The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-06-25
Radio Hams on
Alert for Spies
Amateur Operators Ready to
Block Espionage in
Case of War.

WEST HARTFORD, CONN.-The
possibility that foreign agents, in
event of war. might make use Of
sff0rt-wave radio to transmit infor-
nation by Disgusting themselves as
"hams" has been dissipated, ac-
cording to informed opinion, re-
ceived here.
There was no question regarding
the loyalty of the licensed radio
amateurs themselves; but 1t was
thought that, screened by thousands
Of amateur signals, a foreign spy
might be able to hide in the busy
air channels and send out vital data
unmolested.
The danger did not materialize,
largely because the radio amateurs
are required to be u. S. citizens,
and they are intensely loyal. Prob
ably more secret information and
instructions move today via diplo-
matte pouches and similar modes
than through radio channels. Sub
versive radio operations, at least in
the amateur bands, has been not
ably unsuccessful.
Trap for Spies.
Apart from excellent policing,
there are several reasons for this.
The screen of amatuer signals
has been found by foreign agents
to be no comfortable hiding place
but rather sharp-jawed trap that
closes relentlessly whenever any
thing the least bit questionable is
heard on the air. Any spy fool
hardy enough to venture into the
crowded amateur air lanes would
find that dozens of ears were alert
to anything he might send.
The extent of this observer COW
erage is shown by the recent ex-
perience of an East coast amateur
operator. Following a Goa
general inquiry call expressing will
ingness to talk with any station that
might ansWer-he heard a foreign
amateur answer him. Obeying the
Federal Communications commits
sion ban on talking with foreign
amateurs during the duration OF the
war, the American operator did not
answer.
The next morning the American
Radio Relay league headquarters IN
West Hartford had half a dozen re-
ports from its observers stating that
the foreign station had been calling
the eastern operator. The entire
incident probably took less than
three minutes-yet not merely one
but several observers heard and
reported 1t. No occurrence In the
least suspicious passes unnoticed.
Much Talent Available.
Responsibility for planning the
functions to be performed by anna
teur radio in the event of United
States participation in the war lies
with the amateur radio committee
of the defense communications
board. With national defense and
the communication needs Of the mil
itary forces its primary considera-
ton, the committee is setting up a
correlated plan for utilizing the res
ervoir Of self-trained personnel that
comprises amateur radio. Not only
does its planning include operators
for the army and navy. but also the
use OF the greater number of anna
tours who because of age, depend
ents, sex or disability are not cap
able of service with the fighting
forces but who do useful service in
time of war.
Nervous system of modern war
machine is its communications web
needed to carry intelligence between
headquarters and the most extend
ed parts of the whole giant system.
The elements of this communica-
tons web-the signal corps in the
army, special signalling units in the
air corps and mechanical divisions
must not fail Should they fail
whole units of the precisely CO.
ordinated system might lie para
lyzed and helpless.