H-3 also had a local outlet for Armed Forces Radio And television Service.  We actually did not have any television so I figured I would put that into small print!  Remember, this was before the days of satellite broadcasts or VCRs.

What we did have was a radio station.  It operated on 1,400 KHz with power of 10 watts.  When I took it over, because of a poor antenna system, it had trouble even reaching the Transient barracks, maybe five hundred yards away.  The station was located across from the search radar tower, in the same building as supply and the Electronics office.  Every audio tape recorded anywhere on H-3 had that distinctive buzz caused by the radars overpowering signal when ever the antenna rotated around toward you.

After I used my Ham radio experience to properly match the antenna to the transmitter, using some coaxial cable "donated" from radar maintenance, the coverage  was improved enough that we put a decent signal into the town of Hofn.  

An interesting little side note is that during an inspection by the IG of USAF, some three star general, it was asked if we received any complaints from the town since back at Keflavik there was a considerable opposition raised to the AFRTS TV signal Kef was broadcasting.  The C.O. told the three star "No.  We don't even get into town."  Yet I know  that by that time we had several listeners in Hofn who passed on their thanks for having another radio station to listen to.

Here are a couple pictures showing me at the radio station.

You will note the NON-uniform look of Sgt. Pyrdek.  Yes, we really did pack some civilian clothes when we went North!

Barney:  This radio station didn't work when we arrived there and I well remember you scrounging parts and cable from the radars and got it going really good. The station had lots of records and programs which helped break the boredom and isolation of H-3.