For you radio fans, I worked at the transmitter site from 1966 to 1968. There were a number of 10KW AN/FRT-39 transmitters (Technical Materiel Corporation GPT-10K), and also lower power, and older, AN/FRT-15 and AN/FRT-24 transmitters. There was one very old one which I think was called a "TAB-7" always set to the 500 kHz emergency frequency that was used at the time. And two extremely large transmitters for the aircraft beacon (you opened door and walked inside to service). I'm positive the beacon frequency was below 500 kHz and I'm remembering 379 kHz but not sure of that. Call letters for it were (and I think still are) NQM. There was a little device with a rotating wheel with various nubs screwed into the circumference to key the transmitter. Each beacon transmitter was set to the same frequency and one was a backup for the other. The ham radio club was located in the hangar and had a very nice Collins "S-Line" setup. Sometimes they would ask to use one of our transmitters when they were having trouble reaching somebody (which was at power levels vastly outside what was permitted for them, obviously). You see, even though the rectangular hardened building (which shows briefly in the video, I think) was called "radio control", all of the audio for everything went to a very large patch panel at the transmitter site. Including audio from the ham shack and from the KMTH radio studio. So we could put up whatever frequency the ham club requested, and if they wanted, single side band, on a 10 KW transmitter AND connect it to one of our three rotating log periodic antennas if one was available. (These look sort of like a TV antenna, except huge.) We had one other transmitter which was a Gates 250 watt model used for the local AM radio station which was KMTH. It was old and obsolete even then. About the size of a refrigerator. It was at 900 kHz and we got ordered by the FCC to change it to 920 kHz. Crystals were no longer available of the style used, but the crystal was physically removable from a holder. Since we were increasing frequency, we just lapped the crystal on fine sandpaper and, by trial and error, got it to 920 kHz. This would have been in 1967 probably, maybe 1968. (I saw a site online that said it was 920KHz in 1956, but I suspect that date is incorrect.) Also, a transformer in the Gates transmitter failed, was rather custom in its windings, and not available. I rigged up a Heathkit IP-17 high voltage power supply to provide the voltage needed bypassing the power supply the transformer powered. There was an empty area on the floor inside of the transmitter and I just set the supply in the middle of the floor. When I left the island, that supply was still there doing its job. The other fun technology was a microwave link between the transmitter site and the receiver site on Eastern Island. A tall platform with three side-by-side dishes stood just outside the office end of the building (removed and not seen in later photos of the abandoned site). It was ITT Kellogg equipment with 101 channels as a backup for the 101 pair cable normally used between the two islands. There had been two such cables, one Navy and one Telephone company as I recall, but one was destroyed when a ship passed between the islands dragging an anchor. So the backup was important.
I was stationed there in July 81 to Feb 82. I closed it up I’m 82. I was the Flight Service Ststion there. Speaking of G-1’s, my father was a Tech Rep on the G-1.
Midway is a beautiful place. I served in the Air Force for a year on Midway (1966-1967). Your videos bring back lots of memories. Thanks. Ed C
RIP, Paul N4PN... we all miss your fine signals!
For you radio fans, I worked at the transmitter site from 1966 to 1968. There were a number of 10KW AN/FRT-39 transmitters (Technical Materiel Corporation GPT-10K), and also lower power, and older, AN/FRT-15 and AN/FRT-24 transmitters. There was one very old one which I think was called a "TAB-7" always set to the 500 kHz emergency frequency that was used at the time. And two extremely large transmitters for the aircraft beacon (you opened door and walked inside to service). I'm positive the beacon frequency was below 500 kHz and I'm remembering 379 kHz but not sure of that. Call letters for it were (and I think still are) NQM. There was a little device with a rotating wheel with various nubs screwed into the circumference to key the transmitter. Each beacon transmitter was set to the same frequency and one was a backup for the other. The ham radio club was located in the hangar and had a very nice Collins "S-Line" setup. Sometimes they would ask to use one of our transmitters when they were having trouble reaching somebody (which was at power levels vastly outside what was permitted for them, obviously). You see, even though the rectangular hardened building (which shows briefly in the video, I think) was called "radio control", all of the audio for everything went to a very large patch panel at the transmitter site. Including audio from the ham shack and from the KMTH radio studio. So we could put up whatever frequency the ham club requested, and if they wanted, single side band, on a 10 KW transmitter AND connect it to one of our three rotating log periodic antennas if one was available. (These look sort of like a TV antenna, except huge.) We had one other transmitter which was a Gates 250 watt model used for the local AM radio station which was KMTH. It was old and obsolete even then. About the size of a refrigerator. It was at 900 kHz and we got ordered by the FCC to change it to 920 kHz. Crystals were no longer available of the style used, but the crystal was physically removable from a holder. Since we were increasing frequency, we just lapped the crystal on fine sandpaper and, by trial and error, got it to 920 kHz. This would have been in 1967 probably, maybe 1968. (I saw a site online that said it was 920KHz in 1956, but I suspect that date is incorrect.) Also, a transformer in the Gates transmitter failed, was rather custom in its windings, and not available. I rigged up a Heathkit IP-17 high voltage power supply to provide the voltage needed bypassing the power supply the transformer powered. There was an empty area on the floor inside of the transmitter and I just set the supply in the middle of the floor. When I left the island, that supply was still there doing its job. The other fun technology was a microwave link between the transmitter site and the receiver site on Eastern Island. A tall platform with three side-by-side dishes stood just outside the office end of the building (removed and not seen in later photos of the abandoned site). It was ITT Kellogg equipment with 101 channels as a backup for the 101 pair cable normally used between the two islands. There had been two such cables, one Navy and one Telephone company as I recall, but one was destroyed when a ship passed between the islands dragging an anchor. So the backup was important.
Great history, thanks for sharing.
Reminded me of our stop taking a DC-3 from North Island to Okinawa. I was the radio operator. 1963.
KM6EA Operated on Midway during my time from 75-78.
Midway Atoll has been off limits to the Public since 2013!
I was stationed there in July 81 to Feb 82. I closed it up I’m 82. I was the Flight Service Ststion there. Speaking of G-1’s, my father was a Tech Rep on the G-1.
Excellent!
Fantastic video, it was a great new one DXCC for me. 73s Pasquale IW0HEX
beautifully done video - wish i could visit
If anyone that is currently living on Midway reads this please say hello.
Awesome video! Tnx. 73s from The Netherlands
usn seabee .79-80 ac r plumbing shop..the gov is wrong for letting it all go to waste..