On our way back from Dayton Sunday afternoon, we (K4XK, KN4ME, N5PI and myself) decided to stop by the WLW transmitter site. Without a map, we got off I-75 at the Mason exit, and followed the Blaw-Knox tower until we came on the site. The gate was locked, so they weren't open for tours, but we stopped and got a good look at the tower. It is practically identical to the one at WSM in Nashville. Interesting looking strain insulators break up the guy wires, even have arc gaps across them. The turnbuckles are unique, compared to anything I had seen before. Didn't have my camera to take any pictures. The guy anchors are laminated with 3 or 4 flat pieces, and they use a total of 8 guys at the mid-section only, just like the one at WSM. Also, like WSM, there is a brick wall surrounding the base insulator.
The wall at WSM was built during WWII to protect the base insulator from anyone attempting to take shots at it, since the station clandestinely transmitted strategic information hidden in their regular programming, and sabotage was a real concern. I assume the one at WLW was built for the same reason, as Hitler was quoted as referring to the station as the "Cincinnati Liar".
After viewing the tower and transmitter building through the fence and reading the State Historical Site plaque, we went to the VOA transmitter building which still stands and is being made into a museum. Although a work in progress, it was open for visitors Sunday afternoon, and we were given a guided tour. One of the transmitters is still on-site, along with the original control room and a few pieces of equipment along with a lot of empty racks. They also have one of the most complete wireless/radio/television museums in the country, with many pieces of early broadcast equipment, and even a homebrew rack-mounted ham transmitter that looked to be from the early to mid-30s, using a pair of 211s or 203-As modulated by another pair.
Well worth the 2 hours or so we spent at the site. I would recommend anyone planning to travel through the area to contact them in advance and see if a tour could be arranged.
Perhaps in future years, an AMers' tour could be arranged as an annual event. For now, the tour is free, but voluntary donations are gladly accepted.
http://www.qsl.net/k9ez/wlw.htmhttp://www.oldradio.com/archives/stations/cinc/VOApix.htmhttp://mason-deerfieldtownship.fox19.com/news/historic-voa-transmitter-site-hosts-three-tours-weekend/70090http://www.j-hawkins.com/voaohio.html
