W2SZ Amateur Radio Club records
Scope and Contents
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Amateur Radio Club records (2010-14) collections primarily consists of QSL cards mailed to W2SZ by ham radio operators from around the world. Each card documents the sender's call letters along with the date, time, and location where a W2SZ message was received. Many of the cards also contain a graphic image representing the institution or area in which the message was received. The collection also contains two record books from the 1950s to the 1960s, a 1925 relay station certificate, and miscellaneous items.
Dates
- Created: 1924-1974
Creator
- W2SZ Amateur Radio Club (Organization)
Biographical or Historical Information
The RPI Amateur Radio Club was established on the Rensselaer campus around 1924. Originally formed at the Troy, New York, YMCA as radio station 2SZ, it later became W2SZ when the FCC mandated the addition of a W or K prefix to stations’ call letters. For many years the station was located in the attic of Sage Laboratory, and its antennae became a prominent feature on the building’s rooftop. After several moves, the station now resides in a trailer known as “the shack” on Sunset Terrace, where it overlooks the campus.
Club members maintain and operate radio equipment, hold licensing examinations, offer training, and participate in competitions. In addition to honing their skills on a variety of equipment, operators offer public services such as emergency communications in times of need.
Note written by
Extent
4.50 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Ham radio QSL cards and other records of the R.P.I. Amateur Radio Club.
Arrangement Note
Arranged in two series: I. QSL cards (arranged in rough chronological order), and II. Miscellaenous records.
- Author
- T.A.Gobert
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- eng
Repository Details
Part of the Institute Archives and Special Collections Repository
110 8th Street
Institute Archives and Special Collections
Rensselaer Libraries, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy NY 12180-3590 US
518 276 8340
lib-archives@rpi.edu