Posts by admin

In 1952, the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) was founded in the United States as a part of the civil defense framework. Established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), RACES was designed to provide emergency communication support during civil defense emergencies, such as natural disasters, wars, and…

In 1952, the 15-meter band (21.0-21.45 MHz) was added to the amateur radio service as a result of decisions made at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) conference. This new allocation provided amateur radio operators with an additional high-frequency band that offered excellent propagation characteristics, particularly during periods of high solar activity. The 15-meter band quickly…

In 1951, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the introduction of three new amateur radio license classes: Novice, Technician, and Amateur Extra. The Novice license was designed for beginners, providing an entry-level opportunity to explore the hobby with limited operating privileges and requiring basic Morse code proficiency. The Technician license offered a step up, allowing…

In 1948, R/9 magazine published an article by Robert Moore, W6DEI, titled “Single Sideband Transmission for Amateur Radiophones.” This article was pivotal in introducing and promoting single sideband (SSB) modulation to the amateur radio community. SSB, a more efficient form of amplitude modulation (AM), offered significant advantages, including better bandwidth utilization and improved signal clarity.…

In December 1947, the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) was founded to honor and bring together amateur radio operators who had been licensed for 25 years or more. The QCWA aimed to recognize the achievements and contributions of veteran hams, promote fellowship among its members, and encourage the preservation of the history and traditions of…

In 1947, Bell Labs developed the first bipolar junction transistor, a groundbreaking invention that revolutionized electronics. The team, consisting of John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley, created this semiconductor device to amplify and switch electronic signals, replacing vacuum tubes. The bipolar junction transistor, with its smaller size, greater efficiency, and improved reliability, paved the…

In 1945, following World War II, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reallocated several frequency bands, leading to the launch of the 6-meter (50-54 MHz) and 2-meter (144-148 MHz) bands for amateur radio use. These new VHF allocations provided amateur radio operators with opportunities for experimentation and communication beyond the traditional HF bands. The 6-meter band,…