California Historical Radio Society facts for kids
The California Historical Radio Society (CHRS) is a group that loves the history of radio. They are a non-profit organization, which means they don't make money for themselves. They focus on how radio started and grew, especially in California. They also look at old TVs, amateur radio (ham radio), and HiFi sound systems. Their museum, called "Radio Central," is in Alameda, California.
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The Story of CHRS: How It Began
The California Historical Radio Society was started in 1974. It was founded by Norman Berge, Jim Cirner, Gene Rippen, and others. They wanted to create a non-profit group to preserve radio history.
Over the years, CHRS grew by joining with other groups.
- In 2003, they took in the Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame. This museum was started by David Ferrell Jackson in Berkeley, California.
- In 2012, CHRS also joined with the Society of Wireless Pioneers. This group focused on early wireless radio. CHRS now keeps their old records and shares them online.
CHRS also took care of the James Maxwell radio archives and library. They even got the amateur radio callsign W6CF for their ham radio activities. In 2014, CHRS moved to its current home in Alameda. Before that, it was in Berkeley at the old KRE radio station.
Fun Events and Activities
Every summer, CHRS hosts a special event called "Radio Day by the Bay." This is a fundraiser where they perform old-time radio shows. Imagine listening to a story just like people did many years ago!
Each fall, CHRS also honors important local broadcasters. They add these people to their Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame.
On their websites, CHRS shares lots of cool stuff. You can find texts, videos, and audio about radio history. They also show how old radios are fixed and share news about their current projects. This includes their amateur radio work.
The Society of Wireless Pioneers part of CHRS tells stories about the first wireless telegraph operators. Many of these brave men and women worked on ships. The Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame celebrates local radio people. It also keeps old recordings, photos, and information from radio stations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Awards and Recognition
The CHRS Journal is a magazine that shares articles about radio history. It is well-known among people who study radio. Because of their great work, CHRS has received awards from the Antique Wireless Association (AWA) in New York.
- In 2015, they won the Houck Award.
- In 2020, they received the Taylor Television Award.
Some CHRS historians have also won awards from the AWA. Mike Adams won the Houck Award in 1995. Bart Lee won it in 2003. Bart Lee also won the Murray Award in 2018 for the best article in the AWA Review. In 2020, Mike Adams and Bart Lee were made AWA Fellows.
What's Happening at the Museum Now?
At the museum, there's a growing display about the history of television. A scientist named Dr. John W. Staples helps manage this display.
The W6CF amateur radio station is also very active. It has its own "radio shack" where volunteers use both modern and old ham radio equipment.
CHRS volunteers are working hard to finish new projects. They are building a new Radio Hall of Fame center. They are also creating a working replica of an old radio studio. Plus, they are setting up their Great Hall for new displays and shows.
