Overview

During the first fifty years of the twentieth century, ham radio went from being an experiment to virtually an art form. Because of the few government restrictions and the low monetary investment required, the concept of ham radio appealed to various people. More than just a simple hobby, however, ham radio required its operators to understand radio theory, be able to trace a schematic and know how to build a transmitter and receiver with whatever material they might have available. With the advent of World War II and the increased need for cutting-edge communications, the United States government drew upon the considerable knowledge and skill of these amateur ham radio operators, validating the fact that ham radio was here to stay. This book explores the history of ham radio operators, emphasizing their social history and their many contributions to the technological development of worldwide communications. It traces the concept of relays, including the American Radio Relay League, from contacts as close as 25 miles apart to operators anywhere in the world. The work also discusses the various technological advances of the twentieth century and the effects which this had on the ever-changing world of the ham radio operator. The ways in which these primarily amateur operators assisted in times of disaster including such events as the sinking of the Titanic and the 1937 Ohio River flood, are also examined.

Full Product Details

9780786429660

Table of Contents

Reviews

""wonderful book...a welcome and long-overdue addition""--Communication Booknotes Quarterly.

Author Information

The late Richard A. Bartlett was a Florida State University professor emeritus. He lived in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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