Amateur Radio Club's Exhibit

Senior geology major Brandon Graham approached me last week about the possibility of installing a display of some of the Rensselaer Amateur Radio Club’s vintage equipment.  2011 marks the club’s 100^th anniversary, and Brandon felt this would be a good way to commemorate this juncture.  We were more than happy to accommodate his request because the library likes to showcase items pertaining to the history of the Institute and appreciates students lending us their memorabilia, artwork, photographs, etc. to exhibit.

The club actually started out as the Troy Wireless Club and was founded by a twelve-year-old boy who operated Troy’s first wireless station.  Several RPI students joined him and they met regularly at the Troy YMCA.  Eventually the club became a Rensselaer-sponsored organization and members met in a part of the Sage Laboratory for many years.  Members now meet in the Ham Shack at 250 Sunset Terrace.

Besides the display of old equipment, Brandon also has on view several of the hundreds of QLS cards that the club has received from other hams with calls similar to that of the club and the club's cards over time.  He informed me that amateur radio operators exchange QSL (Query Station Location) cards to confirm two-way radio contact between stations, and the club is proud of the vast number of cards members have collected. RPI’s amateur radio call sign is W2SZ.

Director Bob Mayo was delighted with the idea of this exhibit because he was a ham years ago and plans to get back into it when he retires.  Bob has lent his Vibroplex key, or "Bug," to the exhibit.

Brandon, who serves as the club’s president, is passionate about amateur radio and is very knowledgeable on the topic.  He’d love to see more students join the group.  I’ve asked him to consider speaking at an upcoming Lunch & Learn, and he said he’d be happy to next semester.  Here’s hoping he won’t be scheduled for a noon class on Fridays next spring.

For more on the club’s history, check out http://w2sz.union.rpi.edu/History.pdf.

We expect the exhibit to remain on the second floor of the library until sometime in March.  Stop by to see it if you’re in the area.

Adrienne Birchler
Coordinator
Friends of the Folsom Library