Purdue

University Amateur Radio club

By Megan Neely
January 31, 2016

The Purdue University Amateur Radio club is an organization on campus that, once again,

provides endless opportunity for students no matter their interests and passions. Purdues first radio club
was created in 1932 as the oldest in Purdue history, and also remains the one of the oldest radio stations
in existence. While Purdue Professor, Reginald A. Fessenden, was the first to broadcast voice over radio in
1906, The Purdue Amateur Radio Club was founded 26 years later with the purpose to provide
experiences and opportunity for amateur radio operators on campus.
This organization, using two-way communications through radio frequency, consists of roughly 50
members who all have one thing in commonan interest in radio. Although radio counts as a form of
broadcasting, the Radio Club is unique in the sense where it focuses on two-way communication, not like
a traditional one-way broadcast. The Radio Club facilitates licensed communications locally, regionally or

even world wide as W9YB, while allowing its licensed members to practice with High Frequency
Transmitters and Repeaters. The club provides real world experience to its members with the location
(The Shack) and radio equipment, on top of reinforcing aspects that are learned in the classroom.
The oldest radio club in Purdue history, and one of the oldest radio stations in existence, includes
members that are known as hams. To further explain the structure and history behind the Radio Club,
Ham is the actual nickname and term used for licensed, amateur radio enthusiasts and operators. In
order to operate Ham radio, one must be licensed and experienced, which is what the club allows its
members to do. WY9B is the clubs callsign, acting as an easy identity name for the public to know. The
callsigns work in the same way with actual individuals where members are given numbers and letters that
act as their radio identity. As mentioned before, Purdue professor, Reginald A. Fessenden, was the first to
broadcast voice over radio in 1906, eventually creating the club that exists today. The local Purdue
station, WBAA and the Radio Club used to be intertwined, giving entertainment with music and shows by
day, and providing two-way broadcasting by radio amateurs (Hams) overnight. That station was called
9YB, until 1932 when the two organizations split.
Overall, the club exists today to continue the exploration of amateur radio and expand the
knowledge of future amateurs to come. The club teaches its members skills and knowledge that will
benefit them in their future careers. Atmospheric science, meteorology, Radio Frequency Engineering,
electronic design theory, and repeatable testing / quality assurance are some of the many skills that
members obtain while being involved with the Radio Club.
Radio Club Secretary, Paul Thieme, is a sophomore majoring in Agricultural Engineering Machine
Systems. He enjoys being a member of the club because of the variety of team talent it includes.
Everybody has a different talent, and if there is something I dont know, there is always
somebody I can ask, said Thieme. Similarly, if someone doesnt know something about mechanics (what
Im good at) Ill always be glad to help. Thieme explained that the club structure causes the members to
operate as a team, ultimately bettering the team, as a whole.
The Shack, the home of the Radio Club, is located on campus at the Purdue University Memorial
Union (370), where members spend time during the week working on projects, communicating through

high frequency transmitters, or building and repairing receivers. Thieme expressed how his favorite part
of the club is the access it provides.
I am always building something - either designing a new piece of equipment or fixing old ones -
and the clubs electrical test equipment makes this much easier to do.
Winter 2015 graduate in Electrical Engineering Technology, Gary Brill, said his experience
consisted of constant application of amateur radio. Everything from tracking high altitude balloons to
talking with people around the world, Brill said. Through many of the projects, we help to reinforce and
provide real world applications of what our members learn about in their coursework, plus we get to
meet a diverse group of individuals that we probably wouldn't have outside of the hobby.
New Member, Rachel McCartney, who is also studying Electrical Engineering Technology, would
agree. She said that the club helps her to apply what she is learning in her classes.
Everyone is friends with each other, McCartney explained, Were a giant squad with radios!
Club President, Al Ferrante is a sophomore majoring in Electrical Engineering, and is constantly
amazed when topics he already knows come up in class, all because of his experience with the Radio Club.
Ferrante loves learning about new and old concepts of radio in hopes of bettering his current knowledge
with technology. As the president, his experience and knowledge with radio and technology is used to
expand the club as he passes on what he knows to the fellow hams. Helping new and aspiring hams is
personally one of the most rewarding aspects of the hobby, said Ferrante.
For more information about the Purdue University Amateur Radio Club, visit
http://www.w9yb.org/history/ or https://www.facebook.com/w9ybparc/?fref=nf. The door of the Shack
is always open and excited to welcome students who are interested in their unique two-way
communication.