The following information was found in the box that had much of the history of the club. There was a booklet that was found amongst the pictures and old QRM's.
It was entitled "Until I Get It Right" by now Silent Key Jim Pfeiffer. So, as not to get too long much was condensed.
The beginnings of the club go back over 50 years and recently found was a booklet written by Jim Pfeiffer WA5CXJ, who was the editor of the QRM and in this booklet that he had written was the history of the club of the first 25 years. The beginning years of the club were very difficult ones. In the early 1960's, the club was known as the
Ozone Belt Amateur Radio Club. Meeting places were member's homes.
It was difficult for the club to grow because new people to the area many times did not know where the meetings were. At some point the club was fading away.
In 1964 the club became organized and the name became the Ozone Amateur Radio Club. Jim Pfeiffer was actually a writer for the
Slidell Times and also Carol Pfeiffer also joined the staff on the paper. So, it was a natural progression that Jim became the editor of the newsletter known as the QRM, the clubs newsletter and Jim kept this job for over 25 years.
Fortunately, Jim documented 20 years of history of the OARC in the
booklet he wrote, "Until I Get It Right" (this is a very large file and may take a while to download).
By 1966, the club was already having to select its 4th meeting place. The club had been at the Cleco Building, Mainegra Manor, and
an Episcopal Church to name a few.
By 1967 the club became an ARRL affiliated club and later in that same year the club's incorporation was finalized. A New Orleans attorney and pastor of the Lacombe Methodist Church,
Henry Ensenat, donated his time to do the legal work and the cost to file with the Secretary of State was $40.00. The St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court also recorded the club's Act of Incorporation without charge.
October 1967, vicious tornadoes ripped into the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Members of the OARC were assisting with Health and Welfare traffic and worked many hours.
In August of 1967, the ARRL gives a Public Service award to K. P. Hanlin WA5QCX when a number of U.S. citizens were held as hostages in Managua during a attempted Nicaraguan revolt. K. P. Hanlin set up phone patches so that the Nicaragua captives could reassure their loved ones in the states.
In Januray 1968 the club was again homeless, so it was back to Cleco.
September 1969, Camille Rips up the Mississippi Coast. Later that day the nets were activated and Slidell Civil Defense actually moved into homes of amateur radio operators who were still on the air. It was the better part of 11 days the Pass Christian, Ms was able to communicate with the out side world through the efforts of stations manned by the OARC. Several members were cited by State Civil Defense.
October 1971, the OARC purchased an odd shape property from the city. By 1978, and with less than $100.00 in the account, the OARC began building the building. By December 7th. the building was finished but it still needed electricity and water. By 1982, the other section of the club was added and everything was completed.
Since the early days the club now maintains a station at the National Weather Center located in Slidell. Further when activated we help pass weather traffic to the different communities within our area. Once again is there any hobby that can accomplish so much. Having fun on the radio but when the need arises help our communities. In my opinion no other hobby can even come close to what Amateur Radio is all about.
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Shack: 2190 4th St., Slidell, LA • Mail: PO Box 553, Slidell, LA
70459 • Webmaster: • Artwork by Judy Guthans, AA5UZ
