{"id":63686,"date":"2025-08-18T07:14:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T11:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=63686"},"modified":"2025-08-18T07:14:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T11:14:11","slug":"100-years-ago-a-teenager-in-iowa-reaches-greenland-by-radio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/08\/100-years-ago-a-teenager-in-iowa-reaches-greenland-by-radio\/","title":{"rendered":"100 Years Ago: A Teenager in Iowa Reaches Greenland by Radio"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Collins QSL Card via the Collins Bookshop<\/p><\/div>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor David Iurescia, who shares this fascinating article from The Gazette:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arthur A. Collins Legacy Association celebrates 100th anniversary of major radio breakthrough in Cedar Rapids<\/h2>\n

CEDAR RAPIDS \u2014 Years before the first trans-Atlantic phone call, and decades before international direct dialing would become available, a Cedar Rapids teenager had a direct line to one of the most remote places on earth.<\/p>\n

And decades before companies like Collins Radio and Rockwell Collins became multibillion dollar enterprises, a 15-year-old\u2019s ham radio was connecting Arctic explorers with the world from an attic on Fairview Drive.<\/p>\n

On Aug. 3, 1925, Arthur A. Collins made headlines as the first person to communicate with MacMillan scientific explorers in Etah, Greenland on short-length radio waves \u2014 what The Evening Gazette in Cedar Rapids hailed as \u201ca new chapter into the history of radio.\u201d[…]<\/p>\n

Explore the full story on The Gazette.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares this fascinating article from The Gazette: Arthur A. Collins Legacy Association celebrates 100th anniversary of major radio breakthrough in Cedar Rapids CEDAR RAPIDS \u2014 Years before the first trans-Atlantic phone call, and decades before international direct dialing would become available, a Cedar Rapids teenager had […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3,305,288],"tags":[10877,2898],"class_list":["post-63686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-nostalgia","category-radio-history","tag-arthur-a-collins-legacy-association","tag-collins"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-gzc","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":60696,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/famous-collins-transceiver-in-apocalypse-now\/","url_meta":{"origin":63686,"position":0},"title":"Famous Collins Transceiver in Apocalypse Now","author":"Dan Robinson","date":"September 20, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Dan Robinson We have seen so many great receivers and other equipment appear in movies, it's surprising that this one may have slipped by our Radios in Movies radar.In Apocalypse Now, the classic 1979 epic war film produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/FB_IMG_1726113140092.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/FB_IMG_1726113140092.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/FB_IMG_1726113140092.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/FB_IMG_1726113140092.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/FB_IMG_1726113140092.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52090,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/03\/jim-is-impressed-with-the-collins-75a-4-and-kenwood-r-600\/","url_meta":{"origin":63686,"position":1},"title":"Jim is impressed with the Collins 75A-4 and Kenwood R-600","author":"Thomas","date":"March 7, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jim Meirose, who recently shared a few photos and writes: \u00a0 This is the equipment currently in use here in Somerville, NJ. The Collins 75A-4 is a recent acquisition. This radio is used to cover all amateur bands. The other is the Kenwood R-600,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Collins-75a-4-Jim-Meirose-1-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Collins-75a-4-Jim-Meirose-1-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Collins-75a-4-Jim-Meirose-1-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Collins-75a-4-Jim-Meirose-1-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Collins-75a-4-Jim-Meirose-1-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48291,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/dan-spots-a-rare-collins-51s1-ltv-g133-f-military-receiver-on-ebay\/","url_meta":{"origin":63686,"position":2},"title":"Dan spots a rare Collins 51S1 LTV G133 F military receiver on eBay","author":"Thomas","date":"March 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who notes: This military version of the 51S-1 receiver is almost never seen on the used market. Click here to view on eBay. Thank you, Dan! The seller claims that this radio is fully working with tubes replaced and has undergone a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Collins-51S1-LTV-G133-F-e1617015257521.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Collins-51S1-LTV-G133-F-e1617015257521.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Collins-51S1-LTV-G133-F-e1617015257521.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Collins-51S1-LTV-G133-F-e1617015257521.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":67496,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/video-short-scientific-american-tours-wwv-fort-collins\/","url_meta":{"origin":63686,"position":3},"title":"Video Short: Scientific American Tours WWV, Fort Collins","author":"Thomas","date":"October 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares this YouTube short from Scientific American. So great to see our good friend, Matt Deutch: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/XWaMJUfXc1M Click here to view on YouTube.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/WWV-Main-Building.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/WWV-Main-Building.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/WWV-Main-Building.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/WWV-Main-Building.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":35589,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/01\/free-radio-e-books-for-download\/","url_meta":{"origin":63686,"position":4},"title":"Free radio e-books for download","author":"Thomas","date":"January 15, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Southgate ARC) There are a number of vintage radio and amateur radio related eBooks available for free download on the Gutenberg site Among them is the 1922 edition of\u00a0The Radio Amateur's Handbook\u00a0by A. Frederick Collins. Jarno de Haan @PA3DMI tweeted this link that will display the books available: http:\/\/www.gutenberg.org\/ebooks\/search\/?query=radio\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/RCA-Vintage-Dial-1024x732.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/RCA-Vintage-Dial-1024x732.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/RCA-Vintage-Dial-1024x732.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17054,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/dan-notes-a-collins-51s-1-nos-that-is-near-record-price\/","url_meta":{"origin":63686,"position":5},"title":"Dan notes a Collins 51S-1 NOS that is near record price","author":"Thomas","date":"January 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"[See update below] Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: This NOS 51-S1 is headed for a record price\u00a0for an Ebay sale. I have only seen one of these\u00a0in this condition in my decades on Ebay. This is a rare rack version complete with box and original\u00a0accessories.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Boat Anchors"","block_context":{"text":"Boat Anchors","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/boat-anchors-2\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Collins-eBay-s-l1600","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Collins-eBay-s-l1600-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Collins-eBay-s-l1600-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Collins-eBay-s-l1600-1024x768.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63686"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63688,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63686\/revisions\/63688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}