Society of Wireless Pioneers - California Historical Radio Society k A 0 ( A ^ Old Spark's bottom is getting fat His fist is getting rusty The B. C. boys, they ham and chat Poor Sparks, his mind is musty What with this war and W.T.B. ams Restrictions on throwing the main Might just as well cut off his hands Or forget to come out of the rain. He sits and thinks of the good old time When he could 'open' and call..."What Ship ?" Or inquire what outfit, or steamship line Why Hell ! he'd even talk to a 'Nip'. Tell him the days of the "brass-pounder" is done He'll gaze at you with a tender smile Old Sparks worked hard but had his fun Making Haywire rigs seem worthwhile All young lids tell him of rhombics and such Can't listen to Sparks talks of old Eager to dash from his fatherly clutch and to handle a new mike like gold They can't be bothered with hand keys or bugs Why, they're a thing of the past That stuff is as ancient as shaving mugs In a few years it simple can't last Yes, old Sparky's bottom is getting fat and his fist is probably rusty But he wouldn't trade places in spite of that His memories will never be dusty. Louis G. Batch - 880 (Written at Guadalcanal - June 5 1945) 17 Origin of S.O.S. 49 Early shipboard phone (Re­ 19 Sinking of the Antinoe print of S. F. Bulletin by Ken Upton 1925). 21 The Wireless Men - Dickow 23 Record Run - USS Omaha 50 Book Reviews 24 Wreck of the Klamath - Dickow 52 War Zone Diary - Prof. H.J. Scott 26 Merchant & Miner ships. 53 SOWP "BULLETINS" 28 First Wireless-Telephone 56 Staff Cartoonist, Ralph C. Folkman station of the West. 60 chapter news PAGE FEATURE PART ONE 30 Early Gear we used. 65 Old "1401" (Railroad Wireless) 33 The "YL" Heritage Charles W. Clemens, Jr. 3 S.O.W.P. REPORT Louise R. Moreau 66 SOWP MEMBER #1000.Harry E. Stahl 36 First Assignment Experience with Thomas A. Edison 5 Sad State of American Capt. Ed. Dingley Jr. 67 Shipping. ( Read com­ The Marconi 106 Receiver 40 Spark's Sunrise 69 ments also, Page 95) SOWP NETS & SCHEDULES Col. Harry Copland 70 ROSIER OF SOWP AMATEURS 10 CERTIFICATE OF SKILL 41 Philatelic Telecom (PINK SECTION) List of holders as Jim Kitchin 78 DIRECTORY - SOWP MEMBERS compiled by Ed Raser 42 New Horizons - Gilson Willits. (YELLOW SECTION - listed alpha­ 43 Samuel Finley Breese Morse betically to #1021, Mar.18,1972) 12 Tales of the Wireless Dickow 95 PREFACE TO PART II. Pioneers - Dickow. 45 Early Wireless Stations 14 Wireless in WW1 - POZ E. H. Marriner Part II on Green Paper - covering 47 President's Message member activies and news will be 16 Station "N.A.A." Eben K. (iady published in the near future. SOWP OFFICERS & DIRECTORS SPRING - 1972 I AREA DIRECTORS The following individuals serve as officers and dir­ ectors of the Society of Wireless Pioneers as of date 1 CANADA A.W. FILTNESS of publication of this Newsletter. AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND WILLIAM J. O'BRIEN OFFICE INCUMBENT GREAT BRITAIN (EXCEPT IRELAND) KENNETH C. WOODMAN PRESIDENT Eben K. Cady N.E. UNITED STATES EDWIN G. RASER VICE PRESIDENTS( * ) S.E. UNITED STATES & GULF MANUEL FERNANDEZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR William A. Breniman S.W. UNITED STATES/ARIZONA JIM CALDWELL SENIOR Clyde W. Preble PHILIPPINES & SE ASIA ALFONSO V.DeLANGE MEMBERSHIP John N. Elwood AWARDS Lewis M. Clement IRELAND ( EIRE) MATTHEW M. FAHY CHAPTERS Franklin Atlee SOUTH AFRICA DANIEL T. MAHQNY FIANCE/AUDITS Joe H. McKinney INDIA & S.W. ASIA LT.COL. DADY S. MAJOI SECRETARY Albert C. Fox CONTINENTAL EUROPE CORNELIS GLERUM TREASURER Lorin G. DeMerritt Hi s t o r i a n Gilson V. Willets MEXICO WILLIAM DEMELLO PUBLICITY Vacant EDITOR William A. Breniman CHAPTER DIRECTORS ASS'T. EDITOR EDMUND H. Marriner TECHNICAL EDITOR Thorn L. Mayes GOLDEN GATE I EMIL A. HOLGERSON STAFF CARTOONIST Ralph C. Folkman DR. LEE DE FOREST III HAROLD F. CRAIG (*) SPECIAL FEATURE Howard H. Falk Dexter S. Bartlett. OTIS MOOREHEAD IV ERNEST F. WILMSHURST CHIEF OPERATOR Robert L. Shrader JACK BINNS V GORDON PASCOE NATIONAL NET COORDINATOR Lt.Col Allan D. Brodnax WESTERN CANADA VI A.W. FILTNESS (*) PRESIDENT EMERITUS Richard Johnstone. HONORARY COMMODORE W. Earle Wohler. VANCOUVER ISLAND XVI NELSON J. SMITH DIRECTORS SOUTHERN CROSS (AUSTRALIA) XX FRANK J. CAREY ** HOWARD COOKSON KARL H.W. BAARSLAG (*) Has requested to be relieved CHARLES E. MAASS KEN. RICHARDSON (**) Preliminary organizational meetings have been held A.W. FILTNESS ROBERT S. PALMER Former Presidents: Richard Johnstone and Frank Geisel. RALPH C. FOLKMAN ^(I^SO^n^T^OFWlRELESSPK)NEERS is a non-profit organization dedicated to banding together the professional wireless and radio men who once earned their living at the radio-telegraph key. The Society is entirely patriotic, non-secretarian and has no commercial interests of any kind. Books and releases are for the use of members only. There is no objection to the reprinting of articles in this publication providing credit is given to the Society of Wireless Pioneers for same. Official address of the Society is P.0. Box 530, Santa Rosa, Calif. 95402. Editor and Exeutive Director is William A. Breniman. Historical records, memorabilia and antique wireless equipment are desired by the Society with the expectation that a museum of same will eventually be opened for public use, in conjunction with a library containing all publications that have been printed on this or related fields of the art. Since statement for sustaining dues (1972) have alread been printed and will be included in the mailing of this newsletter, we will be unable to include such suggestion with same. We invite any member, who can afford, to include a bit extra for this purpose. We feel sure that the equipment needed will materially improve the utilization of donated time and reflect greater benefits for all members, even if not immedia­ tely tangible. INTERNATIONAL ASPECT In connection with the growth of your Society, we are becoming increasingly aware of the number of those s4*tcte*tt "TKaxttten. from foreign countries that seek membership in our professional organization. It is fast becoming an "INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION" of 'Professional' Brass- pounders. We would like to encourage the trend as we Thanks to the dedicated efforts of many members and to feel that while we all have roots that are deep in the officers who contribute liberally of their time and loyalty of our own countries, never-the-less, the effort - your organization continues to grow at an "BROTHERHOOD OF THE PROFESSIONAL KNIGHTS OF THE KEY" amazingly fast pace, as will be noted on the 'Growth- is one that should be encouraged all over the world.We Chart' on the inside front cover. We have every rea­ hope, in time to become a truly 'International' Soc­ son to believe that our membership will pass the ONE iety of the ...professionals. (see Page - 4) THOUSAND mark before this copy is distributed, thus making the Society the largest organization of its kind in the world. We are pleased that during the year which just closed, THIS IS A RECORDING-- THE SHIP (1971), that the Society has fullfilled in large measure YOU WERE CALLING IS TEMPORARILY one of our primary objectives, ie: "Bringing people together". Many 'reunions' or get-to-gethers have OFF THE AIR— THE OPERATORS ARE been held throughout the year and a head-count indicate: BUSY READING THE LATEST COPY OF that at least a thousand have attended these meetings. The opportunity to meet with old friends and shipmates "PORTS O' CALL" is one of those increasingly rare opportunities to re­ new friendships and to reminisce. Its a heart-warming experience to see the warm glow of comradship manifest so often at these reunions. Since all dues and funds received to date have been used exclusively for publishing or Society activities, and with no money what-so-ever going out for salaries or field trips of officers, we have been able to keep the yearly dues at a minimum and within reach of many of our members who are retirees on small (or no) pen­ sions or income. We hope to keep it that way! Thanks to a number of generous members, contributions have been received to help fund cost of printing and opera­ tions so that some members who are having a hard time financially...will still receive the Society's publi­ cations. We have never yet cut off any member, where "hard-ship" case is known, as it is one of the very reasons for the Society's existance. During 1972, we are hopeful that urgently needed office equipment can be purchased. This includes files for our growing archives and administrative needs. A good addressing system to cut down on endless time required for addressing mail and publications, typewriter, desk and a few other necessities to utilize time of those willing to donate time and effort to make better use of same. One of our officers suggested that we ask each member to contribute a dollar each, as a 'one-shot' deal. This seems like a good idea as much of the office equipment now used is property of the Executive V.P. and regretfully, it is wearing out. tc/* THE WIRELESS PIONEER Since the Society's Constitution and By Laws do not provide or authorize expenditures for such purposes, the only way we could accept was through individuals volunteering for the assignment and picking up the tab themselves as a personal donation to the organization.