Point to Point
A History of International Telecommunications During the Radio Years
A remarkable journey through the radio networks that carried the world’s conversations across oceans.
Explore this bookAuthor • Engineer • Radio Historian
Before the internet,
the world was already connected.
The forgotten stories of the radio stations, engineers and extraordinary technology that connected continents long before the digital age.
Documenting the remarkable age of radio
SHORT WAVE / LONG DISTANCE
FEATURED BOOKPoint to PointPublished 2017
EST. IN THE RADIO YEARSSCROLL TO EXPLORE ↓
01 / THE STORY
Long before emails, satellites and fibre optics, an extraordinary network of wireless stations carried messages around the globe. These are the stories of the places—and people—who made it work.
THE LIBRARY / 02
Books that bring
the past to life.
From the pioneering years of international radio to the people who kept its stations operating.
A HISTORY OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONMarconi’s
Wireless
Telegraph
Stations in EssexPAUL M. HAWKINS & PAUL G. REYLANDCONCEPT ART · OFFICIAL COVER PENDING
Marconi’s Wireless Telegraph Stations in Essex
The Centenary of Brentwood and Ongar Radio Stations
Two historic Essex stations, a century of radio innovation, and the people who made it possible.
Explore this bookCurious about the radio years? Start with Point to Point.
For a substantial part of the twentieth century, the world’s communications were carried through the medium of radio.THE STORY BEHIND POINT TO POINT
THE MAN BEHIND THE HISTORYPaul M. Hawkins
MEET THE AUTHOR / 03
He didn’t just study the radio years.
He lived them.
Paul M. Hawkins began his career in 1967 as an apprentice at Dorchester Radio Station. His working life took him from the great wireless stations of Britain to satellite communications, RF engineering in the United States and advanced antenna design.
Today, his writing preserves the people, places and technologies of an extraordinary chapter in communications history—drawing on professional experience, archival research and a lifelong fascination with radio.
Read Paul’s storyA LIFE IN RADIO / 04
A lifetime of
connections.
From the radio station floor to the written page.
01
1967The first signal
Joined the Post Office international telecommunications service as an apprentice at Dorchester Radio Station.
02
1970sFrom radio to satellites
Worked at Goonhilly Satellite Station and Bearley short-wave receiving station.
03
1980–83Across the Atlantic
Worked in the United States as an RF design engineer.
04
1983–2014A career in engineering
Designed antennas and communications systems at Thales in Somerset.
IN THEIR WORDS / 05
What readers
are saying.
Responses to Point to Point from readers with an interest in radio, engineering and history.
01 / READER REVIEW“A fascinating history that needed to be documented.”
02 / READER REVIEW“A very readable account by an author with an obvious enthusiasm for his subject.”
03 / READER REVIEW“A well written and interesting account of a bygone era.”
FEATURED IN / 06
On the
record.
Stories and features about the books and the history they preserve.
More press & reviews