Tom Whalen, W2QI, Inducted Into Buffalo Broadcast Hall Of Fame
Tom Whalen, W2QI our Chapter 65 President was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Fame at a $50-plate dinner Tuesday night, May 20, 2003 at the ritzy Tralfamadore Cafe' in downtown Buffalo. This was The Big local broadcast event of the year and was "sold out" several weeks in advance. Tom worked with Buffalo morning man air personality, Clint Buehlmann for decades on the market's top-rated morning show. Tom was employed in the engineering department of WBEN for 36 years. He is believed to be the first person from the technical side of radio to be so honored by the Buffalo Broadcasters.
At the photographer's request, W2QI brought his award to the June
2003 Chapter luncheon and sat down amid WW-2 pictures in the Flying Tigers Restaurant
alcove.
Besides the award, he stationed himself in front of the classic RCA broadcast mike, the
DX-77 and a WW-2 vintage brass key.
Tom worked radio circuits from China during WW-2 and served at the very location the
restaurant tries to recreate.
One of the most popular activities on the QCWA annual calendar of events is our annual picnic. The location may move around a bit from year to year but the turnout is always lively! The gathering pictured below was from 2002 picnic at the East Aurora QTH of Dan Clark, N2DC.
Chapter #65 Board of Directors are shown breaking off from the 2002 picnic fun and frolic for a brief Board meeting. From left to right, clockwise around the picnic table are: Larry Rybacki, WA2ARA (Vice-President); Lorraine Jones, K2ZVS; Ken Palmer, K2FJ (Secretary); Hank Kuhn, W2IRU; Dan Clark, N2DC; Bob Jones, W2OZT; Tom Whalen, W2QI (President & Treasurer), and Bob Rooney, W2AET (Immediate Past President). Watching over the group from the rear is one of our newer members, John DiLivio, K2CF
Larry
Rybacki, WA2ARA, is the 1999 honoree of the QCWA Chapter #65 Meritorious Award.
The award was presented at the Chapter's annual dinner meeting on Saturday, October
30th.
Larry was recognized for his help in chapter activities this past year and especially for his service to Chapter members who sustained setbacks of age and illness.