Early Days

Radio Grateful to “Hams” for Making Short Waves

Time was when the amateur radio operator, now recognized
as a vital telecommunications link in emergencies,
was scarcely tolerated by the industry.

The point was made by Dr. Y. Y. Mao, a member of the
International Telecommunication Union’s International
Radio Consultative Committee, known by its French
initials as CCIR.

“In all fairness, one must not discount the important
contributions made by radio amateurs in the pioneer
days of radio.”

Dr. Mao acknowledged that although amateur radio
is as old as radio itself, it did not always enjoy
the prestige that it does today.

By 1912, the proliferation of commercial and amateur
stations had prompted extensive regulation.
The official attitude toward amateur operators was
often dismissive.

“Amateurs? Oh, yes. Well, stick ’em on 200 meters
and below; they’ll never get out of the backyard
with that.”

Yet radio amateurs continued experimenting with
wavelengths shorter than 200 meters, despite the
prevailing belief that such waves could not travel
over long distances.

Their experiments demonstrated otherwise.

“These amateurs carried on their experimentation,
come what may.”

By 1923, two-way amateur transatlantic communication
had been accomplished on 110 meters.
Other stations moved to 100 meters and also
established successful transatlantic contacts.

Dr. Mao concluded:

“The exodus from the 200-meter region had started.
The short-wave era had begun.”