Vientiane Laos, summer 1959, preparing the permanent AM transmission site. We erected the antenna in the middle of a large rice paddy, where we could lay out the ground radials in a relatively flat area, and provide maximum ground plane due to the water. We had to dam up the water to dig a foundation, and pour concrete for the antenna base. Wading and working in the water was difficult, and when we left the paddy we had to find and remove leaches that had attached to our legs. The antenna consisted of twelve, 10 foot sections bolted together.  After we got about three 10 foot sections up (2nd being installed here), most of us had difficulty with the height.  We resorted to hiring locals—well liquored up, to get the tower completed. When we finally became operational, it was gratifying to know that Air America pilots coming into Vientiane airport, were using our signal to home in on.....Gary Gloyd

AM tower being erected in rice paddy, 1959.  At this stage it was about 70 or 80 feet high..... Gary Gloyd