When I was a child, I discovered HCJB Radio on a transistor radio that had fallen down the stairs. I attempted to repair the cracked circuit board, but I must have soldered something wrong. The radio was working again, but it was picking up a variety of programs in unfamiliar languages, in addition to the local radio stations.

One of the first English language programs I heard was Cracker Barrel with Leonard and Travis. I enjoyed their humor and soon sent a letter to HCJB telling the story of my strange transistor radio that was now picking up South America. It was a thrill to hear my letter read on Musical Mailbag.

I became a regular listener to HCJB on a Philco all-wave radio that my grandfather had purchased in 1935. I strung up a long wire antenna to a pole in the back yard. The folks in Quito, Ecuador became my friends. I have fond memories of the voices that spoke to me each day via shortwave radio.

Years later I met Leonard and Imogene Booker at a Bible Conference in New York State. They remembered my letter about my transistor radio that had inadvertently been converted to shortwave.

I no longer hear the voices and music from Quito, but I have several phonograph records of HCJB musicians. A week or so ago I was listening to Leonard and Imogene Booker. I did a search on the internet and was sad to read of the recent passing of Leonard.

Shortwave radio today is lacking in friendly voices but the memories live on. I am thankful to Leonard Booker and all of the other missionaries who produced first class radio programs that brought joy to my life during my childhood and teen years. 

Dave Frost

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Leonard George Booker

March 27, 1927 – February 3, 2016

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