The 1FO (I1FO / EI1FO) Radio Station: Franco Silvano Orefice's Contributions to Early Italian Amateur Radio

Introduction

The amateur radio station 1FO (later I1FO following the 1925 IARU prefix adoption for Italian stations, and occasionally referenced in variants like EI1FO in some international or transitional contexts), was operated by Franco Silvano Orefice. Active in the mid-to-late 1920s, Orefice's station is documented in early Italian amateur callbooks and radio periodicals, with addresses listed in Vicenza (Muro Palamaio 40) and later Milan (Via degli Amedei 11). As part of the pioneering wave of licensed Italian amateurs under the Radio Club Nazionale Italiano (R.C.N.I.), 1FO participated in the experimental era chronicled in Il Radio Giornale. Orefice's involvement extended beyond operating: he became a prominent figure in the post-WWII Associazione Radioamatori Italiani (A.R.I.), serving on its Consiglio Direttivo in the 1960s alongside leaders like Roberto Sesia. His career bridged the foundational 1920s amateur scene with the organization's later development, reflecting a lifelong commitment to radio.

Technical Achievements and Experiments

Franco Silvano Orefice's 1FO operated during the classic 1920s amateur period, using valve-based equipment for telegraphy (CW) and possibly early telephony on medium and short waves. Power levels were typical of regulated amateurs (likely 10-50 watts), with setups drawing from circuits popularized in Il Radio Giornale such as regenerative detectors, amplifiers, and simple antennas.

Key highlights from historical callbooks and records:

• Early Callsign Listings: Appears as "IFO - Franco Silvano Orefice, Muro Palamaio, 40, Vicenza" in 1927 radiotelegraphy amateur callbooks and related publications. Later entries note the Milan address (Via degli Amedei 11), indicating relocation and continued activity.
• Operations: As with other 1xx-series stations, 1FO focused on emission tests, local/continental QSOs, and reception experiments on wavelengths from 200-3000 meters. Equipment likely included standard valve receivers with audio frequency stages and antennas suited to urban or regional use (e.g., long-wire types).
• No Standout DX Feats: No major transoceanic records or contest wins are directly tied to 1FO in surviving primary sources, suggesting a supportive role in the amateur network rather than headline-grabbing achievements.

These efforts aligned with the R.C.N.I.'s emphasis on practical experimentation and knowledge-sharing.

International Receptions and Recognition

1FO's signals were part of the early Italian amateur exchange, with recognition primarily through inclusion in national and international callbooks used for QRA (callsign identification).

• Callbook Visibility: Documented in 1927 amateur radiotrasmissione lists and later compilations (e.g., 1949 Radio Amateur Call Book excerpts), ensuring recognizability during QSOs and logs.
• Propagation Context: Likely contributed to regional European reception data, potentially appearing in reader logs or "Le vie dello spazio" sections of Il Radio Giornale during 1925-1927 transcontinental proof periods.
• Later Recognition: Orefice's postwar prominence in A.R.I. (e.g., Consiglio Direttivo member in 1966) elevated his historical profile, linking early amateur roots to organizational leadership.

Organizational Role and Legacy

Franco Silvano Orefice played a sustained role in Italian amateur radio, evolving from 1920s operator to influential A.R.I. figure.

• R.C.N.I. Era: As an early licensed amateur, he supported the club's mission of uniting dilettanti for experiments, technical advancement, and government relations.
• Postwar A.R.I. Leadership: Served on the Consiglio Direttivo in the 1960s (noted alongside President Roberto Sesia and others), contributing to the association's growth and policies during a period of expansion.
• Legacy: Orefice embodies the continuity of Italian radiantismo—from the experimental 1920s through postwar reorganization. His documented callsign and later leadership highlight how early amateurs shaped the modern A.R.I., inspiring successive generations in technical and organizational development.

Key Specifications of 1FO (I1FO / EI1FO)