The 1BD (I1BD / EI1BD) Radio Station: Enrico Pirovano's Consistent Excellence in Late-1920s Italian Amateur Radio

Introduction

The amateur radio station 1BD (later I1BD following the 1925 IARU prefix adoption for Italian stations, with occasional variants like EI1BD in international contexts), was operated by Enrico Pirovano from Como, Italy (address: viale Varese 11). Active in the late 1920s, Pirovano's station is extensively documented in Il Radio Giornale, the official organ of the Radio Club Nazionale Italiano (R.C.N.I.) and later Associazione Radiotecnica Italiana (A.R.I.). As a standout performer in national emission contests and activity reports, 1BD exemplified technical skill and reliability during the period of shortwave maturation, telephony advancement, and A.R.I. consolidation. Pirovano's repeated high rankings and participation highlight him as one of the most accomplished Italian amateurs of the era, contributing to the community's emphasis on emission quality, stability, and long-distance capability.

Technical Achievements and Experiments

Enrico Pirovano's 1BD operated with advanced valve-based equipment for the late 1920s, focusing on shortwave telegraphy (CW) and telephony. His setups prioritized contest-grade performance, likely incorporating crystal control, medium-frequency transformers, high-selectivity receivers, and efficient modulation techniques promoted in Il Radio Giornale.

Key highlights from Il Radio Giornale:

• Contest Dominance: Achieved consistent top placements in A.R.I. emission contests:
  • 3rd place in multiple 1928 contests (e.g., results in March, April, June, July, and other 1928 issues).
  • Ranked behind winners like Franco Marietti (1NO) but ahead of operators such as Diego Stringher (1CG), Gian G. Caccia (1GC), and Giulio Dionisi (1DR).
• Activity Reports: Frequently mentioned in monthly summaries and contest tables (e.g., March 1928: "3) Enrico Pirovano (1 BD), Como"; repeated in April, June, July, etc.). These reflect strong emission stability, modulation quality, and range under formal evaluation.
• Callsign Listings: Documented in 1928 provincial and national amateur lists (e.g., "Enrico Pirovano (viale Varese 11)" in Como province entries), confirming long-term activity in northern Italy.
• Technical Context: Aligned with late-1920s advancements in selectivity, low-distortion telephony, and contest-optimized transmitters, as discussed in contemporaneous articles.

These achievements underscore Pirovano's expertise in building and operating high-performance amateur stations.

International Receptions and Recognition

1BD gained recognition primarily through national contest success and visibility in Il Radio Giornale, with likely strong European and transcontinental reach given contest criteria.

• Contest Visibility: Repeated 3rd-place rankings in publicized A.R.I. contests (1928) earned widespread acknowledgment within the Italian amateur community.
• Activity Logs: Featured in monthly reports and provincial listings, indicating reliable operation and potential QSOs with European stations.
• No Specific Major DX Feats: While capable of long-distance work (implied by contest focus on range), no standout transoceanic records (e.g., like 1GW) are highlighted in available sources.

Organizational Role and Legacy

Enrico Pirovano actively supported the R.C.N.I. and early A.R.I. through consistent contest participation and presence in official reports.

• R.C.N.I./A.R.I. Involvement: Regular entrant in A.R.I.-organized emission contests post-1927 merger, contributing to standards for technical excellence and emission quality.
• Legacy: Pirovano represents the elite tier of late-1920s Italian amateurs whose repeated contest success helped elevate operational benchmarks. His documented performance in primary sources preserves his status as a model operator during the transition to organized, competitive radioamatorismo in Italy.

Key Specifications of 1BD (I1BD / EI1BD)