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GPS use Crosley blvd. - 8070 Tylersville rd. west chester, oh --- 513-777-0027 ---- Open Fri-Sat-Sun --- Noon-4 PM -- DONATE

Voice of America Museum

Exhibits

VOICE OF AMERICA
CROSLEY Story (electronics)
crosley Story (Mechanical)
Novelty Radios
SIGNALS & SCIENCE STUDIO
AMATEUR RADIO ROOM
CINCINNATI media
WEST CHESTER ARA

Voice of America

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Guests begin in the theater with an eight minute video about Bethany Station.

Introducing guests to learn how repressed countries controlled information going to their people during WWII.

How people in repressed countries listened to VOA and the BBC.

Tube lineup for the original Crosley Tx SW!

First message by the Voice of America was send using the Crosley shortwave transmitter, WLWO.

WLWO Transmitter

Tuning WLWO Tx

Tube lineup for the modulator.

Power Supply tubes for the WLWO Tx

Audio control panel

Layout for the transmitter bay containing 1 of 6 Collins 821-A 250 kW transmitters

Collins Transmitter 250 kW

Remote Control for the Collins

Remote control to switch station power source,

Incoming phone lines from Washington DC

Phone switching

Audio processing

Special English and Jamming signals listening station.

Station Teletype

Incoming Power 4160 VAC 3-Phase

6X22 Antenna switch

250 kW Dummy Load

Building grounding diagram.

Authentic VOA audio board used at the studio in Washing DC.

USA’s secret weapon was the music of Jazz.

All space launches was covered by VOA reporter Barnwell Rhett Turnipseed III.

Examples of shortwave radios used by listeners to the VOA.

Authentic satellite communications for a VOA field reporter.

the Crosley Story (mechanical)

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Crosley was first in the world to include shelves in the door of a refrigerator. Named the Shelvador.

This refrigerator ran on one cup of kerosene / day and kept food cold including ice cubes for 37 hours before a recharge was needed.

Crosley had a complete line steel kitchen counters and cupboards, including many appliances.

Crosley marketed a hair growing machine invented by a local doctor.

First color camera in Cincinnati, RCA TK-1 shown broadcasting a Reds Game from Crosley square.

First sports car in America, the Crosley Hot Shot.

Two of the three engines that powered the Hot Shot sports car.

First baby stroller in America originated from this wooden baby walker by Crosley.

Novelity Radios

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the Crosley Story (electronics)

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This begins a series of 18 display cabinets where we detail Powel & Lewis Crosley amazing journey to create a broadcasting empire

The first radios were powered by the radio signal its self, no electricity or batteries.

First Crosley broadcast originate in his home using this transmitter

First transmitter to broadcast under the WLW callsign.

First WLW radio dramas (Soap operas) began as Radarios in 1923.

First original radio play crafted from original ideas.

Many national stars began at WLW.

Crosley made “School of the Air successful when others failed.

The first and only USA AM radio station to broadcast at 1/2 million watts.

Crosley bid on and received many military electronic contracts.

The only radio transceiver deployed on D-Day was built by Crosley.

Crosley made nighttime baseball successful

More WLW personalities achieve stardom.

Crosley produced the first after market car radio called the Roamio.

Immigrants describe the importance of receiving the VOA broadcast.

Crosley brothers built the first VOA radio relay station for America.

The global impact from the VOA broadcast.

Did you ever wonder how the Radio Flyer red wagon got it name?

The WLW listening station play many vintage original WLW broadcast.

Typical living room furniture quality console radios produced in the 1930s and 40s.

Repwood molding material helped sculpture attractive radio cabinets.

This Crosley Lowboy radio was low profile but furniture quality.

Today we marvel at the craftsmanship of the vintage radios.

This 1932 Grandfather Clock Radio was made by Wurlitzer Company.

signals & science studio

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Don’t miss this vintage (1960s-1980s) AM radio broadcast station. Be sure to get a “selfie.”

1960s radio station and the art of texting beginning in 1827. Check out the Wax to Waves display.

Cincinnati Radio station promotional jackets.

How teletype provided long distance written communications.

Set in the DJ chair for a “selfie.”

Broadcast quality record players.

Do you recall reel to reel tape recorders?

Explore the Wax to Waves audio recording technology.

Beginning with wax cylinders and wax records.

And into wire recorders and oxide plastic tape.

Into 45, 33 and 78 RPM plastic records.

Wax cylinder player (Left) and spring driven reel to reel player on the right.

Experience texting beginning in 1827

Beginning with semaphore in 1791.

Brail text in 1824/

Electronic text in 1827.

WLW had the only operating farm radio studio.

WLW Everybody’s Farm

cincinnati media & Media literacy

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In the Oxygen of Democracy Hallway see the Ruth Lyons display.

And the Larry Smith Puppet dispaly.

Don’t miss the Captain Windy and Uncle Al display.

Tower top light from Cincinnati radio station.

Must visit the Foley Lab (sound effects from 1922 to today.

Other half of the Foley Lab.

Stop by the Gift Shop.

A best kept secret is Cincinnati ran on three time zones from 1918 to 1927. Check it out!

Student Teaching Students AND teachers about AL Literacy. The non-profit is call SAIL, for AI Literacy.

Formed by innovative high school students at Woodward HS in Cincinnati.

Check out their website where they are have amazing success through out Ohio.

The museum is proud to partner with these awesome students.

amateur radio room

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R.L. Drake

R.L. Drake

R.L. Drake

R.L. Drake

R.L. Drake

R.L. Drake

Cincy First Police Tx 500W

Police Call Box

Admiral Byrd Expedition Tx

National Hammarlund

Collins

Hallicrafters

Heathkit

Realistic RME

Clegg - E.F. Johnson - Kenwood

Charlie Stinger Ham Station

learn how shortwave radio works

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west chester amatuer radio assoc. presents A modernized ham shack which opens Wednesdays 7-9 PM for open shack night.

Licensed hams can stop in and operate and others interested in the hobby can learn about amateur radio.

visit the modern amateur radio ham shack and LEARN FIRSTHAND
HOW SHORTWAVE RADIO WORKS!

get your ham radio license.

licensing Exams are held the 2nd Saturday/Month,
Details Here.

join the west chester amareur radio club and enjoy operating the high power club station.

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