This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

Commissioner Wallander discusses the Amateur Radio Branch of Civil Defense Communication in New York. Wallander notes the importance of maintaining communication in the face of disaster. Martin Uvelman (?), director of the Amateur Radio Branch tells the audience why amateur radio workers are needed in the civil defense effort. Amateur radio can fulfill multiple roles in an emergency: filling in if other forms of communication have been destroyed or alleviating if the system has been overloaded beyond capacity.

Approximately 30 radio amateurs have been sworn in in Queens county. A similar set up is being organized in Brooklyn and the Bronx, and there are plans for the other boroughs. The units are mobile - located in cars. Ideally, each mobile unit will be manned by two operators. The goal is to establish 1,000 mobile units and enlist 2,000 operators.

He mentions Robert Green, an amateur radio operator who acted with heroism during the previous year's hurricane. Driving through the storm in Jones Beach he provided emergency communication to the Coast Guard who had lost their signal.

They go on to discuss the installation of equipment and the costs, which is currently a burden of the operators themselves. Professional radio engineers are being consulted to inform designs that may be more cost effective.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 71581
Municipal archives id: LT1835