100 years of voice
From Megawiki
I want to alert you to an upcoming international radio event. It's broadcasting’s centennial!
Broadcasting celebrates its centennial this December 29-30.
Photo: Public Domain
In 1906 Reginald Fessenden was experimenting with voices over radio, and his initial plan was to make a voice contact from Brant Rock, Massachusetts across the Atlantic to Machrihanish , Scotland . But a storm blew down the antenna at the Scottish site. Fessenden, in true ham spirit, went to “plan B.” Instead of transmitting to Scotland , he used the Brant Rock station to transmit Christmas greetings to ships of the United Fruit Company. (More about this is at http://www.hello-radio.org/historyofradio.html).
This was the very first voice radio broadcast! The entire human experience changed when the ideas, cultures and events of the world were brought into living rooms in every town, no matter how remote.
On Dec. 29-30, 2006, ham radio operators will complete what Fessenden failed to do in 1906 and achieve Plan A with special event stations – and a LOT more.
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A proud history of technology
Fessenden’s broadcast started thousands of garage tinkerers playing with this new fangled thing called "radio". Amateur (often called "ham") Radio operators have been in the forefront of developing wireless technologies from the beginning and continue their role in exploring new designs and applications. Today hams use satellites, computers, software-defined radios, microwaves, Internet linked systems and technologies undreamed of in 1906. But it all started with the word "Hello".
There will be three primary special centennial event stations operating from 2000 GMT on Dec 29 to 2000 GMT on Dec 30 and hundreds of other radio stations around the world. Representing the past are W100BO/W1F at Brant Rock with Steve Barreres, K2CX, as team leader. GB1FVT will be at Machrihanish with Duncan MacArthur, GM3TNT, as team leader. Representing the future will be W1AW in Newington, CT.
Full information is being posted to www.hello-radio.org/event
Sound bytes and video available
Reenactments of the first transmissions, early ham radio promotions by Bob Hope, audio clips of astronauts speaking about and using ham radio, Walter Cronkite, and exciting emergency calls from Hurricane Katrina are available.
In addition to the site locations showing the past and future of radio, the transmission modes used will also reflect both traditional and emerging new technologies. The stations will be operating AM from the early 1900’s, SSB and FM from the later 1900’s, and Echolink/IRLP plus digital voice HF bringing in the digital communications of the 21st century.
Around the Country
The centennial celebration, and the continuing role of Amateur Radio in the development of radio communications, will also be noted in other ways. The PECO lights in Philadelphia have been scheduled for Dec. 29-30, an article is out in Conformity Magazine. WBUR, one of the public radio stations, plans to have a story about it nationally as well as the BBC. MRT Magazine also has a major story out. Other news media are being contacted.
In Racine
Thursday December 28, 2006 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Come visit us and see modern Amateur Radio operation in action as the Racine County Amateur Radio Emergency Service along with the Racine Megacycle Club, the Lakeshore Repeater Association and the Volunteer Center of Racine County offer an open house.
Amateur radio operators will mark the event in Racine at the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) radio station at the Volunteer Center of Racine County. The Ham radio operators will attempt to make voice contacts with other hams around the county, the state, the country and the world. This is open to the 'public, press and other "hams" to come and operate and celebrate!
The Volunteer Center of Racine, Inc.
6216 Washington Avenue - Suite G
Western Village
Racine, WI 53406
Call the Racine County Ham Radio Information Line (262) 886-9612 x109
For additional information, show up or contact
James Markstrom, KB9MMA
Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Racine County Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(262) 909-3996
