DX History Web page also contains many other links to interesting items related to radio history.
Two weeks ago, in "How We Got Here," I reminisced about shortwave listening during the Cold War. My father worried that all the propaganda I received from Radio Peking would land me in an FBI file folder labeled "Persons of Interest." Maybe Pop was right!
Greg Dome, KE5LDO, wrote that he had a similar experience with Radio Habana Cuba. Greg was in high school and received a QSL from Arnie Coro himself. Subsequently, Greg's mom -- who was the local draft board lady -- got a call from the FBI and Greg had to explain why he was "in contact" with Radio Habana. When he explained that he was just a shortwave listener, the FBI told Greg that if he never contacted Radio Habana again, his mother could keep her job!
Until next time, keep on surfin'!
Editor's note: Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, wishes he was still listening with his Hallicrafters S200 receiver. To communicate with Stan, send him e-mail or add comments to his blog. By the way, every installment of Surfin' is indexed here, so go look it up.
Page last modified: 08:00 AM, 21 Nov 2008 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2008, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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