Club History - Detailed review

 

The club was started in 1933 by a group of three Hams, Herb Hamilton W9MRQ, George Fenton W9SXZ and John Huskava W9IMN. They probably became friends on 160 meters as that was the "2 meters" of that era. Their first meetings were held in each others homes, but this didn't go over so well with the XYL's and a new meeting place was found at one of the local parks. The club must have been a success from the start because in 1934 they were able to put up a station at the Century of Progress. The call used was W9HJO and in our photo albums you can see a picture of the station, six foot relay rack and all the things that it took to make a station in those days.

Around 1940 the meeting place was moved to the Viking Temple, which was really not a temple, but a lodge hall. Across the street was a gas station with a free standing 100 foot tower. The tower had a windcharger at the top to charge batteries for the station. One of our enterprising members got the club a spot in the building at the bottom of the tower and all of a sudden the club had a club station, callsign W9TFA "The Friendly Amateur." Our present call of W9AA didn't come until 1958. Upon the death of our past President Cy Read Hamfesters took advantage of an FCC rule that we could be issued his call, thus we became "First in the Ninth call area." Some very famous people have been visitors and members over the years. Dr. Lee De Forest, Lew Mc Coy W1ICP, Father Moran 9N1MM, Marvin Camras, W9CSX, (Inventor of the Wire Recorder), Ed Andrew, KB9KV (The Andrew Antenna Corp.), Wes Schum, W9DYV (Mr. SSB, and at one time the Chief FCC Inspector for the Ninth Call Area was a Hamfester.

During our Sixty years Hamfesters has been through about 10 meeting places until the present were we are located at Crestwood Illinois. A very nice location with kitchen facilities and two large rooms. Our club donated a TV and VCR to this village hall and it is there for all to use. Very nice for our meetings that feature video's.

Many things were accomplished during the 90's. Our whole financial situation was reviewed. We purchased the TV and VCR, a trailer for emergency use, equipment for a W9AA packet mailbox. In conjunction with the CAPRA organization, equipment was acquired for a packet Node (ILOAK). Also purchased was a computer voice mail system for the Ham Radio Info Line 1 708 535 A HAM. Upkeep and expenses for this system are shared by about fifteen clubs in the area. Our club sponsors radio classes in the spring and conducts license testing on the Second Saturday of each Month.

During 1999 and 2000 Hamfesters has been transmitting from the U505 Submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry during the Submarines on the air special event

Info via Wanda, W9CT

April 16, 2007