Popular Science Monthly, March, 1923, page 24:
World's Richest "Fan" Booms Radio
By Jack Binns
World Famous Radio Expert and Staff Writer for POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY
ALONG the storm-swept sands of Buzzard's Bay on the rocky Massachusetts coast, eight towering wireless masts have recently sprung up to mark the site of the most amazing radio experiment station in the world. They stand at once as the fulfilment of a millionaire radio fan's hobby and as beacons of hope to rebuffed and discouraged radio inventors everywhere. Here Col. Edward H. R. Green, crippled son of the wealthiest woman in history, is transforming his 259-acre "Round Hills" estate into a radio Utopia where he bids penniless experimenters and experts from far and wide to delve with him freely into the fascinating mysteries of the air. With part of the huge fortune amassed by his famous mother, Hetty Green, he is converting the sun parlor of a palatial country mansion into a private radio research laboratory equipped with every piece of apparatus known to modern wireless science. His "open house" will include free use of unsurpassed laboratory facilities, the assistance of a paid staff of skilled engineers, and the benefit of broadcasting and reception stations that are among the most powerful in the country.
And why, you may ask, is Colonel Green doing all this?
The answer is simple. It's his hobby.
"It's pure selfishness," he confessed. "I am interested in radio development for the pleasure it gives me. But I believe, too, that the pleasure of radio should be accessible to every man, rich or poor. The future of radio lies largely in the hands of enthusiastic amateurs who will spend days and nights working over some little problem, for the sheer fascination of the thing, without thought of ultimate profit. I want to aid these enthusiasts, at any cost, to put their theories into practice."
By next June, this millionaire radio fan expects to open a free school for amateurs, with a picked staff of instructors, radio experts, and lecturers.
"My aim," he says, "is to hasten the advent of the 'radio Ford'--the low-priced receiving set that will cost not more than $25 complete, but that will be really sensitive, reliable, and simple to operate."
To further this aim, Colonel Green proposes an annual prize contest in which the amateur who offers the idea that advances radio the most during the year will receive a first prize of $5000.
The equipment of the experiment station will be a marvel of perfection when completed.
The aerials for nine transmitting stations will be supported by 12 masts, four of steel 246 feet high, and the remaining eight of wood, 125 feet high. In addition, there are three 12-foot loop aerials.
The larger of three broadcasting stations will operate on the 400-meter wave length allotted to Class B stations and the other two on 360 meters. To judge the quality of signals sent out, special receiving stations are being erected along the Massachusetts coast and in New York City.
These receivers will be tuned to the transmitters at Round Hills, and their output connected with long distance telephone lines, and carried back over wire to Colonel Green's estate. In this manner engineers at Round Hills can obtain first hand knowledge of the quality of reception in any given direction and under any known local conditions.
The outstanding achievement of the receiving end of this vast laboratory is a loudspeaking tower, resembling a lighthouse. Around a ledge near the top of the tower have been placed large wooden loudspeaking horns. The volume of sound from these horns is sufficient to be clearly audible over a radius of 4½ miles. Fishermen on the bay can enjoy entertainment such as they never before dreamed of.
While Colonel Green proposes to offer every assistance to worthy experimenters, the laboratory staff will be engaged in developing the art of radio generally.
