H.M. King Farouk 1 of Egypt and Sudan *1920-1965* SU1A - Born to Sunni Islam. The last
Monarch in Egypt. As Crown Prince our young subject held the rank of Scout King of Egypt. Sr.
Farouk probably learned of the radio hobby in the Scout program, where there was a Scouting
membership in Egypt of 8 thousand and growing. Educated inEgypt and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, England. Upon
his coronation in 1936, the hugely popular 16 year old King Farouk
made a public radio address to the nation. Marking the first time asovereign of Egypt had ever spoken directly to his people in sucha way. Royalty sometimes have interesting family relationships.
Farouk’s sister was married to “The Shah of Iran.” The Shah spenttime at Koubbeh Palace, Egypt’s official 75 acre guest house.
Koubbeh had a special transmitter installed for broadcasting.
Cairo had the oldest press agency in the Middle East, Egyptianpress far and away was the most widely read in the region. Not
many could afford recreational shortwave radio in those days. The
ever present newspaper was evident everywhere. I wonder if thatis so today with the Internet? Who misses the odor of the press ink
and the smudged finger tips?
The first radio station in theArab world was opened inEgypt. It was installed by theBritish Authorities under thereign of King Fuad 1 in 1926.
I am beginning to understandthe mystique held into theradio hobby especially during
the 30-s 40s and beyond bygovernments and theirquestionable caustic view andrestrictions to anyone
enjoying the electronic
marvel radio hobby. Or radio
given the evil eye byauthorities.
It is known SU1A owned a1938 Continental Clipper
Coach a very expensive
brand of travel unit by SchultTrailers. Could this have been radio equipped? Above Royal Montazah Palace built in 1892 atAlexandria. The Palace and 350 acres sits on a rocky bluff over looking the Med. Egypt was on thecommunications world map. The 1938 International Telecommunications Conference was held in
Cairo. Meaning a badge of honor and prestige for the King of Egypt to usher in modern times in thecommunications field. His Nation sponsored world wide regulation of International radio andShortwave Broadcasting beginning 1 February and adjourned 9 April. Continued page two.

Very little if anything is known about the radio hobby of King Farouk 1. He had many hobbies andwas a generalist in rare coins, autos, philately, clocks, jewelry, and hunting. Many are quoted tohaving a conversation with The King over the ham radio bands ten and twenty meters. We list two
positive memories. QSL cards from H.M. Farouk were received by many state side stations.
Royal Montazah Palace in Alexandria was the last residence of King Farouk before abdication. Onthe grounds was a hunting lodge and gardens. Today the lodge is a luxury hotel and casino. There
eventually came the time H.M. The King became exiled and sailed off into the Mediterranean, in1952 with his Royal Yacht SS Mahroussa arriving close by Naples, Italy with his longtime friends.
The last abode in Italy of the exiled
King SU1A. Credit Maximiliana. I
recently ran across a Readers Digest
article (April 1947) written by KarlDetzer in which he wrote about
W2IXY Dot Hall communications
supervisor with the NYC Fire
Department. She said “Recently amans voice called one night on myshortwave with a slight accent fromCairo.” The voice said, I just heard
you talking to the station in Athens andI hope you don’t mind the intrusion.
When Dorothy said she didn’t mind,
he explained that she was the first woman with whom he had talked on the air. They chatted for awhile. As they signed off he said he’d like to send her a memento. Some time later a set of
reproductions from the National Museum of Egypt arrived, with a pleasant note from her new friendof the air waves - King Farouk, SU1A. Note as yet we can’t find a issued call for the King.
Joe W5NA said; “The funniest thing that ever happened to me on the air was shortly after I obtained
my ticket in 1947, I worked a Egyptian Amateur who advised me his name was David. When I
received his QSL, my heavens was I surprised. The card was from David Farouk, King of Egypt.”Your author contacted Joe via email and got the following response - “Sorry I can’t help but I lostthat Farouk card at my parents home, the house was damaged in one of the hurricanes. I’m now age
78 and my memory is not good.” A suggestion, K5JB Joe Butler was very active in the 47-50 era andcould possibly help. Will we ever view a King Farouk QSL card? May it be so. W8SU 2010
One of your authors favorite people is Dr.
Zahi Hawass - Prefecture of Antiquities or
Secretary General of Supreme Council of
Antiquities, also known as “The Pharaoh”
Dr. Hawass has such vigor teaching about
Egyptian antiquities. His range of English isgood and keeps one’s interest continually on
the cable about Ancient Egypt. SU1CR is aLes Nouvelles DX card. Being King I doubtthat King Farouk would need an issued call.
A works in progress. 73 W8SU