[CW] Don Wallace, W6AM (b. 1898- d. 1985)

[D.J.J. Ring, Jr.]

40 years ago Don Wallace, W6AM (b. 1898- d. 1985), was interviewed in 1984
by Wayne Overbeck, N6NB, for the PBS series, "Radio Collector." The
interview takes place at Radio Ranch in Palos Verdes, CA, and shows Don's
shack and antenna farm. The property is likely a condo farm today. The
California Historical Radio Society, CHRS, is presenting this uncut
interview. Don had 6 beams for Australia alone! He switches them with the
switch that controls relay switching. On the air since 1910 until his
death. Don had 14 rhombic antennas. 61 telephone poles supported his
antennas, scattered around 120 acres. Another 110 poles carried the
feedlines to the antennas. https://www.qsl.net/ne6i/w6am/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5iVb-3MHEY His QSL card shows the rhombic
layout.
Press Wireless, an overseas radio communications company, bought 100 acres
in the 1920s and set up a receiving station. The gently sloping hilltop,
without a house in sight, was considered ideal for the station because of
its 1,200-foot elevation.
Don C. Wallace helped the company choose the site and in 1945 bought the
property from Press Wireless, along with an additional 20 acres. It already
was dominated by the company’s commercial transmission poles, but Wallace
brought in a large crane and reset all of them. “At one time,” said his
son, “there were 45 miles of wire in the air.” [image: w6am-00631-sk7.jpg]
[image: w6am1.jpg]
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