• 100th anniversary

    From J. P. Gilliver (John)@21:1/5 to All on Fri Feb 11 09:21:50 2022
    I thought this, from the CARS monthly newsletter, might be of interest:


    Once upon a time 

    On 14th February 1922 the Marconi Company began to broadcast a five
    minute programme of speech and music within the weekly half hour
    calibration transmission.  The broadcasts were made weekly on Tuesday
    made using the callsign 2MT from an ex-army hut in the village of
    Writtle near Chelmsford.  Initially the station had only 200 Watts and transmitted on 700m (428kHz) using an inverted-L antenna.  

     

    The enthusiastic team, led by Captain Peter Eckersley, assembled their transmitter together with a gramophone player, microphone, and on
    occasions a piano from the local public house, to entertain listeners. 
    The regular announcement; "This is Two Emma Toc, Writtle testing,
    Writtle testing", became quite well known.

     

    This was the first regular wireless broadcast for entertainment in the
    UK and its success provided the foundation for the formation of the BBC
    later in 1922.

     

    On Air 100 Years Later:

    Members of Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (CARS) will operate a
    special event station to commemorate this historic event.  A special callsign, GB100-2MT, will be active during February and on 14th February
    will operate from Writtle, close to where the original broadcasts were
    made. Operating will be on HF, as well as locally on VHF/UHF.

     

    QSOs will be confirmed on LOTW and eQSL.  Sorry no QSL cards, or bureau.

     

    For further information -


    *see the CARS: Website:  www.g0mwt.org.uk  
    *follow on twitter  @ChelmsfordARS
    *Wriitle Village Hall Location Map  - 18 The Green, Writtle, CM1 3DU
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    ... she has never contracted A-listeria or developed airs and graces. Kathy Lette on Kylie, RT 2014/1/11-17

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