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28 | LIFE IN SOLERA | MARCH 2022 | The History of Radio: The Solera Radio Club (FCC License KC6SRC) will be exploring the interesting evolution of the "Radio." Our series starts with the creation of the radio and the subsequent reliance of the little noise box. In modern society, radios are common technology in the car and in the home. In fact, in today's world one would be hard pressed to find anyone who has not heard of, seen, or used a radio during his or her life, regardless of how old or young they may be. This was not always the case, however. Before the 19th century, wireless radio communication in everyday life was a thing of fantasy. Even after the development of the radio in the late 1800s, it took many years before radios went mainstream and became a household fixture. The history of the radio is a fascinating one that changed how the world connected and communicated from distances both far and near. While the radio enjoys a long and interesting history, its earliest beginnings are still quite controversial. There's some debate as to who invented the radio. While we may not know with certainty who put together the first radio device, we do know that in 1893 the inventor Nikolai Tesla demonstrated a wireless radio in St. Louis, Missouri. Despite this demonstration, Guglielmo Marconi is the person most often credited as the father and inventor of the radio. It was Marconi that was awarded the very first wireless telegraphy patent in England in the year 1896, securing his spot in radio's history. A year later, however, Tesla filed for patents for his basic radio in the United States. His patent request was granted in 1900, four full years after Marconi's patent was awarded. Regardless of who created the very first radio, on Dec. 12, 1901, Marconi's place in history was forever sealed when he became the first person to transmit signals across the Atlantic Ocean. TRIVIA QUESTION (answered next month): What was the first radio station licensed by the government? This article was brought to you by Ray C. Gayton-Jacob (N6KZM) of the Solera Radio Club. Club members are poised to provide communications options when critical systems become inoperable. "When All Else Fails – Think: Radio Communications." Learn more about the club, at http://www.soleraradio.com/ or send a message to kc6src@gmail.com. RADIO CLUB Silent Key Nikoli Tesla Guglielmo Marconi "Silent Key" is a term of respect for a deceased amateur radio operator. The key in the term refers to a telegraph key, the instrument that all early amateur radio operators, as well as many contemporary amateur radio operators, have used to send Morse code. The term SK is used in telegraphy to indicate an end of transmission. Today, the term is commonly used within the radio community as a sign of respect and condolence regardless of whether the deceased was an amateur radio operator. Jim Axeberg, Callsign KK6GG, is "Out of Service." Rest in Eternal Peace. We will never forget you friend. 73's

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