Home of Early YL is Kansas Museum
The Ensor Farm, in Johnson County, Kansas, is known for its historic association with Loretta Ensor (1904-1991) and her brother, Marshall Hamilton Ensor (1899-1970), two of the most prominent radio amateurs who established one of the most complete amateur radio transmitting stations in America on their property during the early history of radio.
The Kansas City Journal Post, on January 24, 1926, under the headline Kansas Has Lone Woman Radio Amateur in West, stated "Kansas boasts the only woman Amateur radio operator in the Middle West. Her name is Miss Loretta Ensor in the Olathe city directory, but to virtually every amateur within hearing distance---and these days that means clear around on the other side of the world---she is 9UA."
The Elsnors teach
Loretta and Marshal in their shack.
The ARRL called for volunteers to teach CW to aspiring hams and Marshall Ensor was one of the first to respond to this request and in 1929 started "lessons" in Code over station 9BSP to anyone who signed up for the 60 lesson course. Both Marshall and Loretta gave lessons for 10 years--it was estimated that more than 10,000 persons were trained in CW during the period over Stations 9BSP and W9BSP.
In 1913 Marshall Ensor built his first wireless or crystal radio set and followed that with a set using a spark gap transmitter in 1917. He received his ticket in 1917 and was issued call letters 9BSP. In 1923 Loretta received her license and received 9UA as her call sign.
Loretta became known during the 1920s as the first woman radio amateur whose voice crossed the Pacific Ocean.
In 1913 Marshall Ensor built his first wireless or crystal radio set and followed that with a set using a spark gap transmitter in 1917. He received his ticket in 1917 and was issued call letters 9BSP. In 1923 Loretta received her license and received 9UA as her call sign.
Loretta became known during the 1920s as the first woman radio amateur whose voice crossed the Pacific Ocean.
The Elsnor Station
In 1940 Marshall Ensor received the William S. Paley Award for his efforts in support of national defense. Each year, William S. Paley, the president of CBS radio, would honor one ham radio operator.
At the onset of World War II in 1941 Ensor applied for a commission in the United States Navy and was accepted, obtaining the rank of Lt. Commander. He was stationed at the Naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington, where he was assigned to radio operations.
The radio station the Ensors founded remained in operation after Ensor retired from teaching in 1964. After Marshall died in 1970, Loretta operated the radio station. The Young Ladies Radio league (YLRL) presented her with a 50-year member award in 1974.
At the onset of World War II in 1941 Ensor applied for a commission in the United States Navy and was accepted, obtaining the rank of Lt. Commander. He was stationed at the Naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington, where he was assigned to radio operations.
The radio station the Ensors founded remained in operation after Ensor retired from teaching in 1964. After Marshall died in 1970, Loretta operated the radio station. The Young Ladies Radio league (YLRL) presented her with a 50-year member award in 1974.
The Elsnor House
The Ensor House in Olathe, Kansas today is a museum on the
National Historic Registry.
The Ensor Farm includes the original pioneer cabin built around 1875, the north peg barn (which now houses the Ensor Museum), the 1896/1900 cow barn, second one-room cabin brought to the property, meathouse, chicken coop and brooder house, machine shed, concrete silo and two 80 foot radio towers.
The survival of Ensor Farm and its radio history was ultimately in Loretta's hands, who established the Ensor Farm site & Museum so that others might see how things used to be on a working farm. Both Marshall and Loretta Ensor were licensed radio amateurs and operated a station from the farmhouse for 56 years (1917-1973).
National Historic Registry.
The Ensor Farm includes the original pioneer cabin built around 1875, the north peg barn (which now houses the Ensor Museum), the 1896/1900 cow barn, second one-room cabin brought to the property, meathouse, chicken coop and brooder house, machine shed, concrete silo and two 80 foot radio towers.
The survival of Ensor Farm and its radio history was ultimately in Loretta's hands, who established the Ensor Farm site & Museum so that others might see how things used to be on a working farm. Both Marshall and Loretta Ensor were licensed radio amateurs and operated a station from the farmhouse for 56 years (1917-1973).