Two Teens, a Ham Radio, and Operation Deep Freeze
A bit of Ham Radio history that deserves to be remembered
Posted By: Robert Nickels (W9RAN)
Posted on 05/05/2022
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Few words better characterize the period from 1945-1970 than "science". But while the space program was the most visible and exciting, the eleven nations included in the Antarctic portion of the 1957-1958 International Geophysical Year created several permanent research stations, including the first permanent station at the South Pole. The effort to create a permanent scientific presence at, literally, the end of the earth required enormous effort of scientists and military personnel. The work was difficult and took a toll on the workers who were isolated from their families for months at a time in those days before satellites made global communications something we take for granted today. Their morale was boosted by a couple of teenagers from New Jersey who happened to be ham radio operators with a strong sense of empathy. "The History Guy" describes Operation Deep Freeze in this video and the role the Madey brothers played in running countless phone patches between scientists and Navy personnel at the first permanent research station on Antarctica and their families. Because there is little actual footage of the events described, this is mostly a narration over period-correct films including one showing the assembly of Hallicrafters transmitters. But it is worth the time to watch regardless. |
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