Lietuenant-Governor of the province. Walter tells of learning the fundamentals of radio from magazines and from ship’s radio operators who came to port. It was not long before he was building and selling crystal and tube sets to his friends. In the early 19205, Walter built a transmitter for a friend, Walter Burke who wanted to broadcast religious services. It was the first voice broadcasting station to provide a public service in P.E.I. Meanwhile, Keith Rogers had acquired a franchise for DeForest Crosley Receiving Sets and he soon became interested in the commercial aspects of radio station. He acquired the license of Burke’s station and it later became known as CFCY. The late 19305 saw a station called CHCK, later bought out by CFCY. In the Summerside area, radio station CJRW began operations. As time passed, other stations like CHTN (1975) and CBCT FM were licensed.

It was Keith Rogers’ station that really pioneered the field of commerical broadcasting on the Island and sent entertainment directly into the homes of Islanders. In the early days of radio, few people could afford the luxury of a radio set, so friends would congregate at the home of someone fortunate enough to have a set. Owning a radio greatly increased one’s popularity.

It is difficult to measure the impact of radio on the lives of Islanders, but there is no doubt that news broadcasts and information programs added a great deal to the awareness of those living in rural reas. No one can deny the entertainment value, particularly on cold winter nights, and there are probably many who will still remember some of the early programs. The Outports, The Sacred Hour, The Shadow, The Inner Sanctum, The Lone Ranger and Our Miss Brooks are but a few of the many programs provided for those fortunate enough to have access to a radio. Don Messer and his orchestra provided typical Island country music and became very popular on a national basis on both radio and television. Radio announcers generally conducted their own specific programs and often became as famous as the program itself. Some well known personalities were Sid Kennedy, Keith Morrow, Ches Cooper, Merrill Young and Max Corkum.

There has been considerable advancement in radio since the days of crystal sets and tubes and the technology continues to grow. Worldwide communication via satellite is commonplace and the tubes have been replaced by transistors. All homes now have at least one radio and most have television as well. At this time there are over two hundred licensed radio amateurs in P.E.I., as well as hundreds of people operating citizen band tranceivers. However, for those old enough to remember the 19205 and 305, the excitement and pleasure derived from early radio has not been surpassed by modern technology.

Submitted by Robert Johnson

MODERN WAYS OF COMMUNICATION AND THE EFFECTS ON COMMUNITY LIFE

In late 19405, it was quite a local social event for the gentlemen to congregate at a certain home to hear the live broadcast of the Heavyweight Boxing Championship between Joe Louis and the challengers to his title. Our radios were run on a large pack battery plus a “dry cell battery”.

In 1953, the first television in Freetown belonged to John W. Lewis. The picture was extremely “snowy” and often faded completely away but it was most enjoyable and fascinating.

However, now with satellite flashes in our district, it is possible to see a live bullfight from Mexico and news from other continents. These satellites feed perfect reception into our homes from 23,000 miles above the Equator. It is hard to realize such can be and we could use our wildest imagination for future developments and presume these “dreams” will come true.

Another form ofcommunication we had was the C.N. Telegraph from the local C.N. Station. This system has long gone and the “Morse Code” is a thing of the past.

Telephone communication, although we voice dissatisfaction with the present system, is exceptional compared to the old “Central” from Bedeque where everyone was on a party line. It was better than the local newspaper, TV. or what have you; there would be times when maybe fifteen or more were neighbourly and listened to your conversation.

We have progressed tremendously in communication but we have lost the house to house visits which made our way of life much more friendly and neighbourly in our local communities.

Submitted by Eustace Reeves C.B. RADIOS Citizen Band radios hit the Freetown area with a big bang in the winter of 1976. A whole new language

developed. Numbers like 10—4, meaning acknowledged; 10—9, meaning repeat; and 10—36, meaning correct time, were commonly heard. People were known by their C.B. names or handles. Those most commonly

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