113th Anniversary of First Transatlantic Wireless Contact, 18 January 1903

Coast Guard Station, Eastham, MA--note the antennae set up for a variety of wavelengths. The actual first message was sent from Marconi Station, a few miles north.

113 years ago today, the first radio telegraph message from US President Theodore Roosevelt of English King Edward VII was sent from Marconi Station in South Wellfleet, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Today, only some of the foundation remains of the original station. National Parks Service and local ham radio operators work the anniversary from the former Coast Guard Station in Eastham, a few miles to the south.

This area is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Cape Cod Marconi Radio Club (+Marconi Cape Cod) call sign is KM1CC. The event is also part of National Parks on the Air (NPOTA), celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service (also a Teddy Roosevelt thing). The NPOTA id is SS03.

I observed some of the activity yesterday.  There were 2 voice stations and one CW (Morse Code) station working 10, 17, 30, and 40 meters.  The frequencies are posted on the KM1CC Facebook page and the @KM1CC Twitter Feed.    Volunteers were also setting up another CW rig.