AmateurRadio.com

I have been spending time reflecting on the history of our wonderful hobby, and this April 1946 issue of Radio News really grabbed my attention. It is such a fascinating time capsule because it highlights the exact moment when thousands of hams were finally allowed back on the air after the long, forced silence of World War II. During the war, the United States government issued a total moratorium on all amateur radio activity, fearing that transmissions could be used by enemy agents to relay information. For four and a half years, our equipment sat idle and our antennas were taken down.

Radio News, April 1946, Cover

This is Bill Shaw, W9UIG, in this photo. He was among the first back on the air, and his station setup was really something else for the time. He was running a capable 500-watt station with a 3-element beam antenna, which was quite a powerhouse back then. His receiver was the legendary Hammarlund HQ 120X, which was a dream for many operators, and it was prized for its stability and sensitivity. Because early receivers often struggled with noise and image rejection, he used an RME DB20 preselector. This unit sat between his antenna and the receiver to provide additional gain and help pull weak signals out of the background noise. He also used a Meissner Signal Shifter, which was essentially a variable frequency exciter that allowed him to shift his frequency to find an empty spot or avoid interference, rather than being stuck on one fixed crystal frequency.

I look at those glowing vacuum tubes in his equipment, and those on display on his desk, and it reminds me of why I love this craft so much… there is just something special about the warmth and the technical artistry of those older rigs, with all their high voltage requirements and intense heat. And of course, I could not help but notice the wall behind him absolutely covered in QSL cards from all over the world. That really is the heart of why we do this, is it not… that thrill of reaching out across the globe and collecting those cards as a badge of honor? He had cards from places like Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, which shows he was an active DXer who specialized in long distance communication. In 1946, there was no internet or satellite communication, so amateur radio was truly the only way for a private citizen to speak directly to someone on the other side of the planet. It really makes you appreciate the history behind the call signs we use today. Does anyone else get nostalgic looking at these old shack photos… I would love to hear your thoughts on these classic setups and the history of our craft!

Regarding the magazine: While the magazine, Radio News, had its roots as, Radio Amateur News, when Hugo Gernsback founded it in 1919, it quickly evolved into something much broader as the radio industry itself exploded. By the 1940s, Radio News was far more than just a ham radio publication, it was a comprehensive technology magazine that covered the entire spectrum of radio and emerging electronics.

During that era, these magazines played an absolutely massive role in the amateur radio hobby. They were essentially the internet, the local club meeting, and the technical manual all rolled into one. For the average ham, a monthly arrival of Radio News or its contemporaries like QST or CQ Amateur Radio Magazine, was an essential lifeline. Side note: I wrote the propagation column in CQ Amateur Radio Magazine (and in CQ VHF, Popular Communications Magazine, Monitoring Times, and The Spectrum Monitor). For CQ, I wrote every month from 2001 to its demise at the passing of its publisher, Dick Ross, K2MGA (sk).

These magazines provided the blueprints and technical schematics that allowed hams to build their own transmitters and receivers from scratch. Because commercial gear was expensive and often hard to come by, the homebrew culture was the backbone of the hobby. Magazines provided the detailed instructions for these projects, teaching a generation of radio enthusiasts how to solder, how to wind coils, and how to understand the complex circuitry of vacuum tubes.

Beyond the technical side, these magazines served as a vital community connector. In a time when the hobby was geographically isolated, they fostered a sense of belonging to an international fraternity. They published operating news, shared tips on DXing (long-distance communication), and established the behavioral expectations and operating standards that defined what it meant to be a true amateur. They taught us how to be gentlemanly, how to handle interference, and how to take pride in our operating technique.

For a young operator in the 1940s, these magazines were the doorway to the world. They documented the rapid technological shifts happening at the time, such as the transition from crystal control to VFOs, the introduction of television, and the post-war availability of surplus military equipment. They did not just tell you how to operate; they inspired you to learn more, to push your technical boundaries, and to see your shack as a part of a global, scientific endeavor. It is that spirit of constant learning and curiosity that kept us all coming back to our keys and microphones, decade after decade.

What other vintage radio publications do you remember fondly from those early days in the hobby?

Amateur Radio magazine for October 2010

Highlights from this month’s edition of Amateur Radio, published by the Wireless Institute of Australia include:

Commentary from WIA President Michael Owen VK3KI on the crucial role of the ITU, the global agency that sets the framework – regulations and frequency allocations – for hams wherever they live.

“Simply, it will not happen, whether it is good or bad, unless it happens first at the ITU.”

That simple proposition drives the whole four year planning process that culminates in a four week meeting in Geneva – WRC-12. Michael details the complex rounds of regional meetings and negotiations that lead up to that meeting.

“…this now never-ending series of meetings… Represents the focus of the protection and advancement of the interests of amateurs that face national societies like the WIA.”

The WIA's 'Tune-in to the World' logo

There’s also detail of the inaugural national day of amateur radio promotion aka the WIA National Field Day scheduled for Saturday 23 October. Professional marketing strategy has arrived to help lift public awareness of ham radio and recruitment to new levels. The article describes a range of merchandise related to the event as well as pointers to files to be used to print professionally designed signage for the day.

WIA clothing for the first National Field Day

There’s a report of the breaking of the national record for 47 GHz – 58 km. A wok lid held up one end of the successful attempt!

Paul McMahon VK3DIP presents the second part of his ‘Generic PC interface for the amateur experimenter’ with the focus on how to use the unit. This project was described in an earlier post.

There are reports and photos from the recent ILLW and an update on the growing amateur activity in Australia on 137 kHz and 500 kHz and info about this month’s JOTA, Jamboree of the Air 15-17 October.

The October edition of WorldRadio Online magazine is available now.

Highlights include:

* An End-Fed Dipole That’s Easy to Build and Great for the Field – a trail-friendly design inspired by Kurt N. Sterba’s Aerials column in the August edition of WorldRadio Online, where four stacked F114-61A toroids are the secret weapon along with one-quarter wave of RG-174U coax…

* Seeing What Others Are Hearing: A DX Cluster Primer – How to tap into the information flowing through the DX Cluster network

* Radio & Relaxation = The Great Family Vacation – One ham’s adventures combining radio fun with family holidays.