The Radio Association of Western New York (RAWNY) proudly celebrates over a century of continuous operation, a testament to our enduring commitment to amateur radio. Our roots trace back to December 1913 when we were initially known as the Licensed Wireless Operators Club of Western New York. In May 1916 the name was changed to the Amateur Radio Association of Buffalo. In February 1917, recognizing our expanding reach, we adopted the name Radio Association of Western New York, reflecting the growing participation of members from diverse locations including Niagara Falls, Dunkirk, Jamestown, and even Erie, Pennsylvania. This expansion solidified our position as a regional hub for radio enthusiasts.
RAWNY holds a distinguished place in the history of amateur radio. We are believed to be the one of the oldest continuously operating amateur radio clubs in the United States, followed very closely by the venerable Radio Club of Hartford (Connecticut) founded in January 1914. Both RAWNY and RCH hold the distinguished honor of being foundational predecessors to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) formed in April 1914.
We are immensely proud of our longstanding affiliation with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Since November 20, 1920, RAWNY has been a dedicated partner of this national association of radio amateurs, operating within the Western New York Section of the ARRL’s Atlantic Division. Our commitment to the ARRL and the broader amateur radio community was recognized with the prestigious “Distinguished Service Award” from the Atlantic Division, honoring our significant contributions.
RAWNY is a general interest club where we passionately support and encourage all facets of amateur radio. Our meeting programs are designed to educate and inspire, covering a wide array of topics from antenna design and power supply construction to homebrewing techniques and best practices in amateur radio operation. We also proudly host our annual Ham Radio and Technology Fair, an event dedicated to showcasing the excitement and educational value of amateur radio to the next generation.
Whether you are a seasoned radio amateur or simply have a keen interest in radio communications, RAWNY welcomes you. You do not need a license to join our community. We invite you to attend our general meetings, held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (September through May) at the Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd., Tonawanda, NY.
Stay connected with us on the air! Tune in to the RAWNY Information Net every Monday at 7 pm on the 146.910(-) repeater, also linked with the 444.000(+) BARRA repeater system.
During the summer months, our activities move to the historic USS Little Rock at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in downtown Buffalo, New York. Here, we operate the club HF station on the public tour route, providing captivating demonstrations of amateur radio to park visitors and sharing our passion with the public.
Over a century ago, the foundation of RAWNY was laid with regular get togethers and hamfests. Today, our general meetings proudly continue that legacy, serving as the vibrant heart of the club. They provide an inviting and informal social setting – not just for a particular band or mode, but for Radio as it was meant to be: a shared, hands-on passion that forges an incredible sense of camaraderie among members.
From the Archives: This photo captures our club members at a ‘Hamfest & Dinner’ back in 1931 at Buffalo’s historic Hotel at the Lafayette. We still use this photo as proof that the landmark hotel is our rightful home. Despite decades of repeated requests being met with total radio silence (or maybe a bit of QRJ, QRM, QRS and QSB), we absolutely refuse to QRT.
