Marconi Archives

Ham Radio Operators Remember

Guglielmo Marconi operating his radio equipment. "Commercial Wireless Telegraphy" March, 1903 issue of ''The World's Work.''

The last weekend of every June is Radio Field Day. Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill and service.¹

The history of wireless radio communications began with Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937). Commercial development of wireless telegraphy has its origins in England: in March 1896, Guglielmo Marconi lodged the first wireless telegraphy patent: a 'holding patent' for a wireless telegraphy system in London.

In 2004 the Marconi Collection was presented to the University of Oxford by the Marconi Corporation. This large and unrivalled archive of objects and documents records the work of Guglielmo Marconi and the wireless telegraph company he founded. ²

The Guglielmo Marconi Foundation also holds important archives at the Lincean Academy.

1. American Radio Relay League. 2021 ARRL Field Day is June 26-27.

2. Marconi Collection. Oxford University.