TAMPA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB, Inc.

W4DUG

A BRIEF HISTORY

In mid 1922 amateur radio operators of Tampa got together to organize the "Citizens Radio Club" which was headquartered over the garage of amateur operator 4HE at 707 Azeele Street. The first club president was Don Thomson who was instrumental in building and placing Florida's first commercial broadcast transmitter, WDAE, on the air. Members of the Citizens Radio Club participated in all activities of amateur radio. In 1927 the Citizens Radio Club began what would become a long standing activity of setting up an amateur radio station at the Florida State Fair and provide Fair goers an opportunity to send messages back home via amateur radio. This activity continued over six decades, producing hundred of thousands of message traffic originated, handled, and delivered by amateur radio operators world wide. The Citizens Radio Club moved from 4HE's garage to Davis Islands Country Club and began operating as Tampa Amateur Radio Club. On February 26, 1935 Peter O. Knight, a ham operator whom the airport on Davis Islands is named, formally chartered Tampa Amateur Radio Club, Inc. Also in 1935 Tampa Amateur Radio Club became affiliated with the American Radio Relay League, making Tampa Amateur Radio Club one of the oldest ARRL affiliated clubs in the United States with 22 years of continuous affiliation.

With the outbreak of WWII every amateur operator in the United States had to get off the air and remove all antennas. It was during WWII years that the Coast Guard built their local Headquarters on Davis Islands, the Marjorie park property from the yacht basin south. After the Armistice in 1945, amateurs were permitted back on the air. The City of Tampa took over all of the Coast Guard property and allowed the Club to conduct meetings on some of the barracks buildings south of the yacht basin. When these barracks were to be dismantled Tampa Amateur Radio Club approached the City of Tampa to lease the small building that had been the Coast Guard brig. In agreement with the City of Tampa the brig was enlarged into the building that has been home for Tampa Amateur Radio Club since 1946. For 51 years, W4DUG, Tampa Amateur Radio Club has been on the air from its Davis Islands location.

Tampa Amateur Radio Club clubhouse is the site of many activities which provide fellowship, learning opportunities, and air time on W4DUG operating all the bands, from 160 meters to 2 meters, in many different operating modes. Tampa Amateur Radio Club helps new hams increase their operating skills and helping upgrading their license class by sponsoring code and theory classes. One the most valuable resources of Tampa Amateur Radio Club is its members. The wide range of expertise (ELMER) that can be offered to interested hams wanting to learn more about our hobby.

Business Meetings are conducted the first Monday of the Month. Technical Meetings are conducted on the third Monday of the Month. You may also visit Tampa Amateur Radio Club Monday nights from 06:30 to 09:00 PM. The clubhouse is located on 22nd Street North,Tampa Florida. Come chat, operate, or just visit.