[Milsurplus] Fw: [40mtr_USB_Group] "Patrolling the Ether" on TCM tomorrow AM

[Joe Munson]

For those who may be interested in the history of the RID and radio 
direction finding work during WWII, TCM is showing "Patrolling the 
Ether," a flm short about Sunday 10-27 (tomorrow) morning 0935 -1000 
EDT. IMDB: "In the days leading up to World War II, the Radio 
Intelligence Division of the Federal Communications Commission enlists 
the help of amateur radio operators to determine the location of 
broadcasts by enemy agents in the United States."

According to Wikipedia: "It is notable as the first film ever broadcast 
simultaneously on more than one television station; on 10 April 1944, it 
was shown on three stations, the beginning of network television." IMDB 
adds "This was the first movie in the USA to premiere on television."

Aside from the film - here's a really neat website: 
http://users.isp.com/danflan/sterling/dfh1.html

This site includes loads of old pictures (SX-28 fans will be in heaven!) 
and the history of RID and the original W3DF, George Sterling, who was 
nominated by President Harry Truman to serve as FCC Commissioner in 
1948. In addition to a long string of professional accomplishments, 
according to this website, he is also the only licensed ham to have ever 
served as an FCC Commissioner. I sure didn't know that!

This site is maintained by the present holder of W3DF, who has done a 
terrific job of paying tribute to the original. Don't miss the "Next" 
button at the bottom of the page as there are two pages of DF history 
and photos. (Fair warning - the photos and page 3 feature Prose Walker 
(who some may refer to as "The Infamous Prose Walker") but as they say, 
"we report, you decide".



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