History
History Of The Young Ladies Radio League
In 1939 the Young Ladies Radio League came into existence. Small in scope, but ambitious in aims, it was destined to become a major force in amateur radio. It
all came about this way:
The May, 1939 issue of QST contained an ad for the late W1CBD’s book “Two Hundred Meters and Down”. One statement was, “Goodness knows — and you won’t tell — how many of you YL key-twitchers there are…”
Among the Hams who saw this ad there was one who was greatly impressed. W7FWB, Ethel Smith (now K4LMB), wrote to ARRL:
“That lace-bordered ad of ‘Two Hundred Meters and Down’ brought up a point that has had my curiosity aroused for some time! How many ‘YL key-twitchers’ are there?
“Nobody seems to know, but I think we would tell. I should like to have you publish this letter or some kind of a request to have the YLs make themselves known. I’d like to know how many there are, how old they are, how they got interested, whether they’re key-twitch-ers or tonsil-busters, how long they’ve had their tickets, and what they think we should do about these authors.
“So how about it YLs? Please send all the dope to me. Perhaps we should band ourselves together in a YLRL or something to that effect and make these women-ignoring authors sit up and take notice.”
Ethel’s letter was published in QST a couple of months after the ad appeared. Not only did it result in starting YLRL, but named it as well.
Twelve girls answered that letter. Enid Carter, W9NBX (now Enid Aldwell, W6UXF), became the spark-plug of the group. From the girls she compiled a list of names and addresses of other YLs and drew up a tentative constitution. The proposed YLRL Constitution and By-Laws, dated Sept., 1939 lists these YLs as the responding group:
W1GQT, W5HYF, W6RGX, W7GXI, W8SBB, W8TAY (now W4JCR), W9CHD (now W6NAZ), WOINBX (now W6UXF), WINLW, W9UA (now WOUA), W9WWP (now W6WSV), VE2HI, and of course W7FWB (now K4LMB). A succeeding copy of the YLRL Constitution bears the statement, “Adopted October, 1939.”
Enid selected these officers to start the YLRL on its way:
- W7FWB, Ethel, became the first president
- W9WWP, Carol Keating, was appointed vice president and activities manager
- WONBX, Enid took on the duties of secretary-treasurer
- W8TAY, Anita Bien, became publicity chairman.
Enid also set dues — 25c a year!
To promote YLRL over the country, the officers appointed a District Chairman in each call area. These first D/C’s were:
- W1GQT, Lida King
- W2IXY, Dorothy Hall
- W8FXZ, Mary Le Van
- W4DAI, Mrs. E.F. Sanford
- W5DEW, Mary Palmer
- W6RGX, Genevieve Capstaff
- W7FWB, Ethel Smith
- W8SBB, Mary Stocking
- W9CHD, Lenore Kingston
Enid then began publishing a monthly bulletin. The first issue, Vol. 1 Nr. 1, was dated November, 1939 and entitled “YL News”. A single mimeographed sheet, it contained a plea for members and requested suggestions so that the bulletin might be dignified with a name.
Response was quick and enthusiastic. Vol. 1 Nr. 2 (Dec. ’39) bore the name YL Harmonics, which Enid chose from among twenty suggestions she received, ranging from “Hamettes” and “QTT” (Quick To Tell) to “Spurious Radiations” (suggested by an OM!). Up to three pages, it announced a December “Get Acquainted” QSO Party on 40 and 80 CW, gave calls and frequencies used by various YLs, inaugurated “Chatter” (district reports), listed district chairmen, and contained this list of paid-up members: W7F WB, 9NBX, 9CHD, INLW,9DBD, 1FOF, 9WWP, 2KUG, 9ILH, 6EK, 8TAY, 3F XZ, 6RGX, 1KEP, 1GQT, 2KBG, 2IXY, 9OWQ, 7EIU, 8SJF, 9UA, 2FKA, 8TPZ, VE2HI.
Vol. 1 Nr. 3 (Jan. ’40) lists W1GQT as having won the December QSO Party with eight YL contacts. Treasury balance was now $12.25 and new members included: W9ZWL, 1BDN, 9JWJ, 11IOR, 9EXM, 9OUD, 8NCJ, 8UCY, 8PZA, 3AKB, 6SGD, 8TLE, 1FTJ, 5GXT, 1KUI, 9CHB, 8TTB, VE4VO.
In the February, 1940 issue of YL Harmonics (Vol. 1 Nr. 4) Enid warns “Beware the OM who passes himself off as a YL. WIIOR has been taken off our membership list since it was discovered that the only feminine thing about him was his desire to be a member of the YLRL!” W9EXM reported organizing the Keno YL Club in Kenosha, Wis., for all women interested in becoming radio operators. YLRL membership continued to swell, with these additions: W2MIY, 5IKC, THDS, 4GFO, 9ZTU, 1KKQ, 9HIG, 1MCW, 8NAL, 9LLG, 5IRS, 1LJZ, 6Q0G, 9RNO, 9AFK, 9FRR, K6ROJ.
Vol. Nr. 5 (March ’40) listed the 8rd YLRL QSO Party to be held in March. New members were: W1FRO, 3HVO, 5DEW; 5HWK, 5IPR, 7COX, 8KYR, 8UCW, 9TLJ, K4EZR, K4FOW.
The April, 1940 issue of YL Harmonics (Vol. 1 Nr. 6) was up to six pages, listed YLRL nets on 160 and 20 phone, and 80 and 40 CW. First members in England and Alaska were welcomed. New members included: W1LBO, 3CDQ, 6RIJ, 7F TX, 7FWR, 7GPO, 7GUQ, 7HHH, 8CKH, 8SPU, 8TUQ, K7HUT, K7ENU, G2YL.
By this time the Ham world was taking official recognition of the youngster in its midst, not yet a year old. The May, 1940 issue of QST carried the article “The YL’s Unite!’ compiled by W8TAY, Anita, and W9NBX, Enid. At this time also Nita conducted a “Ham” Chatter” column in Radio News.
Vol. 1 Nr. 7 (May ’40) set forth the policy of YL Harmonics and YLRL to use the term “YL” for all licensed amateur operators of the feminine sex. This issue listed new members: W1MDV, 2MWY, 2MJS, 8BAK, 3IRR, 4D AI, TNH, 80DI, 8SBB, 8UDA, 8UHB, 9JJZ, 9JTX, 9IJWL, 9JXF, VE4HI, VE4WY, VE4AFT.
The June, 1940 issue (Vol. 1 Nr. 8) announced YLRL’s affiliation with ARRL and gave these new members: W1KOH, 1MDW, 2HXQ, 4GIW, 60EJ, 8ROP, 8UEZ, 8UGY, 9CAI, 9DXX, YEVT, 9FHK, 9MSW, 9UTO, 9ZTJ. Also in June, 1940 the YLs of Cleveland, Ohio united to form the first official local chapter of YLRL.
The July, 1940 issue (Vol. 1 Nr. 9) of YL Harmonics welcomed these members: WIIQT, 2MQY, 5IZL, 7GLK, TIEP, 8SKZ, 9EKU, 9OIU, 9OPX. The August issue (Vol. 1 Nr. 10) announced W7FWB as winner of the emblem contest. Ethel also chose our colors of dark blue and silver. New members: W1MUP, 6OHC, 8QHN, 8TLZ, 9LRT, 9ZQI, G8YL
In the September issue (Vol. 1 Nr. 11) new members were listed as: W1MRC, 4GER, 5BKG, 6RJV, 6SPX, 7IBH, 7IBO, 7IFO, 8PXE, 9EFW, 9IKS. October (Vol. 1 Nr. 12) added these members: W1IMVX, 1MWI, 2NIN, 38HGA, 4GUZ, TIHK, 9LXV, 9UPF.
First Anniversary
November, 1940 brought YL Harmonics to its first anniversary, and that issue boasted 15 pages and cover. It announced the winner of the slogan contest as W8TAY, Nita, who submitted the slogan “QRV – I am ready.” The 1st Anniversary Party contest high-lights were given. W1FTJ, Dot, won the contest and received the Corcoran cup donated by W8TPZ and her OM. YLRL nets were
now in operation on 160, 80, 40, 20, and 10 meters. Listed as new members were: W1iIMUW, 2MEG, 2LKB, 2NGO, 4GEX, DIZK, 5ZA, 6BLX, 6SLT. 6SOK, 7GXI, 3JDJ, 8ROB, 8UBC, 8UUG, 9JMI, 9JPT, 9KSA, 9NAM.
November, 1940 also saw the second local chapter of YLRL come into existence, the Greater St. Louis branch,
which was founded by W9DBD.
YLRL was really on its way! To further the YLs enthusiasm a YLRL
It was about this time also that our “33” signature was originated by W8KYR, Clara (now W2RUF). Its original
meaning, as published in YL Harmonics, was “Love sealed with friendship between one YL and another YL.”
Official YLRL meetings were held at the Central Division Convention Sept. 28-29, 1940 at Indianapolis, Ind. and at
the New England Division Convention in Boston, Mass. on Oct. 5, 1940. Others were held in 1941.
YLRL stationery and pins were now
available to members.
*Information provided by book CQ YL The story of Women in Amateur Radio by Louisa B Sando W5RZJ
