[GreenKeys] Father "RTTY"

[larryradio at att.net]

Doesn't Byron Kretzman fit in there somewhere?

lar
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Beckman" <beck8463 at bellsouth.net>
To: <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 1:28 PM
Subject: [GreenKeys] Father "RTTY"


> Maybe I've missed it, or maybe it doesn't matter anymore - but some of 
> the newcomers to RTTY might be interested in the man commonly credited 
> with starting and encouraging  RTTY, the best of all modes. We've seen 
> references to Irv Hoff and Wayne Green, and certainly they made 
> contributions and encouragement, but nothing has been mentioned (to my 
> knowledge) about  W2BFD, John Williams, "The old maestro of RTTY."
> 
> John started the first RTTY "net" in 1946 with 30 printers in the New 
> York City area. John gave lectures and demonstrations at tons of ham 
> club meetings during the following two years, including participation in 
> an ARRL Convention. Articles about this new mode began appearing in ham 
> magazines in 1948 (Wayne Green, W2NSD. then Editor of "CQ" magazine was 
> an avid  RTTY enthusiast and he continued that support as publisher of 
> "73" magazine.).
> 
> By 1949 RTTY stations were popping up from coast to coast, but had it 
> not been for pioneers like John Williams, W2BFD, who knows how long it 
> might have been before someone else discovered this notable addition to 
> the enjoyment of our wonderful hobby.
> 
> Perhaps some of the "oldest" old-timers on this list may have known John 
> and can share some more insight into this remarkable ham.
> 
> John W4BTX
> 
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