Acquired in 1957, Ava Test Site was used by Rome Laboratories to test and develop long-distance radio transmitters and over-the-horizon missile detection systems. An article in the Syracuse Herald-American from Sunday, August 6, 1967, says: "The antenna [described in the article] is one of eight located at Rome Air Development Center’s science fiction-looking radio test site near Ava. Clustered on a hill, the mammoth antenna and a monotonous electronic hum complete the site’s "Buck Rogers" atmosphere. The area's function is a very important one. The tall antenna, which sometimes arcs "lightning" from one to another, are used to test and develop powerful radio transmitters."
