The
North West Amateur Radio Club ,previously known as the Western
Transvaal Branch of The South African Radio League which was
established on 1st of August 1996 at a General meeting for members
in Klerksdorp ,North west province.History:
In 1947 a group of Radio Amateurs living in Potchefstroom felt they
needed to meet at times to exchange ideas and information regarding
their hobby.
During that year the Potch HAM's decided to form the Potchefstroom
Amateur Radio Club (P.A.R.C). The exact date is not known.
The founders were Dave Reeves ZS6EY, Fred Stanbridge, Paul van
Velden ZS6JT, Chris Rabie ZS6VR, Bertie Haus and Issy Kotzen ZS6JK.
The first known AGM was held in 1951 and the following committee
members were elected to serve the P.A.R.C: (Chairman) C.J. Rabie
ZS6VR, (Secretary) D.L. Reeves ZS6EY and (Members) W.R van Velden
ZS6JT, R.Ingram ZS6SP, J. Raath ZS6RS.
On a monthly meeting on the 19th July 1951, which was held in the
Queen's Hotel in Potchefstroom , also attended by Klerksdorp
members, the P.A.R.C. changed its name to the Western Transvaal
Branch of the South African Radio League with a asset of nine
pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence in cash. It was then
proposed to open a savings account with the Netherlands Bank in
Potchefstroom. After this the Branch grew and expanded its
membership beyond the main centres of Potch and Klerksdorp to other
neighboring towns.
In June, 1959 OM Ben Hough ZS6ARC was elected chairman but a few
months later Ben became a silent key and at the monthly meeting of
the 26th November 1959 OM Jack Appelbaum ZS6AUJ from Klerksdorp was
elected chairman. At the following AGM OM Jack was re-elected as
chairman. By now it was clear that the administration of the Branch
was going to move to Klerksdorp and the secretary was instructed to
notify HQ and all branches of the change of address to P.O. Box 21,
Klerksdorp.
Source: History of the Western Transvaal Branch of the South African
Radio League (1949-1985) by OM Joe Mayer ZS6ANW.
