United Nations Amateur Radio Goes on Air

At the official opening of the United Nations Amateur Radio Station K2UN, George W. Bailey, front right, President of the International Amateur Radio League, after directing the station's antennae towards Europe, broadcasts the first message. He spread the word that a special UN certificate would be awarded to the amateur radio operator who sent the first reply to the signal.
Within a few seconds a reply came through from Victor E. Motto, an amateur operating station 11RM in Como, Italy. Then Benjamin Cohen, Assistant Secretary-General for Public Information, shown here at left, picked up the microphone to broadcast congratulations in Italian to the operator in far-away Italy.

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