BBC Radio 4 Today Programme - SOS Anniversary item

The Today programme on BBC Radio 4 will be doing an item on Friday morning to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the SOS.

It is understood that the RSGB GB4FUN Manager Carlos Eavis G0AKI will be in the Today studios for the programme.

SOS came into existence as an emergency communication on 3 November 1906 at the Berlin Radio Conference but was not officially adopted until 1 July 1908. The first time it was ever used in an emergency was on 10 June 1909 when the Cunard
Liner SS Slavonia was wrecked off the Azores.

BBC Radio 4 can be heard in the British Isles and large parts of Europe on 198 kHz Long Wave. The Today programme is broadcast from 0600 to 0900 hours but it is not known when the item will be aired.

After it's been broadcast it should be possible to hear it on the BBC website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/listenagain/

Doug N6TQS reports that the Woman's Hour Drama this week has "SOS" as a theme, that is also available on the BBC website at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/whour_drama.shtml

The SOS Distress Signal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOS

SOS CQD and the History of Maritime Distress Calls
http://www.qrz.co.il/news.php?pid=113&pin=5

Special Event Station GB500KCS
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2006/gb500kcs.htm

Editor's note:
When BBC Radio 4 were researching this item, the first radio club that they turned to for help was the Southgate Amateur Radio Club.  We were able to offer advice on the subject and provided contacts for further research.

Richard - g4tut

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