In 2002 some amateur operators in the locality of the Ensor Museum thought that the wonderful and historic farm home museum of Marshall and Loretta Ensor should have some more effective way to reach out to America and the ham radio population. Few people knew or understood how important the radio station of Marshall H. Ensor had been during his life or that it still existed and could be seen and appreciated in the same way the fine old family dairy farm could be. So they decided to form a radio club and get Marshall’s old W9BSP call so that the unique radio rich museum could be better promoted to the many thousands of ham operators around the country.
The groundwork of this goal took place soon after. The Marshall Ensor Memorial Organization became a non-profit organization with a different profile than a typical club. This web site has become the informal way to attract a membership from far and wide, no meetings are held and generally the members are content to join knowing that the one time fee of $10.00 is a 100% deductible donation to help the Ensor Museum.
Another goal was realized when the M. E. M. O. club took in a member who volunteered to help with forming our website which quite noticeably caters to and benefits the Ensor Museum. This fine man, Bob NØUF, is appreciated and finds us in his debt. In return for our efforts, the museum allows us the ability to do our radio work from inside the original museum radio room of W9BSP.
The dedication of our W9BSP club call took place in a ceremony at the museum on December 6, 2003. We used the famous call for the first time in 62 years. Its last use was on December 7, 1941 when the FCC required all amateur stations to silence during the Second World War. The first contact after those many years was made by schedule with the famous W1AW station of the Amateur Radio Relay League. It was an electrifying moment!
By the end of 2005, MEMO gained 115 members. Many are local, and many from coast to coast have joined. Numerous useful museum projects are accomplished with the aid of M. E. M. O. fees and donations. The club station equipment is on loan by owners with the understanding that they will get it back in the future or when they wish. An occasional newsletter is e-mailed to help inform members what is happening and each member is sent a numbered certificate suitable for framing. Also, visiting members who are licensed can operate the station during open hours with pre-approval of the club trustee.
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Please accept our invitation to join us in our effort to support this historic museum that has an equally historic connection to Amateur Radio. The application found below can be printed and used by mail. |
M.E.M.O. APPLICATION |
This is a fillable PDF form. Print the form, complete it and mail it in or Complete the form, print it and mail it in |