Speaker Series: Myth or Reality? Understanding Marconi’s 1901 Wireless Feat

Chatham Marconi Welcomes Mr. Jeff Briggs to its Speaker Series
 

Marconi’s achievement at South Wellfleet in 1903 was witnessed and well-documented: There is no question that his wireless signals reached the United Kingdom that day.

However, there is much speculation and skepticism regarding his widely-reported claim of receiving the letter “S”  from Poldhu, England in 1901 on Signal Hill in St. Johns, Newfoundland.  Of course, more than 100 years later, it is impossible for any of us today to know for sure what happened that day on Signal Hill.   Our speaker will look back and analyze this event with an open mind to help us get closer to understanding what may have actually taken place.  Was it fact or was it fiction? 

Jeff Briggs is an amateur radio operator with over 65 years of practical experience in low-frequency radio wave propagation. This experience has enabled him to understand the vagaries of weak signal communication, the 11 year solar cycle and those other factors associated with 1901 and Signal Hill.  He is the author of the book entitled "Dx'ing on the Edge...the Thrill of 160 Meters”.  Professionally, he is a retired group product manager in electronic banking information reporting. He resides today in Orleans, MA with his wife Miriam who is also a successful radio amateur.

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