OFACS Radio Positions
Radio positions in an Overseas-Foreign Aeronautical Communications Station WWII
Radio Operator
This station operator shows his background. Many CW radio men came to aviation from radio shacks on ocean vessels.
Radio Operator 1940
In the early days, both en route centers and airport towers often had to route communications radio stations such as this. These forerunners of Flight Service Stations (Interstate Airway Communication Stations -INSACs) were often manned by women, particularly during World War II.
Radio-telegraph 1925
The radio-telegraph position in a 1925 Airway Radio Station, featuring both
hand and semi-automatic sending keys.
Photo submitted by Joe Jennings
Light Line Airway Beacon Fuel Tanks and Generator Shed, 1930
Location unknown
Submitted by Audra Oliver
Airway Technician, U.S. Department of Commerce
Airways sector truck and maintenance technician, name and location unknown. Unlike their modern counterparts, the airway station keepers were required to wear distinctive uniforms on the job.
Low frequency “loop” radio range
This type was developed in the late ’20s and was non-simultaneous; that is, the range had to be shut down during voice transmission. This resulted in a temporary loss of navigation guidance in pilots flying on the radio beam.
Early Mail Plane
Radio-teletype positions on OFACS – during WWII
Year and location unknown
