The Radio Amateur's Hand Book A Complete, Authentic and Informative Work on Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony

"The Radio Amateur's Handbook" by A. Frederick Collins is a comprehensive guide on wireless telegraphy and telephony written in the early 20th century. This work caters specifically to amateur radio enthusiasts, detailing the history, development, and practical implementation of wireless communication technologies. The book aims to equip beginners with the knowledge and skills necessary to set up their own wireless systems, from basic receiving sets to more complex transmitting apparatuses. The opening of the handbook sets the stage by introducing the history of wireless communication, highlighting significant inventors like Heinrich Hertz, William Marconi, and the author himself, A. Frederick Collins. It discusses the foundational principles behind wireless telegraphy and telephony, detailing early experiments and the technological advancements that paved the way for amateur radio. The text outlines the two main types of wireless systems—telegraph and telephone—while inviting readers to explore the fascinating world of wireless communication through hands-on experimentation and learning. The introduction serves as a roadmap for the comprehensive chapters that follow, which intend to guide aspiring radio amateurs through both the theoretical and practical aspects of building and operating their wireless sets. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Archie Frederick Collins, who generally went by A. Frederick Collins, was a prominent early American experimenter in wireless telephony and prolific author of books and articles covering a wide range of scientific and technical subjects. His reputation was tarnished in 1913 when he was convicted of mail fraud related to stock promotion. However, after serving a year in prison, he returned to writing, including, beginning in 1922, The Radio Amateur's Handbook, which continued to be updated and published until the mid-1980s.