[RVRC] Saving old WOO, A T & T radio site

[Marvin Bronstein]

Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:49:33 +0000 (GMT)
From:k3bu at optimum.net
Subject: Topband: Last call to save world's best radio QTH.

Fellow Hams,

We are in danger of losing perhaps the world's best radio location QTH - old WOO,  Ocean Gate, NJ,  AT&T Long Lines' transmitting site.

Just brief outline; The site is on the mouth of The Toms River flowing into the Barnegat Bay, just below the town of Toms River. It is a peninsula of about 175 acres, surrounded by another about 200 acres of salty marshes. Channels supply salt water to flood the plain. Absolutely quiet, no man made noise. See the photos at http://www.teslaradio.org/site.htm

A two story building, like a fortress, housed 10 and 50 kW transmitters that fed some 45 Rhombics, 5 Discones, two wire LP on 100' towers, with 1 5/8" heliax. The Building has about a 2 acre fenced off area, the Building and antenna fields were designated historical sites and there will be no residential or industrial developments there.

The site was leased to the "Tesla Radio Foundation and Museum" by the township, for two years, and then extended for five years. More info about the project is at www.TeslaRadio.org web site. We were trying to have the AT&T and Tesla Museum, Club house and competitive M/M station there. I was not able to devote planned time and resources to get the project off the ground due to family and business problems and commitments. There was some vandalism done to the site. The township is getting concerned that not much has been done to preserve the site and it is looking for more reassurances that this project will be progressing.

What I have done so far is; registered as an NFP Foundation-501 (c)3, created a bank account, opened a Postal Box- PO Box 9, obtained calls N2EE and NT1E. Now with my involvement at MountainView Resort and getting up in the age, I will not be able to devote as much time as I was hoping for (retiring there). We are trying to solicit more members and to work with other Tesla groups, but more hands and heads are needed.

This is perhaps a last call trying to save this magnificent and historical site and build the world's best radioclub station.

I can see some possibilities:
1. Expand the club with active members, solicit donations.
2. Group or club take over, perhaps Curacao style (shares).
3. Someone purchase the building and site.
4. ???

I am willing to help in any way I can, specially in the technical aspects, antenna and station design, logistics, etc. I have rigs and hardware to equip MM.

We also have a nice, historical, beach house around the corner from the site, which we would consider selling. Perfect place for a contester to retire and dominate the bands.

If you are interested and can help, please come to our Tesla Radiofest BBQ this Saturday, July 23, at MountainView Resort in Glen Spey, NY www.MVmanor.com and lets try to figure out how to save this Radio Jewel.

Yuri Blanarovich, K3BU
President Tesla RC
cell 973 220 0087