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The Lancaster Radio Association is the first Amateur Radio club formed in Lancaster County, PA. LRA was chartered by the ARRL on 14 July 1922. The charter was signed by Hiram Percy Maxim first president of the ARRL. See New Holland, PA news, 9 June 1922, for information on relations between the Lancaster Radio Association and the Chester County Radio Association. The Chester County Radio Association was chartered in 1921. The Reading Radio Club was chartered in 1922. This was the time period when radio broadcasting was very new and the separation of Amateur Radio and broadcasting was not very clear. Most listeners built their own receiving equipment and were supported by the radio clubs. Bruce Allen, N7MI, provided the photos of the Lancaster Radio Association charter. Other documents related to LRA were supplied by Lloyd Jury. Lloyd is a member of the Antique Wireless Association and an avid collector of old radios. I am looking for early history of radio clubs in the surrounding counties of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Please contact the author, W3FEY, if you can supply any information. Charter MembersOne of the charter members of LRA was John A. Roehm, 3ADM, later W3ADM. The earliest known 3ADM log still in existence starts 30 Oct 1925. Johnny Roehm as he was known when I (W3FEY) joined the Lancaster Radio Transmitting Society in 1956 was a great CW operator who always participated in the LRTS Field Day operations. The Lancaster Radio Transmitting Society club call W3AD was held by Robert E. Coxey, 411 Lafayette St., Lancaster, PA. Bob Coxey was active on two meters after WWII with a converted SCR522 and a phased array of two half wave elements. These pages prepared and maintained by W3FEY. More history to be added as time permits. |
