Since the early 1950's, members of the BCDX Club have shared a simple and
sometimes illusive common interest; working the DX stations that have found
their way into the history books of amateur radio.
In the real early days of the BCDX Club, names such as: Frank Taylor - VE7GI,
John Black - VE7MD, Gordie Whiteman VE7HC, Herb Tripp VE7ZK, Ted Toy -
VE7HE, Bill Wadsworth VE7ZM, Jim Forsyth VE7BW, Ted Fowler VE7VO,
Dick McQuillan VE7PU, Sandy Sanderson VE7AHG, John Draper VE7WQ,
Wilf Barby VE7QO and Doc Finley VE7TB were synonymous with innovation,
the desire to share their knowledge with other operators and above all
having
fun at the hobby. The single commodity that bound the membership then, as it
does now is the level of camaraderie amongst its members.
Many of the older members fondly remember their AM rigs and their corresponding
reluctance to embrace SSB as the new technology of the day in the early fifties.
But embrace it they did. With this new medium, members like Vic Waters
VE7ALR were amongst the first in our area to work Turkey.
When members of the Club were not on the road to conventions or swap meets in
Seattle, Portland, Victoria, Fresno or Visalia, they were welcoming
international visitors to the area. Father Moran 9M1MM, John Devoldere -
ON4UN and Jock White - ZL2GX along with members of the New Zealand Radio Club
have visited the Club over the years. On every occasion, the Club provided an
endless stream of hospitality and their guests lapped it up so to speak. In
short, they showed their guests a great time while in the area.
Like all Clubs, the BCDX group participated in Field Day every year. For many
years, Club members would pack up their radios, antennas and coolers and head
for Whonnock Lake and the home of Vic Cumyow VE7VC to operate the Club
station VE7RX. When this location was no longer available to the Club, they
moved to a location in Langley.
One aspect of the Club that always amazed outsiders to the area was the ability
of the members to rally around a rare DX station in a very short period of time.
Their secret was the 2-meter radio. Of course in these early days all
communications was simplex, as there was no repeater. Today the Club operates
repeater VE7RDX at 147.300.
Operating on all bands, today's Club members (as in the past) are very active
DXers that take a back seat to no one in terms of working the rare DX.
In this very brief recap of the BCDX Club, no attempt has been made to
identify the SK members -- in many cases we're just not sure of the details. It
is also important to note that many of the calls listed above may have been
reassigned over the years. The author of this document would like to acknowledge
the valuable assistance provided by Vic Waters VE7ALR. Through his recall of
events, people and places, a starting point for development of the BC DX Club
history was made possible.