The following history was written by Chuck Olson, W3CVD, Charter Secretary and Past Historian of the Maryland Mobileers Amateur Radio Club. Chuck was one of the original founding members present when the club was established on September 18, 1969. His account preserves the story of how the club began, in his own words.
Please Note:
For our Friday night club meeting on September 13, 2024, the Maryland Mobileers Amateur Radio Club celebrated our 55th Anniversary which actually occurred on the following Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Our Humble Beginnings
de – Chuck Olson, W3CVD
Past Historian and Charter Secretary
Under the pretext of a social gathering, a group of 15 local amateur radio operators crowded into the living/dining area of (W3FDU), Jim Fournier’s mobile home in Hanover, Maryland, on the evening of September 18th, 1969. However, this diverse group of civilian and military ham operators was no strangers to each other, having come together under the persuasion and coordination of W3FDU, come together the previous June to form an impromptu, but surprisingly successful Field Day team.
Jim, W3FDU, being a visionary as well as a very persuasive salesman, had a hidden agenda. Shortly following our arrival, he introduced a proposal and quickly convinced the group of the need to form an emergency and service-oriented radio club to assist in community events and supplement the local government communications in times of an emergency, but still leaving ample time for “contesting” as a means of fun while improving our radio skills. Having a consensus of the group in support of organizing such a group, Jim further suggested an appropriate name for this group, the Maryland Mobileers Amateur Radio Club. This name was chosen taking into consideration that the majority of the group members had HF mobile radio capability installed in their personal vehicles. Keep in mind, this was in an era that preceded “repeaters” and the development of affordable handheld and mobile VHF/uhf radio that have become the popular choice today.
Next in order on that same evening was the editing and signing of a Charter (which, by coincidence, Jim had already drafted), followed by a vote to nominate and select the following Charter Officers:
President – Jim Fournier, W3FDU
Vice Pres – Bob Reese, WA3NNG
Secretary – Chuck Olson, W3CVD
Treasurer – Jim Ballew, WA3MRH
Activity Dir. – Art Dunn, WA3NCT
Net Emerg. Coordinator – Ralph Dellegatti, K3CMY
Thus, at the end of that busy evening of September 18, 1969, some 55 years ago, the Maryland Mobileers Amateur Radio Club became a viable entity. A set of bylaws and incorporation papers was filed shortly thereafter.
In retrospect, probably the highest expectations of most of the Charter Members on that evening were that given the opportunity to demonstrate and promote the Club’s radio resources and our operational proficiency, we could at least hold the group’s interest and stay in touch as a group until the next Field Day. Unfortunately, several of that original group of Charter Members have become “Silent Keys,” while others have scattered across the country and are hard to contact since they have requested different Call Signs or no longer have an interest in amateur radio. Nevertheless, after five decades, History has proven our initial expectations to have been short-sighted.
So, in concluding this short glimpse into the Club’s history, on behalf of the Charter Group, I pass along our great appreciation to the dedication and loyalty of all of the Club’s Officers and members who have succeeded us.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MMARC WHEN WE CELEBRATE OUR FIFTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2024.
We are still going and growing!
More than five decades after that September evening in 1969, the Maryland Mobileers Amateur Radio Club continues to serve the amateur radio community through education, public service, emergency communications, Field Day, Hamfest, youth programs, and fellowship. We proudly honor the vision of our founders as we continue building the future of amateur radio.
