[Hallicrafters] W9WZE and Hallicrafters factory on DVD

[Craig Roberts]

Hiya fellas!

I just bought a DVD I know you'll find very interesting and entertaining. It's offered by a guy in Ohio on eBay under the heading "9 Vintage Antique Radio and Broadcasting DVD video."

It's a collection of transferred 16mm promotional films on broadcasting and military communications topics. Most are from the WW II era. Among them is a film produced on behalf of Hallicrafters to promote its SCR-299 transmitter -- the military version of the HT-4. The film was apparently intended for exhibition to Hallicrafters employees.  

It's great fun and contains a sequence filmed at W9WZE (recognize those call letters?).  The station's beautifully equipped with an SX-28, HT-4 and all the accessories.  The well dressed operator, "Bill", is actually an actor and quite amusing as he calls a 20-meter CQ into his shiny D-104 "lollipop" and gets a response from his old ham buddy "Herb" in faraway Los Angeles.

The real Bill Halligan can be glimpsed later in the film as he and his engineering staff work earnestly to adapt the HT-4 for Army use. The film also contains a step-by-step assembly and testing sequence of the transmitter and we get to see much of the Chicago factory.

The DVD costs nine bucks and I think the Hallicrafters sequence itself is worth the price.  Other segments cover network and independent radio station operations in the 40's and early '50's.  If you're an old broadcaster like me, or just have an interest in broadcasting of yore, you'll be delighted with this video.

DISCLAIMER:  I am not connected to the vendor of the DVD in any way whatsoever and derive no benefit from the product's sale.  I just thought you'd really like this video. I recommend it highly.

73,

Craig
W3CRR