"WNYC, New York's municipal broadcaster, has a remote control station which is unique, at least in New York radio circles. It consists of an outdoor roof garden and is employed by WNYC for the broadcasting of programs enlisting the services of a large number of people, such as a band, or symphony orchestra, or choral body. On hot summer nights, it is also utilized in place of the studio, and, being located more than a score of stories from the street, is not troubled with traffic noises... A platform has been erected on the roof of the Municipal Building which on broadcast nights is surrounded by potted palms and other floral decorations.

" 'This outdoor studio has proved to be a great boon on hot nights,' said Christie Bohnsack, Director of WNYC... 'We recently staged a State of Mississippi Night, ... Our microphone is simply extended outside, and the soloist or ensemble [is] picked.up and carried to our transmitter.' "

Source: Excerpts from William J. Fagan, UPI dispatch from New York, September 2, 1926.
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From the Collection



WQXR QSL Card from 1983 sent to DXer in Sweden.

QSL postcards were used to confirm reports that a station had been heard. QSL is a "Q" code from amateur and radiotelegraph jargon that means "I confirm contact with you." A "DXer" is a shortwave or radio listener from a great distance.
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Happen to catch the biographer Arthur Browne on this week's Leonard Lopate Show, talking about New York City's first African-American policeman, Samuel J. Battle? 

WNYC profiled Battle as part of its Great Americans series in April, 1943. Listen at: BATTLE. The May-June WNYC Masterwork Bulletin described the program as "purposeful drama."

"This Great Americans series has a very definite purpose--showing youngsters and listeners of all ages that all Americans, of every race, color and creed, have contributed to our culture and prosperity--and must keep on doing so, particularly in these times of war..."
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We've put the complete set of John Lomax's 1941 Library of Congress broadcast folk series The Ballad Hunter online. Listen at: BALLAD.