The 1NO Radio Station: Franco Marietti's Contributions to Early Italian Amateur Radio

Introduction

The amateur radio station 1NO, operated by Franco Marietti from Milan, Italy, was a prominent fixture in the 1920s Italian radio scene, frequently featured in Il Radio Giornale for its impressive shortwave performance. As a winner of key contests and a consistent performer in transcontinental tests, 1NO highlighted the ingenuity of Italian amateurs during an era of rapid technological evolution. Marietti's involvement not only advanced personal achievements but also supported the burgeoning Radio Club Nazionale Italiano (R.C.N.I.), helping to organize and promote the hobby in Italy.

Technical Achievements and Experiments

1NO specialized in shortwave communications, operating on wavelengths around 30-100 meters with low power, achieving bilateral links that demonstrated efficient circuit designs and antenna setups. Marietti's station was equipped with valve transmitters, likely similar to those described in the magazine, such as reversed feedback circuits or Marconi valves, enabling clear telephony and telegraphy over vast distances.

Key milestones include:

• 1925 Radioemissione Contest: Marietti, as 1NO, won the R.C.N.I.'s intercontinental contest alongside Giulio Salom (1MT), recognized for outstanding emissions and receptions. The award ceremony, detailed in the June 1926 issue, featured a photo of contestants including Marietti as the victor.
• Bilateral communications with Europe, the Americas, and antipodes, often on 40-80 meters, mirroring peers like 1RG and 1ER.
• Regular tests in 1926, contributing to discussions on modulation and selectivity in the magazine.

Marietti's technical prowess was evident in his ability to maintain strong signals despite urban challenges in Milan, using optimized antennas for DX work.

International Receptions and Recognition

1NO's signals were regularly documented in the "Le vie dello spazio" rubrics, showcasing its international reach:

• New Zealand: Logged 9 times between December 1925 and January 1926 by R. W. Mintrom, placing it among top Italian stations.
• United States: Received by operators like u9AKF in Iowa, J. Scarlett in New York, u2AHK, and u3QT at strengths R4-R8.
• Philippines: Heard by pi3AA.
• Australia: Detected by A. Harris and stations like a3LP, a3SR.
• India: Noted in receptions, alongside 1MT and others.
• Europe: Strong logs in Finland (2NM), Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, and Britain (e.g., R8 in Chatham).

These reports positioned 1NO as a reliable station for transoceanic experiments, often rivaling 1ER (15 logs in NZ) and 1GW.

In 1928, Marietti delivered a speech praising amateur contributions, as noted in historical accounts, underscoring his role in community events.

Organizational Role and Legacy

As a Milanese amateur, Marietti was part of the core group supporting Il Radio Giornale and the R.C.N.I., with signatories in club documents often from Milan. His contest win in 1925 boosted the club's visibility, encouraging more dilettanti to join and experiment. Marietti's enthusiasm embodied the era's collaborative spirit, sharing knowledge through contests and publications.

Though specific post-1920s details are sparse, Marietti's legacy as a contest winner and DX pioneer influenced the formation of the Associazione Radioamatori Italiani (A.R.I.) in 1927. 1NO represents the transition from experimental to organized amateur radio in Italy, inspiring future generations with its "primati" in global connectivity.

Key Specifications of 1NO