A Little Club History
Lewis & Clark
Radio Club
1984 – 1994Charter Members 1984
| Call | Name | Location |
| N9BHW | Jim DufFey | Godfrey |
| K9SD | Sam EfFinger | Godfrey |
| K9DZY | Bill Preis | Godfrey |
| (WV9M) | ||
| KC9GL | Harold Elmore | Godfrey |
| W9MXC | Larry Roberts | Godfrey |
| KC9KY | Jack Levrich | Godfrey |
| K9CM0 | Chuck Endale | Godfrey |
| K90RV | William Haper | Alton |
| K9PPT | Emil Kettel | Godfrey |
| KA9Q0S | J D Schweizer | Godfrey |
| KA9SYG | Walt Effinger | Godfrey |
| KF9F | Rich Morgan | Godfrey |
| K9DYN | *Earl Leady | Godfrey |
| WA9RDY | Dennis Hutchins | Bethalto |
| K9CWL | *Ed Ford | Godfrey |
| W9RX0 | *Bill Coleston | Alton |
| K9DSF | * Jim Ruyle | Godfrey |
| WD9GM0 | Ed Wilson | Godfrey |
| KA9F0B | Gordon Admire | Bethalto |
| KAOQQN | Bruce Bateman | St. Louis |
| KA9MCR | Ed Tumbeaugh | Wood River |
| N9ADJ | Ron Wright | Alton |
| KA9TPN | Ansil Taylor | Godfrey |
| N9DW | Otis Bost | East Alton |
| N9BKN | Stan Jacobs | Godfrey |
| (WB9V) | ||
| KA9JYU | Jack Rhodes | Brighton |
| W9TZY | *Sylester Scovell | Alton |
| KA9SQS | John Laslie III | Brighton |
| K9IQE | Boris Kusmanoff | East Alton |
| WB9HZG | Tom Frields | East Alton |
| WBOWIL | Scott Clifton | Naperville |
| K9BO | Dave Cornell | Elsah |
| KA9TOV | Dean Oehler | Godfrey |
| KA9GNK | Roy Gunther | Alton |
| KA9SQQ | Ron Donother | Alton |
| W9IWA | Donald Sherman | Edwardsville |
| K9DTH | Ron Aldridge | Godfrey |
| KA9SQR | Dan Laslie | Brighton |
| KA9PAV | John Laslie | Brighton |
| KA9RLK | Ray Botterbush | Godfrey |
* Silent Key
These 40 members are on record as charter members of the Lewis and Clark Radio Club, this 31st day of January, 1985.
Jim Duffey – N9BHW President, LCRC
Officers 1985 -1995
| Year | Pres. | V. Pres. | Sec. | Treas. | Act. Dm. |
| 1985 | N9BHW | K9SD | KC9KY | K9BO | WBOWIL |
| 1986 | W9MXC | N9BHW | KC9KY | K9BO | N9ADJ |
| 1987 | W9MXC | KF9F | KA9TPQ | K9PPT | N9ADJ |
| 1988 | W9MXC | KF9F | WD9IVD | N9GGE | N9ADJ |
| 1989 | KC9GL | N9FTA | WD9IVD | WD9GMO | W9MXC |
| 1990 | KC9GL | WB1GOG | W9MXC | WD9GMO | K9BO |
| 1991 | WA9RDY | KA9MCR | WV9Q | W9MXC | KF9F |
| 1992 | KC9GL | WA9RDY | NOMDO | W9MXC | KA9RLK |
| 1993 | KA9RLK | K9BO | N9KOX | W9MXC | KF9F |
| 1994 | WA9YAW | KC9GL | N9KOX | W9MXC | N9SCM |
| 1995 | N9SCM | KC9GL | N9MNF | W9MXC | N9WDQ |
Introduction
On the sixth day of November, nineteen hundred eighty-four, the Lewis and Clark Radio Club was bom. This November, the club celebrates ten years on the ham scene and remembers the many changes that have taken place in the club. This booklet provides a history of the Lewis and Clark Radio Club from pre-conception to the present activities. Many hams were involved with the initial organization and nurturing of the club, and this booklet is an attempt to remember their effort. The years have worn hard on the memories of many, but the names of as many of the contributors have been included as possible. It is inevitable, however, to be perfect, and the editor apologizes to those who may have been inadvertently missed. The history contained within was compiled from the many sources available and is true to the best of the editor’s understanding.
In the beginning . . .
In the years before the Lewis and Clark Radio Club, there was but one amateur radio club in Madison County, the Egyptian Radio Club. Centered in Granite City, Illinois, the Egyptian Radio Club was the meeting ground of hams throughout Madison County. Although there were many hams in the Alton area, they made the trek to Granite City and accepted it as “their club.”
Eventually, a small group of amateurs began to gather in the Alton area and created a formal group known as the River City Radio Club.
River City Radio Club
The River City Radio Club organized in early 1983. Ron Wright, N9ADJ, took on the gigantic task of making its existence known. After researching an area callbook of hams, he mailed a postcard to every ham in the Alton/Godfrey area. By its second meeting, officers were elected and a roster was distributed. Unfortunately, only thirteen members enlisted, and for various reasons the River City Radio
Club broke up after only three meetings. Although the River City Radio Club disbanded, it can be considered the kernel that started the Lewis and Clark Radio Club. Had the River City Radio Club never existed, the LCRC might never have materialized.
River City Radio Club, Inc. Membership and Officers 1983
| John Dvorchak | WB9SBO | President |
| Bob Onori | N9CCK | Vice President |
| Harold Elmore | KC9GL | |
| Gary Scott | N8BOR | |
| Tom Davis | KB9KY | |
| John Becker | NOAJF | |
| Bill Burney | WA9ETR | |
| Greg Linville | AB9H | Trustee |
| Rick Balster | N9BSC | |
| Norman Balster | KAOPHC | |
| Lloyd Bishop | N9CYY | |
| Ron Wright | N9ADJ | Secretary/T reasurer |
| Jack Leverich | KC9KY |
CQ LCRC
Late one September night in 1984, Ron Wright, N9ADJ, called CQ on 80 meters. An extremely loud station came back, and naturally Ron asked about his location. The returning station was Scott Clifton, WBOWIL, who had just moved to Alton. In the course of the conversation, a meshing of minds took place. After a three-hour Morse code contact, a blaze ignited. Both hams wanted a radio club closer to home, and the mutual energy for a “home club” started a chain reaction. Phones rang throughout Alton as each called friends to organize another radio club. A meeting was scheduled for late September at one of Bill Preis’, K9DZY (now WV9M), apartments to discuss the possibility of a new club. Unfortunately, no records were kept, but many believe that Scott Clifton, WBOWIL; Jim Duffey,
N9BHW; Sam Effinger, K9SD; Harold Elmore, KC9GL; Jack Leverich, KC9KY; Rich Morgan, KF9F; Bill Preis, K9DZY (WV9M); Larry Roberts, W9MXC; and Ron Wright, N9ADJ, attended that meeting.
The participants of this meeting decided to organize a local radio club and to call it the “Lewis and Clark Amateur Radio Club.” A flyer was mailed to area amateur radio operators inviting them to an organizational meeting. (See centerfold)
The FIRST!
The first meeting of the Lewis and Clark Amateur Radio Club was held at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, November 6, 1984. Amateur radio operators from around the area packed the Green Room (Rooms 101 and 102) of Hatheway Hall at the Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois. The desire for a local radio club was unanimously indicated by the multitude of hams.
An organizational meeting was formed to make up the bylaws and constitution for the new club. The group of Scott Clifton, WBOWIL; Jim Duffey, N9BHW; Sam Effinger, K9SD; Harold Elmore, KC9GL; Jack Levrich, KC9KY; Rich Morgan, KF9F; Bill Preis, K9DZY (WV9M); Jack Rhodes, KA9JYU; Larry Roberts, W9MXC; and Ron Wright, N9ADJ, designed a rough draft of the constitution and bylaws for the December meeting; they were then revised and accepted at the January, 1985, meeting. Jim, N9BHW, and Jack, KA9JYU, did the bulk of the work on the original copy of the bylaws and constitution.
Also at the January meeting, the club accepted membership applications and first year dues were collected. The first slate of nominees for club officers was selected; they were to be voted on at the February meeting. Somewhere in January or February, the name was changed from the Lewis and Clark Amateur Radio Club to the Lewis and Clark Radio Club.
First Slate of Nominees January, 1985
President – Jim Duffy, N9BHW; Chuck Endale, K9CMO; Dennis Hutchins, WA9RDY; Jack Rhodes, KA9JYU
Vice president – Scott Clifton, WBOWIL; Sam Effinger, K9SD;
Treasurer – Dave Cornell, K9BO; Emil Kettel, K9PPT; Larry Roberts, W9MXC
Secretary – Harold Elmore, KC9GL; Jack Levrich, KC9KY
Activities Director – Scott Clifton, WBOWIL; Stan Jacobs, N9BKN; Ed Wilson, WD9GMO
Elections
The first officers of the Lewis and Clark Radio Club were elected at the February meeting. These competent gentlemen had several duties to perform. They were tasked with getting the club up and running and performing any other initial duties to get the club functioning smoothly.
First Officers, February, 1985
President Mr. James Duffey, N9BHW
Vice President Mr. Sam Effinger, K9SD
Secretary Mr. Jack Levrich, KC9KY
Treasurer Dr. Dave Cornell, K9BO
Activities Director Mr. Scott Clifton, WBOWIL
Creativity
Ron Wright, N9ADJ, designed the club logo. It features Meriwether Lewis and William Clark standing on a peak with a Mosley TA33M beam antenna, both looking over the horizon. The logo symbolizes the creed of amateur radio, “Always Looking for the Next Challenge.” Ron designed the color of the logo, burgundy and white, to stand out and not to be easily confused with other club colors.
Programs
One of the early goals of the club was to have an educational program every meeting that would enhance radio skills or expose hams to a new facet of amateur radio. This has been one of the duties of the activities director. The first activities director, Scott Clifton, WBOWIL, was assisted by Ron Wright, N9ADJ.
Larry Roberts, W9MXC, and Gerry Elder, KAOOOQ started this trend when they gave a presentation and live demonstration of satellite communications. Utilizing OSCAR (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) Seven, they demonstrated how to use satellites and some advantages to this mode. The audience was spellbound, and now programs are a regular part of the monthly meetings.
Hamfests
Since the LCRC held the first hamfest in May of 1987, they have enjoyed continued success. The hamfest has been one of the largest projects the club undertakes each year; one that requires the effort of every club member. Nearly everyone contributes – some organizing subcommittees, some working to set up or tear down, some selling tickets, and others working out the details.
The first LCRC hamfest was on May 19, 1987, on the Lewis and Clark Community Collage parking lot. Harold Elmore, KC9GL, was given the difficult tasks of a first-year hamfest chairman. It was his
duty to design, organize, and successfully execute the first hamfest. And an excellent job he and his fellow committee members did! Until last year (1994), the first hamfest profits topped all others!
The club used an interesting method to select its hamfest day. Dean Oehler, KA9TOV, researched the weather data for past years in St. Louis. He concluded that it rained less on the third weekend of May than on any of the other available days. Everyone thought Dean had struck a gold mine until the 1990 hamfest. It rained steadily for nearly TWO hours on hamfest morning! You win some, you lose some! A tailgate hamfest was held in September to make up for the washed out May hamfest.
The club has made few major changes since that first hamfest, for nearly none were needed! The club did add an indoor section for vendors, but the hamfest format has not changed that much. However, the club has decided to blaze a new trail in 1995. By a vote of the club, the members decided to switch to a “Superfest.” Changes were necessary in the hamfest structure – the chairman was overloaded, more funds were needed, and the vendors wanted something new. In 1995, the hamfest will be moving to November, and everything will be indoors in the newly built River Bend Arena. Hopefully, the change will prove to be successful and start a new standard of excellence for hamfests!
Repeater
The pride of many clubs is its repeater. The LCRC has not always had a repeater they could call their own, and it took many people to put together the current one.
Before the club started, the area repeaters were 145.13, .23, and .31. After the club was formed, many of the members began to talk to each other on 145.230, owned by member Bill Preis, WV9M (ex: K9DZY). After a few years, the club decided to buy the repeater from Bill. Unfortunately, the club did not have enough funds to purchase the repeater. To make up for the lack of funds, they charged each member a $25 assessment. After the May hamfest in 1990, the funds were finally secured for the repeater and the payment was made to Bill. Thanks to Bill Preis, WV9M, for graciously giving the club interest free time to pay for the repeater.
The repeater was in bits and pieces when it was received. Ed Wilson, WD9GMO, built the repeater into the rack it is currently in. Jim Duffey, N9BHW, got permission for the club to place the transmit site at the Lewis and Clark Community College. Permission was received from Cybertel by Scott Clifton, WBOWIL, and the receive antenna was placed on their tower in Alton. Both of these sites have proven to be very good for the repeater. The club decided to install a remote receiver to help with reception from the north. Brent Urfer, N9SCM, secured FOUR sites for the club from the Jersey County Water District! The site at Fidelity was chosen as the remote receive site, and it should be operational by early 1995. Thanks to Brent Urfer, N9SCM, and the repeater committee for improving the repeater, and thanks also to all those who worked to get it started! The current north receive site is now located at Jersey Community Hospital.
After the repeater was going, a repeater trustee was needed. The names of all the past presidents were put in a hat, and Harold Elmore, KC9GL, was selected to be the repeater trustee. He says, “I can’t wait until they [the Federal Communications Commission] come out with club calls again!”
The club has a few brave soles who climb the club’s big towers. These people actually enjoy going up 250 feet to work on an antenna! They put in a lot of work and talent to keep the system going; thanks for donating your skills to the club.
Thanks to everyone on the repeater committee and others who put in their time and effort to keep the repeater going. The repeater serves as a SKYWARN repeater, it is used for many public service events done by the club, and it also was used for some Amateur Radio Emergency Service activities during the Great Flood of’93.
Vital Signs
Perhaps the two most important vital signs of a functioning club are its membership numbers and its financial situation. The Lewis and Clark Radio Club has some very impressive numbers indeed!
The number of members on the club roster has risen steadily since early 1985, although it has topped off in recent years. At the end of January 31, 1985, the number of members enrolled in the club was 40. These 40 original hams are now considered the charter members of the LCRC. At its highest point, membership in the Lewis and Clark Radio Clark numbered 169! That is an increase of nearly 130 hams! In recent years, membership numbers have averaged around 150.
The financial situation can be readily summed up by looking at the club dues. In 1985, club dues were $12 for adults, $6 dollars for seniors, and those under 16 years of age were free. The club has not EVER had to raise these dues. Very few clubs can boast this! The club supports an extensive repeater system, an advanced packet node, a scholarship, a newsletter, and other expenses solely from dues and hamfest returns. Truly amazing!
Incorporation
The Lewis and Clark Radio Club was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization on April 21, 1987. Under the name of the “Lewis and Clark Radio Club, Inc.”, the club now has not-for-profit status. This means that the club does not pay income taxes, and it also gives members and officers certain legal rights. Larry Roberts, W9MXC, was appointed as the trustee by the president of the LCRC. Harold Elmore, KC9GL, and Larry spent the day hand-walking the incorporation papers through the bureaucracy of the State offices in Springfield. Larry states that, “This was a costly afternoon for Harold – he lost his mobile antenna somewhere between Springfield and Gillespie, Illinois.”
Family Involvement
From the beginning, the club has tried to involve families in their events. The LCRC held its first family picnic in September of 1985. This has since become an event that the club often holds in both the spring and fall. At Field Day, the club has dinner on Saturday and invites the whole family to come along and stuff themselves.
Some members of the club have introduced their spouses to the hobby, and many of them are now becoming very involved in club activities. The Lewis and Clark Radio Club is becoming more diverse with each passing year, with young and old, male and female, and experienced and inexperienced hams becoming active members.
Christmas Party
The Christmas Party is a relatively new function for the club; the first Christmas Party was held in 1991. Those attending have always enjoyed great food, wonderful conversation, and an all around good time. Bob Richards, NOLSX (Silent Key), the former chief meteorologist for News Channel 5, was the Master of Ceremonies at the first two parties. Everyone had a good time listening to his funny anecdotes and great speaking voice. Last year, our own Dean Oehler, KA9TOV, performed MC duties, and this year’s Master of Ceremonies is Mark Repking, president of Liberty National Bank in Alton. The club buys presents to give out as door prizes, and Evelyn Elmore, N9VZN, makes the centerpieces, which are always a huge hit! Thanks to Evelyn for sharing her creative talent!
This year, the Christmas Party is doubling as a Tenth Anniversary Party for the LCRC. The Christmas Party is always a lot of fun, and it has quickly become a tradition in the Lewis and Clark Radio Club.
Public Servium
Service Through the Years
The club participates in numerous public service activities. Here is just a partial listing of some of the events for which the club has provided communications.
ADA Tour de Cure Bike Ride, Pride Bucket Brigade, Ride for Pride, River Road Run Pere, Marquette Mountain Run, U.S. Olympic Festival, ’94 Clark Bridge Dedication Walk, MS Walk
East Alton Centennial Run Operation, Santa Sports Car Club of America Road Rally, Alton High School Prom Parking Jail and Bail
Fireworks on the Mississippi .
Hands Across America
Alton Halloween Parade
Alton Sesquicentennial Parade
Bethalto Triathalon
Walk for AIDS
Special Olympic at SIUE
Jamboree on the Air
Crop Walk
Class of the 90’s
And much, much more . . .
Public service is an integral aspect of the Lewis and Clark Radio Club. Since its inception, the club has been playing an increasing role in the community. The LCRC participates in numerous activities, and it would be nearly impossible to name them all. Following is a brief highlight of some of the major events for which the club has communicated.
Bike rides and bike-a-thons are perhaps the most frequent events in which the club is asked to participate. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) hosts an annual bike ride through Calhoun, Greene, and Jersey counties in the Illinois River basin. This 25-, 50-, or 80- mile ride has always been a challenge. In 1994, the ride was expanded to 100 miles. For the three years this ride has taken place, the ADA has asked the club to participate through the direction of John Nell, N9FTA. The Macoupin County Amateur Radio Club has worked in conjunction with the LCRC in past years to help pull off this event. In 1991, the bike-a-thon’s first year, the club was only asked to help with “backup” communications. The organizers thought cellular phones would do the trick. They didn’t! The hams were relied on
heavily, and they have been asked back with large helpings of thanks. The club also has participated in the Ride for Pride. This bike ride takes place on the Great River Road in Alton, and the club provides the only communication for the event.
The Fireworks on the Mississippi has used the communications skills of the LCRC for a few of its summer celebrations. The club volunteers roamed the grounds of Riverfront Park in “official looking shirts” looking for problems and being of assistance. The club only worked this event for two years – enough was enough! Many funny stories came out of this event. Several volunteers recall it being at least 105 degrees (in the shade) one year. At least everyone liked wearing the shirts that had “Marshalling” written on them!
Some events happen only once a lifetime. For years the State had been planning and building the new Clark Bridge. This four lane structure was to replace the decaying, narrow, two lane “old” Clark Bridge. Work was finally completed in January of 1994, and a fitting dedication ceremony was planned. The Lewis and Clark Radio Club was to have the honor and distinction of providing communications for this historic event. It was finally decided to hold the event on Wednesday, January 5, 1994. The club used nearly 30 volunteers to cover the ceremony. Some were stationed on the bridge deck and its approaches, others at the shuttle busses, and others with the motorcade. Pity the poor people on the bridge and its approaches! The temperature was about 35 degrees, and the wind was from the north at 25 miles per hour. It was downright COLD on that bridge! Luckily, everyone was dressed warmly, and there were no reported cases of volunteer frostbite. Anyone who worked this event will not soon forget it.
When the Olympic Festival came to St. Louis in 1994, amateur communications played a role in those festivities as well. The Lewis and Clark Radio Club offered to provide the communications for two venues, the cycling time trials on the Alton River Road, and the cycling competition at Babler State Park in Missouri. Dennis Tuchalski, N9WDQ, was the Venue Communications Coordinator for both events. The work of all the hams provided excellent communications for both cycling events and they both went off smoothly.
In 1986, the LCRC provided communications for “Hands Across America.” People lined up and held hands from Broadway to the northern Madison/ Macoupin County line. Hams provided great communications for this huge event.
Although many of the events the club does are not that large in size, the LCRC makes an annual commitment to each, and the event organizers always ask us to help again. For example, every year the LCRC provides communications for the Pride Bucket Brigade, which paints houses throughout the area. They have grown to painting nearly 50 houses. Pride actually plans this event around our May hamfest! Let that be testimony of their gratitude!
Before the Lewis and Clark Radio Club was formed, the Egyptian Radio Club provided communications for the Alton Halloween Parade. When the LCRC was formed, it took over the communications for this event and has been doing so since 1985. Utilizing packet and voice, the club provides communications all along the parade route, and has radio cars at the beginning of each section to close up gaps. This event has been refined down to an art, and the organizers of the parade thank the club for a job well done.
In some events, the most uplifting reward is seeing the face of a young child made happy by something you have done. Often times, it is as fun for the communicator as it is for the child. The club used to cheer up the faces of many children at Christmas. After permission was given by an orphanage or a hospital, an “elf’ would offer young children a chance to talk with Santa Claus over the radio. A ham would be at the other end, having a blast playing the part of Santa. Thanks to Rich Morgan, KF9F, and a friend from Granite City for playing the part of Santa Claus and brightening the eyes of many children.
The club has communicated for many different events and organizations, and we can not possibly discuss all of them here. A big thanks to those who have organized or participated in any public service event. You are fulfilling the creed of amateur radio.
Bucket Brigade – 1993
Amateur Radio Emergency Service Communications
Since its beginning, the club has supported the Madison County Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). Many of its members also belong to ARES and are actively involved. Harold Mathis, KD9SG, is the county Emergncy Coordinator for ARES, and he is also an active LCRC club member. Most of the time, Amateur Radio Emergency Service members do not get a chance to exercise their skills except in a drill. However, they were given the chance of a lifetime last summer.
In the summer of 1993, the floods came. Almost everyone took notice. Eventually, the county Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) requested the help of amateur radio operators, and they jumped in head first. When the Illinois-American Water Company plant was knocked out by flood waters on August 1, club members immediately jumped in and helped to keep the water tanks full at many area water distribution sites. Others walked levees in Wood River or Choutau Island or rode emergency response vehicles for the Red Cross. Many hams provided necessary emergency communications and demonstrated their training.
The club roster was a useful resource to those recruiting communicators. When called upon, the club members responded, and to them Madison County ARES and the community are truly thankful.
An Eye Towards the Sky
Possibly the most frequent emergency support the Lewis and Clark Radio Club does is SKYWARN. SKYWARN is a program in which hams communicate with the National Weather Service in Weldon Spring, Missouri, and become their “eyes and ears.” SKYWARN spotters are trained to identify and report severe weather; most spotters receive training about once every one or two years. When severe storms threaten their county, hams spring into action and report in-formation through SKYWARN nets that filter back to the National Weather Service.
The club has always been supportive of SKYWARN functions. In 1985, Ray Botterbush, KA9RLK, began to organize a SKYWARN program for Madison County. In 1986 John Nell, N9FTA, became a ham and picked up the SKYWARN duties. Weather spotting was what got him interested in ham radio, he says. When he came onto the ham scene, he had his “hand in the air” to take over the position of SKYWARN coordinator for Madison County. From about 1987 on, John formulated SKYWARN in Madison County and in the LCRC. Many members of the LCRC joined the SKYWARN program and became valuable spotters for the National Weather Service (NWS).
Another service that the club provides is the use of their repeater for SKYWARN nets. When necessary, 145.230 becomes the weather focal point for Madison County. Severe weather in Madison County is reported on the net, and it also provides a link for reports from the Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery, and Bond County nets. A liaison then relays appropriate reports to the NWS.
At a SKYWARN training session in 1991, several SKYWARN coordinators from throughout the St. Louis area met and decided that St. Louis needed a group that could provide ideas, coordination, and support for SKYWARN due to its widespread popularity. And so, the Missouri-Illinois Regional SKYWARN Association (MIRS A) was formed to facilitate these ideas. With the support of the NWS, emergency managers, hams, and other SKYWARN spotters, the group has taken off! After outgrowing the meeting room at the NWS, they now meet at the St. Charles County EOC.
One of the changes SKYWARN has undergone has been the system of remote nets for each county. Every county (or group of a few counties) has its own net for the initial reporting of severe weather. That is then funneled into the National Weather Service net. This reduces the volume of traffic on every net, while maintaining quick communication links.
Specialists in Service
The Lewis and Clark Radio Club has the distinction of being able to call itself an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Special Service Club (SSC). In 1992 the club applied for special service club recognition and has held the honor since then. In order to be a SSC, a club must send a sylabus of the club’s activities to their Affiliated Club Coordinator. This person then talks with the club about its projects. If the club coordinator believes the club participates in the community and is well-rounded, it is recognized as a Special Service Club. Each year the club must refile an application to be a SSC. This is one duty of the ARRL liaison, who is appointed by the president of the club.
The LCRC is also an ARRL affiliated club. In order to be ARRL affiliated, 50 percent of the club members must also be members of the ARRL. This requirement has easily been met since 1985. Being a ARRL affiliated club gives us some special privileges, such as club services the ARRL offers and some hamfest advertising and coordination help, among other things.
Packet Radio
Packet radio is one of the newest facets of our hobby, for it has only been in existence since the early 1980’s. From packet’s humble beginnings, several club members have been heavily involved in its development. Currently, the LCRC supports the node ALN, which is a node that provides packet access to all of the St. Louis Metro area via the “backbone.”
In 1987, Shawn Knight, N9KYQ, and several other club members put up a digipeater on a tower owned by Bill Preis, WV9M. A digipeater is a “stupid” node that only repeats packets, it does no routing. This system worked so well that the club decided to sponsor the digipeater. At that time the digipeater was running on borrowed equipment; the club bought new equipment to make it a first class system. And it was!
Around 1990, several major changes took place rather quickly. Digipeaters were being replaced by nodes. (A node is a “smart” digipeater that routes packets automatically via the best possible route.) To keep up with technology, the club switched to a node instead of a digipeater; fortunately this upgrade required little more than changing a microchip. At this same time, the club was looking for a new node site. The Alton State Mental Hospital was reworking the top 50 feet of their smokestack, and offered to put our antenna on the top for only $200. The node committee jumped at this great opportunity offered to them. The equipment was moved to the State Hospital, and the antenna was placed at the very top. As soon as the antenna was in place, the coax was run down and connected to the system. It worked GREAT! The node was functional for only 24 hours when a huge storm came along. That night, lighting struck the antenna and blew it into a thousand pieces. It destroyed the coax, but luckily it stopped at the lighting protector and did not damage any equipment. Shawn states that the antenna still stands on the top of the tower as a memorial, and it looks “like a horse’s tail.”
With the support of the club, the node is still providing a vital entry point into the St. Louis area packet system. After it was moved to the State Hospital, a link to the “backbone” was installed to give packet access to all of St. Louis, as well as California and other distant areas. The antenna was also moved to a lower location on the roof of the building! It has had several aliases, but the node currently is called “ALN.” A big thanks goes out to Shawn Knight, N9KYQ (ex KA9YMY), and John Nell, N9FTA, for maintaining this system and putting so much time into it.
Another club member, Harold Mathis, KD9SG, runs TOYBBS, a bulletin board system (BBS) serving the Metro East area. His board has become well known throughout the area, and nearly all club members on packet utilize his BBS for their messages. John Nell, N9FTA, runs the weather node, ALNWXN. Connectees to this system have access to a variety of Alton weather conditions.
There are also several club members who were involved with the development of packet radio systems in St. Louis. They produced the packet system hundreds of hams use every day, and many are still working to improve the system. Thanks to all of them for developing and maintaining this valuable resource.
ARRL Board Approves AX.25 Packet Radio Protocol
This was the headline of an article appearing in the December, 1984, QST1 magazine. In October of 1984, the ARRL Board of Directors voted for approval of a link- layer protocol for amateur packet radio: QST stated, “Adoption of a standard link-layer protocol sets the stage for global growth of amateur packet radio.”
A protocol is simply a format and a procedure describing how to handle the things called for in that format. The AX.25 protocol that was approved in l984 is the system still used today to ensure that the packets we type from our dusty keyboards is the same data that arrives at our friends computer screen.
Amazingly this basic protocol that we rely on-today was formally adopted only 10 years ago! Although it was only of seven different required layers, this standardization was one of the instrumental developments that made packet as popular as it is today.
December 1984 QST, Pg35,36 by Paul Rinaldo, W4RI
Nets
The LCRC has operated several nets through the years. Currently, however, the only net run by the club is the Monday night net on our repeater, 145.230. This net has been in existence since 1985 and is still going strong. Each Monday at 8 PM a net control opens the net, which usually has about 20 to 25 check-ins. The net manager, Ed Turnbeaugh, KA9MCR, did a great job of keeping plenty of net controls so that no one has too much work. Sometime in there Dennis, WA9RD, took over until 2015. Russell Goss, KD9FAL, became Net Manager in 2015 and served until 2020. Mike Kluthe, KD9ARW, filled in from 2020 until he resigned from Net Manager in 2021.
For about a year, the club ran a net called the Gentle Giant Net. It met once a week on ten meters, but it never really took off. After several of the net controls had equipment problems the net faded into the ionosphere . . .
The club also operated a novice net, but for an even shorter length of time. From late 1986 to early 1987 the novice net met on 15 meters to help hams learn Morse Code and to have fun as well! Bob Hamilton from KMOX Radio in St. Louis credits this net for his proficiency in Morse Code.
For about two years, the club held code practice weekly on the repeater. Using a Commodore 64 computer, code was sent over the repeater for hams to buff up on their skills. The stations who initiated the sending sacrificed much of their time to provide this service. It took nearly two hours to get ready for each session! Due to the amount of time it consumed, this practice eventually ended.
Field Day
Field Day – 1987
The club has participated in Field Day for many years. It has been held at Belk Park in Wood River, Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, and Gordon Moore Park in Alton. The LCRC has always done well and has exhibited amateur radio to the community. Field Day also offers a chance to check up on our emergency communications skills, and everyone has a lot of fun doing it!
Newsletter
The club has always strived to maintain good communication with its members, and one of the most important ways they do this is through our newsletter. The club newsletter has undergone many changes, but it has always done an great job of keeping the LCRC members informed.
From 1984 to 1992, the club newsletter was edited and produced (and oftentimes written!) by Jim Duffey, N9BHW, and Dean Oehler, KA9TOV. They did excellent work and provided a wonderful newsletter for many years.
In 1993, the newsletter editorship was transferred to the capable hands of Larry Roberts, W9MXC, and Harold Elmore, KC9GL. It always was and still is a very professional looking newsletter that keeps the members informed. A big thanks goes out to all the past and current editors. Another thanks to Evelyn Elmore and Linda Roberts for doing an excellent job folding the newsletter!
Lewis and Clark Community College Involvement
The Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) supports and encourages the club with superb enthusiasm. Several employees of the college are hams and actively encourage LCCC support for the club. These employees are Jim Duffey, N9BHW; Dean Oehler, KA9TOV; and Bob Shaw, N9KOX. A big thanks to them for helping support the club!
The Lewis and Clark Radio Club would also like to thank two other LCCC officials. Dale Chapman, the current president of Lewis and Clark Community College, and Neal Admire, former president of LCCC, have provided unwavering support for the LCRC. These gentlemen have made every effort to accommodate the needs of the club, and we would like to offer our sincere thanks to them.
Testers and Teachers
The LCRC offers two services important to the ham community. The LCRC has sponsored a Volunteer Examining team since November of 1985 that provides bimonthly testing sessions. These sessions offer prospective hams a chance to get their license and current hams an opportunity to upgrade their license class. Since the first session, nearly 300 candidates have upgraded or entered the hobby. Rich Morgan, KF9F, and the other members of the team put in much time to offer hams a chance to upgrade or enter amateur radio.
A crucial duty of amateur radio clubs is to bring new people into the hobby. One of the ways clubs can do this is to offer classes on becoming an amateur radio operator. Since February of 1985, the Lewis and Clark Community College has offered ham radio classes with the support of the Lewis and Clark Radio Club. A member of our club teaches the class, our volunteer examining team tests them, and, if they pass, they are given a one year complimentary membership in the LCRC. Only six people have taught these classes since the beginning, and many of the teachers have taught these classes for years. Thanks to all of them for promoting and teaching others about our hobby!
Silent Keys in the Club
The following members of the Lewis and Clark Radio Club have passed away since the club was formed.
| Bill Coleston | W9RXO |
| Ed Ford | K9CWL |
| Bill Hoey | WA9REY |
| Earl Leady | K9DYN |
| Dean Mabb | N9YHP |
| Emmit Nowlan | W9LWH |
| Bob Richards | NOLSX |
| Jim Ruyle | K9DSF |
| Sylester Scovell | W9TZY |
| Mel Weigel | KA9TZX |
May they rest in peace.
Credits/Acknowledgements
Main Sources Harold Elmore, KC9GL
Larry Roberts, W9MXC Ron Wright, N9ADJ
I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all who have helped with this project. Thanks to all of the sources who have given the information within and also many good stories to retell. To Larry, Harold, and Ron, thank you for offering most of the historical information, and also for putting up with frequent questions about the topics. To the other sources not mentioned here, I could not possibly list all of your names. Thank you for filling in many of the details and providing information on the topics in which you specialize. And to all of the club members, thank you. I hope you enjoy this history, and may it bring a smile to the faces of all those remembering “the good old days.” May the Lewis and Clark Radio Club, Inc., and its members continue to grow and prosper in amateur radio.
Editor – Adam Weyhaupt, N9MEZ
The Amateur Code
The Radio Amateur is:
CONSIDERATE . . . never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
LOYAL . . . offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.
PROGRESSIVE . . . with knowledge abreast of science, a well- built and efficient station and operation above reproach.
FRIENDLY . . . slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.
BALANCED . . . radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school, or community.
PATRIOTIC . . . station and skill always ready for service to country and community.
(The original Amateur’s Code was written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928.);