Conv-An Audio Scrapbook

From: Charles Seward

Dated: April 2, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

If you have a Mac, you can hookup the audio to the built-in audio card. If Windows, you need to see if your computer has a built-in audio cards. Some do, some don’t.
You need software that can digitize the audio. You could try iTunes. Or Audacity. Or Garage Band. Pro Tools has a free version called Pro Tools First.
There are many digitizers available like on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=audio+digitizer&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=177159115170&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13970291613122034462&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033030&hvtargid=kwd-2793526761&ref=pd_sl_3cj68yb2vz_e
Starting at $17. They contain software and A/D convertor
Best, Park

Group Conversations
N to T

From: Brian Wickham

Dated: April 2, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

Bill,
Be very careful! If those tapes haven't been run past a head in a long time they may flake away to nothing on the first pass. Also, if they do play they may immediately start shedding and causing a buildup on the playback head. This will cause “squeal”. I was able to get past that by using a spray can of head cleaner and constantly spraying the head as the tape was passing through. Seek out some local help before you try anything.
I handled tape from 1965 until I retired from NBC in 2000, and was just about the only one left there who knew anything about the stuff. Even at the network we had old tapes that came apart when someone tried to play them. You would assume that a network would have optimal storage conditions but it didn’t always help.
Brian Wickham

From: Steve Sevits

Dated: April 2, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

In the past I've successfully transferred audio tape to CDs. Using an Olympus WS-210S digital voice recorder, the tapes were played and recorded onto the Olympus. The Olympus records in .WMA [windows media audio format]. Transferred to a computer, software was used to convert files into .MP3 format then put on CD. Several conversion programs are available.
Advise me if I can be of further assistance.
Steve Sevits

An Audio Scrapbook

April 2018

Group Conversations
U to Z

From: Brian Wickham

Dated: April 3, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

Any electronic supply place should have Anhydrous Isopropyl Alcohol for use as a contact cleaner. It’s recommended for recorder heads, and that’s what we used at NBC. I also see it being sold on Amazon and other places.
Brian Wickham

Group Conversations
A & B

From: Bill Altman

Dated: April 4, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

Hi Les, Thanks for your response and the email address for Lee Hansen. This morning I sent Lee an email offering to return the tape to him. Unfortunately the tape did not include any on-air announcing by your father. Lee only mentioned him as the station manager. Thanks again for your help. By the way, congratulations on your book. You certainly lived an interesting life as a kid growing up in Saigon. all the best to you,

Bill Altman

From: Jim White

Dated: April 2, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

Earnest,
GREAT FIND! If you can get that audiotape moved to a thumb drive or DVD, please send a copy to Jerry Nelson (2710 Whitehouse Drive, Kokomo, IN, 46902). He is now the Alternate Webmaster for AFVNVETS.net and the two of us will put it website where "all of AFVN" will be able to listen to it.   For that matter, they should also be able to copy it if they wish.)
Almost all personal and notebook computers have a built-iin sound card. The exceptions might be one put together by someone for a specific purpose or a pre-WW2 computer.:-)   You may also need an audio recorder app. Here is one: https://audio-recorder.en.softonic.com/ or enter "audio recorder" into your browser and search around.
Although I have seen Lee's name both ways, Craig Prosser used "Hansen."   I'm fairly sure that that is correct.
Jim W

Group Conversations
C to G

From: Les Arbuckle

Dated: April 2, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

Ernest, Lee Hansen wrote a cover blurb for my recently released book, "Saigon Kids, An American Military Brat comes of Age in 1960's Vietnam." He lives in Los Angeles, and has two email addresses: lee@alienworlds.com info@alienworlds.com
Lee also told me how he came to be working at AFRS and how my father, Bryant J. Arbuckle, went to great lengths in order to get him transferred to Saigon. I'd love to hear those tapes when you're done, especially if my father's on any of them. I know he ran the station alone for a few months until they got Lt. Kirtley and others to Saigon to help out. "Doc" as we called him, went over in the Summer of 1962 and we (two of my three brothers and my mother) followed in January of 1963.
You might try talking to some people in the recording biz who deal with this kind of thing all the time. My book is available everywhere books are sold. There are a few sections where I talk about how we came to be in Saigon and the conflict(s! ) I had with my father. Please stay in touch!

Les Arbuckle

From: Bill Altman

Dated: April 3, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

Thanks again Brian. I'll order it from amazon. Really appreciate your specific guidance.
Bill

From: Bill Altman

Dated: April 3, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

Brian.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. So far the tapes are holding up well but I do see some build up on the heads and drive wheels. I was planning to use denatured alcohol and q-tips to clean everything. I wouldn't know where to get head cleaner in my small town. Do you think that will work? I only need the tapes to work for a couple more passes until I can get them digitized. Then I plan to sell the tape recorder and tapes if I can locate an interested person.
Thanks again for you input.
Bill

From: Bill Altman

Dated: April 3, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

Thanks Jim, If I can get some of these tapes digitized, I'll send a copy to Jerry. Several of our AFVN guys have already responded to my request for advice. Charles Seward Park suggested a free digitizing software that I hope to download today. and Brian Arbuckle's son sent me Lee Hanson's email in LA. I'll try to contact him today as well.
I really appreciate all the input and suggestions from this group. It confirms my impression over the years when you have a group like ours with so much talent and experience, it is a rare resource. Any additional input is welcome.
Bill Altman
AFRS News - 1965-66

AFVN Group Conversations

From: Dick Ellis

Dated: April 4, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

Hey gang! Just a blip in this great conversation... When I was at AFVN 67-68...Officers were not allowed on the air.

Dickie (TV Star)

Group Conversations
H to M

AFVN Home

From: Bill Altman

Dated: April 2, 2018

Subject: An Audio Scrapbook

I am in the process of assembling some audio memories from my years in broadcasting, including some of my AFRS tapes. During this project, I encountered a tape marked "AFRS ON Review". Recorded on a 71/2 inch reel, it includes what may be intended as an audition featuring Lee Hansen (Hanson?)as the narrator. Lee describes 13 personnel as the AFRS staff, and he lists all the station personnel and ranks including Air Force Lt. Don Kirkley (sp?) as OIC and Navy Journalist Bryan Arbuckle as station manager. Later in the tape there is an air check of Hansen doing the Dawnbuster Program followed by Ira Cook at 7:30 and Don Mcneil's Breakfast Club. Since I arrived in Jan. 1965, I assume this tape may have been recorded in 1964. Hansen mentions Saturday and Sept 7 elsewhere on the tape.
I have no idea how I ended up with this tape in the boxes of audio equipment I've accumulated over the years. If Hansen is part of our group or anyone else would like to have it, I would be happy to send it to you. Please contact me here or you can call my cell 360-333-9040.
This project is somewhat daunting. I have an Akai 250 D tape recorder and more than 100 71/2 inch reels with a variety of accessories (bulk tape eraser, head de magnetizer, splicing blocks, leader tape, etc.). I'm trying to archive some of this material by transferring it from tape to my computer and then to thumb drives. I managed to get the tape recorder hooked up to my computer but have not yet learned how to create the files and transfer them to a thumb drive. I sure hope I can get this accomplished before the tapes deteriorate any further. Any suggestions from this august group would be appreciated.
Bill Altman
AFRS news - 1965