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The sinking of the Titanic

Discussion in 'Amateur Radio News' started by VE3ZUP, Apr 11, 2012.

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  1. VE3ZUP

    VE3ZUP Platinum Subscriber Platinum Subscriber QRZ Page

    A very interesting version of the wireless narrative of the sinking of the Titanic is offered by the BBC World Service. BBC producers used computer generated voices of actual telegraphic exchanges to simulate the frantic network traffic.


    I expect this is of deep meaning to all amateur radio operators. The very foundations of our service are clearly laid in this narrative. You'll hear urgency, courage and disbelief from the wireless operators. You'll hear our on-air jargon even as it is used today. You'll recognise network message frustrations. You will be amazed when you hear echoes of our amateur radio service as it is today--especially in times of disaster and recovery. Please have a listen.


    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00q89fy


    The valent efforts of the wireless officer John George "Jack" Phillips as his ship sank are beyond description.


    The sinking of the Titanic is of profound Canadian historical significance. Please listen for Canadian special events station:
    CG1T (VE1CDD) 2012-04-01 to 2012-04-30; 100th Anniversary of the Titanic sinking.
     
  2. K6MFW

    K6MFW Ham Member QRZ Page

  3. KJ6VCN

    KJ6VCN Ham Member QRZ Page

    Ah, yes. I heard this a few days ago, it's quite interesting. Personally, it would have been more realistic if they had said "CQD de MGY" instead of "CQD, this is Titanic." Overall it's a great, historical look back at what happened that hectic night. I recommend giving it a listen. The program is about an hour long, so put aside some time to listen to it through.
     
  4. KA0HCP

    KA0HCP XML Subscriber QRZ Page

    Thank goodness they didn't have to pay any actors! ;)
     
  5. ND4K

    ND4K Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    Nicely done...thanks for sharing.
     
  6. KC2IFR

    KC2IFR Ham Member QRZ Page

    Thanks for the link........great stuff...

    Bill
     
  7. W0DV

    W0DV Ham Member QRZ Page

    If it were not for the the Marconi operators on the Titanic, John Phillips, Harold Bride, and the Marconi operator on the Carpathia, Harold Cottam, hundreds more would have died. This months QST has a very nice story on their efforts.
     
  8. K2OO

    K2OO Premium Subscriber QRZ Page

    What a powerful story. Thank you for sharing the link,
     
  9. K0MAN

    K0MAN Ham Member QRZ Page

    WOW.....Just WOW!
     
  10. VE7IAF

    VE7IAF Ham Member QRZ Page

    "I expect this is of deep meaning to all amateur radio operators" It's deep alright, a full wavelength at 75 khz.
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2012
  11. WD0EBZ

    WD0EBZ Ham Member QRZ Page

    Great story and nicely done. Thanks for the histoircal link.
    WD0EBZ
     
  12. WA1HUD

    WA1HUD Ham Member QRZ Page

    Commercial Coastal station WNE is planning to send a commemorative CW transmission on 472 KHz in memory of the sinking of the Titanic at 0300 GMT April 15, 2012. Transmission is not long and will be sent at 15 WPM. There appears to be some confusion at what time the ship hit the burg so it was decided to send it out at 0300 GMT.

    73, Steve
    WA1HUD
    Chief Eng WNE Coast Radio
     
  13. WB0RUR

    WB0RUR Ham Member QRZ Page

    Really nice. Compelling when you hear the transmissions played in this manner.
    Gary, WB0RUR
     
  14. KD2BDV

    KD2BDV Ham Member QRZ Page

    Titanic was the first ship to send "SOS".

    It had only recently been adopted as the new standard distress call.
     
  15. N0NB

    N0NB Ham Member QRZ Page

    Nicely done!

    What was left unsaid, and likely not germane to the story of the sinking of Titanic, is that the actions of too many of the amateurs and competing wireless companies' operators that night and in the aftermath led directly to radio licensing. In the USA the Radio Law of 1912 established the federal government's authority over all things wireless and banished the amateurs to a wavelength of 200 Meters. It also required that prospective radio amateurs pass an examination and receive an operator's and station license from the Department of Commerce. The law had the consequence of cutting the number of amateur stations drastically but also eliminated the free-for-all days of wireless. It also had a few other unintended effects as well--official recognition of amateur radio and rather than killing off amateur radio as originally intended, it resulted in the eventual discovery of our presently known shortwave spectrum along with the drive toward CW replacing spark as the latter was more difficult to use on the higher frequencies.

    So while I salute those earliest radio amateurs, our service as we know it was truly born as a result of the tragic loss of the Titanic.
     
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