And just WHO was Stew Perry?
/As part of International Museums Weekend, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, amateur radio operators Eric Pfeifer (NJUR) and Shannon Gibney (KC10HT) will operate the historic W1BB callsign from the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Waltham, Massachusetts. This event will honor the legacy of Mr. Stew Perry, W1BB “Mr. 160.”
As Charles River Museum Executive Director, Bob Perry, explains:
"My grandfather, Stewart “Stew” Perry, was a registered professional engineer by day, but a trailblazing, life-long amateur radio operator, or “ham,” by night. His call sign was W1BB.
Stew Perry was born in 1904. Family legend has it that he was inspired to build his first transmitter, a spark-gap set, after overhearing radio traffic about the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.
W1BB was widely celebrated for his pioneering work in and mastery of the “top band” or “gentleman’s band,” the 160-meter band of radio frequencies allocated to amateurs. Some of that success was enabled by his convincing his town of Winthrop, Massachusetts, to allow him to use the Point Shirley water tower as the support for his massive antenna rig. That water tower, for many years now painted red, white, and blue, remains a prominent landmark today."
Amateur radio has played an important role in communication history throughout the 20th Century and into the present day. We’re pleased that we can present this fun and familial event as part of our programming!
Charles River Museum Executive Director Bob Perry proudly holds his grandfather Stew's scrapbook of radio awards and memorabilia.
