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MARCONI, THE FATHER OF WIRELESS RADIO

RECEIVING THE WORLD

Marconi's experiments in physics on Signal Hill 100 years ago in 1901 gave him the title of "Father of Radio". Marconi was a genius of his era. In 1909 he won the Nobel Prize for physics. Marconi began experimenting with wireless telegraphy in the 1890s. His wireless telegraphy experiments brought him to Signal Hill in 1901 to receive the first wireless transatlantic transmission.

In 1901 Marconi was 27 years old when he travelled to St.John's. He arrived on December 6, and on December 12 signals were received from Cornwall, on the other side of the Atlantic.

Thanks to the ionosphere that was discovered 23 years later electromagnetic waves crossed the Atlantic. In 1904 Marconi installed a wireless telegraphy station at Cape Race, located on the Irish Loop Drive of Newfoundland.

In 1920 Marconi performed more tests on Signal Hill with a long range transmitter and receiver. Marconi worked his whole life in the communications industry, and died on July 20, 1937.

While visiting the Marconi 100 celebrations you should stay in beautiful Holyrood. It is convieniently located between St.John's, Signal hill, and Cape Race where the wireless station is. Holyrood is located at the head of the Irish Loop. A great cultural and historic area, where most of the early settlers were of Irish descent. Along this route there are attractions such as wildlife for example there are caribou, and whales. These whalescan be viewed, from land at St.Vincents, where there is a whale lookout. The caribou herd can sometimes even be viewed from your vehicle along St.Shotts road area.

Holyrood, located at the head of Conception Bay, is just a half hour drive from St. John's along the TCH, and 28 miles from St. John's along the more leisurely route of the Conception Bay Highway. The population of Holyrood is approximately 2 100.

Holyrood is renowned for its scenic beauty, its beautiful harbour and marina and well kept homes. Holyrood embraces the convenience of urban living with the traditional setting of rural Newfoundland.

Driving down into the town along the Holyrood Access Road on Route 62, visitors will notice Holy Cross Park, with its outdoor swimming pool, picnic areas and nature trails. Driving through Holyrood, the main Beach area is a good spot to stretch your legs, and to admire the beautiful nature, holyrood harbour and the boats bobbing in the distance. Nature enthusiasts can explore around and within Holyrood along its rivers, and catch glimpses of moose, hare or fox and many varieties of birds depending on the season. George's Cove Peak, known for its cross  on top of the hill, rewards the hiker with a panoramic view of holyrood harbour.

North Arm River, cutting through Holyrood, is a licensed salmon river. For the sports-minded, the open waters of Conception Bay beckon with cod and giant bluefin tuna.



Marconi and his receiving apparatus at Signal Hill, St. John's, December 1901.
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The comemmorative plaque on signal hill. On the top of the image is the Atlantic Ocean which extends nearly 2000 miles to Poldhu, England. The small board on the bottom of the plaque is a home-built transmitter comprising only 12 components. It was used on Signal Hill to communicate with Poldhu on 12 December in 1996,1997 and 1998.


Within 100 metres of the spot where Marconi heard the signal is Cabot Tower. In the foreground is one of two masts used to support the doublet aerial used by the SONRA commemorative station, VO1AA.

Marconi

Marconi Father of Radio

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