
A group of curious teens discovers the thrilling world of early radio at a time when the airwaves are still wild and full of promise. Guided by a knowledgeable forefather who runs his own transmitting stations, they learn to build a modest yet functional receiver from simple household materials, following clear step‑by‑step instructions. Their experiments quickly turn the quiet hobby into a gateway to distant voices and music, sparking a sense of wonder about the invisible signals that link people across the continent.
When a chance invitation leads them toward the bustling Mexican border, the boys find themselves testing their homemade gear in unfamiliar terrain. The border’s rugged landscape and the hum of cross‑border traffic provide both challenges and opportunities for their fledgling radio experiments. As they tune in, they encounter new sounds, unexpected contacts, and the excitement of pushing technology to its limits.
Throughout the adventure, the story blends practical tinkering with the spirit of exploration, showing how youthful ingenuity can turn a simple hobby into a daring expedition. Listeners will be drawn into the era’s excitement, feeling the crackle of static and the promise of a world suddenly within reach.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (274K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Ronald Holder and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Release date
2004-12-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
d. 1964
A prolific early 20th-century writer of adventure stories for young readers, he is best remembered for helping fuel the excitement around radio with fast-moving series fiction. His books captured the gadget-loving, can-do spirit of the 1920s and 1930s.
View all books