Master Timeline
House directs U.S. Navy to end ham prohibition
In 1919, after World War I had ended, the United States House of Representatives directed the U.S. Navy to lift the prohibition on amateur radio operations. This ban had been in place during the war as a national security measure to prevent potential espionage and interference with military communications. The lifting of the prohibition allowed…
Read MoreWWI – US Congress orders amateur radio operators to cease ops and dismantle equipment
In April 1917, following the United States’ entry into World War I, Congress ordered all amateur radio operators to cease operations and dismantle their equipment. This directive was implemented as a national security measure to prevent espionage and ensure that all radio communications could be effectively monitored and controlled by the military. The ban on…
Read More1st US transcontinental radio telephone message
On October 22, 1915, the first U.S. transcontinental radio telephone message was successfully sent from the U.S. naval radio station in Arlington, Virginia, to the naval radio station at Mare Island in San Francisco, California. This historic achievement demonstrated the potential of radio communication to span vast distances without the need for physical wires. The…
Read MoreSingle sideband patent granted
In 1915, a patent for single sideband (SSB) modulation was granted to John Renshaw Carson, an American engineer working for AT&T. His invention, described in U.S. Patent 1,449,382, outlined the method of using only one sideband of the transmitted radio signal along with a suppressed carrier, which significantly improved the efficiency and clarity of radio…
Read MoreEdwin H. Armstrong invents tube-operated regenerative receiver
In 1914, Edwin H. Armstrong invented the tube-operated regenerative receiver, a groundbreaking advancement in radio technology. This receiver utilized a triode vacuum tube to amplify signals, significantly improving sensitivity and selectivity compared to earlier crystal detectors. By feeding a portion of the amplified signal back into the input circuit (regeneration), the regenerative receiver could achieve…
Read MoreHiram Percy Maxim founds the American Radio Relay League
In 1914, Hiram Percy Maxim, along with Clarence D. Tuska, founded the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). This organization was established to promote and support the interests of amateur radio operators in the United States. Maxim, an avid radio enthusiast and inventor, recognized the need for a coordinated effort to relay messages across long distances,…
Read MoreInternational Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) was first adopted in 1914, following the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. The convention’s primary aim was to ensure that ships, particularly passenger ships, adhered to minimum safety standards in construction, equipment, and operation to prevent such disasters. Among its many…
Read MoreAfter limitations of Radio Act of 1912 88% radio hobbyists in US drop practice
The limitations imposed by the Radio Act of 1912 led to a significant decline in the number of radio hobbyists in the United States, with approximately 88% of them ceasing their activities. The Act introduced stringent licensing requirements and restricted the frequencies that amateurs could use, confining them to wavelengths shorter than 200 meters (frequencies…
Read MoreWireless Society of London (now RSGB) founded
The Wireless Society of London, now known as the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), was founded in 1913. The organization was established to support and promote the interests of amateur radio operators in the United Kingdom. It provided a platform for enthusiasts to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and advance the science and practice of…
Read MoreFirst US federal licensing of amateur radio operators and stations
The first U.S. federal licensing of amateur radio operators and stations began with the enactment of the Radio Act of 1912. This legislation required all radio transmitters and operators to be licensed by the Department of Commerce. The Act mandated that amateur radio operators pass a proficiency test demonstrating their technical knowledge and ability to…
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