Rochester VHF Group 60 Years Old and Doing Great!

Rochester VHF GroupRochester VHF Group

60 Years Old andDoing Great!


Once upon a Once upon a time - 60 years time - 60 years ago in January ago in January

1949 - - -1949 - - -


An invitation was sent out by the An invitation was sent out by the ‘2 Meter Gang’ to announce an ‘2 Meter Gang’ to announce an

‘On-the-Air’ Meeting for ‘On-the-Air’ Meeting for January 10, 1949 to discuss January 10, 1949 to discuss

how to promote VHF activity.how to promote VHF activity.



The January 10th ‘On-the-Air’ The January 10th ‘On-the-Air’ Meeting had only 5 call-ins so Meeting had only 5 call-ins so NCS, W2UXP, adjourned it NCS, W2UXP, adjourned it

until the next evening.until the next evening.

Rochester VHF GroupRochester VHF GroupThe January 11th 2 Meters ‘On-the-Air’ Meeting The January 11th 2 Meters ‘On-the-Air’ Meeting

was again hosted by Joe Payne, W2UXP, as was again hosted by Joe Payne, W2UXP, as NCS, and included 8 other stations answering NCS, and included 8 other stations answering

his call:his call:

Al Coon W2WLU, John Remsen W2ZHBAl Coon W2WLU, John Remsen W2ZHB

Archie Waterbury W2BCL, Don Leahy W2TKYArchie Waterbury W2BCL, Don Leahy W2TKY

Hank Blodgett W2UTH, Roger Williams W2NESHank Blodgett W2UTH, Roger Williams W2NES

Bob Young W2RTB, Ken Evans W2UADBob Young W2RTB, Ken Evans W2UAD

Rochester VHF GroupRochester VHF GroupThe seed that became the The seed that became the Rochester VHF Group was Rochester VHF Group was planted during that January planted during that January

11th ‘On-the-Air’ gathering –11th ‘On-the-Air’ gathering –Thanks to W2UXP, Joe Payne’sThanks to W2UXP, Joe Payne’s

insistence on action now-- insistence on action now--


--and to Hank Blodgett, W2UTH, --and to Hank Blodgett, W2UTH, who offered his home for who offered his home for

meetings to actually form a club meetings to actually form a club dedicated to VHF/UHF amateur dedicated to VHF/UHF amateur

radio activity. radio activity.


Meetings were held and finally Meetings were held and finally in early 1949: “We the in early 1949: “We the Undersigned Charter Undersigned Charter

Members of the Rochester Members of the Rochester VHF Group Have - -VHF Group Have - -


- - Joined Together to Promote - - Joined Together to Promote Greater Interest & Activity on Greater Interest & Activity on the V.H.F. & U.H.F. Amateur the V.H.F. & U.H.F. Amateur

Bands” Bands”


The following amateurs The following amateurs were Charter Members in were Charter Members in the order of their signing the order of their signing

the Charter:the Charter:














Frank (Doesn’t Do QSL Cards) Jackson

W2OVE


Early RVHFG meetings were held in homes of the

Group members.


Rochester VHF GroupRochester VHF GroupEarly Meeting at the QTH of W2OWF

Top Row-W2RTB, W2?, W2OWF, W2ZHB, W2NES; Middle Row-W2TKY, W2BCL, W2UAD, W2?, Bottom Row-W2UTH, W2QY, W2NES, W2?

Rochester VHF GroupRochester VHF GroupThe ‘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 GroupRochester VHF GroupLocal Contests were sponsored by

the Rochester VHF Group with lots of prizes donated by local

radio stores awarded to most of the participants.


We got publicity in CQ and QST Magazines.



WE GREW & GREW!And Now in 2009---

Rochester VHF GroupRochester VHF GroupWe celebrate our 60th Year while We celebrate our 60th Year while

we’re still Going & Growing we’re still Going & Growing Strong !Strong !

As the Oldest & Best VHF/UHF As the Oldest & Best VHF/UHF Society anywhere in the U.S.A. !Society anywhere in the U.S.A. !

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Rochester VHF Group 60 Years Old and Doing Great!