Looking back it was utter madness but i can see why it was such a big deal at the time. Different times i guess. Great video mate.
2 роки тому
Look at today - not much changed. New technology being developed by enthusiasts that is being taken over by private companies that then bribe governments to forbid enthusiasts from getting anywhere near what they made. At best, the makers and inventors get a tiny fenced corner to play into.
Its a pity that these individuals were railroaded by the government. By the Second World War , radio amateurs in Canada were often pulled into the intelligence ranks to monitor comms. Unfortunately nothing has changed much today, several years ago a radio operator from Germany was vacationing on the island of Kos here in Greece. He was working morse and logging his contacts on a laptop. He was approached by an Ignorant ( yes you read correctly) police officer who confronted his as to what he was doing, the German tried to explain to the officer what he was doing but he was interested at making a name for himself that he caught a spy. Long story short, the radio operator was detained for quite a while under espionage charges. When word got out most of us operators here deluged the procecutors office with calls and letters describing the hobby and insisting that he be released. Eventually he was released when Germany stepped in and agreed to prosecute him for having a radio capable of receiving broadcasts on non Amature frequencies. Within a few weeks of his return to Germany the charges were dropped and he was never prosecuted. BTW I have a good idea as to what a British pound is worth but what is a Ginny??.
"He was approached by an Ignorant ( yes you read correctly) police officer who confronted his as to what he was doing, the German tried to explain to the officer what he was doing but he was interested at making a name for himself" -- *Looks like somebody's still upset about that speeding ticket.*
A founder member of the Blackwood transmitters club as was then the forerunner to the Blackwood and district ARS GW6GW was one such interceptor of the German war transmissions his name was Frank Mudford G6BK he's listed as one of the interceptors of German radio traffic in the second world war
Chicago's very own Zenith played a great part during what was called the Wild Wild West era of amateur radio, first by producing specialized transceivers requested by customers then later taking great part in encouraging formation of the federal communications here in the US. on an interesting note Maroni considered the earliest period humanities best and last chance to search for off world radio signals before the airwaves became crowded. Especially with spurious artifacts produced by increasing numbers of mechanical devices before FCC part 15 was required in order to prevent unnecessary interference. Such a later when anyone equipped with a pacemaker was advised to keep clear of microwave ovens. .
Your last sentence suggesting that intelligence found in the proliteriate put fear in the ruling class has a modern twist in the sloppy handling of sources and properties of electrical power for industrial and domestic use now.
Similar measures were adopted by the Australian government with great enthusiasm with the Wireless and Telegraphy Act 1914 which was rigorously enforced in the late 1970s when CB radio became popular. Eventually CB licences were reluctantly introduced.
Thanks for video. While I was aware that British Radio Amateur operation (with some exceptions) was suspended during WW1 and WW2, I didn't know about these prosecutions. £20 and 4gns for possession of a Morse key! It's an electrical switch. Just about any switch can be used as a Morse key to send at 12wpm - even a domestic light switch. Does that mean anyone with a switch was liable to be prosecuted? Quite a change come WW2 when many Radio Amateurs were deployed in serving the war effort (e.g. VI stations).
I was once a keen reader of Wireless World. Out of all the electronics mags, that one was the most intelligent by far. The first issue I ever bought had a 'how to do' kind of article on building your own radio telescope. I was only a kid, but that sounded fun.
I found this a bit eerie, in the familiar sense. People receiving hash sentences for minor technical infringements, government technical 'experts' who don't really have a clue and members of a ruling class who are ignorant but absolutely want to exercise control. Even the bit about hostility from an ignorant, easily scared public. I shoot target rifles and fly traditional model planes and you could replace many of the wireless references from this video with equivalent references to things from either of those two hobbies and find the attitudes contemporary to today. For example, anyone remember the couple with the model helicopter who were raided and held in police custody for a few days in the 'drone that never was' (aka the Gatwick drone) incident? We haven't changed. ☹️
The two arrested were released after two days without charges. We haven't changed. No. And if you are of the wrong religion, it can become a major incident.
The kazerian mafia. The secret societies are all in it together. Kennedy had his sights set on ridding the USA of these clowns and they in turn set their sights on him. Glad to hear you are awake.
Really interesting! Thanks for sharing. It's a shame that the government didn't see the potential in some of these people and allowed them to help the war. Imagine if they invested heavily in remote control weapons. That'll never be a thing. Oh wait.... Well ahead of his time.
"In possession of dismantled aerial, (so scrap metal) equipment capable of tapping out morse (A door bell push?) ...... 3 coils of insulated wire" So according to the charges , ANY electrical or hardware shop with coils of insulated wire , doorbell pushes or metal curtain poles or metal water pipes could be liable for the same charges. If it were me I would have tested this out in court by purchasing 1 roll of insulated doorbell wire 1 roll of domestic house wire and a doorbell push with a reciept to state EXACTLY what they were in order to demonstrate their intended purpose and use . I would also instruct my solicitor to question the Post office "Expert" and ask a simple question , "would these articles be able to be used in the construction of wireless equipment " Of course , the answer would have to be YES . With that answer , I would want the court to move to dismiss the case in light that with a conviction then ANYONE possessing these articles , whether intended use for a doorbell or lighting circuit or putting curtains up would be liable for prosecution.
Sounds like there was quite a bit of thought put into this matter between the wars. By WW2 the amateur operators plays a massive roll in interceptions of German traffic and relaying it to the proper stations for interpretation. This freed a huge amount of staff to do other jobs that were vital to victory.
Well I feel stupid! I am a radio amateur AND I live in Blyth (less than a mile from Ridley Park) and never knew about William Thompson and his pioneering work with radio control or his unfortunate imprisonment for 'breaching' the wireless regulations in 1915. What may have made his 'breech' of the regulations more irksome to the authorities was that during WW1 (and WW2) Blyth was an important and strategic submarine base, and Ridley Park was less than a mile from that base! There are many reminders of the submarines based at Blyth still, in the harbour structures and not least the graves and memorials in the Links Cemetery to the brave souls that lost their lives at sea in the service of their country.... I wonder if you could share the source of your knowledge of William Thompson with me please, I would like to research his story in depth for my channel, The Armourers Bench!
An informative post. Blimey the fines in todays value are amazing. £1.00 in 1915 was the equivalent of around £100.00 today taking account inflation. An average weekly wage would have been £2.00 to £3.00 for industrial workers but considerable less for many self employed, agricultural, shop workers and domestic servants. Hefty fines then but we did hang and whip people. Not really the good old days.
Not related to this video but I’ve been watching lots of your videos. Excellent by the way and really appreciated… Do you recommend any affordable DMR POC radios for family use? I want to be able to use both on one device so I can have the most reliable comms with my kids on days out. Thanks. Lee
Also--- Years ago(in my neighborhood-- Colorado USA) ,There was a murder suspect at large....I built a "Stingray" Tracking Device,to help track the murder suspect--- My System was easy tracsble and I contacted the Local DA and FBI to allow them to use my Device--- The suspect was found,without the aid of my System yet, the DA and the FBI were impressed with the portability and the efficiency of my System..... To this day, many Local Authorities rely on our Local Ham Radio Operators
I have toyed with becoming a radio amateur. But after pricing the equipment and listening to the way newcomers are treated by the older amateur radio operators only because the newcomers operate homebrew or budget equipment, I may pass. I have set up many stations for amateur radio operators, volunteer fire brigades, ambulance services, and other services. I have even modified radios from different services to operator on other services or amateur bands. But it seems if one does not spend at least £5500 on a station, I would just be treated like trash. Maybe I should get a Citizen's Band Transceiver instead. Or, maybe just get a 40 meter or 80 meter transceiver. There is no way all the people on those two bands are licensed with as vulgar, and clownish as they are. Half do not even use a callsign.
CB is pretty much dead now. The internet and cell phones killed it off. It just doesn't serve a purpose any more - there's no practical use that can't be done better with a phone, and the magic of long-distance communication is long gone. I did get into amateur radio, but eventually got out of it. While there is plenty of activity in ham radio if you're in to contests, there isn't actually much innovation going on, and digital networking - my own interest - is quite dead. Again, internet killed it.
@@vylbird8014 It seems only 40 and 80 meters has some sort of interesting, maybe too interesting, conversations going on. They seem to attract a lot of unlicensed operators. Only half the radio operators, on both bands, use a callsign. Let's face it, radio hobbies are dead. One can talk aroumd the world with no license at all. Currently, I am in Saskatchewan, Canada. You are likely far away. None of us have a license.
I faced some of this in the rural USA but after I told them they've spent my entire life complaining about no new operators and their being afraid amateur rights would be eroded due to a lack of operators, and that the reason why there are few noobs is because of how they're treated. Since then at least in my region the old rag chewers are kinder to the noobs. I studied for one afternoon and passed the Technican exam, and I studied for the General exam for two weekends and passed. I'm studying for Amateur Extra right now. I started with a quite antique Yaesu rig and today I primarily use Yaesu FTM-400XDR x 4, Yaesu 891 x 6, 991a x 4. I'm saving up for one of the ft101md wtfever they call it SDR things.
@@vylbird8014 I did have a smartphone. But with nobody to call me, text me, or email me, I completed the contract and disconnected. It is not very useful if one has nobody in their lives. It seems portable communication is just not for me. This semi-anonymous is my only online existence because the true social media pages depend a lot on being known by others. I have not known anybody since 2000. Thus, UA-cam commentary is enough for me. I guess I was just born during the boring time in life. Cars suck and are butt ugly, technology is orientated around lazy people, and social people, nothing is exciting. Television is impressive. But television programming sucks. What good is having an amazing television with the crap being aired? It is just such an I inspiring time to be alive.
Typical wartime paranoia. Ye gods, if the authorities want to to confiscate my wireless equipment, they'd better send several large lorries. Meanwhile, I'm off to hide my German "O"-level certificate.
I'm Glad that I live in 21 Century New York City USA, We Ham Radio Operaters have a whole lot more Freedom Here, My call here is N2MJF Advanced Class, I have a SDR Play RSP DX and a Adalm Pluto SDR for DATV Reception and a Yeasu FT5D and a Alinco DJ-MD5X DMR HT,
Its sad that you done time for just owning sutch equipment in their eyes to aide the enemy but today the very organizations built from that same technology are using it against a new enemy its own citizens
Looking back it was utter madness but i can see why it was such a big deal at the time. Different times i guess. Great video mate.
Look at today - not much changed.
New technology being developed by enthusiasts that is being taken over by private companies that then bribe governments to forbid enthusiasts from getting anywhere near what they made. At best, the makers and inventors get a tiny fenced corner to play into.
Thank you for an interesting presentation, 73
Another great video about the radio situation in the UK during WWI. I found this fascinating.
Thanks Lewis
Epic piece of content. You got me sucked into this history for real. Amazing stories.
Thank you for yet another brilliant video, please keep up your great work
Its a pity that these individuals were railroaded by the government. By the Second World War , radio amateurs in Canada were often pulled into the intelligence ranks to monitor comms. Unfortunately nothing has changed much today, several years ago a radio operator from Germany was vacationing on the island of Kos here in Greece. He was working morse and logging his contacts on a laptop. He was approached by an Ignorant ( yes you read correctly) police officer who confronted his as to what he was doing, the German tried to explain to the officer what he was doing but he was interested at making a name for himself that he caught a spy. Long story short, the radio operator was detained for quite a while under espionage charges. When word got out most of us operators here deluged the procecutors office with calls and letters describing the hobby and insisting that he be released. Eventually he was released when Germany stepped in and agreed to prosecute him for having a radio capable of receiving broadcasts on non Amature frequencies.
Within a few weeks of his return to Germany the charges were dropped and he was never prosecuted.
BTW I have a good idea as to what a British pound is worth but what is a Ginny??.
I think from my parents I heard that was a
Pound and schilling?
21 shillings, or £1.05 in modern money. And it's spelt "Guinea".
@@raymondmartin6737 one pound one shilling. Laptop ??
"He was approached by an Ignorant ( yes you read correctly) police officer who confronted his as to what he was doing, the German tried to explain to the officer what he was doing but he was interested at making a name for himself" --
*Looks like somebody's still upset about that speeding ticket.*
A founder member of the Blackwood transmitters club as was then the forerunner to the Blackwood and district ARS GW6GW was one such interceptor of the German war transmissions his name was Frank Mudford G6BK he's listed as one of the interceptors of German radio traffic in the second world war
That was a really interested and well presented piece of history. Loved the moving old photos too as it gave a great sense of immersion. 💎
I've never heard these stories before, thanks.
Chicago's very own Zenith played a great part during what was called the Wild Wild West era of amateur radio, first by producing specialized transceivers requested by customers then later taking great part in encouraging formation of the federal communications here in the US.
on an interesting note Maroni considered the earliest period humanities best and last chance to search for off world radio signals before the airwaves became crowded. Especially with spurious artifacts produced by increasing numbers of mechanical devices before FCC part 15 was required in order to prevent unnecessary interference. Such a later when anyone equipped with a pacemaker was advised to keep clear of microwave ovens. .
All news to me . Well done , thank you Sir.
Always a gem from Lewis .....one day he will have his own TV show on this subject
TV is dead
@@heavyglassglass maybe ........but Lewis is still a legend in his own lunchtime
Another really fascinating video Lewis keep em coming
Great video, very well researched and presented.
Thanks for sharing this sad but informative story. I Subscribed.
What an excellent story 👍 many thanks lewis.
Thanks Lewis
Hardest working man in showbusiness, well done Lewis another fascinating piece of work.
reminds me of the witchhunts.
Interesting bit of history Louis! Very informative.
Best vid yet, NY City
Good information.
Your last sentence suggesting that intelligence found in the proliteriate put fear in the ruling class has a modern twist in the sloppy handling of sources and properties of electrical power for industrial and domestic use now.
Similar measures were adopted by the Australian government with great enthusiasm with the Wireless and Telegraphy Act 1914 which was rigorously enforced in the late 1970s when CB radio became popular. Eventually CB licences were reluctantly introduced.
Am I right in thinking the CB frequencies are allocated in a UHF band?
@@raver_90At first HF on 11 meter band.
Very interesting, great episode.
Sounds like someone in control, didn't want ease droppers
@Wayne Flanigan TY for the education
Thanks Lewis another informative video as always
Poor student got hit with a £7 fine which is abot £860 in todays money according to the Bank of England inflation calculator.
How where them huge masts built, there were no huge cranes in them days.
Thanks for video. While I was aware that British Radio Amateur operation (with some exceptions) was suspended during WW1 and WW2, I didn't know about these prosecutions. £20 and 4gns for possession of a Morse key! It's an electrical switch. Just about any switch can be used as a Morse key to send at 12wpm - even a domestic light switch. Does that mean anyone with a switch was liable to be prosecuted? Quite a change come WW2 when many Radio Amateurs were deployed in serving the war effort (e.g. VI stations).
True, but I guess it was because of what it looked like rather than how it technically functioned.
I was once a keen reader of Wireless World. Out of all the electronics mags, that one was the most intelligent by far. The first issue I ever bought had a 'how to do' kind of article on building your own radio telescope. I was only a kid, but that sounded fun.
A very sad truth mentioned there at the end. Good job.
History of Witch hunting on the radio operators
I am an amateur radio operator, your title grabbed me for sure! Holy cow! Why are they so worried, huh?
I found this a bit eerie, in the familiar sense. People receiving hash sentences for minor technical infringements, government technical 'experts' who don't really have a clue and members of a ruling class who are ignorant but absolutely want to exercise control. Even the bit about hostility from an ignorant, easily scared public.
I shoot target rifles and fly traditional model planes and you could replace many of the wireless references from this video with equivalent references to things from either of those two hobbies and find the attitudes contemporary to today. For example, anyone remember the couple with the model helicopter who were raided and held in police custody for a few days in the 'drone that never was' (aka the Gatwick drone) incident? We haven't changed. ☹️
True words, and the madness continues.
The two arrested were released after two days without charges. We haven't changed. No. And if you are of the wrong religion, it can become a major incident.
The kazerian mafia. The secret societies are all in it together. Kennedy had his sights set on ridding the USA of these clowns and they in turn set their sights on him. Glad to hear you are awake.
Cops: "We gotta call...." or "in this day and age...." or "officer safety"
A sensible and well informed comment. Made me think. Thank you.
Really interesting! Thanks for sharing. It's a shame that the government didn't see the potential in some of these people and allowed them to help the war. Imagine if they invested heavily in remote control weapons. That'll never be a thing. Oh wait....
Well ahead of his time.
And now we can contact enemy states over numerous platforms. Sometimes those enemies are right next door or even in the same room.
These videos must take you ages to set up for us to sit back and relish.
Thank you so much.
And interesting bit of history. Absolutely mad isn't it?
73 M7TUD
"In possession of dismantled aerial, (so scrap metal) equipment capable of tapping out morse (A door bell push?) ...... 3 coils of insulated wire" So according to the charges , ANY electrical or hardware shop with coils of insulated wire , doorbell pushes or metal curtain poles or metal water pipes could be liable for the same charges.
If it were me I would have tested this out in court by purchasing 1 roll of insulated doorbell wire 1 roll of domestic house wire and a doorbell push with a reciept to state EXACTLY what they were in order to demonstrate their intended purpose and use . I would also instruct my solicitor to question the Post office "Expert" and ask a simple question , "would these articles be able to be used in the construction of wireless equipment " Of course , the answer would have to be YES . With that answer , I would want the court to move to dismiss the case in light that with a conviction then ANYONE possessing these articles , whether intended use for a doorbell or lighting circuit or putting curtains up would be liable for prosecution.
Sounds like there was quite a bit of thought put into this matter between the wars.
By WW2 the amateur operators plays a massive roll in interceptions of German traffic and relaying it to the proper stations for interpretation. This freed a huge amount of staff to do other jobs that were vital to victory.
Well I feel stupid! I am a radio amateur AND I live in Blyth (less than a mile from Ridley Park) and never knew about William Thompson and his pioneering work with radio control or his unfortunate imprisonment for 'breaching' the wireless regulations in 1915. What may have made his 'breech' of the regulations more irksome to the authorities was that during WW1 (and WW2) Blyth was an important and strategic submarine base, and Ridley Park was less than a mile from that base! There are many reminders of the submarines based at Blyth still, in the harbour structures and not least the graves and memorials in the Links Cemetery to the brave souls that lost their lives at sea in the service of their country....
I wonder if you could share the source of your knowledge of William Thompson with me please, I would like to research his story in depth for my channel, The Armourers Bench!
Will reply via email
Great video, well researched
An informative post. Blimey the fines in todays value are amazing. £1.00 in 1915 was the equivalent of around £100.00 today taking account inflation. An average weekly wage would have been £2.00 to £3.00 for industrial workers but considerable less for many self employed, agricultural, shop workers and domestic servants. Hefty fines then but we did hang and whip people. Not really the good old days.
THANK YOU,, DES CREAN,, BELFAST , IRELAND
Wow, how things have changed.
This is why you don't give up guns, nor do you fail to be ready to fight your own government...
Good history !
Quality video
Not related to this video but I’ve been watching lots of your videos. Excellent by the way and really appreciated…
Do you recommend any affordable DMR POC radios for family use? I want to be able to use both on one device so I can have the most reliable comms with my kids on days out. Thanks. Lee
I enjoyed that Lewis 👍
Damn Post Office...The Shame..could be black balled from my club,don't ya know!!
Almost all of these arrests were unwarranted..
How long before your making a video about Andy Kirby Flying a drone and going to Jail? 🤣🤣🤣
£100 fine then would be about £10, 000 + now at least possibly a lot more 😳
big fines back then.
Got off lightly. These traitors should have been given DP. Lol
Also--- Years ago(in my neighborhood-- Colorado USA) ,There was a murder suspect at large....I built a "Stingray" Tracking Device,to help track the murder suspect--- My System was easy tracsble and I contacted the Local DA and FBI to allow them to use my Device--- The suspect was found,without the aid of my System yet, the DA and the FBI were impressed with the portability and the efficiency of my System..... To this day, many Local Authorities rely on our Local Ham Radio Operators
Can we speak about this via email ray? Ringwaymanchester@mail.com
interesting.. makes you wonder if they would have gone after regular people for having a regular radio lol
Watch out Lewis, one of your viewers might falsely accuse you for being alive, during the events outlined in this video.
🤣
Aye, seen the bloke selling used Baofeng's on the Lusitania 😱
And... today we have an modern war in europe with people doing TikToks or IG stories just for the likes... and government encouraging them to do it
MANY SIGNALS HAVE LEFT THE PLANET EARTH
AS THE MOVIE PLANET OF THE APES .
100 YEARS ATLEAST 50 YEARS TRANSMITT
I have toyed with becoming a radio amateur. But after pricing the equipment and listening to the way newcomers are treated by the older amateur radio operators only because the newcomers operate homebrew or budget equipment, I may pass. I have set up many stations for amateur radio operators, volunteer fire brigades, ambulance services, and other services. I have even modified radios from different services to operator on other services or amateur bands. But it seems if one does not spend at least £5500 on a station, I would just be treated like trash. Maybe I should get a Citizen's Band Transceiver instead. Or, maybe just get a 40 meter or 80 meter transceiver. There is no way all the people on those two bands are licensed with as vulgar, and clownish as they are. Half do not even use a callsign.
CB is pretty much dead now. The internet and cell phones killed it off. It just doesn't serve a purpose any more - there's no practical use that can't be done better with a phone, and the magic of long-distance communication is long gone.
I did get into amateur radio, but eventually got out of it. While there is plenty of activity in ham radio if you're in to contests, there isn't actually much innovation going on, and digital networking - my own interest - is quite dead. Again, internet killed it.
@@vylbird8014 It seems only 40 and 80 meters has some sort of interesting, maybe too interesting, conversations going on. They seem to attract a lot of unlicensed operators. Only half the radio operators, on both bands, use a callsign. Let's face it, radio hobbies are dead. One can talk aroumd the world with no license at all. Currently, I am in Saskatchewan, Canada. You are likely far away. None of us have a license.
I think you should give it a try if it interests you, it isn’t as expensive as you think and people are generally helpful.
I faced some of this in the rural USA but after I told them they've spent my entire life complaining about no new operators and their being afraid amateur rights would be eroded due to a lack of operators, and that the reason why there are few noobs is because of how they're treated. Since then at least in my region the old rag chewers are kinder to the noobs. I studied for one afternoon and passed the Technican exam, and I studied for the General exam for two weekends and passed. I'm studying for Amateur Extra right now. I started with a quite antique Yaesu rig and today I primarily use Yaesu FTM-400XDR x 4, Yaesu 891 x 6, 991a x 4. I'm saving up for one of the ft101md wtfever they call it SDR things.
@@vylbird8014 I did have a smartphone. But with nobody to call me, text me, or email me, I completed the contract and disconnected. It is not very useful if one has nobody in their lives. It seems portable communication is just not for me. This semi-anonymous is my only online existence because the true social media pages depend a lot on being known by others. I have not known anybody since 2000. Thus, UA-cam commentary is enough for me. I guess I was just born during the boring time in life. Cars suck and are butt ugly, technology is orientated around lazy people, and social people, nothing is exciting. Television is impressive. But television programming sucks. What good is having an amazing television with the crap being aired? It is just such an I inspiring time to be alive.
Ah yes, the good old days, before any respectable spy would resort to using a cover story.
Typical wartime paranoia. Ye gods, if the authorities want to to confiscate my wireless equipment, they'd better send several large lorries. Meanwhile, I'm off to hide my German "O"-level certificate.
Carl Sagan said (I’m paraphrasing) that scientists, the people who understand the scientific method, are regulated by authorities who do not.
I'm Glad that I live in 21 Century New York City USA, We Ham Radio Operaters have a whole lot more Freedom Here, My call here is N2MJF Advanced Class, I have a SDR Play RSP DX and a Adalm Pluto SDR for DATV Reception and a Yeasu FT5D and a Alinco DJ-MD5X DMR HT,
Its sad that you done time for just owning sutch equipment in their eyes to aide the enemy but today the very organizations built from that same technology are using it against a new enemy its own citizens
They are still doing this now, only with drones. Ignorance is eternal.
Hi, I have just found your channel, in this day and age all this sounds ridicules, regards Ray GW6IYP in North Wales.
I like this video but I think what happened to the folks was terrible.
and we think the authorities are bad now lol even a length of wire would be deemed illegal then hahaha...
👍
The great British empire - A government of tyrannical cowards.
Really nice photographs. Many thanks. G4OWW. …..
KOOL History. KE0DNQ....73