Hudson Division history

1917 – A growing ARRL creates the original six divisions

In 1917, a growing ARRL divided up the US into divisions to better decentralize its leadership and manage its growing membership.

ARRL divisions, QST, May 1917

1924 – The Hudson Division is created, elects L.J. Dunn, 2CLA as its first director

As the league grew bigger, at the July, 1924 board meeting, the by-laws were amended to create the Hudson Division, effective September 1, 1924. Its first director, Dr. Lawrence J. Dunn, 2CLA was elected in November of that year and took office on January 1, 1925.

Hudson Division announcement, QST September 1924

1925 – 2nd district convention held in the Hudson Division

The first ARRL convention in what was now officially the Hudson Division was originally scheduled for March 4th to 7th, 1925 but opened on March 2nd, at 2PM at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City. It was held in conjunction with the 5th annual radio show and Executive Radio council. A weeklong event boasting some 20,000 attendees, it hosted many of the movers and shakers in the radio industry, the Army and Navy, and of course the ARRL, Hiram Percy Maxim, 1AW and Hudson Division’s newly elected director, Dr. L.J. Dunn, 2CLA. The Blue Ribbon award went to the Bronx Radio Club for the most interesting booth, consisting of a miniature replica of several radio stations across the country.

Exterior of the Hotel Pennsylvania, site of the 2nd district convention

1926 – The first official Hudson Division convention

In 1926, the first official Hudson Division convention took place. The convention had several changes from the previous year including fewer commercial exhibits, along with a date change from March to May. It was more of an educational affair and a meeting than a show and hosted fewer attendees since it was more of a closed convention for ARRL members. The following years followed similar formats and was held at the same venue.

1929 – Dr. A.L. Walsh becomes director

In 1929, Dr. A. Lafayette Walsh, W2BW became director, taking office in January, 1929. In October 1929 it was reported in New York Newspapers that his home had exploded due to the gas being left on and later ignited. (Strays, QST, February 1930). Walsh was later a Charter Member  and Director (1947-1968) of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA). His membership number is 22. He joined QCWA on 12/31/1947.

“Doc” Walsh. Photo courtesy QCWA

1932 – New Jersey hosts its first Hudson Division convention, Hudson Division pilots revamped QSL bureau

In 1932, for the first time the convention was held across the Hudson river at the Athletic club in Newark, New Jersey . It was sponsored by the Bloomfield Radio Club and boasted almost 500 attendees. The best attended event was the Royal Order of the Wouff Hong (R.O.W.H.) ceremony which was revived by the Brooklyn Radio Club.

In the 1930s, typical stations were vacuum tube based, and hams used both CW and AM (phone), with some even using an automated typewriter system using continental code, similar to commercial stations. One such station was W2AYN. There were no computers back then, so it was all done with punched tape.

W2AYN automated station (QST, March 1933)

In the 1930s, things were moving fast and furious. QSL card exchange with foreign amateurs became a routine part of each radio amateur’s activities. ARRL was buried with QSL cards, receiving as much as 1500 per day. Many of these cards were SWL cards, aka “Listener cards.” The ARRL needed to figure out how to deal with this additional QSL volume.

Enter Mr. H. A. Schmidt, W2AEN of Brooklyn, NY. Schmidt was the first regional QSL bureau manager, and radio amateurs living in District 2 (W2) interested in receiving QSL cards would send self addressed stamped envelopes to the bureau manager. This system worked so well that the ARRL rolled it out nationwide in 1933. The Hudson Division would then go on to make history as having the first club to operate an incoming QSL bureau, the North Jersey DX Association (NJDXA), who still handles the incoming W2 bureau to this day.

To be continued…