History of W9DXCC

Our Mission
One consistent theme of W9DXCC has been to put together programs
that will appeal to a wide range of interests within the general category of DX –
programs that will have interest for both “Big Guns” and “Little Pistols” –
all united in our common interest – a love of the art and sport of DX’ing.

The first W9DXCC meeting was held December 5, 1953 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Chicago. This gathering was organized by Bob Baird (W9NN), and assisted by Roy McCarty (W9KA) and Bob Carlson (W9PGW). They had invited every W9 DXCC holder listed in the 1952 QST DXCC roster, plus all of the pre-war DXCC holders they could find. There were 45 responses to the invitation and 33 made it to that first convention.

This first W9DXCC meeting was such a success that it was agreed to keep it going, and Mike Hexter (W9FKC) was elected the 1954 chairman. At this point, it was also agreed to expand the gathering to include DXCC holders from neighboring call areas.

For a number of years each meeting was organized and run by a chairman elected at the preceding meeting, with several clubs involved from the 9th call area. The convention has grown in size and complexity, and since 1976 has been produced by the Northern Illinois DX Association. As a central location for the 9th call area, each convention has been held in the Chicago area, and this is our first year at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

Speakers over the years at W9DXCC include a “Who’s Who” of DX Personalities. From the CQ DX Hall of Fame, Lloyd and Iris Colvin, W6KG and W6QL, Danny Weil VP2VB, Chod Harris VP2ML, Hugh Cassidy WA6AUD, Bob Locher W9KNI, Wayne Mills N7NG, Stuart Meyer W2GHK, Bob Alphin K4UEE, Eric Sjolund SMØAGD, John Devoldere ON4UN, Ralph Fedor KØIR, Bob Schenck N2OO, Bob Vallio W6RGG, Bob White W1CW, and of course, recently initiated Mike McGirr K9AJ. In addition, we have enjoyed presentations from a host of other leading DX personalities, including Fred Laun K3ZO, Vince Thompson K5VT, Don Miller W9WNV, Father Marshall Moran 9N1MM, Glenn Johnson WØGJ, Dave Heil 5H3US, and so many other legends of our hobby.

One consistent theme of W9DXCC has been to put together programs that will appeal to a wide range of interests within the general category of DX – programs that will have interest for both “Big Guns” and “Little Pistols” – all united in our common interest – a love of the art and sport of DX’ing.

We look forward to seeing you in September!

Memory Lane:

Program from 1966 W9DXCC (click to enlarge)

1998 W9DXCC in QST (click to enlarge)