The International Broadcasting System of the Voice of America

The Voice of America, the international broadcasting service of the U. S. Information Agency, speaks for America in thirty-five different languages to a worldwide audience. The technical facilities that make this possible literally encircle the globe. Thirty shortwave transmitters at seven locations in the continental United States range in power from 25 to 200 kilowatts. Overseas, the VOA has nine relay stations with forty-seven transmitters ranging in power from 35 to 1,000 kilowatts. This presentation discusses the development of this technical system from its war-time inception. Highlighted in the discussion are the problems encountered in the development of the system, the techniques designed to counteract these obstacles, and future plans for strengthening the signal of the Voice of America.