- Joined
- Jun 13, 2018
- Messages
- 869
The wind was blowing a snow filled gale outside the high mountain lodge, but inside around the large fireplace all was warm and secure. The adults were passing a bottle as they related tales of adventures and daring. A pause, and in the ensuing silence as people stared into the crackling logs, a small child's voice broke the fire's hypnotic spell.
"Tell us again, aunt Lauri, how your best friend tried to wack you over your gambling debt..........."
___________________________________
A hit over my gambling debts ?... No, not exactly, but that did get your attention, no ?
*******
In the waning days of my time in Washington I tried to get in as much tourist activities as I could in places that would be shortly closed off to me forever when I turned in my badges and clearances.
Like, I had to see the back room collections in the National Gallery, of the Natural History Museum; I had to climb the stairs of the Washington Monument---arrange special tours for family and friends of the White House. A whole 'bucket list' of things to do and to check off -
But probably the most unusual on that list was not exactly one of my own choice.
I have a driving passion for history, especially all things early radio. Ever since my first visit to the US Naval radio station NSS at Annapolis years ago I have been captivated by what was its million watt transmitter, its Helix House and attendant buildings (all gone now)- the 1200 foot center tower of a Goliath antenna array surrounded by its 'shorter' 600 foot Eliffel towers--- then there was the mystery "fish pond"-which was a large overgrown ornate pool with copper fountains....
"What was that for ?" I was asked
"It was the evaporative cooling pond for the massive Paulson Arc Converters- the powerful early successors of spark gap transmitters."
Today all that remains are three of those early towers, preserved as historical memories of days past.... 600 foot monuments to long wave radio from the 1930's- totally awesome to seen from a distance on Greenbury Point but really overwhelming when seen from their bases.... the space beneath each could easily accomodate a good size house and lot.
Huge concrete blocks- counter weighs that once supported massive wire arrays now sit in between the tower legs.
On one visit to the site a Naval lieutenant said---
"Cables used to run clear up to the top over each tower from those blocks, then over massive sheave wheels to control the weight on the towers- counter weights, or shock absorbers, for a huge wire array"
And ---
"You can still see plenty of names and dates scratched into those wheels and in the towers themselves if you look carefully- pre =World War Two stuff..... want to see it for yourself ?"
"You're serious??" I replied staring up right thru the centre of a tower.
No !!" was my reply
___________________________________
That was a few years ago. Since then my good friend reminded me of the offer to see the world form atop one of those towers. We are talking open ladders, nightmare ganteries, pre OSHA safety rules.........
"Are you crazy?" was my response, but still she persisted.
"I'll climb it with you" she said "we can do it....and think, if we take a 2 metre hand held along what that could do from up there"
She broke me down
"Ok, but if I chicken out half way up you'll not hold it against me !"
____________________________________
My whole office staff made the appropriate calls , (my "staff"- of one, Cindy, that is--- I was small potatoes)
added;
"Its all arranged... we are to be there on the ------- at 9 AM to meet with a crew who are working on some aircraft warning lights"
"Wait !" I said "What's this "We ??!"
"Oh, and We may have a television station there too !!"
----------------------------------To be continued
Lauri
"Tell us again, aunt Lauri, how your best friend tried to wack you over your gambling debt..........."
___________________________________
A hit over my gambling debts ?... No, not exactly, but that did get your attention, no ?
*******
In the waning days of my time in Washington I tried to get in as much tourist activities as I could in places that would be shortly closed off to me forever when I turned in my badges and clearances.
Like, I had to see the back room collections in the National Gallery, of the Natural History Museum; I had to climb the stairs of the Washington Monument---arrange special tours for family and friends of the White House. A whole 'bucket list' of things to do and to check off -
But probably the most unusual on that list was not exactly one of my own choice.
I have a driving passion for history, especially all things early radio. Ever since my first visit to the US Naval radio station NSS at Annapolis years ago I have been captivated by what was its million watt transmitter, its Helix House and attendant buildings (all gone now)- the 1200 foot center tower of a Goliath antenna array surrounded by its 'shorter' 600 foot Eliffel towers--- then there was the mystery "fish pond"-which was a large overgrown ornate pool with copper fountains....
"What was that for ?" I was asked
"It was the evaporative cooling pond for the massive Paulson Arc Converters- the powerful early successors of spark gap transmitters."
Today all that remains are three of those early towers, preserved as historical memories of days past.... 600 foot monuments to long wave radio from the 1930's- totally awesome to seen from a distance on Greenbury Point but really overwhelming when seen from their bases.... the space beneath each could easily accomodate a good size house and lot.
Huge concrete blocks- counter weighs that once supported massive wire arrays now sit in between the tower legs.
On one visit to the site a Naval lieutenant said---
"Cables used to run clear up to the top over each tower from those blocks, then over massive sheave wheels to control the weight on the towers- counter weights, or shock absorbers, for a huge wire array"
And ---
"You can still see plenty of names and dates scratched into those wheels and in the towers themselves if you look carefully- pre =World War Two stuff..... want to see it for yourself ?"
"You're serious??" I replied staring up right thru the centre of a tower.
No !!" was my reply
___________________________________
That was a few years ago. Since then my good friend reminded me of the offer to see the world form atop one of those towers. We are talking open ladders, nightmare ganteries, pre OSHA safety rules.........
"Are you crazy?" was my response, but still she persisted.
"I'll climb it with you" she said "we can do it....and think, if we take a 2 metre hand held along what that could do from up there"
She broke me down
"Ok, but if I chicken out half way up you'll not hold it against me !"
____________________________________
My whole office staff made the appropriate calls , (my "staff"- of one, Cindy, that is--- I was small potatoes)
added;
"Its all arranged... we are to be there on the ------- at 9 AM to meet with a crew who are working on some aircraft warning lights"
"Wait !" I said "What's this "We ??!"
"Oh, and We may have a television station there too !!"
----------------------------------To be continued
Lauri
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