200 Meters & Down – The Story of Amateur Radio

by American Radio Relay League

The Story of Amateur Radio! Originally published in 1936, 200 Meters and Down chronicles the exciting evolution of amateur radio from the pioneers who perfected the wireless art, through the technical advances of the mid-1930s.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 1985

Reviews

[John Bastin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1936 by the American Radio Relay League, the national organization of amateur radio operators in the United States, this book by Clinton B DeSoto is a fascinating look at the early days of ham radio operation both in the US and around the world. This book introduces us to many of the hobby's best-known names back in the day, and tells the story of ham radio, through good times and bad.

I've been a ham radio operator for 58 years, so this book was an exciting read for me, recalling many of the names and events from history, but even for someone not engrossed in the hobby, it's a fun read.

[Aaron Birkemeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been first published in 1936, this is a very lengthy, dry, and dated read. However, if you are at all interested in amateur radio, this book provides a fascinating glimpse into the early days of amateur radio and its pioneers.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently got an amateur radio license, and wanted to learn about the early days of ham radio.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book.

Very definitely an ARRL-centric version of history but given that the author was secretary of the ARRL and that they published the book, I suppose that is to be expected.

Two of the last three chapters could well have been appendices given that they were just exhaustive lists of expeditions that took amateur radio along or emergencies where radioamateurs helped out. The last chapter was kind of an anti-radiotelephone (vs radiotelegraph) plea (not a manifesto, exactly) and sadly, some 75 years later, there are still those stuck in that mode!

Nonetheless, if you are interested in old radio, it's worth the read.