Rochester VHF Group 60 Years Old and Doing

Rochester VHF Group 60 Years Old and Doing Great!

Rochester VHF Group Once upon a time - 60 years ago in January 1949 - - -

Rochester VHF Group An invitation was sent out by the ‘ 2 Meter Gang’ to announce an ‘On-the-Air’ Meeting for January 10, 1949 to discuss how to promote VHF activity.

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group The January 10 th ‘On-the-Air’ Meeting had only 5 call-ins so NCS, W 2 UXP, adjourned it until the next evening.

Rochester VHF Group The January 11 th 2 Meters ‘On-the-Air’ Meeting was again hosted by Joe Payne, W 2 UXP, as NCS, and included 8 other stations answering his call: Al Coon W 2 WLU, John Remsen W 2 ZHB Archie Waterbury W 2 BCL, Don Leahy W 2 TKY Hank Blodgett W 2 UTH, Roger Williams W 2 NES Bob Young W 2 RTB, Ken Evans W 2 UAD

Rochester VHF Group The seed that became the Rochester VHF Group was planted during that January 11 th ‘On-the-Air’ gathering – Thanks to W 2 UXP, Joe Payne’s insistence on action now--

Rochester VHF Group --and to Hank Blodgett, W 2 UTH, who offered his home for meetings to actually form a club dedicated to VHF/UHF amateur radio activity.

Rochester VHF Group Meetings were held and finally in early 1949: “We the Undersigned Charter Members of the Rochester VHF Group Have - -

Rochester VHF Group - - Joined Together to Promote Greater Interest & Activity on the V. H. F. & U. H. F. Amateur Bands”

Rochester VHF Group The following amateurs were Charter Members in the order of their signing the Charter:

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group Frank (Doesn’t Do QSL Cards) Jackson W 2 OVE

Rochester VHF Group Early RVHFG meetings were held in homes of the Group members.

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group Early Meeting at the QTH of W 2 OWF Top Row-W 2 RTB, W 2? , W 2 OWF, W 2 ZHB, W 2 NES; Middle Row-W 2 TKY, W 2 BCL, W 2 UAD, W 2? , Bottom Row-W 2 UTH, W 2 QY, W 2 NES, W 2?

Rochester VHF Group The ‘WAR’ (Worked All Rochester) Certificate was introduced in 1950. It was awarded to those who were located within 25 miles of Main & Clinton in Rochester who worked 25, or more, Rochester VHF stations. Those who lived more than 25 miles from Main & Clinton were eligible for a certificate by working 15, or more, Rochester stations.

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group Local Contests were sponsored by the Rochester VHF Group with lots of prizes donated by local radio stores awarded to most of the participants.

Rochester VHF Group We got publicity in CQ and QST Magazines.

Rochester VHF Group

Rochester VHF Group WE GREW & GR E W ! And Now in 2009 ---

Rochester VHF Group We celebrate our 60 th Year while we’re still Going & Growing Strong ! As the Oldest & Best VHF/UHF Society anywhere in the U. S. A. !