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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Here's some information that isn't often needed, but difficult to find: A. P. Jacobi's Ballast Tube Handbook and Substitution Guide. Download from the "Attachments" link below.... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (W9RAN)
Posted: 08/234/2023
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We've heard there is some confusion about how electricity works. This should clear things up.... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (W9RAN)
Posted: 08/214/2023
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A member of the Long Island CW Group thought he'd give one of those AI chatbot sites a challenge...he didn't expect much but got a real surprise... In a world of signals, hidden and grand,A language of dots and dashes, hand in hand.Morse code whispers, in rhythm and sound,A symphony of messages, profound. With a simple click, a dot appears,A fleeting moment, to the listening ears.Short a... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (W9RAN)
Posted: 06/172/2023
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Seems like cars have always had radios, but they didn't. Here's the story:One evening, in 1929, two young men named William Lear and Elmer Wavering drove their girlfriends to a lookout point high above the Mississippi River town of Quincy, Illinois, to watch the sunset. It was a romantic night to be sure, but one of the women observed that it would be even nicer if they could listen to music in th... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (W9RAN)
Posted: 06/171/2023
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Seems like cars have always had radios, but they didn't. Here's the story: One evening, in 1929, two young men named William Lear and Elmer Wavering drove their girlfriends to a lookout point high above the Mississippi River town of Quincy, Illinois, to watch the sunset. It was a romantic night to be sure, but one of... READ MORE
- Robert Nickels (W9RAN)
Posted: 06/171/2023
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