Rhode Island Radio - Howard Thornley

Providence Journal
February 19, 1939

We almost did not have Mr. Thronley to post on this webpage. In 1903, as a young boy, he was run down by a sleigh. It resulted the chief of police issuing a manafesto that the thoroughfare will not be used as a speeday.

Pawtucket Times
January 30, 1907

Pawtucket Times
February 1, 1907

Thornley was born in 1903. He married Ina and they had 2 daughters, Nancy and Suzanne. ¹ As early as 1915, he was learning Continental Morse Code and the infant science of radio as well as getting his license to operate his own transmitting set. ²

In 1917, during WWI, amateur readio operators were ordered by the President to shut down their rigs.

Pawtucket Times April 9, 1917

Pawtucket Times April 2, 1921

Providence Journal
March 5, 1922

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Providence Journal
March 7, 1922

Providence Journal
March 7, 1922

In 1922 Thornley is duplicating Duplex Telephony as conducted by Bell Telephone Company a few weeks earlier using his amature station 1AMD in Pawtucket. Here we see a connection ⁶ with Thomas P Giblin who was conducting the same experiments at the Standard Radio and Electric transmitter, staation 1XAD in Pawtucket. ⁴

Providence Journal
April 4, 1922

Pawtucket Times
April 10, 1922

Providence Journal
April 17, 1922

In April, 1922 helps to entertain Rhode Island Hospital patients by broadcasting programs from his transmitter on Belmont St, Pawtucket.

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Providence Journal
April 10, 1922

In May of 1922 Thornley broadcast a message to the public from Mayor Joseph H. Gainer from Thornley's transmitter in his home at 7 Belmont St in Pawtucket. ⁵

Providence Journal
May 6, 1922

Pawtucket Times May 6, 1922

In 1922, Thornely helped Boy Scout Troop 5 set up their radios.

Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes
November 1977

Mr Thornlwy was also associated with the Technology Club of Rhode Island in 1923.

The Technology Review
February 1923

Howard Thornley, became the first chief engineer once Thomas P Giblin, who installed station WJAR could remove himself from the stations operation ⁷

In 1926, using his own set from his home in Pawtucket, contacted and conversed with the Byrd Expedition to the North Pole. At the time the only radio operator in the country to do so.

Providence Journal April 20, 1926

Pawtucket Times
April 20, 1926

Pawtucket Times April 20, 1926

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Providence Journal
April 21, 1926

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The Boston Globe
April 23, 1926

Providence Journal April 29, 1926

The Boston Globe April 23, 1926

Providence Journal
May 1, 1926

Providence Journal
May 12, 1926

In 1929, Thornley is very active in the Associated Radio Amateurs of Southern New England.

Providence Journal June 30, 1929

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Pawtucket Times
July 27, 1929

Pawtucket Times
April 24, 1931

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Pawtucket Times April 9, 1932

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Pawtucket Times
March 16, 1949

Providence Journal August 4, 1929

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W1AMD QSL Card

In 1933, Thornley who is working for WPRO oversees the installation of a 150 watt transmitter at the Brown Street Station in Chad Brown for use by the Providence police. The equipment and his services were donated by Cherry & Webb the station owners

Providence Journal August 27, 1933

Providence Journal September 20, 1933

Providence Journal October 14, 1934

Througout 1937 to 1939, Thornley is caught up in a FCC case with the Pawtucket Broadcasting Company, of which he is associated, in their attemp to get a license for radio station WNRI.