Memory is a strange phenomenon…it can be triggered by the smallest thing and take us back to places that may be long forgotten.  Have you ever spent a rainy day in the attic of a family home, searching through boxes and trunks and finding treasured letters, photos or pieces of your life that bring back sights and sounds – and stir emotions – that that make you smile?   

Such is the experience of a trip to the ARRL attic…a place where cabinets of rare documents, boxes of precious photographs and radio artifacts have been gathered over the years.  While they can evoke memories and teach us details of our Amateur Radio history, and while we would like to ensure that we will be able to share them with future generations of radio amateurs, the natural effects of aging are putting them at risk.  

At ARRL there are the main pieces of a 1909 radio station that capture the technology of a bygone era.  There are more than 100 file cabinets of documents, including a nearly complete set of logbooks from W1AW, that chronicle ARRL and Amateur Radio history but that are fragile and require special handling.  There are boxes of photographs and negatives reflecting every aspect of ARRL history that need better protection before they are lost forever. 

The ARRL recognizes its important role as steward of this historically and scientifically valuable collection.  With generous financial support from the YASME Foundation, ARRL is taking important steps to catalog each document and photograph and scan the most fragile photographs and ngatives. The YASME Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation organized to conduct scientific and educational projects related to Amateur Radio, and whose generous contributions to the ARRL Historic Preservation Fund continue the spirit of Jim Maxwell, W6CF, who spearheaded efforts to preserve Amateur Radio history.   

ARRL needs your contribution to continue the preservation process and ensure that no piece of Amateur Radio’s magical and storied history is lost. Will you join us and keep the ARRL Historic Preservation process moving forward?   

ARRL is doing what’s necessary to preserve what we have. Responsible stewardship requires no less.  Portions of the collection have been moved into a secure protective environment. Catalog software is enabling volunteers to diligently record each document.  And others have joined the effort to preserve two thousand fragile negatives. Their careful progress is helping ARRL protect the precious history found in this collection.   

But there is so much more that must be done.  Additional irreplaceable documents, books and artifacts will be identified and we must have the resources to preserve them for research and for future generations.   

Our history and traditions are important and unique…for they help us understand who we are and where we’ve been.  Your contribution will help us preserve the precious archives that past generations have built and will ensure that each of us can celebrate their rich legacy. 

 Let your memory and your heart be your guide as you consider a contribution in any amount to join ARRL and the YASME Foundation to preserve the treasures of Amateur Radio history. 

If you you’d like more information or to discuss your giving plans, call the Development Office at 1-860-594-0397 or contact us by email at mhobart@arrl.org. 

 Note: ARRL is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organization holding tax identification # 06-6000004.  Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.