Another old-timer was Louis Nichols who, on May 1st, 1940, became the first person in Dominica to give a ball-by-ball commentary of a cricket match, this being a Cork Cup cricket match being played at the Botanic Gardens. For at least a year previously he had been transmitting experimentally from his Grandby (in 1986 Queen Mary Street) home next the then Union Club (in 1986 the Dominica Infirmary).

There is no record of amateur radio activity until Hurricane JANET in 1956. Yet Gospel Mission Minister Merritt Hoath had arrived in Dominica in 1947 (he died in 1981) and he probably soon after began operating from his Dorset House (in 1986 Da Costa & Mussons offices) home. He came into the news in 1956 as a result of the breakdown of the Cable & Wireless links with the hurricane-hit islands of Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent and Tobago. He was invited by the then Administrator to rebroadcast on the 40 meter band all received news and messages so that these could be picked up locally and even rebroadcast by the few owners of radio receivers. This action was greatly appreciated and brought a big awareness of the work and value of amateur radio to many Dominicans since, for much of the time, this ham provided the sole means of communication between Dominica and these islands and with the outside world (a situation to be repeated much later after Hurricane David in 1979). At that time Fred White and Austin Harris would provide the only channel of communication with the outside world for the first two days.

Another CHRONICLE report of December 21st, 1958 tells of the arrival of US Amateur radio operator Daniel Weil coming from St.Kitts, setting up a station and operating with the call sign VP2DW for some two weeks before moving on to continue his round-the-world solo voyage in his small yacht YASME II.

The few interested Dominicans continued to meet together somewhat irregularly until U.S. -based psychology lecturer Addison Colaire (died in 2001) spurred them into formation of a Club. He became its first President with Phillip Polydore the first Secretary. Sometime later Colaire moved his home from Federation Drive to Kennedy Avenue and members continued to meet at his home to practice with his equipment as well as with items donated by Revds. Surbrook and Hoath and Mr. Bill Bunting, items that, regrettably, were never recovered when Colaire left the island finally in 1964. Next word on the Club is a circular letter of September 27th, 1969, inviting interested persons to assist in the revival of the Club. It indicated that the then officers were: Ulric V. Bruney President R. Kirton Vice-President A. Bethel Secretary J. Leger Treasurer And four members, with Honorary Memberships given to Messrs. L.O. Green and J.A.S. Boyd as well as Dr. Kirton. There is little available record of the activities of the Club during this period but there is much indication that Austin Harris single-handedly kept the Club alive till the 1966 revival.

He got his own set in 1967 and with the growing number of interested persons held irregular meetings until Peter Mallalieu (VP2KG) came to work in Dominica and they began to meet at his King George V Street office (opposite Astaphan's Shopping Center) till Mallalieu closed his office and moved to Fond Canee. Again Austin Harris kept things going until 1978 when the approach of Independence sparked a new effort. Licenses had recently been issued to Fred White, Al Segan, Al Giorgi, Clayton Balthazar, Remington "Red's" Bruney and Phillip Jno. Baptiste and these were now meeting at the Dominica Trade Union Office on Queen Mary Street. Between them Austin Harris and Freed White tried to fill the overwhelming need for contact with the region and further a-field when the normal channels became inoperative through the shutdown of Dominica Electricity Services and Dominica Telephones. Their efforts, reinforced by those of speedily arriving willing helpers form overseas, sparked new interest in the Club, which now took on a new lease of life.

In 1981 Austin Harris was succeeded by Phillip Polydore, then Joey Seignoret, Cecil Shillingford, Peter Dewhurst, Phillip Bertrand, Cecil Shillingford, Peter Dewhurst, Clement James, Roger Blanchard then the presented incumbent Joseph Raymond. Under the 1982 revised Constitution there were four Vice-Presidents, each with a specific area of responsibility: membership, education, anniversary and field days. As each reports at each monthly meeting the friendly competition has resulted in a fast growth of membership to over 115 1986. The Club has honoured Austin Harris for his untiring efforts by giving him (and his wife Margaret) Life Membership, along with a similar award to Harry Stirns for equally outstanding efforts on behalf of the Club. The Club, through USAID and CIDA Funding, has installed a 2-meter repeater station at Bellevue Chopin and another on Morne Espagnol, which greatly extend the coverage of the portable sets of members and will substantially increase their mobility in cases of emergency.

In March of 1986 the Club finally moved into an area at the Dominica Red Cross Headquarters Building on Federation Drive and got an even closer link with another organization whose services also come to peak need after a disaster and to whose officers communication is vital at such times. Recently the Club was in receipt from Dominica Telephones (who were replacing older with newer and greater capacity ones) of a noteworthy gift of batteries. One set has been installed to serve the Bellevue Chopin repeater and plans are afoot to install other sets elsewhere to provide a similar facility at other points. The Club has many non-operational keys (from members losing interest or moving into other fields) and only one Silent Key in Will Hoath who died in 1981, but Amateur Radio in Dominica also lost a pioneer in William McNeilly who, though never officially connected with the Club, lived up to its highest traditions and gave yeomen service after Hurricane JANET in 1956, a service recalled, when the news was announced, by many of those in neighbouring islands and further a- field with whom he had worked during those hectic days. So the Club goes from strength to yet greater strength, expecting to reach newer heights and greater achievements even as the dawn of a new Club Year heralds its upcoming 41st Anniversary.

below are some images of historic QSL cards of the 1950's and 1960's. (courtesy of Tony Ricicki W2VRK and Bill Ashley)