W1BB Returned to the Air
The historic W1BB callsign returned to the air from the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation during International Museums Weekend.
Shannon Gibney, KC1OHT, and Eric Pfeifer, N1JUR, were joined by Adam, AA1N, and Michelle, KC1UML, to operate the special event station and celebrate the life and legacy of Stew Perry, W1BB — “Mr. 160.”
Explore the event, watch the replay, learn more about the history behind W1BB, and follow this growing archive as additional videos, photographs, and stories are added.
Relive the day as W1BB returned to the air from the museum, welcomed visitors, and connected amateur radio history with today’s operating community.
A Memorable Day at the Museum
On June 20, 2026, amateur radio operators and museum visitors gathered in Waltham, Massachusetts, to bring one of Topband’s most respected callsigns back to the air.
Eric Pfeifer, N1JUR, Shannon Gibney, KC1OHT, Adam, AA1N, and Michelle, KC1UML, operated the station, made contacts, welcomed visitors, answered questions, and shared the story of Stew Perry and W1BB.
The activation gave visitors an opportunity to experience amateur radio in operation while hearing how experimentation, engineering, operating skill, and community helped shape the history of the hobby.
Original artwork created for the W1BB International Museums Weekend activation at the Charles River Museum.
International Museums Weekend
Waltham, Massachusetts
AA1N • KC1UML
Honoring Stew Perry
A special W1BB International Museums Weekend QSL card was created for stations entered into the event log, providing operators with a lasting reminder of this historic activation.
A historic illustration documenting the W1BB station, antenna system, and saltwater location near Boston Harbor.
Equipment, Morse keys, documents, photographs, and other artifacts connected to Stew Perry and W1BB helped visitors better understand the operator behind the legendary callsign.
Why the W1BB Callsign Still Matters
Stewart “Stew” Perry, W1BB, devoted much of his life to demonstrating what amateur radio operators could accomplish on the challenging 160-meter band.
At a time when many operators viewed 160 meters mainly as a short-range band, Stew helped demonstrate its potential for serious long-distance communication. His experimentation, operating ability, and willingness to share what he learned earned him recognition throughout the amateur radio community as “Mr. 160.”
Through the W1BB 160-Meter Bulletins, Stew circulated operating information, station reports, technical observations, and news to fellow operators. He encouraged experimentation and helped build a dedicated operating community around the band.
Stew was also an important advocate for restoring amateur access to 160 meters following World War II. In 1976, he received 160-meter DXCC No. 1, confirming his place among the most influential operators in the history of Topband.
His influence continues through the operators he inspired, the historical material preserved by the Perry family and amateur radio community, and the Stew Perry Topband Distance Challenge that carries his name.
W1BB did more than make contacts. Stew Perry helped show generations of operators what was possible when curiosity, persistence, and experimentation came together on the amateur bands.
The W1BB Video Archive
Watch the 2026 museum activation, explore the story behind W1BB, and return as additional interviews, historical presentations, and event footage are added.
W1BB Returned to the Air
Watch the complete livestream from the Charles River Museum as the team activated W1BB, welcomed visitors, made contacts, and shared the history behind the callsign.
The History and Legacy of W1BB
Jeff Briggs, K1ZM, shares the story of Stew Perry, his station, his contributions to amateur radio, and his lasting influence on 160-meter operating.
Special thanks to Jeff Briggs, K1ZM, for preserving and documenting this important amateur radio history.
This Archive Will Continue to Grow
Additional interviews, historical discussions, museum footage, and stories from the activation will be added as they become available.
Artifacts and Photos from the W1BB Activation
Explore some of the equipment, Morse keys, historical artifacts, and displays that helped bring the story of Stew Perry and W1BB to life during the museum activation.
A Piece of Stew Perry’s Legacy
A historic mechanical Morse key bearing the W1BB callsign and the name of Stewart S. Perry.
Radio History on Display
Radio equipment, Morse keys, operating materials, and historical artifacts were displayed alongside the activation.
The Tools Behind the Callsign
Historical keys and equipment helped visitors connect the W1BB callsign with the operator and experimentation behind it.
Select any photograph to explore the complete gallery from the W1BB International Museums Weekend activation.
Preserving History Takes a Community
Special thanks to Shannon Gibney, KC1OHT; Adam, AA1N; and Michelle, KC1UML, for helping operate W1BB and share amateur radio with the museum community.
Our sincere appreciation also goes to Jim Briggs, trustee of W1BB; Bob Perry and the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation; and Jeff Briggs, K1ZM, for helping preserve, protect, and share the history connected to Stew Perry and the W1BB callsign.
Thank you to everyone who visited the museum, contacted W1BB on the air, watched the livestream, shared a story, or helped introduce someone new to amateur radio. Every contact and conversation became part of the story.