There’s a new resource from ARRL documenting the history of ham radio. Radio Alpha is the ARRL® Museum and Research Library. It is available for viewing at www.arrl.org/museum. Radio Alpha is envisioned as a Wikipedia-like project, administered by a trusted group of volunteers. 

It aims to serve as a definitive repository of information, offering detailed descriptions and contextual data on pivotal figures, influential organizations, pioneering companies, transformative inventions, and iconic equipment that have shaped the amateur radio landscape. Radio Alpha addresses the critical need for a centralized, reliable, and easily navigable archive of amateur radio's past. 

Recognizing the fragmented nature of existing historical data, this database will consolidate diverse information sources into a single, cohesive platform. Users will find meticulously researched entries, cross-referenced to provide a holistic understanding of the connections and evolutions within the hobby. A core principle of Radio Alpha is universal accessibility. Therefore, the database will be entirely free to access, ensuring that researchers, historians, enthusiasts, and the public can explore its contents without barriers. 

Noted author, industrial archeologist, and historian Chuck Penson, WA7ZZE, is the principal architect who crafted the collection. Penson has published several books about the history of Heathkit and the Titan II missile. For him, it’s a labor of love and necessity. “Somebody has to do this,” said Penson. “Lots of people are doing it independently on their own – here’s a website about the equipment I own, and here’s some documents I scanned – there’s a lot of that.” The lack of a central location to compile those collections is the root of Radio Alpha. Penson hopes the research library will preserve the data long after individual contributors have passed away. 

The platform is committed to being free of advertising, spam, and clickbait, prioritizing the integrity of its historical content and providing an uncluttered user experience. “This database will be a living resource, regularly updated and expanded through ongoing research and community contributions, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of amateur radio's profound impact on communication, technology, and society,” wrote Penson. 

Radio Alpha seeks contributors and volunteers to help develop the content. Hams who have a passion for the history of radio, experience in writing, or extensive knowledge about a particular brand or mode of amateur radio are encouraged to volunteer. The museum also seeks materials that may help grow the collection. Those interested may reach out to Penson at radioalpha@arrl.org. 

Penson hopes the data will be preserved forever. “ARRL has an organizational structure that allows it to take a long view on stuff like this. It is best equipped to handle a project like Radio Alpha.” 

Radio Alpha, the ARRL Museum and Research Library, may be enjoyed at www.arrl.org/radioalpha or www.arrl.org/museum.