The U.S. Armed Forces Radio Station WVDI commenced broadcasting in May 1943 on a frequency of 570 kHz with a power of 1 kw, reduced to 250 watts after World War ll.
The interesting QSL letter above verified the impressive reception on the 19th June 1958 from a dxer in Sweden.
Although intended for the military personal situated at the U.S. Naval base in Chaguaramus, the 250 watt signal could also be heard faintly throughout the Island. The station also provided a platform for local Calypso musicians whose performances were broadcast and proved to be very popular.
The Rock and Roll music of the fifties, including the radio shows The Lone Ranger, Gunsmoke , Superman and Fort Laramie aired by WVDI were also popular during that time.
The "Bamboo Cathedral" on the road to the Tracking Station in Chaguaramas (Photograph Wikimedia Commons).
The "Bamboo Cathedral" on the road to the Tracking Station in Chaguaramas (Photograph Wikimedia Commons).
My dad, George A. Miller, worked as a broadcaster on WVDI during the war. I have photos I could post but I don't see a way to attach them.
ReplyDeleteHi, I am an historian from Trinidad. I recently came across your comment about your father working at WVDI, while I was doing further research on Radio WVDI. As such, I would be very grateful if you would consent to an interview about your Dad's connection with WDVI during the war years and possibly looking at some of those photos. You can contact me at richesca@hotmail.com
DeleteHi Amy. Thank you for your kind offer to post your dad's photographs. You are most welcome to contact me / forward to garydeac@gmail.com
DeleteDoes anyone know what WVDI stood for please? Does anyone remember Mona Baptiste singing on the station? Apparently she had her own show at a very young age - she was 16 in May 1943 when station started transmitting. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWikipedia references WVDI as broadcasting from Fort Reid, Chaguaramas. Actually, Fort Reid was in Wallerfield just east of Arima. Chaguaramas of course is located on Trinidad's NW peninsula.
ReplyDeleteDidn't WVDI also broadcast what is now Classic Country Music and Bluegrass (in addition to R&R and Calypso)? I have a vague recollection of listening to Country Music on weekends, late at night/early morning on my "crystal set radio". At that time, the two TT radio stations were off the air and the only other stations I could receive were those broadcasting from Venezuela.
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ReplyDeleteHi, Just a quick correction on the blog about the power output of Radio WVDI. The power for the radio station was 1KW (kilo-watt) when the radio station started in May 1943. The British, who govern the colony) were never happy about an Armed Forces Radio Station in the colony broadcasting programmes as the residents always preferred US programming (spill-over from the US mainland and Radio WVDI) rather than BBC programming. As such, after the war, the British were able to negotiate with the American government and the radio station was now forced to reduce its output to 250 Watts and operate at 570 KHz (kilocycles in those days). The transmitter at Fort Read (not Reid) in Waller Field (now called Wallerfield) was transferred to the Navy Base at Chaguaramus.
ReplyDeleteHi Richard, thank you for the interesting information and correction regarding the power output - much appreciated!
DeleteWhat I rememember with joy was listening to the Sunday's "happiest half-hour in the world" of polka and square dance music, and songs like Turkey in the Straw.etc. Rollicking stuff. Never forgotte. Glad to read this blog about WVDI. I first listened to it on an old Murphy valve radio. Exciting times. I'm 86 now.
ReplyDeleteHello ‘unknown’ I don’t suppose you recall a Trinidadian singer called Mona Baptiste from your youth? She was born in 1926 but sailed to England on the Windrush in 1948. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteI was brought up in Trinidad as a baby until 1956. I had my own little rocking chair and would sit there listening to the radio every day. I loved radio WVDI ,,,,,which is why I still remember the name 65 years on! Once the station went off air suddenly, it turned out to have been an earthquake, but not felt in our old wooden colonial house on stilts !!
ReplyDeleteThank you to all for your interesting and informative comments - much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of photos which seem to indicate that my aunt Janet Richards worked for WVDI as part of the US Army Signal Corps during the years of WW II. Is there any way to confirm thi? Thanks so much marthaellen8282@gmail.com
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