The SMARC history page

Brief Club History

The club has been in existence since 1966 with 3 meeting locations since starting.
The club originally started out as a Boy Scout Troop in South Milwaukee.
The main troop leader was a Ham and encouraged them to all get licenses!
And his being such a great Elmer; they all did! Wanting to remain a group -
they formed the SMARC club.

NOTE: That troop leader has been our club president ever since it started!
His name is Verne Teske and his call is W9RYA!

Our club started by meeting in a mobile office trailer on the City Garage grounds.
As the club grew we moved to the Senior Citizens Center. And, continued growth
had us seek out another larger site. We ended up in the nearby city of Oak Creek;
where we still meet today. All meetings, auctions, etc. are held at the same site.

The club started with about 15 members; & had at one time over 60 members;
which has now settled down to about 35 members currently.

The club sought and obtained ARRL affiliation early on. For many years obtaining
100% affiliation status! Most members today are also ARRL members.

In the past the club had also cleaned a 4 mile portion of US Hwy 41 (27th st.) for
about 10 years.