Historic transatlantic contact

1BCG CW transmitting station in 1921

On 11 December 2016 a special amateur radio event commemorated the 95th anniversary of the first transatlantic shortwave reception between Greenwich, Connecticut, and Ardrossan, Scotland.

On that day in 1921, a radio signal transmitted from a Radio Club of America (RCA) test station—located in a small shack on the property of Minton Cronkhite, 1BCG in Greenwich—was received in Ardrossen as part of a series of ARRL transatlantic tests.

2ZE receiving station tent in 1921

The special event included a two-way contact between N1BCG—the commemorative call sign being used in Greenwich—and GB2ZE, operated by Jason O’Neill, GM7VSB, in Ardrossan. N1BCG sent the original 1921 message in CW:

N1BCG: == PSE QRX FER MSG MSG
== HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS FM BURGHARD
== INMAN
== GRINAN
== ARMSTRONG
== AMY
== CRONKITE
== THE ORIGINAL OPS AT 1BCG

The RSGB has been working with the BBC during the preparations and is delighted that the special event was given coverage on TV, radio, online and by other press too.

RSGB Board member Len Paget, GM0ONX was interviewed by the media for their reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38262397 (BBC Scotland news starts at 3.55 and will only be available on 12 December)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b083w3pq (BBC Radio Scotland interview starts at 48.00 and includes the ARRL end of the contact too)
http://www.scotsman.com/regions/glasgow-strathclyde/calling-ardrossan-radio-feat-marked-95-years-on-1-4314997 (Scotsman online report)

Category: Front Page News, GB2RS Headlines