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October 1948 Popular Science
 [Table of Contents]
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early
electronics. See articles from
Popular
Science, published 1872-2021. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.
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When the United Nations (UN)
was created at the end of World War II, the goal was for a consortium of countries
that would band together to resolve disagreements without armed conflict both within
member nations and with non-members - a noble cause. This 1948 issue of Popular
Science magazine reported on amateur radio operators contributing to the effort.
It did a good job for the first couple decades, then over time, as with too many
such efforts, corruption crept into the ranks from top to bottom and reports began
appearing of barbarous acts being committed by UN commanders and troops (yes, they
were militant) in areas of Africa and the Middle East. An Internet search on UN
atrocities turns up many examples (some censor/block the articles), the most recent
being
UN staff participation in the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel. Once a
supporter of the United Nations' mission, I used to collect the special postage
stamps they issue, and even have
First Day Covers of the original 1951 set, but stopped years ago due to not
wanting to help fund their actions. The UN is nowadays one of the most anti-American
organizations in the world.
Hams Around World Help United Nations
Mrs. Maria Witteveen, of Netherlands delegation to UN, talks
to her nephew in Europe over one of K2UN's custom-built 1,000-watt transmitters.
Modern "shack" is at Lake Success.
K2UN calling CQ. This is K2UN, the amateur station at United Nations headquarters
in Lake Success, New York, standing by. Come in please."
This call has been answered by Lieut. Gen. Curtis LeMay over his ham rig in Occupied
Germany, and by scores of other hams - in the United States, Russia, and other lands.
Costa Rica. Otto Andre, who was the first ham
in Latin America to become a member of the DX Century Club and has talked to amateurs
in 175 foreign countries, used the rig shown in the photograph at left below to
make contact with K2UN. Photo at right shows his three-element, rotary-beam antenna
and the house in Coronado in which his station, TI2-0A, is located.
Canada. F. F. Griffin, of VE4KF in Winnipeg,
spoke to K2UN from this set. The transmitter, using a pair of 813's in the final
stage, running 400 watts input, is remotely controlled.
France. Yves Naintre, of F8LX in Paris, made
his transmitter from a surplus Collins AN/ART/13 (just behind his right hand in
photo above). He has been an amateur since 1925.
Italy. The first amateur radio operator to make
official contact with K2UN was Victor E. Motto, of Como, shown above at the equipment
he used. Mr. Motto's call letters are I1RM.
A few of them are pictured here. K2UN is operated by volunteers, who call other
hams by their first names and gabble with them endlessly.
Several times the amateurs have leaped to the UN's aid. During the Palestine
crisis, for example, 15 American hams volunteered to serve with the UN communications
staff there. And once when the Rhodes station could not "raise" Jerusalem, official
UN messages were relayed by Stanley Wolff of W2HIQ in Armonk, N. Y.
Netherlands. Jan H. Adams, of PA0FB in The Hague,
had to hide his rig - and himself-from the Nazis during the war. Now he is back
on the air with this 50-watt transmitter.
Switzerland. Max Bisehhausen, who operates HB9EC
in Berne, is one of the many European amateurs using American surplus equipment
- note the Signal Corps receiver in the background.
Germany. This American in the occupation forces
has spoken to the United Nations from Germany - Lt. Richard B. McKlveen (D4AAM),
of the 1st Constabulary Brigade in Wiesbaden.
Posted February 2, 2024
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