eight o’clock
A large space had been roped off in front of the central bungalow and furnished with rows of campchairs . The boys had set up the loud-speaking horn on a small table on the porch , running leads from it to their apparatus in the living room . This enabled them to operate the set out of sight of the audience . By eight o'clock almost everybody was in his place , waiting expectantly , and in some cases somewhat sceptically , for the music to begin . But they had not long to wait . Inside the bungalow the boys , excited and tense , heard the familiar voice of the announcer at WJZ , the big Newark broadcasting station . While he was speaking the boys had the horn outside disconnected , but with their head phones they tuned until the announcer 's voice was distinct and clear and all other sounds had been tuned out .