Contact Information:

About the Archivist/Webmaster

I grew up around the Great Lakes (Alpena, MI and South Bend, IN) and have had a shortwave receiver since 1947. I also have a strong long-term interest in the inland rivers, both the steamboat era and modern tow-boating. I started listening to the towboat radio traffic almost as soon as I got that first receiver (a Hallicrafters S-38), and to the great lakes traffic when I discovered it a little later.

In the late 70's to mid 90's I had a Drake TR-7 transceiver with the Aux-7 board set up to receive WCM's 4, 6, 8 and 12 MHz channels. It carried the most traffic and was the strongest "tow" or "laker" station at my Virginia and NC locations. My current shortwave receiver is a SDR box (the AirSpy HF+) hooked to my PC.

I am 85+, a 1956 Purdue EE grad., and have been retired from General Electric (mobile radio product design) for many years. I am an amateur radio operator (K4ZAD), but generally prefer listening and experimenting/building to operating. Current ham interest is receiving and transmitting (with very low power) WSPR signals. I now live near Raleigh NC which is, unfortunately, very far from the rivers.

My othr websites are: The GE Mobile Radio History Archive and K4ZAD's Radio Information Site.