Where Sinatra sang: K6TAL to activate May 16
May 12, 2015
It all started in March with the publishing of Don Keith's “Wave of Popularity.” I received a call from my friend Tom, KJ6DZT. "Did you know that The American Legion has a ham radio club? You're a vet, aren't you? Do you belong to the Legion?"
"Yeah, I belong to Post 70 in Cave Junction, Ore." The post and myself are both named after my great-uncle; my grandfather started the post and named it in his brother’s honor.
"I just joined and they are swearing mein on Tuesday, could you be there? There is something you should see."
Palm Springs Post 519 is a pretty big operation. It has a full restaurant and bar and a stage. What I "should see" was stage left. A sound booth. "Wow, this could make a great ham shack for a club station," one of us commented. So the plan was hatched. After the swearing-in ceremony we approached Post Commander Pete Pilittere and told him about Don's article and our master plan. At our next get-together, Pete was very excited about the idea of having a ham radio club at the post and gave the go-ahead to start in on the sound booth.
The booth has been pretty much used for storage over the last how many years, and was in somewhat of a state of disrepair. This, however, is no ordinary sound booth. During the late 40s and years later, names like Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra did remotes from this stage using this very sound booth. Inside amongst the "stuff" are a few gems: a RCA 77-B microphone, a RCA mic mixer and amplifier, and a few other piece of vintage sound gear. There is even an illuminated "On The Air" sign over the door. That's all the good points – the lights were bare bulbs in the ceiling and the electrical system had been cobbled together over the last 70 years.
The old knee-high bench was removed, holes patched and new to-code electrical installed, as well as proper overhead lighting. We installed the framework for operating benches but are awaiting countertops. We still need some paint and to get some antennas up. For the time being, the radios are on loan.
But we have a goal. On May 16 the post is hosting a fundraiser for SOS...A Ride Home. This is a group that supplies free rides for Marines arriving at local transportation centers out to 29 Palms Marine Base. The Marines will cruise in classic cars down the main drag, and afterwards there is a fundraiser dinner and show. The post commander has asked that we have our station on the air for this event, and we will – less paint and a few other things, and the antenna will be from the hitch at the back of my SUV.
Listen for us on 14.255 MHz +/- from 1500 hrs PDT until 1900 hrs. This will be the activation of the K6TAL Post 519 Amateur Radio Club.
Glenn Morrison, WB6RLC
President, Palm Springs Post 519 ARC K6TAL