Master Timeline
Spark banned on 80/20/40/5 meters
In 1927, the International Radiotelegraph Conference, held in Washington, D.C., implemented regulations that effectively banned spark-gap transmitters from key amateur radio bands, specifically 80 meters (3.5-4.0 MHz), 40 meters (7.0-7.3 MHz), 20 meters (14.0-14.35 MHz), and 5 meters (56-60 MHz). These bands were allocated for continuous wave (CW) and other more efficient and less disruptive…
Read MoreFirst confirmed all continents operator
In 1927, Brandon Wentworth, operating under the call sign 6OI, achieved a significant milestone in amateur radio by working and confirming contacts with all inhabited continents. This accomplishment, known as achieving “Worked All Continents” (WAC), demonstrated the remarkable potential of amateur radio for long-distance communication. Wentworth’s success highlighted the capabilities of the evolving radio technology…
Read MoreFirst International Radio Telegraph Conference in DC
The First International Radio Telegraph Conference was held in Washington, D.C., in 1927. This significant gathering brought together representatives from numerous countries to discuss and establish international regulations and standards for radio communication. The conference aimed to address the growing complexities and challenges of managing the global radio spectrum, ensuring efficient and interference-free communication across…
Read MoreJapan Amateur Radio League (JARL) formed
The Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) was formed in 1926 to support and promote the interests of amateur radio operators in Japan. As the national association for Japanese hams, JARL has played a crucial role in representing their interests, providing educational resources, organizing events, and fostering international cooperation. The organization works to ensure that amateur…
Read MoreYagi and Uda invent the beam now known as a Yagi
In 1926, Shintaro Uda and Hidetsugu Yagi of Tohoku Imperial University in Japan invented the directional antenna array, now widely known as the Yagi-Uda antenna or simply the Yagi antenna. This innovative design features a driven element (typically a dipole), one or more directors, and a reflector. The Yagi antenna’s configuration enhances its ability to…
Read MoreIARU – International Amateur Radio Union – founded
The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was founded in Paris on April 18, 1925. The organization was established to advocate for the interests of amateur radio operators worldwide and to coordinate their activities. The IARU works to ensure the protection and availability of radio frequency spectrum for amateur use, representing the amateur radio community in…
Read MoreRay Kellog invents electric moving coil loudspeaker
In 1924, Ray Kellogg, working for General Electric and Western Electric, invented the electric moving coil loudspeaker. This innovative device, also known as a dynamic loudspeaker, utilized an electromagnet (voice coil) positioned within a magnetic field to convert electrical signals into sound. When an audio signal passed through the voice coil, it created a magnetic…
Read MoreFirst transatlantic CW two-way contact
In November 1923, the first transatlantic two-way contact using continuous wave (CW) was successfully made between American amateur radio operators Fred Schnell (1MO) and John Reinartz (1XAL) and French operator Léon Deloy (8AB). This historic event marked a significant milestone in amateur radio communication, demonstrating the feasibility of long-distance radio contacts using Morse code on…
Read MoreWWV starts broadcasting time and frequency
In 1923, WWV, operated by the National Bureau of Standards (now NIST), began broadcasting time and frequency signals. Located initially in Washington, D.C., WWV provided a reliable source of standard time and frequency information, which was crucial for scientific research, navigation, and various communication systems. The service allowed amateur radio operators, engineers, and other users…
Read More1st radio telegraph message from Netherlands to Dutch East Indies
On May 5, 1923, the first successful radio telegraph message was transmitted from the Netherlands to the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). This pioneering long-distance communication was facilitated by the advanced shortwave radio technology of the time, which enabled signals to travel vast distances via ionospheric reflection. The achievement marked a significant milestone in global…
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