2. Rochester VHF Group 60 Years Old and Doing Great!

3. Once upon a time - 60 years ago in January 1949 - - -

4. 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.

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

7. The January 11th 2 Meters ‘On-the-Air’ Meeting was again hosted by Joe Payne, W2UXP, as NCS, and included 8 other stations answering his call: Al Coon W2WLU, John Remsen W2ZHB Archie Waterbury W2BCL, Don Leahy W2TKY Hank Blodgett W2UTH, Roger Williams W2NES Bob Young W2RTB, Ken Evans W2UAD

8. The seed that became the Rochester VHF Group was planted during that January 11th ‘On-the-Air’ gathering – Thanks to W2UXP, Joe Payne’s insistence on action now--

9. --and to Hank Blodgett, W2UTH, who offered his home for meetings to actually form a club dedicated to VHF/UHF amateur radio activity.

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

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

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

13. Rochester VHF Group

25. Frank (Doesn’t Do QSL Cards) Jackson W2OVE

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

28. Early 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?

29. 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.

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

32. We got publicity in CQ and QST Magazines.

34. WE G R E W & G R E W ! And Now in 2009---

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