National Capital Radio and Television Museum

The National Capital Radio & Television Museum in Bowie, MD has a broad range of programs appealing to the entire community. The museum is open to the public. K3RTV/Amateur Radio Station: The museum maintains an amateur Radio station that is licensed by the FCC with the call sign of K3RTV. The museum can provide school and scout group programs and participate in the annual BSA Jamboree on the Air in the fall. Lectures: The museum in partnership with the local libraries, colleges and senior centers offers lectures on the cultural history of broadcasting. Radio Repair Services: For the cost of parts and labor, the museum offers repair service for collector and enthusiasts wishing to restore their antique radio to operating condition. Full restoration of actual operation is offered while some volunteers will donate additional refurbishment services for exterior finishes, wood restoration, etc. Tours: The museum offers guided tours of the exhibits to the general public during open hours and to groups by appointment. Docent led tours address radio and television technology, the chronology of its development and advancement, the cultural history of broadcasting and receiving. For a small fee, the museum also offers tours during closed hours to schools, senior citizen group and care centers for the disabled. We have also added video components to aid in the museum experience for any members who are unable to travel throughout the museum. Radio Repair Classes are offered by the Museum is intended for people who wish to learn how to restore vacuum tube radios to working condition. Both lecturers and hand on exercises teach students the inner working of antique radio technology and the theory behind them. The classes are geared for everyone, from the novice all the way to the master. On Site Childrens Programs The museum has on-site Kids Program designed to introduce students K-6th grade to the scientific and cultural history of radio and television. Participants in the hour long program will engage in active learning experiences using Morse code, decoding secret radio messages and exploring sound waves using oscilloscopes. The Kids program conforms to Maryland Board of Education standards. Virtual programing was added during the pandemic with special emails and webinars.