The 1FP (I1FP / EI1FP) Radio Station: Franco Pugliese's Pioneering Role in Italian Amateur Radio

Introduction

The amateur radio station 1FP (later I1FP following the 1925 IARU prefix adoption for Italian stations, with occasional variants like EI1FP in international or transitional notations), was operated by Franco Pugliese. Active from the mid-1920s, Pugliese's station is documented in Il Radio Giornale (the official organ of the Radio Club Nazionale Italiano and later Associazione Radiotecnica Italiana) through activity reports, articles, and organizational mentions. As an early licensed amateur and key figure in the Associazione Direttori Radio Italiani (A.D.R.I.) and A.R.I., Pugliese bridged the experimental amateur era with formal organizational leadership, serving as vice secretary general of A.R.I. in the late 1920s. His contributions included technical writings, contest participation, and advocacy in historical debates (e.g., on the "Ondina" transmitter of Umberto Nobile's 1928 polar expedition). Pugliese's work helped shape the institutional framework of Italian radioamatorismo during its foundational decade.

Technical Achievements and Experiments

Franco Pugliese's 1FP operated with valve-based equipment typical of the 1920s, focusing on shortwave telegraphy (CW) and telephony. His setups aligned with contemporary Il Radio Giornale practices, emphasizing reliable emission and modulation for long-distance contacts.

Key highlights from Il Radio Giornale and historical records:

• Activity Reports: Featured in 1928 issues (e.g., July 1928) with contest and operational notes, including mentions alongside other prominent operators like Franco Marietti (1NO). Pugliese contributed articles and reports, such as one in July 1928 on related technical topics.
• Organizational and Advocacy Role: As vice secretary general of A.R.I. (post-1927 merger of R.C.N.I. and A.D.R.I.), Pugliese authored pieces in counter-tendency to editorial positions, notably in 1928 debates on the paternity of the "Ondina" transmitter used in the Italia airship expedition. His July article challenged claims and supported radioamateur perspectives.
• Callsign Listings: Documented in 1920s radiotelegraphy lists and international amateur directories (e.g., alongside operators like 1FM Francesco Paolo Pagliari and 1NO Franco Marietti), confirming active status and Rome-area operations.
• Technical Focus: Likely experimented with medium/shortwave circuits, crystal control, and telephony modulation, consistent with the era's push for improved DX performance and emergency capabilities.

These efforts reflect Pugliese's blend of practical operation and organizational advocacy.

International Receptions and Recognition

1FP participated in the late-1920s amateur network, with visibility through contest results, publications, and international callbook listings.

• Contest and Activity Logs: Recognized in A.R.I.-organized emission contests and activity summaries published in Il Radio Giornale (1928 onward), highlighting consistent performance.
• Historical Debates: Gained prominence through his 1928 article on the "Ondina" transmitter controversy, contributing to radioamateur claims in international expedition contexts.
• Callbook Visibility: Included in 1920s-1930s amateur directories, ensuring recognizability for QSOs and confirmations among European and global operators.

Organizational Role and Legacy

Franco Pugliese played a central role in the institutionalization of Italian amateur radio.

• R.C.N.I./A.D.R.I./A.R.I. Leadership: Served as vice secretary general of A.R.I. after the 1927 merger; contributed articles, reports, and policy input during the association's formative years.
• Legacy: Pugliese embodies the transition from individual experimentation to organized amateur radio in Italy. His writings and leadership helped defend radioamateur contributions to technical history (e.g., polar expeditions) and strengthened A.R.I.'s structure. Documented in primary sources and later histories, his work influenced the development of Italian radiantismo as a scientific and community-driven pursuit.

Key Specifications of 1FP (I1FP / EI1FP)