WI: Earlier radio astonomy?

POD between 1800 & 1900 (earlier is better), what are the chances? Could somebody, like Maxwell or Crookes, have developed a mechanism to receive radio signals?

Could somebody have used it to do actual science? Any nominees for who?

Was there any chance of making actual discoveries? Would this have advanced interest in astronomy? Might it affect the development of science fiction?
 
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