From Richard Dillman of MRHS:
NIGHT OF NIGHTS XIII - SAVE THE DATE
12 July 1999 was a sad day for many of us. We knew it was coming but when the end finally arrived it was a shock. I was there.
It was the supposed last day of Morse code. The final sign off took
place at a remote station on the Pacific coast. Women attending the
event were dressed as if at a funeral. Grizzled, hard bitten old men,
the kind you wouldn't mess with in a bar room, had tears in their eyes
as the last message was keyed out to the world at 0000 gmt. And then
there was silence. It was just beeps in the air. But that's how much
Morse code means to the men and women who made the profession of
radiotelegrapher one of honor and skill.
But the prediction of the death of Morse code was not to be fulfilled.
On that day the Maritime Radio Historical Society was born. On that day
we began plans to restore a Morse code radio station - the famous KPH.
One year later we held the first "Night of Nights" when not only KPH
but other coast stations appeared once again on the air. Every year
since we have commemorated that date by returning these stations to the
air and thereby, we hope, honoring the men and women who came before us.
Join us this year for Night of Nights XIII. See and hear a real Morse
code coast station in full song. Mingle with the pioneers who were the
men and women of the airwaves.
Or, if you can't join us in person, join us on the air. KSM and, we
hope, KPH and KFS will be in action (to be confirmed - watch our Web
site for updates). K6KPH will be open to calls from amateur stations.
When: 12 July 2012 - Doors open at 3:00pm, first transmission at 5:01pm (0001gmt)
Where: KPH receive station, 14700 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, past the oyster company and G Ranch
Information: info@radiomarine.com or 663-8982
Light snacks will be served.
VY 73,
RD
