The 1CY (I1CY) Radio Station: Francesco Saverio Salimei's Early Amateur Operations in Rome

Introduction

The amateur radio station 1CY (later I1CY following the 1925 IARU prefix adoption for Italian stations), operated by Francesco Saverio Salimei from Rome, Italy, stands as one of the early documented callsigns in the Italian amateur radio scene of the mid-1920s. Located at Piazza S. Salvatore in Lauro n. 15, Rome, Salimei's station is explicitly listed in contemporary international abbreviation tables used in amateur communications, as published in period radio literature. This places 1CY among the pioneering Italian experimental stations chronicled during the formative years covered by Il Radio Giornale, the official organ of the Radio Club Nazionale Italiano (R.C.N.I.). Salimei's activity reflects the enthusiasm of Roman dilettanti in an era of limited licenses, valve technology experimentation, and growing transcontinental interest, contributing to the grassroots foundation that evolved into the Associazione Radiotecnica Italiana (A.R.I.) in 1927.

Technical Achievements and Experiments

Francesco Saverio Salimei's 1CY operated in the classic 1920s amateur framework, utilizing valve-based transmitters for telegraphy (CW) on medium and emerging shortwave bands. Power was modest and typical of the period (likely 10-50 watts), with setups aligned with circuits and practices promoted in Il Radio Giornale such as regenerative detectors, simple amplifiers, and basic antenna designs.

Key highlights from historical references:

• Callsign Documentation: Explicitly recorded as "ICY - Francesco Saverio Salimei, Piazza S. Salvatore in Lauro, n. 15, Roma (11)" in international QRA (callsign identification) lists used by amateurs for radiocommunications. This confirms his active status and Rome location during the mid-1920s.
• Typical Operations: As with other early Roman stations (e.g., in the 1xx series), 1CY likely participated in emission tests, local QSOs, and reception experiments on wavelengths from 200-3000 meters. Equipment would have included standard valve receivers (possibly with audio frequency amplification) and antennas suited to urban environments, such as indoor wires or rooftop longs.
• No Major Feats Recorded: Unlike stations with celebrated DX contacts (e.g., 1GW), no standout transoceanic achievements or contest placings are tied to 1CY in available Il Radio Giornale excerpts or secondary histories. Its role appears to have been that of a reliable participant in the growing Italian amateur network.

These activities mirrored the era's focus on home construction, signal reliability, and community knowledge-sharing.

International Receptions and Recognition

1CY's signals were part of the early European amateur exchange network, with recognition primarily through inclusion in international callsign directories used for QRA identification.

• Callsign Visibility: Its listing in abbreviation tables (alongside other Italian and foreign stations) ensured it was recognizable to global amateurs during QSOs and logs.
• Propagation Context: Stations in the Rome area, including 1CY, contributed to regional and European reception data, potentially appearing in reader-submitted logs or "Le vie dello spazio" sections of Il Radio Giornale during 1925-1927 transcontinental and transoceanic proof periods.
• Limited DX Profile: No specific international breakthroughs or QSL confirmations are documented in accessible sources, suggesting a more localized or supportive role compared to high-profile DX operators.

Organizational Role and Legacy

As an early licensed amateur in Rome, Francesco Saverio Salimei supported the R.C.N.I.'s mission of uniting dilettanti, technicians, and experimenters for scientific advancement and government liaison. His station exemplified the urban amateur activity that complemented the club's Milan-centric efforts.

• R.C.N.I. Affiliation: Likely a member or correspondent of the R.C.N.I., benefiting from the club's publications, discounts, and experimental framework.
• Legacy: 1CY represents the foundational layer of Italian radiantismo—ordinary but essential operators whose routine participation sustained community momentum during regulatory uncertainty and technological transition. Salimei's documented callsign in international lists preserves his place in the historical record of early Italian ham radio.

Key Specifications of 1CY (I1CY)