I worked as the “Radio Editor” at the Atlanta Journal after graduation from UF and just before the arrival of my first child. In going through earlier papers, I came across a column from October, 1962, I’d like to share, especially since I’ve sworn off giving any coverage to you-know-who:

RADIOS ON THE STREET BUT FACES ARE SOMBER

If one didn’t know better, he might think it was still World Series time–as many people are carrying their portable radios on buses and trolleys these days. Of course there is a tenseness in their expressions that wasn’t there before, and they’re quieter. They’re listening for news they dread to hear. War.

This isn’t the first time the radio has carried somber news, of course, and it won’t be the last. But the people feel a certain urgency in this crisis. Besides, Cuba is so near…

They aren’t sure how much personal precaution should really be taken. (After all, it’s never happened here before.) It’s hard to gain a perspective on something hundreds of miles away. But for good measure, many are keeping close to their radios, especially their portables. They know that should an attack come, a battery radio would be their mainstay.

The Department of Civil Defense is telling people this, and Atlanta department stores report a run in battery-operated receivers.

CONELRAD– In the grim eventuality of an actual attack, all radio stations would ask listeners to turn to 640 or 1240 on their dials, where a Conelrad station would would keep the public informed in civil defense measures and the situation in general.

According to Major Herbert O. Connor, in charge of communications at Atlanta’s Office of Civil Defense, there are four Atlanta radio stations on the Conelrad hookup. Just which stations they are must remain a secret for security reasons. A direct line runs between the Office of Civil Defense and the Conelrad station setup, he said. The same programming would be over both frequencies, and would be continuous until the all-clear signal. Conelrad, by the way, stands for “Control of Electro-Magnetic Radiation”

EDITORIALS AND NEWS–News coverage has been stepped up by all Alanta’s radio stations. Being state-owned, WGST doesn’t editorialize, but news staffer Bill Conover says that the news staff has “doubled up” and is on duty from Sign-On to Sign-Off….WQXI’s editorials have stressed keeping calm and giving Civil Defense advice….At WAKE, bulletins are put over the air as soon as they come off the wire, “fast and furious.”…At WAOK, Jim Wood editorialized that “while the Reds were mounting their machines of war, at our back door, we were fighting over letting citizens live as true Americans. It took several thousands of troops to help one black American veteran go to school. Not all our enemies are in Cuba or Russia…And at WIIN they’re playing a harp at station breaks, but it’s been going on for years, Jim Stevenson says. It’s not meant as a commentary on current events….

WHAT/ ME WORRY?–Life went on in many ways as usual, however. There seem to be enough mundane things to do, like change diapers or wait in lines–it’s somehow reassuring. True, a few ladies who don’t read the radio column got upset when they saw the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber promotional stunt last Wednesday. They thought the plane had been attacked by Cubans. Incidentally, WAKE’s Buddy Moore and WGUN’s Dave Hill, who rode to Cincinnati, Ohio in the World War II bomber, said it would have been fun if it weren’t so cold. They flew from 12-14,000 feet up, with all the windows busted out….

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NOTE – Signing off for a few days. Basement condo flooded with water, again. Hop[ed to be in touch later. Nan