
	Hallmark Playhouse, 'The Gifts of The Magi', from Mar 20, 1947

Intro

Here's a selection of excellent Radio History and Radio Preservation organizations. These organizations can provide a vast wealth of support and help to those of us interested in both enjoying and preserving timeless, quality radio throughout the world. Please try to support those in your area wherever practical.

Radio Historical Societies World-wide

USA

Alabama Historical Radio Society
Founded in 1989, the society actively pursues several of the hobby: early books and magazines, old-time radio programs and collecting and and restoring old radios. The AHRS also operates the Don Kresge Memorial Museum located in Fairfield, Alabama

Antique Radio Club of Illinois
Based in the Chicago area, the ARCI holds bi-monthly meetings and holds an annual 'RadioFest' in August each year.

Arizona Antique Radio Club
'Organized in 1983 for the preservation of the history and artifacts of radio and television, and for the advancement of knowledge and appreciation of radio technology and communication.' They sponsor a large annual swap meet in the Fall of each year, in addition to a variety of meetings throughout the year and a quarterly newsletter.

California Historical Radio Society
CHRS's goal is to provide opportunities to exchange ideas and information on the history of the radio, particularly in the West, with emphasis on collecting, literature, programs, and the restoration and display of early equipment. They hold meetings two to three times per year, in additional to hosting regional swap meets throughout the state.

Collins Collectors Association
'The Collins Collectors Association (CCA) is a not for profit organization dedicated to supporting Amateur Radio operators who share the opinion that Collins Radio made the very finest amateur communications equipment available.' The purposes of the association are to share information on the preservation of equipment, document the history of Collins, and serve as an archive. There is a newsletter as well.
Delaware Valley Historic Radio Club (DVHRC)
Membership is open to everyone interested in the preservation of the history, equiptment or the art of radio.

Florida Antique Wireless Group
The group was formed in 1991, has a newsletter, holds a swapmeet three times a year, have an annual club auction, and participate in other activities such as regional hamfests. Activities are based in the Orlando area.

Houston Vintage Radio Association
In Texas, USA, the HVRA sponsors an annual convention and three 'mega-auctions' annually as well as monthly meetings, swap meets and a family Christmas party each December. 'The Grid Leak' is a monthly newsletter.

Hudson Valley Antique Radio and Phonograph Society
Monthly meetings are held in Highland Falls. You'll have to telephone the listed contact for more information on this local club.

I ndiana Historical Radio Society
Four meetings a year are held throughout the state, and there is a quarterly bulletin.

Michigan Antique Radio Club
More than 700 members are in the Great Lakes area, but some are from Canada and Europe too. There are three one-day swap meets and a three-day convention near Lansing, Michigan, USA. There is a quarterly publication as well.

Mid-Atlantic Antique Radio Club
This club meets monthly equi-distant between Baltimore and Washington, has a large convention in June and a picnic in October. Auctions usually conclude each monthly meeting.

Music City Vintage Radio & Phonograph Society
This Nashville, Tennessee, area club hasn't updated its web page in more than two years, but perhaps the contact information (address, telephone, e-mail) may be of use.

New England Antique Radio Club
Founded in June of 1988, The New England Antique Radio Club, Inc is dedicated to the preservation, collection, restoration, and enjoyment of antique and collectable radios, TV's, and related equipment. The club has four meets a year, held in Nashua, New Hampshire.

New Jersey Antique Radio Club
Monthly meetings, on the 2nd Friday, and 3 swap meets per year, are featured in this club. Most meets are held in the Hightstown (NJTP Exit 8) area.

New Mexico Radio Collectors Club
A non-profit collectors' club meets monthly in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, area. A quarterly newsletter is published, and swap meets are part of the club's functions.

Northland Antique Radio Club (NARC)
The Northland Antique Radio Club ( NARC ) is based in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area. Events each year include the Radio Daze swap meet, a radio repair workshop at the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting, a fall swap meet, and an annual meeting. The Northland Antique Radio Club Newsletter is published quarterly and mailed to roughly 300 members. The NARC website has information on events, NARC members, membership, and some links to other vintage radio related sites.

Northwest Vintage Radio Society (NWVRS)
The Northwest Vintage Radio Society is a non-profit historical society incorporated in the State of Oregon and serves the greater Portland are. Since 1974 The Society has been dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of 'vintage rado' and wireless equipment. A quarterly newsletter is published, and swap meets are part of the club's functions.

Oklahoma Vintage Radio Collectors Club (OKVRC)
There are two chapters of the club, one based at the capitol and one in the northeast section of the state. The OKVRC Broadcast News is published monthly. Annual dues: $12.00. There is an annual swap meet and periodic meetings of the chapters; check the Web site for details.

Pittsburgh Antique Radio Society
The western Pennsylvania 'society' tell little about the club, its functions or where it meets. You will have to e-mail the contact on the page for more information.

Puget Sound Antique Radio Association
This organization meets monthly, in Seattle, Washington, USA, and there is a monthly newsletter.

Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound
Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound is one of the country’s most active brick-and-mortar clubs, hosting one of OTR’s largest annual conventions bringing performers and attendees from across the nation (‘Showcase’ occurs the last week of June each year), holding monthly meetings with presentations, special guests and performances, holding lending libraries of shows, scripts and radio-related books, producing mp3 cds and multimedia cd-roms, archiving rare radio memorabilia including The Ray Erlenborn Collection of Sound Effects, encompassing The REPS Radio Readers who produce vintage re-creations and new original shows in public performance and broadcast, and hosting a website to serve not only the membership but the broader OTR community taking interest in resources available online. While the name says Puget Sound, the membership spans the country with the majority of members living outside the Pacific Northwest..

Society of Wireless Pioneers Inc. (SOWP)
This USA-centric organization, based in California, USA, appears to be oriented towards professional wireless operators, collectors and historians. The Web site is sufficiently detailed to tell all you need to know about SOWP.

Vintage Radio and Phonograph Society, Inc.
The group, formed in 1974 in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, USA, area, now has a worldwide membership. 'Each the year VRPS holds 7 monthly meetings in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We also host summer and fall day swap meets, spring and fall auctions and an annual convention in the fall. The annual convention includes old equipment contest, awards, banquet, flea market and programs.'

Xtal Set Society
The Xtal Set Society, founded in 1991, is dedicated to building and experimenting with radio electronics. The bi-monthly newsletter features mostly projects, but occasionally a hard-to-find article from the 1920's or 30's is reprinted. The society is based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. In September 1996 there were more than 450 members.

Australia

Historical Radio Society of Australia
'The Historical Radio Society of Australia (inc.) was formed in 1982 by a group of enthusiasts committed to the preservation of Australia's radio heritage. From its origins in Victoria, the HRSA has become a nationwide organisation of over 700 members, with affilliated groups all around Australia.'

Canada

Ottawa Vintage Radio Club (OVRC)
The OVRC was founded in 1993 by a group of local Ottawa vintage radio enthusiasts. The club's aim is to preserve and present the rich history of Canadian radios, manufactures, broadcast stations, and radio personalities.

France

Retro-Phonia
Retro-Phonia is the French-speaking association for antique radios collectors. A bi-monthly bulletin is published.

Netherlands

Nederlandse Vereniging voor de Historie van de Radio
'The NVHR is the DUTCH SOCIETY for the HISTORY of RADIO Founded March 19th 1977. Society for those who are interested in the history of wireless telegraphy and telephony and for collectors of historical objects.' There are English and Dutch language pages. Unfortunately the home page is not clear. Click on the globe to access the wide range of information, including Philips' circuit diagrams.

Norway

Norsk Radiohistorisk Forening
There are weekly and monthly meetings in Oslo, a quarterly bulletin and auctions several times a year. Pages are in Norwegian and English, and there are links to other sites including those with pictures of Norwegian radios.

Sweden

Historical Radio Society of Western Sweden

The society operates in conjunction with the Gothenburg Radio Museum.

United Kingdom

The British Vintage Wireless Society
'The British Vintage Wireless Society is an excellent source of information and news for people with a passion for wireless. The site, after two years, is still undergoing expansion.