[SADXA] First Demonstration of Radio by Marconi Dec. 12th, 1896

[W7EXG (Bill)]

Hi Ted, 

In the spirit of your DX spot questions, here is my response. 

On another December 12, but in year 1901, Marconi succeeded in sending the
first radio transmission (estimated at 850kHz) 2000 miles across the
Atlantic Ocean, from England to Newfoundland. This disproved detractors who
told him that the curvature of the earth would limit transmission to 200
miles or less. 

His message was Morse-code signal letter "S"

Thus December 12 is actually a GREAT DAY for Amateur Radio, since it was on
this DAY in 1901, when "some type" of ionospheric reflection was proven,
suggesting world wide DX was possible. 

Fortunately the FCC was not involved yet, so no call Sign was required.
However, rumor has it, that Marconi's WANTED TO HAVE the first amateur radio
call, so his 1 by call was -- S. In that context, Marconi WAS the 1st
Amateur Radio Operator, and 1st DXer on Dec. 12, 1901.  This is an amazing
1st. 

Since 2000 mi at 850kHz clearly was a nighttime propagation, the propagation
reflection was off the F layer. 

However, the transmitting system consisted of a dipole, driven by an
induction coil and a spark gap. 

I am guessing that the spark gap still radiated energy at frequencies way
ABOVE the MUF at the time, and some of that high frequency energy escaped
into space -- and is still out there. 

If the universe is curved with a circumference of 115 Light Years to THIS
DATE, I suggest listing tonight on 20m or higher frequencies, about
midnight, for ...   ...   ...  ...

But, be sure your using one of those whiz-bang SDR receivers with a noise
floor below absolute temperature. 

My DX Spot for Dec 12, IS NOT FOR TODAY, BUT mainly FOR TONIGHT, so you
still have a chance at this rare DX event!!

If you hear radio Station with call sign S, give him a call. 

Might be hard to get a confirmation, but you might check LOTW anyway. It
will take awhile for S to hear your call and get it in the LOTW data base,
however. 

Be wary of bogus "S" stations.. who may be pretending to be "S". This is
always an issue for us DXers. 

Pile-ups.. well YES!. Since I just put S on the DX Cluster forecast for
tonight, I suspect the pile-ups might be intense. 

Good luck and good DX! And Mainly ... Have Fun!! 

73s, 

Bill W7EXG

-----Original Message-----
From: SADXA [mailto:sadxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Theodore
DOWNING
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2016 8:48 AM
To: Southern AZ DX Association E-Mail Reflector
Subject: Re: [SADXA] First Demonstration of Radio by Marconi Dec. 12th, 1896

Now that's a DX spot for sure!  Was it today? Darn it,  What call sign? What
frequency? I doubt there will be a pile up.  :-)

Ted 
w7key
> On Dec 12, 2016, at 8:28 AM, W7EXG (Bill) <W7EXG at q.com> wrote:
> 
> Dec. 12, 1896: 
> 
> First demonstration of the radio: 
> Marconi demonstrates his radio set to the public, today --  on Dec. 12th
in
> 1896
> 
> 73s,
> 
> Bill W7EXG
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> SADXA Website http://www.sadxa.org
> 
> SADXA mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> You can support qsl.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

______________________________________________________________
SADXA Website http://www.sadxa.org

SADXA mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
You can support qsl.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html