George Geesey Papers
Abstract
In 1961, George Geesey became the first manager of WAMU-FM in Washington, DC. He brought this network experience with him when he became the Director of Operations (and Engineering) at National Public Radio. In 1976, he was assigned to the Satellite Interconnection System Project Office (SISPO) as Radio Coordinator. This collection documents Geesey's career at National Public Radio, particularly his time with NPR's Satellite Interconnection System Project Office (SISPO).
Important Information for Users of the Collection
This collection is open for research use.
George Geesey Papers, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials page for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
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Historical Note
George Geesey was born on January 20, 1933 in Hagerstown, Maryland. He graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1950 and attended Hagerstown Junior College for two years. In 1952, he transferred to American University, graduating in 1954. He also attended two years of graduate study at American University.
Geesey also graduated from the Electronics Theory and Operation courses at the Army Signal School in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He was certified after six months of training in Fixed Station Terminal and radio equipment operation at the U.S. Navy Research Lab and the Army Map Service in Washington, DC.
In 1958, Geesey was certified in Electronic Instrument Repair and Satellite Tracking Equipment at the Satellite Tracking Station of Fort Stewart, Georgia, where the United States tracked the first Sputnik and Vanguard satellites.
In 1961, Geesey became the first manager of WAMU-FM radio station at the American University. This station began at the same time as the establishment of the Eastern Educational Radio Network (EERN), which connected public radio stations in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington by a live terrestrial network line so that each of the four stations could originate material for the others to broadcast.
Geesey brought this network experience with him when he became the Director of Operations (and Engineering) for National Public Radio (NPR) in November 1970. He was the eleventh person employed by NPR. In that position, he helped design and build the first studios on M Street in Washington. He conducted seminars for regional meetings for the network station managers and engineers. He also worked with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) on the development and growth of the data communications network (DACS). Geesey conducted the first national stereo audio tests by satellite and demonstrated to the stations the feasibility of NPR moving from a terrestrial network to a satellite distribution system.
In 1976, Geesey was assigned to the Satellite Interconnection System Project Office (SISPO) as the Radio Coordinator. He helped find sites for the receiving satellite at each member station and was instrumental in getting the stations to include up to fifteen uplink sites for the origination of material in to the network programming. At the end of the SISPO project, Geesey continued to work on adding another ten stations to the satellite system.
After his work with NPR, Geesey also spent time with WETA-TV and WRC-TV in Washington, DC. In 1989, he became the Chief Engineer for the television facility at The George Washington University. There he was involved in upgrading to digital equipment and the installation of satellite antennas for the 60-channel closed circuit campus cable system. Geesey retired in May 1999.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The George Geesey Papers covers the years 1965 to 1981 and contains some undated material. The bulk of the materials date from 1977 to 1981. The collection documents Geesey's career at National Public Radio, particularly his time with NPR's Satellite Interconnection System Project Office (SISPO) as Radio Coordinator. Types of materials include correspondence, technical manuals, slides, photographs, maps, contracts, newspaper and magazine clippings, newsletters, and progress charts.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
The George Geesey Papers was donated to the National Public Broadcasting Archives, University of Maryland Libraries by George Geesey in October of 1998 and in November of 2000.
Processing Information
Processed by Elizabeth C. Borja, May 2000. Revised by Elizabeth C. Borja, November 2000
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Karen E. King, January 2005.
Arrangement of Collection
Organized as three series:
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: National Public Radio - General, 1967-1968 (0.75 linear feet)
This series documents the early history of National Public Radio. Topics include NPR organization, the first show on NPR (All Things Considered), station equipment, radio engineering (in the form of NPR newsletter "Crosstalk"), and the creation of new facilities at 2025 M St NW, Washington, DC. Materials, in the form of papers, photos, and slides, are arranged alphabetically by topic.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles, 1971-1979 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence and Memos, 1970-1978 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| "Crosstalk" Radio Engineering Newsletter, 1973-1977 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Equipment, 1973-1974 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Facilities -- Memos and Blueprints, 1970-1976 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Facilities -- Slides, 1972-1975 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Organization -- NAEB/Jansky & Bailey. Educational Television System Maps., 1961 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Organization -- CPB and NPR Agreement., 1974 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Organization -- Maps of Station Interconnection System, 1970-1978 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Organization -- Decentralization Study., 1977 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Press Releases, 1970-1975 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Reports -- NER (National Educational Radio). The Hidden Medium: Educational Radio. A Status Report., April 1967 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Reports -- The Public Radio Study, April 1969 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Slides and Photos -- Slides, 1973-1978 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Slides and Photos -- Photos, undated | series 1 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
Series 2: National Public Radio - Satellite Interconnection System Project Office (SISPO), 1971-1981 and undated (5.25 linear feet)
This series documents Geesey's time as Radio Coordinator of SISPO, NPR's project to create a nationwide satellite interconnection system to improve the quality and quantity of radio shows. Topics covered include the filing of lead applications before the Federal Communications Commission, site evaluation procedures, station certification, contracts with various companies, communication between various sites (in the form of the SISPO newsletter "The Ultimate High"), and manuals for the equipment necessary for the satellite linkup. The materials are arranged chronologically and by topic.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -- Docket No. 16495: In the Matter of Establishment of Domestic Communication Satellite Facilities by Non-government Stations: Comments of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Public Broadcasting Service...., May 12, 1971 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -- Description of Public Broadcasting Satellite Interconnection Plan. Volume II., 1976 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -- Filing of "Lead Applications.", 1978 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Federal Communications Commission (FCC) -- CPB and NPR Application for Satellite Interconnection submitted to the FCC., June 30, 1978 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- SWG Briefing Book., May 8-9, 1975 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- SWG Briefing Book., May 8-9, 1975 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- PBS, CPB. A Satellite Interconnection System to Serve Public Broadcasting. -- Draft, January 6, 1976 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- PBS, CPB. A Satellite Interconnection System to Serve Public Broadcasting. -- Supplementary Information, March 1977 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- PBS, CPB. A Satellite Interconnection System to Serve Public Broadcasting. -- Reprint, 1980 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- Public TV Receive-Only Terminal Site Selection project - Final Report., July 22, 1977 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- Hufford, George A. System Coverage by the FM Broadcast Stations, undated | series 2 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- PBS Interconnect System Program Review., July 26, 1978 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- NPR Satellite Interconnect System., July 26, 1978 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- NPR Satellite Interconnect System Implementation Phase Schedule. Preliminary Submission., July 31, 1978 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Reports -- CPB. Public Radio Satellite Interconnection System Report., 1978 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Stong, Robert W. Draft: Relationships of Subjective Impairment Caused by Interference to a Simulated NPR Satellite Link., November 17, 1976 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- PBS Engineering and Technical Operations Binder., 1976 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- PBS Engineering and Technical Operations Binder., 1976 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- PBS Engineering and Technical Operations Binder., 1976 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 7 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- PBS Engineering and Technical Operations Binder., 1976 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 8 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Minutes of the PBS Engineering Committee., 1976 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 9 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Western Union. Westar Satellite System., 1976 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 10 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Correspondence. Thomas Gherardi., 1978 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 11 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Rockwell International. 4 GHZ RFI Measurement Procedures for NPR Program., 1978 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 12 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- NPR Antenna beam, Transmit., 1978 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 13 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Rockwell International. NPR G/T/ Design., 1978 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 14 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Oxley letter: New Stations., December 20, 1978 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 15 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Creagh, Dave. "Station Program Resources and the National Program Service.", December 1978 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 16 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- NPR. Critical Design Review MOT/MOTIL., March 20-21, 1979 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 17 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Memo: Terminal Types., October 6, 1980 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 18 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Station Planning Material for Satellite Terminal, undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Station Planning Material for Satellite Terminal, undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Station Planning Material for Satellite Terminal, undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Station Planning Material for Satellite Terminal, undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- NPR Satellite Earth Station System., April 28, 1980. Revised January 26, 1981 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
| Site Evaluation Procedures -- Procedures -- Hughes. An Alternate Basic Plan for National Public Radio's Satellite Interconnect System, undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
| Stations -- University of Southern California application., 1978 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 7 | |
| Stations -- List of New Radio Stations., January 1979 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 8 | |
| Stations -- Station Certification notes, undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 9 | |
| Stations -- Station Certification notes, undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 10 | |
| Stations -- Station Certification notes, undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 11 | |
| Stations -- Station Certification notes, undated | series 2 | box 5 | folder 12 | |
| Contracts -- Contract between CPB and Rockwell International Corporation., 1976 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 13 | |
| Contracts -- Modifications to the Contract between CPB and Rockwell International Corporation., 1976 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 14 | |
| Contracts -- Rockwell International. Collins Proposal. Volume C. Contract. Corporation for Public Broadcasting. National Public Radio. Response to Agreement and Conditions., March 30, 1977 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 15 | |
| Contracts -- Rockwell International. Collins Proposal. Amendment A. Technical. Corporation for Public Broadcasting. National Public Radio. Response to Questions., 1977 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 1 | |
| Contracts -- Contract between Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Rockwell International. Microwave Interconnection System., April 5, 1977 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 2 | |
| Contracts -- CPB. Satellite Interconnection System Project Office. Request for Proposals for Satellite Interconnection System. National Public Radio., Revised December 9, 1977 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 3 | |
| Contracts -- Agreement Between Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Western Union Telegraph Company., 1978 | series 2 | box 6 | folder 4 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1A: Receive Only (R/O) Ground Terminal System Manual (1 of 5 folders), undated | series 2 | box 6 | folder 5 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1A: Receive Only (R/O) Ground Terminal System Manual, undated | series 2 | box 7 | folder 1 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1A: Receive Only (R/O) Ground Terminal System Manual, undated | series 2 | box 7 | folder 2 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1A: Receive Only (R/O) Ground Terminal System Manual, undated | series 2 | box 7 | folder 3 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1A: Receive Only (R/O) Ground Terminal System Manual, undated | series 2 | box 7 | folder 4 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1B: Receive Transmit (R/T) Ground Terminal System Supplement, undated | series 2 | box 7 | folder 5 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1B: Receive Transmit (R/T) Ground Terminal System Supplement, undated | series 2 | box 7 | folder 6 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1B: Receive Transmit (R/T) Ground Terminal System Supplement, undated | series 2 | box 7 | folder 7 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1C: Power Amplifier System Manual, undated | series 2 | box 8 | folder 1 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1C: Power Amplifier System Manual, undated | series 2 | box 8 | folder 2 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1C: Power Amplifier System Manual, undated | series 2 | box 8 | folder 3 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1C: Power Amplifier System Manual, undated | series 2 | box 8 | folder 4 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1D: Transmitter Equipment Manual, undated | series 2 | box 8 | folder 5 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1D: Transmitter Equipment Manual, undated | series 2 | box 8 | folder 6 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1D: Transmitter Equipment Manual, undated | series 2 | box 8 | folder 7 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 1D: Transmitter Equipment Manual, undated | series 2 | box 8 | folder 8 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 3A: Antenna and RF Equipment Manual, undated | series 2 | box 8 | folder 9 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 3B: Parametric LNA Equipment Manual, undated | series 2 | box 9 | folder 1 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 4A: R/O Telemetry Remote Control Equipment Manual, undated | series 2 | box 9 | folder 2 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 4A: R/O Telemetry Remote Control Equipment Manual, undated | series 2 | box 9 | folder 3 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 5: Territorial Interconnect Link System Supplement, undated | series 2 | box 9 | folder 4 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 5: Territorial Interconnect Link System Supplement, undated | series 2 | box 9 | folder 5 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System Manuals -- Volume 5: Territorial Interconnect Link System Supplement, undated | series 2 | box 9 | folder 6 | |
| Manuals -- Rockwell International. National Public Radio Satellite Interconnect System. Student Guide., 1979 | series 2 | box 9 | folder 7 | |
| Manuals -- Schneidewind, George E. Dial Access Communications System: Operator's Manual. PBS/NPR, undated | series 2 | box 9 | folder 8 | |
| Manuals -- Video and Program Systems: Operating Procedures., October 1, 1976 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 1 | |
| Manuals -- Wolf Research and Development Corporation. Console Operator's Instructions: Dial Access Communications System: DACS, undated | series 2 | box 10 | folder 2 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, October-December 1978 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 3 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, January-March 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 4 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, April-June 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 5 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, July-September 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 6 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, October-December 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 7 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, October-December 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 8 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, October-December 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 9 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, October-December 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 10 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, October-December 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 11 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, October-December 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 12 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- "The Ultimate High" Newsletter, October-December 1979 | series 2 | box 10 | folder 13 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- Press/Releases/Clippings, 1972-1981 | series 2 | box 11 | folder 1 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- Press/Releases/Clippings, 1972-1981 | series 2 | box 11 | folder 2 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- Press/Releases/Clippings, 1972-1981 | series 2 | box 11 | folder 3 | |
| Newsletters, Press Releases, and Clippings -- Satellite Interconnection System Project Office (SISPO) Bulletins., 1976-1979 | series 2 | box 11 | folder 4 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Photos - KSUR, undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 5 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Photos - Party, undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 6 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Photos - Miscellaneous event, undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 7 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Photos - Satellite construction, undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 8 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Photos - Satellite construction, undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 9 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Photos - Satellite construction, undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 10 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Photos - Miscellaneous, undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 11 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Photos - Miscellaneous, undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 12 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Photos - Miscellaneous, undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 13 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Slides (1 of 3), undated | series 2 | box 11 | folder 14 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Slides (2 of 3), undated | series 2 | box 12 | folder 1 | |
| Photos and Slides -- Slides (3 of 3), undated | series 2 | box 12 | folder 2 | |
Series 3: Articles, 1965-1978 (0.50 linear feet)
This series consists of Geesey's collection of articles concerning various engineering topics. Although mostly focusing on satellites, these articles also deal with various engineering equipment and techniques. The materials are arranged alphabetically by author and title.
The box inventory for this series is not currently available online. Please refer to the series description above for a broad description of the materials or contact the department for more information.
Related Material
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Artificial satellites in telecommunication.
- National Public Radio (U.S.). Satellite Interconnection System Project Office -- Archival resources.
- Public radio -- United States.
- Radio broadcasting -- United States -- Archival resources.
- Radio engineers -- United States.