[IRCA] Obituary for DXers: Willis Conover

[Charles A Taylor <MWDXer@xxxxxxx>]

Group:

Willis Conover's VOA Jazz Hour was more than a program, it
was my work. Meaning I was one of the lucky technicians
who tuned the VOA transmitters and got to listen to the
old gent's program on the control room monitor (that is,
if I wasn't bashing my brains out on a coil while working
inside a transmitter [with the transmitter's hallway
monitor patched to the control room monitor]).

Seems to me I got to listen to his program embedded in
our English to Africa service during midnight shift (0000
- 0800 EST). I can remember bunches of frequencies for
broadcasts to areas via Greenville (NC), but I cannot
remember the frequency or frequencies we broadcasted
VOA Jazz Hour on.

(I can remember running AFRTS on 15430 kHz on a bearing
for Gander, Newfoundland (and Europe, beyond) more than
15 years ago, but VOA Jazz Hour eludes me...frustration.)

Just the same, it was a privilege to be a link in the
chain that got his program to the target area.

I believe his position at VOA was officially that of
"consultant" because federal salary caps limited the
amount that we could pay employees (a serious hindrance
in getting personnel to move from the rest of the network
and go to Washington).

Also believe he had practically a whole floor to him-
self at VOA studios.

Radio Martí has /had a similar jazz program going out
on 6030 kHz during my midnight shifts (at Greenville)
or evening shifts (at Delano). Ought to remember the
announcer's name, as I loved to listen to Martí's pro-
gramming on the control room monitor.

Maybe Dan Ferguson can refresh my memory.

73 de Charles
(retired transmitter troll)

Charles A Taylor, WD4INP
Greenville, North Carolina 



_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx