The Radio Boys' First Wireless Or Winning the Ferberton Prize   By: Allen Chapman

THE RADIO BOYS' FIRST WIRELESS

OR WINNING THE FERBERTON PRIZE

BY ALLEN CHAPMAN

FOREWORD

BY JACK BINNS

It is very appropriate at this moment when radio has taken the country by storm, and aroused an enthusiasm never before equaled, that the possibilities for boys in this art should be brought out in the interesting and readable manner shown in the first book of this series.

Radio is still a young science, and some of the most remarkable advances in it have been contributed by amateurs that is, by boy experimenters. It is never too late to start in the fascinating game, and the reward for the successful experimenter is rich both in honor and recompense.

Just take the case of E. H. Armstrong, one of the most famous of all the amateurs in this country. He started in as a boy at home, in Yonkers, experimenting with home made apparatus, and discovered the circuit that has revolutionized radio transmission and reception. His circuit has made it possible to broadcast music, and speech, and it has brought him world wide fame.

He had no elaborate laboratory in which to experiment, but he persevered and won out. Like the Radio Boys in this story, he was confronted with all kinds of odds, but with true American spirit he stuck to his task and triumphed.

The attitude of the government toward the wireless amateur is well illustrated by the expressions of Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover, and is summed up in his declaration, "I am for the American boy."

No other country in the world offers such opportunities to boy experimenters in the radio field. The government realizes that there is always a possibility of other important discoveries being made by the boy experimenters, and that is the reason it encourages the amateur.

Don't be discouraged because Edison came before you. There is still plenty of opportunity for you to become a new Edison, and no science offers the possibilities in this respect as does radio communication.

Jack Binns March 30th 1922

CONTENTS

I. THE AUTO CRASH II. TAKING CHANCES III. WONDERS OF WIRELESS IV. MYSTERIOUS FORCES V. CROOKED WORK VI. A PRACTICAL OBJECT LESSON VII. IN THE DARK VIII. GETTING A START IX. WORK AND FUN X. A STEALTHY RASCAL XI. CLEVER THINKING XII. FORGING AHEAD XIII. THRASHING A BULLY XIV. ON THE VERGE XV. THE FINISHING TOUCH XVI. SWEETS OF VICTORY XVII. THE FERBERTON PRIZE XVIII. FRIENDLY RIVALS XIX. A SPLENDID INSPIRATION XX. THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES XXI. THE VOICE THAT STUTTERED XXII. THE STOLEN SET XXIII. BATTERING IN THE DOOR XXIV. ON THE TRAIL XXV. THE PRIZE

THE RADIO BOYS' FIRST WIRELESS

CHAPTER I

THE AUTO CRASH

"How about it, Joe?" asked Bob Layton of his chum, Joe Atwood, as they came out of school one afternoon, swinging their books by straps over their shoulders. "Going up to Dr. Dale's house to night?"

"You bet I am," replied Joe enthusiastically. "I wouldn't miss it for a farm. I'm keen to know more about this wireless business, and I'm sure the doctor can tell us more about it than any one else."

"He sure does get a fellow interested," agreed Bob. "He isn't a bit preachy about it, either. Just talks to you in words you can understand. But all the time you know he's got a lot back of it and could tell you ten times as much about it if you asked him. Makes you feel safe when you listen to him. Not a bit of guesswork or anything like that."

"What are you fellows chinning about?" asked Jimmy Plummer, one of their schoolmates, who came up to them at that moment. "You seem all worked up about something."

"It's about that talk Dr. Dale is going to give us to night on the wireless telephone," answered Bob, as he edged over a little to give Jimmy room to walk beside them. "You're going, aren't you? The doctor said he wanted all the boys to come who could."