Organized in September of 1934 the Starved Rock Radio Club is sixty one years old. Their affiliation with the ARRL dates back to March of 1934. This club has tried to give faithful, co-operative service and assistance for the betterment of amateur radio, in the promotion of interest in amateur radio communications, for the advancement of the radio art, for the use of amateur radio for public service and welfare, and for the maintenance of fraternalism and the promotion of good fellowship along with a high standard of conduct.

SRRC Co-founder Leslie E. Anderson W9MKS devoted most of his time to amateur radio. He made acquaintances with countless radio associates. Endowed with a wonderful personality which attributed to his secret of making and keeping friends, he possessed a rare sense of humor which can be seen in the minutes he left back before he joined the "Silent Keys".

The call sign of co-founder Leslie E. Anderson W9MKS, was adopted as the club call after his death. We believed this to be the second time in the history of amateur radio that a club received an honorary call sign. The first being W1AW the call of Hiram Percy Maxim founder and organizer of the American Radio Relay League in 1914.

In 1958 the SRRC was 25 years old. AT that time they had a permanent club house near Lowell, Illinois. The club house consisted of a reception room, radio room, and complete kitchen.

On October 30, 1958 at the Tonica, Illinois Fireman Hall the members of the SRRC enjoyed their 25th anniversary. Over 40 attended what was described as a "delightful delectable delicious dinner...A SRRC SPECIAL". The entertainment consisted of colorful pictures of the Polar Radar Dew Line, and heard remarks about this defense line from Mr. Thomas Hummer, instructor at Federal Electric of Streator, Illinois. Members present that were also at the first preliminary meeting in of the SRRC in July of 1933 were: W9NIU, W9NGG, AND W9LIG.

Today the SRRC has a club house in Leonore, Illinois, with over 50 members from around the local area. Two of them are charter members, C.H. Perdew W9BIN who was granted a life time membership can no longer join us for meetings, and Hugo Borri W9LIG who still attends regular meetings to this day. The membership today are still committed to the ideals of the original members of 1934.    Hugo Bori, W9LIG.  Hugo passed away November 10, 2001.





Copyright 1997 Starved Rock Radio Club, Leonore, Il USA
Document last updated on: 10/ 13, 2007
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Eldon Akers KB9PZA