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The photograph, below, captures a compelling moment of technical mastery during the formative years of American broadcasting, set deep within the inner workings of the Crosley Radio operation in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the 1930s. This was not just a studio but a nerve center for one of the most ambitious radio experiments in history. In the frame, an unidentified announcer sits with a quiet, practiced focus before a sensitive microphone, his presence framed by a formidable wall of equipment that served as the control interface for Powel Crosley Jr.’s broadcasting empire.

WLW, W8XAL, and WSAI

The machinery in front of him represents the sophisticated control panels for three distinct stations, labeled for WLW, W8XAL, and WSAI. These panels were the operational gateway to a signal that redefined the reach of radio. WLW, in particular, earned the nickname The Nation’s Station, and for a brief but legendary period in the mid-1930s, it was granted special authorization by the Federal Communications Commission to experiment with a massive power output of 500,000 watts. This made it the most powerful radio station in the United States, a true technological titan of the era. The signal was so incredibly potent that listeners across North America and beyond often reported hearing the broadcast under unusual circumstances, such as through the metal teeth of fillings, in the coils of mattress springs, or even through the humming of household plumbing.

Beyond the standard AM broadcast of WLW, the inclusion of W8XAL in this control room highlights the critical role shortwave technology played in the Crosley vision. While the standard AM signal was meant for domestic reach, W8XAL served as an experimental shortwave companion, designed to project the Cincinnati broadcasts far beyond the limitations of local and regional airwaves. Shortwave radio waves possess the unique ability to bounce off the ionosphere, allowing signals to travel thousands of miles and transcend national borders. Through W8XAL, the Crosley organization was testing the feasibility of true international broadcasting, turning the modest studios in Cincinnati into a point of origin for listeners located as far away as South America or Europe.

This shortwave capability was a significant leap in the evolution of mass media. It represented a deliberate attempt to overcome the geographical isolation that had defined the earlier, more fragmented era of radio. By operating on shortwave frequencies, the announcers and engineers were participating in a grand experiment to see if a single localized voice could truly become a global one. It was an ambitious pursuit that demanded even greater precision than standard broadcasting, as atmospheric conditions and solar activity could frequently disrupt the long-distance transmission path.

Working in this control room was a task that required both the poise of a performer and the precision of an engineer. Each dial, needle gauge, and switch was a critical element in maintaining the integrity of the broadcast, as the announcer had to carefully monitor the modulation levels to ensure the signal remained clear and stable for millions of listeners. A lapse in focus could mean a technical failure or a broadcast error that reached a massive, dispersed audience in real time. It was a high-stakes, high-pressure environment, yet it functioned as the primary, and often only, window to the wider world for families weathering the depths of the Great Depression.

Powel Crosley Jr. was a man of intense vision, and he understood better than most that radio was the ultimate tool for domestic and international unification. These transmitters were the engine that bridged the vast geographical distance between his studio in Cincinnati and the living rooms of families scattered across the continent and beyond. When people turned their dials to find the station, they were connecting to a piece of engineering that stood at the very cutting edge of the twentieth century. Looking at this image today, it is easy to feel a sense of awe for that era, when the simple act of turning a knob could bring the world into a home, effectively shrinking the vastness of the country and changing the way society experienced culture, news, and shared humanity forever.

I have been spending time reflecting on the history of our wonderful hobby, and this April 1946 issue of Radio News really grabbed my attention. It is such a fascinating time capsule because it highlights the exact moment when thousands of hams were finally allowed back on the air after the long, forced silence of World War II. During the war, the United States government issued a total moratorium on all amateur radio activity, fearing that transmissions could be used by enemy agents to relay information. For four and a half years, our equipment sat idle and our antennas were taken down.

Radio News, April 1946, Cover

This is Bill Shaw, W9UIG, in this photo. He was among the first back on the air, and his station setup was really something else for the time. He was running a capable 500-watt station with a 3-element beam antenna, which was quite a powerhouse back then. His receiver was the legendary Hammarlund HQ 120X, which was a dream for many operators, and it was prized for its stability and sensitivity. Because early receivers often struggled with noise and image rejection, he used an RME DB20 preselector. This unit sat between his antenna and the receiver to provide additional gain and help pull weak signals out of the background noise. He also used a Meissner Signal Shifter, which was essentially a variable frequency exciter that allowed him to shift his frequency to find an empty spot or avoid interference, rather than being stuck on one fixed crystal frequency.

I look at those glowing vacuum tubes in his equipment, and those on display on his desk, and it reminds me of why I love this craft so much… there is just something special about the warmth and the technical artistry of those older rigs, with all their high voltage requirements and intense heat. And of course, I could not help but notice the wall behind him absolutely covered in QSL cards from all over the world. That really is the heart of why we do this, is it not… that thrill of reaching out across the globe and collecting those cards as a badge of honor? He had cards from places like Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, which shows he was an active DXer who specialized in long distance communication. In 1946, there was no internet or satellite communication, so amateur radio was truly the only way for a private citizen to speak directly to someone on the other side of the planet. It really makes you appreciate the history behind the call signs we use today. Does anyone else get nostalgic looking at these old shack photos… I would love to hear your thoughts on these classic setups and the history of our craft!

Regarding the magazine: While the magazine, Radio News, had its roots as, Radio Amateur News, when Hugo Gernsback founded it in 1919, it quickly evolved into something much broader as the radio industry itself exploded. By the 1940s, Radio News was far more than just a ham radio publication, it was a comprehensive technology magazine that covered the entire spectrum of radio and emerging electronics.

During that era, these magazines played an absolutely massive role in the amateur radio hobby. They were essentially the internet, the local club meeting, and the technical manual all rolled into one. For the average ham, a monthly arrival of Radio News or its contemporaries like QST or CQ Amateur Radio Magazine, was an essential lifeline. Side note: I wrote the propagation column in CQ Amateur Radio Magazine (and in CQ VHF, Popular Communications Magazine, Monitoring Times, and The Spectrum Monitor). For CQ, I wrote every month from 2001 to its demise at the passing of its publisher, Dick Ross, K2MGA (sk).

These magazines provided the blueprints and technical schematics that allowed hams to build their own transmitters and receivers from scratch. Because commercial gear was expensive and often hard to come by, the homebrew culture was the backbone of the hobby. Magazines provided the detailed instructions for these projects, teaching a generation of radio enthusiasts how to solder, how to wind coils, and how to understand the complex circuitry of vacuum tubes.

Beyond the technical side, these magazines served as a vital community connector. In a time when the hobby was geographically isolated, they fostered a sense of belonging to an international fraternity. They published operating news, shared tips on DXing (long-distance communication), and established the behavioral expectations and operating standards that defined what it meant to be a true amateur. They taught us how to be gentlemanly, how to handle interference, and how to take pride in our operating technique.

For a young operator in the 1940s, these magazines were the doorway to the world. They documented the rapid technological shifts happening at the time, such as the transition from crystal control to VFOs, the introduction of television, and the post-war availability of surplus military equipment. They did not just tell you how to operate; they inspired you to learn more, to push your technical boundaries, and to see your shack as a part of a global, scientific endeavor. It is that spirit of constant learning and curiosity that kept us all coming back to our keys and microphones, decade after decade.

What other vintage radio publications do you remember fondly from those early days in the hobby?

On this day in 1844, a quiet revolution in human communication took place. Samuel Morse, the American inventor, sat in the Supreme Court chamber in Washington, D.C., and tapped out a short, profound message on his experimental telegraph system. The message — “What hath God wrought?” — was sent across nearly 40 miles of wire to the B&O Railroad depot in Baltimore, Maryland, where it was received instantly by his partner, Alfred Vail.

A Historic Landmark in Maryland: “The First Telegram, What Hath God Wrought?” Location 39° 6.157′ N, 76° 50.526′ W. Marker is near Laurel, Maryland, in Prince George’s County.

The morning of May 24, 1844, stands as one of the most pivotal turning points in the history of human civilization. Before this day, information could only travel as fast as a human could ride a horse or a vessel could sail across an ocean. The physical limitations of distance dictated the speed of politics, commerce, and war. When Samuel Finley Breese Morse tapped out the message “What hath God wrought?” from the U.S. Capitol building to Baltimore, he did not just demonstrate a new machine; he permanently dismantled the tyranny of distance.

The Struggle for Recognition

Samuel Morse was not a professional scientist; he was an accomplished, world-renowned portrait painter. However, his life took a tragic turn in 1825 when, while painting a portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette in Washington, D.C., he received a letter via horseback messenger informing him that his wife was ill. By the time he returned to his home in New Haven, Connecticut, she had already died and been buried. The delayed news haunted him, sparking an obsession with finding a way to transmit information instantaneously across great distances.

For years, Morse labored in near-poverty, facing skepticism from the scientific community and indifference from Congress. He was forced to sell his paintings to fund his experiments and relied on the technical brilliance of Alfred Vail, a young machinist whose family provided the financial backing and the workshop space (the Speedwell Iron Works) necessary to refine the electromagnetic telegraph system.

The Message and Its Meaning

The phrase chosen for the demonstration, “What hath God wrought?” (Numbers 23:23), was far from arbitrary. It was proposed by Annie Ellsworth, the young daughter of Henry Ellsworth, the U.S. Commissioner of Patents, who had been a staunch supporter of Morse’s application for funding. The biblical quote was an expression of wonder, a recognition that the telegraph was a divine-like power in the hands of mortal men–a tool that could bridge vast physical divides with the speed of electricity.

At 8:45 a.m., Morse sat before the apparatus in the Supreme Court chamber. When the signal reached the B&O Railroad station in Baltimore, Alfred Vail confirmed receipt immediately. The feat was so startling that even at the time, many observers found it difficult to grasp that the words were not being physically transported, but rather transformed into electrical pulses and reconstructed on the other end.

A New Era of Global Connectivity

The success of the 1844 demonstration was the catalyst for the rapid expansion of the telegraph network across the United States and eventually, the world. Within two decades, the telegraph had become the backbone of the American Civil War, allowing for the rapid coordination of troops and the dissemination of news. It also revolutionized journalism–giving birth to the “news wire” services–and changed the financial sector forever by allowing stock prices and market conditions to be synchronized across cities.

By replacing physical couriers with electrical signals, the telegraph created the first global “nervous system.” It set the stage for the invention of the telephone, the radio, and eventually the fiber-optic networks of the modern internet. When we send an instant message today, we are utilizing the same fundamental principle that Morse proved: that information can be decoupled from physical travel.

Reflection

The telegraph was the precursor to our modern digital age, proving that humanity’s greatest potential lies in our ability to connect, communicate, and share knowledge at speed. As we look back on that day in 1844, we are reminded that every monumental shift in technology starts with an attempt to solve a simple, deeply human problem–in Morse’s case, the agonizing delay of a message that arrived too late.

AmateurLogic.TV Episode 217 is now available for download.

George and Tommy’s Excellent Adventure to Hamvention 2026. Meet some old friends. See some new items and some that don’t even exist yet. Visit the West Chester Amateur Radio Association (WC8VOA) at the VOA Museum. And get a quick peek of some of the new things at the VOA Museum in a special episode coming soon.

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This episode of AmateurLogic.TV, AmateurLogic 217: Hamvention 2026, is a deep dive into the 2026 Dayton Hamvention, featuring on-the-ground footage, interviews with vendors, and a visit to the Voice of America (VOA) Museum.
Key Highlights
Hamvention 2026 Coverage: George and Tommy share their “most excellent adventure” at Dayton, highlighting the sights, sounds, and gadgets they encountered.
New Radio Tech & Prototypes:
Icom “X” Concept: A highly anticipated, mysterious new HF/VHF/UHF mobile radio prototype (X026) was shown under glass, sparking speculation about features like a Wi-Fi-enabled control head.
Icom IC-5200: Updates on the upcoming IC-5100 replacement, featuring a color touchscreen and a potential firmware update for APRS.
QRP Amplifiers: An interview with Jim (WA2UJ) from RF Power Tools showcasing their 50W and 100W amplifiers designed specifically for radios like the IC-705.
The National VOA Museum & Ham Club: A tour of the newly renovated National VOA Museum and the WC8VOA club shack. Mike Braun (KB8ZE) discusses their state-of-the-art contesting station, their monthly license testing. Lee Hite discusses the history of the top secret “re-entrant rhombic” antennas that made the station so powerful during WWII.
Mesh Networking: A look at the latest in “Meshtastic” hardware from Low Mesh, including waterproof pocket rangers and outdoor Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) nodes for long-range, low-power data mesh networks.
Audio & Gear: Jerry from Heil Sound discusses their current lineup, the legacy of Bob Heil, and available replacement parts for classic Heil products.
SDR Play: A discussion on using SDR devices (like the RSPduo) as panadapters and lab-grade spectrum analyzers and more with long-time friend Steve (W7UDI).
Technical Updates: A reminder about the new Technician Class question pool taking effect July 1st, 2026, and an encouraging look at the current state of Solar Cycle 25.
The episode wraps up with some lighthearted moments, including a “giant mutant ninja skunk” sighting at the VOA site.

In 2024, Joyce/K0JJW and I activated South Monarch Ridge (W0C/SP-058) on the Friday of the Colorado 14er & Mountaintop Event. South Monarch Ridge (also known as Monarch Crest) is a fun summit, easy to access via a trail or via the tram (during the summer). Kevin/KD0VHD and Lynaire/K0LPR joined us on top. Kevin took this ... Read more

The post South Monarch Ridge Photo appeared first on Above Average Terrain.

Show Notes

Hamvention Wrap-Up:

• Attendance, on FB and Dayton area newspapers, they listed the attendance of 25-30k people for 2026. Official number for 2025 was 36,814. So, our guess on lower numbers was likely correct (it will be a few weeks before Hamvention releases the official numbers)
• Only a handful of people asked what Linux was (this number seems down… way down, actually)
• Many folks said they are/have moved to Linux after the Windows debacle
• Probably a normal amount of, “What can Linux do for me?” Type questions

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  • Spread the word to anyone you think might be interested, if you’re not! The repeater that Russ had set up has been taken offline because of Russ’s death. If anyone is interested in everything available (sold as a package deal only), please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll send you the details/pictures. Pickup in Billings, Montana area or along a route Bill will be traveling through in the future. The antenna is still standing in Missouri… but that is also included in the price once it is taken down.
• Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX
  • There will be a memorial service held for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri on November 1, 2026. Everyone is welcome! If you’d like to join us, please send an email to [email protected] and we’ll send you more info!

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During the Colorado 14er & Mountaintop Event, amateur radio operators from around Colorado will be activating Summits On The Air (SOTA) peaks and communicating with other radio amateurs across the state and around the world. Join in on the fun during the annual event by activating a summit or contacting (chasing) the mountaintop stations. Be ... Read more

The post 2026 Colorado 14er & Mountaintop Event appeared first on Above Average Terrain.