Messages copied from W1AW about WWII

QST de W1AW To All Radio Amateurs 6 PM EST December 10 1941

The Federal Communications Commission recognizes the formal declaration of a state of war as requiring for national defense the withdrawal from private use of all amateur frequencies and it has so ordered. By public notice the FCC ordered the immediate suspension of all amateur radio operation in the United States its territories and possessions. In instances where amateur radio is required for defense the FCC will act on representations and endorsements by designated authorities. This will require written application of duly authorized federal state or local officials such as governor mayor or chief of police to the Defense Communications Board, Washington giving the name, call signal and full address of the amateur licensee, stating the national defense function and the frequencies for the proposed defense communication work. Some amateur defense groups are already authorized but a number of applications have been held up for lack of complete data be sure local authority submits full name, call of licensee, full address, purpose served and frequency bands to be used, in writing. ARRL stresses that when authorized you must strictly confine all operations to national defense work stop no amateurs are permitted to operate except those activated by federal state or local authorities after FCC approval has been received stop absolutely no ragchewing is to be permitted. FCC monitoring stations all receive lists by teletype of amateurs authorized by FCC. ARRL recommends that each amateur register in emergency corps getting blanks from ARRL HQ, see page 56 Dec. QST. Build UHF emergency equipment as per QST. ARRL coordinators or local leaders should call local amateur meetings to complete registration and such plans as approved by local defense authorities stop we must each find our place to serve in a responsible manner in this emergency that our institution of amateur radio may contribute its utmost to the national effort.

QST de W1AW


To all Radio Amateurs 2 PM Dec. 11 1941

All Amateur Licensees are hereby notified under order No 87 that FCC has ordered the immediate suspension of all amateur radio operation in the united states its territories and possessions, however in instances where amateur operation is deemed to be required in connection with the national defense, appropriate authorization will be issued but only upon application by a duly authorized federal state or local official made to the defense communications board.  The following form for such application is to be addressed to Defense Communications Board Washington DC. In accordance with instructions issued by the federal communications commission application is hereby made for authorization of operation of the  following amateur station or stations unquote stop this should be followed by the calls and full names and addresses of  license and a clear statement of defense function to be served. Application must be signed only by a duly authorized federal state or local official such as governor mayor or chief of police.

QST de W1AW


To All Radio Amateurs 2 PM Dec. 11 1941

Lack of complete data is holding up some applications now before the defense communications board for authorizations by proper authorities on behalf of particular amateur radio defense groups. Be sure full addresses of licenses are given as well as name call and purpose served.  ARRL stresses that when authorized you must strictly confine all operations to national defense work. Absolutely no ragchewing is to be permitted. Only amateurs receiving DCB authorization and activated by federal state and local authorities may operate. FCC monitoring stations receive teletype lists of all amateurs authorized by DCB. ARRL recommends that each amateur register in the emergency corps getting blanks from ARRL HQ. See page 56 December QST.  Build UHF emergency equipment as per QST.  ARRL coordinators or local leaders should call local amateur meetings to complete registration and such plans as approved by local defense authorities. We must each find our place to serve in a responsible manner in this emergency so that the institution of amateur radio may contribute its utmost to the national effort.

QST de W1AW


QST de WlAW To All Radio Amateurs Dec. 29 1941

Numerous amateur radio groups are now holding meetings to organize for civilian defense under plans approved by their local authorities.  ARRL bulletin will be sent on request indicating proper procedure.  Duly authorized federal state or local officials such as governor mayor or chief of police must certify to the DCB that requested operation is essential for national defense activities stop the officials in applying to the defense communications board or FCC for activation of amateurs must give full name address and call of desired licensees with a clear statement of the defense functions to be served. See insert in January QST for more details. Only amateurs receiving FCC orders to resume may activate their stations and then for defense needs only under the direction of their sponsoring authority. Such operation does not permit rag chewing.  All FCC amateur service regulations must be observed.  In addition all defense operation is subject to the superior and immediate control orders of the interceptor command of each area.  Either direct or through net control stations all amateurs whose stations are in defense status must be in a position to observe radio silence instantly if and whenever called for. A one thousand cycle tone from key broadcast stations in each area oh the absence of local broadcast carriers orders radio blackout or silence.  All properly licensed amateurs may operate stations authorized for defense and should plan relays of operators for 24 hour needs if necessary. All amateurs should keep themselves and equipment ready and not dismantle. Each individual is urged to get registered in ARRL emergency corps. Send stamped addressed envelope to ARRL for forms.  All amateurs and groups re-activated for defense should report to section managers whose address appears page 4 QST so their defense plans will be appropriately mentioned in QST. More radio operators and specialists are needed. FCC examinations are still being given and the 1942 FCC examination schedule will be published in February QST.  ARRL suggests to amateur clubs that they all carry on, adopting programs of code instruction, uhf building for civilian defense and radio theory classes.

QST de WlAW


QST de WlAW To All Radio Amateurs 6 PM Jan. 6 1942 

At the request of the DCB the FCC today temporarily discontinued taking action on requests for reauthorization of particular amateur stations for defense stop there is no cancellation of existing authorization.  Further announcement of new regulations under which new applications for civilian defense of activation of amateur licensees will be considered and will soon be made pending the outcome of studies now in progress.  The sponsors and all amateur operators holding FCC - DCB reauthorization are cautioned to observe great restraint and responsibility in any testing of defense set ups refraining from all except essential operations. ARRL urgently warns against reporting or mentioning local or specific weather or temperature conditions under any circumstances stop this is regarded as military information and is not be disclosed.

QST de WlAW


QST de WlAW To All Radio Amateurs Jan. 1 1942

It is necessary to caution emergency coordinators and those leaders of defense net groups to select operating personnel with the greatest care. Public officials certifying a need for certain amateur stations for defense should indicate that their personnel have been most carefully investigated prior to selection stop all stations authorized must be operate without rag chewing or any sort of unnecessary conversation. Undisciplined operation idle chatter excess testing or other examples of poor judgment or supervision by the responsible amateurs or supervising officials is likely to result in early cancellation of the special authorizations thus brought into question. ARRL repeats earlier, advises that only amateur stations receiving special FCC reauthorization may engage in any operation whatsoever.  Monitoring stations are observant of unlawful operations.  Abuses may run us all off the air. Heavy penalties may result from any citations required.

QST de W1AW


QST de W1AW To West Coast Radio Amateurs  Jan. 1 1942

Amateur Radio is subject to serious embarrassment in seven western states since reactivated amateurs just receiving authorization do not appear to understand that at this time they are required to keep absolute silence by order of the western theater command.  Defense service probably would be permitted if needed after an air raid stop however no operations whatsoever are allowed by the interceptor command at this time for amateurs in; California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. This prohibition does not prevent or delay FCC DCB reauthorizations from municipal defense anti ultimate practical defense needs. But radio silence must be observed by all west coast amateurs on any and all amateur frequencies until orders to contrary. Western amateurs are encouraged however to continue all plans preparations UHF building and such as approved by their local defense authorities.

QST de W1AW