The Quarter Century Wireless Association was organized to Promote friendship and cooperation among Amateur Radio operators who were licensed at least a quarter century ago.

It all began on the evening of November 14, 1947 during a round table with John DiBlasi, W2FX, Uda Ross, W2UD, John Gioe, W2FD, Edwin S. Crane, W2EF, Dr. Ernest Cyriax, W2DI, and Irving R. Groves, W2DX. They decided they should meet together and with other old-timers, form an association of amateur radio operators who have been licensed for twenty-five or more years.

The first official meeting was held on Friday evening, December 5, 1947 in New York City, at which time the following were elected as officers of the newly founded Quarter Century Wireless Association. John DiBlasi, W2FX as President, George T. Droste, W2IN as Vice-president, Leon A. Hansen, W2FIT, as Secretary, and David Talley, W2PF as Treasurer. There were 34 in attendance at that first meeting. Charter membership was left open for a short time to allow others who were not able to attend the first meeting to formally become members. The roll of Charter members closed with a total of 54.

There are presently more than 10,000 active members of QCWA -- and nearly 30,000 membership numbers have been assigned over the years by Headquarters. Although the majority of these amateurs live in the United States, membership stretches from Australia to Zimbabwe.

A great deal of the growth and dynamic character of QCWA, since it was founded in 1947,is a direct result of the Chapters chartered across the continent and around the world. Today there are 152 QCWA Chapters in the United States. These Chapters are self-governing, making an annual report to the National organization, and they operate in substantial agreement with the National Constitution and By-Laws.

Members may belong to multiple local Chapters, although -- for the purposes of Headquarters' recordkeeping -- each must designate a Home Chapter. Regardless of local affiliation, every QCWA member is welcome to partake of all local and national QCWA meeting and on-the-air activities.

The Long Island chapter has almost 100 amateurs who are honored as Charter Members. These are the members who joined during the first two months of the chapter's existence in 1975. Several of them are still active in the chapter. Early participants who have Honorary Membership as a result of their significant contributions are:

          Harry Dannals                             W2HD
          Arthur DeVinney                           W2RRY
          John DiBlasi                              W2FX
          Jules Freundlich                          W2JGR
          Frank Gunther                             W2ALS
          Lew McCoy                                 W1ICP
          Dave Winter                               W2AUF

Another benefit of being a member is The QCWA Journal.Officers, directors, and members communicate with each other. A typical quarterly issue will be nearly 60 pages in length, with about 25 percent of the space devoted to Chapter Reports. Also included are numerous columns and feature articles, classified ads offered free to members, a listing of Member Supplies that can be ordered, and a blank application form you can use to sponsor a new member.

The QCWA Journal is published four times each year, and mailed third-class to United States members during the months of March, June, September, and December.