Posts by admin

In 1935, Edwin Armstrong presented his groundbreaking paper on Frequency Modulation (FM) transmission to the Institute of Radio Engineers. Armstrong’s FM transmission concept introduced a method of encoding information on a carrier wave by varying its frequency, rather than its amplitude. This innovation significantly reduced the static and interference commonly experienced with Amplitude Modulation (AM)…

The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) was formed in 1935 by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). ARES was established to provide reliable and coordinated emergency communication services during disasters and other emergencies when conventional communication systems might fail. Comprised of licensed amateur radio operators who volunteer their skills and equipment, ARES works in collaboration…

The Communications Act of 1934 transferred the regulation of amateur radio from the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) to the newly established Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This landmark legislation aimed to consolidate and organize federal oversight of all forms of communication, including radio, telegraph, and telephone services. For amateur radio operators, this transition to the FCC…

In 1931, AT&T patented the coaxial cable, a technology that had originally been conceptualized by Oliver Heaviside in 1880. Coaxial cable, often referred to simply as “coax,” consists of a central conductor surrounded by an insulating layer, a metallic shield, and an outer insulating layer. This design significantly reduces electromagnetic interference and signal loss, making…

The ARRL Sweepstakes contest was introduced in 1930 by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). This annual event quickly became one of the most popular and enduring contests in the amateur radio community. The Sweepstakes contest challenges operators to make as many contacts as possible with other stations across North America, exchanging a specific set…

In 1929, regulations were enacted that banned the use of spark-gap transmitters on all amateur radio bands. Spark-gap technology, which had been the foundation of early radio communication, was increasingly seen as inefficient and disruptive due to its wideband emissions, which caused significant interference across multiple frequencies. The transition to continuous wave (CW) and other…

In the late 1920s, the first quartz crystals began to be used in amateur radios, revolutionizing the field with their ability to stabilize frequencies. Quartz crystal oscillators provided a high degree of accuracy and stability compared to the earlier LC (inductor-capacitor) oscillators, which were prone to drift. This innovation allowed amateur radio operators to maintain…

In 1928, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) launched the International Relay Party, which later became known as the ARRL International DX Contest. This event was created to promote international goodwill and technical proficiency among amateur radio operators by encouraging them to establish as many contacts as possible with stations in other countries. The contest…