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| Ackerman Road: A Story - Pictured our OSP original tower and station in Columbus, Ohio. Forward: My overview of this history is of a mode of communications that became obsolete. This is not meant to bring back meaningless items but expand to view a lost art which a few of us still enjoy in the Amateur radio bands. A salute to those who brought to work the Vibroplex brand boxes that contained the speed key which generated the dots and dashes so familiar to us. We probably drank too much black coffee, too many Camels, stuck around long after shift completion to clear the hook, too many midnights and endless static in the ears & brain from atmospherics. Which all could have taken a toll on many good men, early to watch Eternal - Bless them all! February 24 1934 our Radio Heritage begins. th Director O.W. Merrill Department of Highways announces Ohio State Highway Patrol was granted a experimental license to build & operate station WP2X in Columbus the State Capitol at Ackerman Road on the property of Ohio State University. This was to be an experimental communications facility manned 24 hours per day. In short order the call letters assigned were permanent “WPGQ” Also authorized to the power level of 400 watts on a frequency of 1.682 MHz HF radio police band. This was short lived (1.682) because channel congestion had to be avoided to Iowa Highway Patrol and Philadelphia PD. It was determined that same year that the operating frequency would be 1.596 MHz HF police interzone band. Author has a U.S.Govt call book for 1936 and the same channel was in use in 1936 (1.596) HF AM phone. Eventually that would change again to the channel of 1730 KC and last until the end of Ackerman Road operation in 1957. Our 1st radio equipped cruiser was assigned to Chillicothe March 1934. By the end of our 1st full year of operation, we had 13 radio equipped cruisers. Receiving only! The 1st motorcycle with a receiver, assigned to duty at Bellefontaine Sept 20 1935. April 15th 1934 WPGQ Columbus (date varies slightly) went on the air officially without any Fanfare, WP2X was history. The communications station built in record time occupied part of the property assigned to OSU Agriculture extension. It should be stated for the record that Buckeye Sheriff's Association transferred a radio facility at Findlay, Ohio WPGG to the Ohio Highway Patrol disposal on April 17th 1934, (date varies slightly) a resolution passed by the Association stated “The Ohio State Highway Patrol already has constructed the first unit of a statewide police radio system. The Public interest will be best served by our action.” As a result of this generous action by the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association, WPGG Findlay, Ohio joined “WPGQ” at Columbus Ohio and five other municipal police department radio stations, in the state's first radio network on 1.682 MHz HF police band. Further should be known that WPGG at Findlay Ohio & it's former builder the Buckeye Sheriff's Assoc. had dedicated the station to the memory of Allen County Sheriff Mr. Jess L. Sarber who was killed trying to prevent the escape of gangster John Dillinger from the County jail. Associated Police Communications Officers was just forming. July of 1934 Our Ohio State Patrol Communications Section was created by original Superintendent Colonel Lynn Black. The Col. chose Lieutenant George M. Kinsey (W8CZY) Department Head, and Chief Radio Operators which were given the rank of Sergeant within the Communications Section. Their job description and responsibilities were one of the first to be formalized. Massillon Radio Center (WPHC) comes on line in June of 1934 & Wilmington Communications Center (WPHK) October 1934, joins Columbus & Findlay. Cambridge (WPHT ) is Under construction December of 1934 and comes on line January 1935. It will be a full 3 years until the Ohio State Patrol has a CW radio telegraph watch. Presently using AM phone modulation & growing in scope and capability. 1934, all law enforcement agencies were encouraged to use the Patrol's communications system to expedite apprehension and prevent crime. The Division also maintained teletype communication with 7 other states in “The Atlantic Seaboard Teletype System.” Morse Code comes to fruition. In 1938 the Division, in order to meet the constantly increasing demands for our service, installed a radio telegraph center at the Ackerman Road facility. The dairy pasture at O.S.U. would be ablaze with ozone and static noise therewith. Our Ohio network held a strategic location in Nationwide police communications system. The great distance from coast to coast made direct communications very difficult if not impossible most of the time on channels provided then. A system of relays was developed to connect the eastern system, which relied on a teletype network and the western net which was made up almost exclusively of radio stations. The Ohio State Highway Patrol's system was ideally suited for that purpose and we replaced Pittsburgh PD as the principal relay point for the two systems. The 1938 tradition continued as Paramount Pictures featured the division's system in a movie about police radio operations and their effect on criminal operations in the United States. The Ohio State Patrol Radio Network comprised of 5 Patrol comm. centers and Headquarters hub with a link to Lansing Michigan. Late 1939 our communications division began experimenting with two-way radio's in patrol cars and planned for a statewide teletype system. This system would connect virtually all sub-stations and result in rapid and accurate information dissemination. Patrol cars until this time had been one way receive only on the HF AM and frequency of 1596 Khz. Cars & cycles were constrained under the broadcast method of communications until this time. Expansion of the Standard Broadcast band would cause another channel change to 1730 Khz. The police teletype system had been completed to the eastern states and 1940 saw the creation of a nation wide communications network with Ohio as a key member. This state was a relay point to 27 southern and western states which used radio telegraph. The Ohio Highway Patrol had 24 hour contact with 26 other Ohio Cities via radio telephone and radio contact with 27 sub-stations, 100 patrol cars and 80 motorcycles with receivers. January 19th 1944 the first two way radio was installed at th a local patrol post - being, Troy Ohio. The Troy Post had its own antenna and transmitter and was first planned 2-way radio telephone installation. This radio system allowed Troy to handle two-way contacts with patrol cars in their assigned area. This was done under the supervision of the district headquarters which in the case of Troy in those days Wilmington District HQ. By March 1944, (68) vehicles were equipped with two-way radio. The proof of their effectiveness was an increase in felony arrests despite a shortage of man power. April 26th 1944, The dynamic era of Superintendent Lynn Black ended with his death. His contributions to the field of law enforcement were wide ranged and significant. Today, “The Colonel Lynn Black Memorial Post” In Hamilton Ohio stands in honor of his services as Superintendent from 1933 to 1944! Lt Kinsey W8CZY was a Major in the USAAF at Bowling AFB. Early 1948 the Ohio State Highway Patrol could reach 88 Ohio police agencies by radio and 12 eastern states by teletype - all in 11 or 12 minutes. At this time the division had over 300 patrol cars, each equipped with 2-way radio. May 4th 1948 Sergeant Ernie Webb father of OSHP Aviation, took over the controls of a sleek new Bonanza and the aircraft could reach all posts and most patrol cars by airborne radio in the state on VHF. The plane was acquired for use in air surveillance and searches, traffic details, flood observation, aerial photography - transportation surveys, disaster scenes and errands of mercy. A major break thru in man power authorization took place in June 1951 and when the Ohio Legislature raised the limit from 400 to 650 uniformed officers. This was the first manpower increase granted since the end of World War II - which included authorization to double the number of communications officers from 40 to 80. July 1952 saw the start of traffic radar. July 1st 1951 to June 30th 1952, the Patrol handled a total st th of 1,639,255 messages. Radiotelephone and radiotelegraph were at their peak. By May of 1953 the Highway Patrol's communications center in Columbus was sending 20,000 messages a year. A half million dollars of equipment awarded included 20 teletype machines because Ohio was still relay point between 13 eastern states and those to the south and west. June of 1953 a bill created the Department of Highway Safety, which would include Ohio State Highway Patrol and The Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The structure of the Division (OSP) was changed in August of 1953 (2 versions on date) when existing 6 Districts were reformed and expanded into 9 Districts, each one having six patrol posts within its jurisdiction. This provided efficient coverage and better enforcement of Ohio's highways. 1957 saw a major change from the original radio installation at O.S.U. property Station KQB59 - A new Superintendent (Col. Moritz) had his priorities of which communications was one, the tower had been lost in a major storm a year before and a new structure was built and shortly go into operation at New Albany Ohio. Communications were routed out to New Albany via microwave links. CW sending and receiving was controlled via Collins Microwave Equipment located on the building top at Main & Parsons in Columbus to the Tower at New Albany. A statement written advised the end result a major improvement in the communications system. This completed in 1957, consisted of a radiotelephone opr., a radiotelegraph opr., a private line teletype to Bureau Motor Vehicles and radio dispatcher. Later an emergency power generator was installed at the New Albany tower to insure continuous operations for Civil Defense. Your writer serviced that generator which was a old U.S. Army surplus 40KW A.C. generator without any shock mounts and rattled creation. I hated to exercise it. Years later I could see the ancient bones of wires and insulators that were CW receiving and sending antennas at New Albany in the fields. Microwave & HF gear awaiting salvage. I recall many agonized, being called out to repair the microwave system, a difficult task without ample test equipment. Nothing is mentioned again about State Patrol CW operations, which falls off into obsolescence - dust, decay, The only thing I find that would lead to the eventual demise of State Patrol brass pounding is the May 1966 journal entry published about Ohio Patrol joining L.E.T.S. a nationwide police teletype network. Law Enforcement Teletype System. Goodbye to our beloved 2 - 5 & 7 MHz channels gone forever. Some of the brass pounders left for commercial jobs, some entered dispatching and others took on electronic responsibilities with the Division that included promotions. Jerry Young, Jan 2000, of Michigan State Police advised me about project “SECURE” where the old CW frequencies were handed down to emergency communication HF networks. CW equipment was removed at all of the original stations. A hurtful demise of the once proud very efficient Ohio State Highway Patrol Police Radiotelegraph Network. The end of the Gateway. EPILOG: The remaining building (Abandoned wooden structure) at Ackerman Road WPGQ, fence and paving were removed by contractor for Married Student Housing April 10th 1959. The 8 by 8 foot equipment hut at the base of the tower was removed off campus. |
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ORIGINAL RECEIVERS UTILIZED BY OSHP RADIO DIVISION |
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First purchase National “AGS” In 1932 this unit was expensive, costing $265. This was National’s first superhet receiver, 9 tubes and plug-in band coils. It is seen in several early Ohio Highway Patrol radio installations where voice phone only was used in the beginning. |
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National NC-100 Communications Receiver, introduced in 1936. National’s first receiver without plug in coils. Ohio Highway Patrol utilized these at all of their radio telegraph/telephone District Headquarters including GHQ Columbus. |
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National NC-100A - A 1938 communications receiver with direct reading dial and signal strength meter. Each Ohio State Highway Patrol District HQ and GHQ Columbus would have these fine receivers in their control configurations. It utilized a moving catacomb which contained the proper band coils. Most of the NC100 features were retained. |
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| The building was modified to house
the new CW and teletype positions. This is the first CW desk
operation center out of Ohio State Highway Patrol Columbus.
Pre War circa 1938. |
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| Our WPGQ Columbus Ohio 2 mhz composite transmitter on the left, the RCA HF CW transmitter center and right which covered 2 5 & 7 Mhz also had a 7 Mhz xtal installed for casual night time ham excursions. Shot in the 40s after two building modifications. |
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| After nearly two decades of operations, pictured was the final floor plan of WPGQ OSHP Columbus. Also
known as "CO" to the Police Radio Network. This place would be short lived due to advances in teletype and affordable AT&T long lines. |
WPGQ at remote OSU Ackerman Road Columbus operated for a short while longer in the mid 50s. Pictured is the new CW/VHF/Microwave system was being built at New Albany Ohio. This 300 foot tower aided in the move in CW - Phone and teletype operations to downtown Columbus General Headquarters building, closing down the old field system at Ackerman Road. FM communications to cars and other departments were greatly enhanced by this tall creature. |
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| Our OSP District Radio Desk at Findlay HQ configuration in 1945 - These were operational until the end in the late 50's - The flag ship station in Columbus had more receivers and a phone/teletype position. Courtesy of Chuck Johnston. |
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WPGQ OSP Columbus after two renovations to the original building. Circa 1945, Courtesy of Chuck Johnston. |
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| Mid 40s OSP Radio Officer Charles Johnston on duty at WPGQ HQ Columbus - He would work his way up to Division Engineer, the top kick. Courtesy of Chuck Johnston. | Officer Charles Johnston putting out an APB at the phone position. Location Ackerman Road OSP Radio Station WPGQ Columbus, Ohio
1949. Courtesy of Chuck Johnston. |
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| Winter at WPGQ Columbus, a Communications sedan on the right for the Chief Operator. This was on OSU property north of the University. taken about 1953. |
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Printed these babies by the hundreds of thousands! Phone - CW -
Teletype. |
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POLICE RADIO CALL SIGNS OF THE 40's |
| Original Assigned Call Sign WPGQ-HP WMJ-PD WPDE-PD WCL-PD WRJI-HP WPWV-SP WPEC-PD WPDY-PD KGHO-DPS KGPE-PD KHPF-HP WRDH-SP WPHE-SP |
Department Columbus, OH Buffalo, NY Louisville, KY Detroit Jackson, MS Charleston, WV Memphis, TN Atlanta, GA Des Moines, IA Kansas City, MO Jefferson City, MO East Lansing, MI Indianapolis, IN |
APCO Assigned Call CO BJ KY DM J A RC MS AG DS KC J C EL LN |
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| Ohio State Highway Patrol Radio uniform in 1943, old style salt shaker badge on Blouse and hat. Note the Sam Brown belt, no longer issued. |
Radio Engineer Charles Johnston testing GE portables, background is the OSP Ford Mobile Command Center HQ used at the Xenia Ohio Tornado Disaster in April 1974.
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| The Radio Division was responsible in getting this rig to disasters, shows and Highway Patrol events. It was secured in Columbus at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy on 17th Avenue near the State Fair Grounds. |
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This is an OSP Radio Patch that was never adopted, they were trying out some Kaki uniforms with this patch, it never got off the ground. Courtesy of Chuck Johnston. Something that was never publicized. |
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Officer Walter Eldon Dawson - W8SGN *1917-1953* Each Memorial Day weekend Walt (Pete) is on my mind. To be truthful about it, many times during the year. Pete expired in a crash on duty just north of my home location at the intersection of Ohio Highway 534 and US 422 in 1953. |
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Pete (Unit 333) was a
Ohio State Highway Patrol Radio Officer and it was a busy Memorial
Day weekend District E Warren Ohio. He had just arrived from
assignment and promotion from our Cambridge District -7
Headquarters. A father for the fourth time just two weeks
prior to his fatal accident. His wife and children remained in
Cambridge as they had not had the opportunity to relocate at the new
assignment here in the busy Cleveland-Youngstown area. |
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Your author mentioned
“This is just more than a memory for me as I was also stationed
here at Warren for the last half of my career knowing full well the
dangerous situation of the driving conditions. There is the big city
here and then almost immediately the wide open spaces, the changes
in driving situations are immediate and caution has to be adhered
to. The accident scene follows. |
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Cleveland
Police |
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Cleveland Police Dept had a in-house
museum, this is equipment displayed from 1929 of the Departments
Radio Division. The first CPD receiver is on the left dated
1929. |
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At the Cleveland PD Museum circa 1950
- "And then the Spark Jumped!" Holder appears to be the
original Chief Operator W8AF Ralph Folkman. Radio officer on the
right unknown. |
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Cleveland, Ohio Police Department Radio Division: Mr. Ralph C. Folkman *1902-1990* W8AF, founder and engineer of the Cleveland PD Radio Division. Ralph was a native of Cleveland who served as wireless operator on many Great Lakes vessels during the 1920's and for 38 years engineering. Folkman supervised the radio control room and CW section of the Cleveland Police Departments WRBH which he designed and built. Ralph was an excellent cartoonist, much of his work having been published by the Society of Wireless Pioneers, Santa Rosa, CA, of which he is a Director. He spent dozens of hours in cartoon design for APCO. |
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In 1870 the
forerunner of the Call Box was used. In 1900 a Cleveland
Patrolman Officer, Jerry Murphy perfected the old call box and
invented the first compact combined telegraph-telephone
system. Communications is a difficult subject to research on
this department so we will zero in on the life of Ralph Folkman who
was their first engineer/operator. Folkman was born 16 Oct 1902. |
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Duty Assignments:
City of Lake Erie; SeeandBee; Tionesta; Frontenac; Goodtime; SS
Peter Reiss - to name a few - also WTK Cleveland Interlake Radio; SS
South America; His delightful cartoons have been enjoyed by all who
have seen them, all a labor of love. He has been on the air
since 1918. |
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At my age then, it
wasn't easy! I soon learned the present day radio officer was
treated as an officer and a gentleman. Time flew by and it was
time to return to Cleveland and my old police job. I went to
the pilothouse for the captain's signature on my license, attesting
to my service on board. I got the signature all right and a fringe
benefit, too. “A pleasure to have had you aboard, Sparks,” from
Capt. Barney Olson. Down the gangway and onto other portions
of a busy life. I (Folkman) got the required three years to
complete my time in the Cleveland Police Department before
retiring. So now, with ship operating and thirty-eight years
of police radio behind me, I spend my time watching for the mailman,
reading newspapers, working my ham station W8AF and looking forward
to my seventy-third birthday while doing a bit of
cartooning. |
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