Newfoundland, Canada

VO1BZM

A 30Kw Naval Wireless Station was ordered by the Admiralty in November 1914 and was one of eleven identical "long range" stations built and completed by 1915.   Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd. supplied every last little component specified in meticulous detail in various schedules.   The Admiralty required the stations to be built "with the utmost rapidity".....and "is further required to maintain and operate the station for the Admiralty".   The guaranteed range of the station was 1000 nautical miles (from East through South) "operating on a principal wavelength of 1300 meters and up to 2000 meters, and also on 600 and 1300 when using reduced power, and to receive on all wavelengths between the limits of 600 to 2000 meters on the spark system and up to 5000 meters on continuous waves".   Three 305 foot sectional antenna towers were constructed to support the twin wire "T" antennas.   The antennas could be warmed electrically to melt winter ice and prevent damage.   The buildings:  one for the transmitting and receiving plant, workshops, stores and offices and another residential building (which now houses the Admiralty House Museum and Archives and the Society of Newfoundland Radio Amateurs (SONRA) radio station were also part of the Marconi contract.   The station call was, and still is, BZM.

The staff were also specified:  Officer-in-Charge (Commander MacDermott of H.M.S. Calypso/Briton, a reserve training vessel moored in St. John's harbour):  an Engineer-in-Charge (Sub-Lieutenant R.N.V.R.):  four operators (Warrant Telegraphist R.N.R.), and so on.

The station was operational until 1922, when, along with H.M.S. Briton, it was decommissioned.   The antennas and transmitting equipment continued in use, providing the Province's first high powered broadcast radio VONF (later, after 1949, CBC).   During the station's Naval operation the first contact with the British rigid airship R34 was made in 1919 during the airship's first transatlantic crossing..   Earlier, in February 1918, the station also received the S.O.S. call from the Marconi wireless operator on the stricken S.S. Florizel (MZL).   Rescue was initiated by the station commander and Naval reservists were involved in the rescue missions.

Admiralty House Museum and SONRA continue to preserve the story of early wireless communications for future generations.

The above was supplied by Alasdair Black, Museum Co-ordinator, Admiralty House Museum and Archives.

The Museum was officially opened in June 1997 by His Royal Highness Prince Philip.

The Museum is operated today as VO1BZM.

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