LIBRARY DONATION — Members of the Steubenville-Weirton Amateur Radio Club presented a collection of technical and operational-oriented books to the Mary H. Weir Library. Library Director, Rik Rekowski accepted the donation which will be used by those interested in becoming an amateur radio operator or learning about the hobby. Club members attending the presentation include from left, Greg Day, secretary and treasurer, N8GD; Rick Shuster, president, WD8SAB; Rekowski; and Bob McNeal, club member and representative, WV8RM. -- Contributed

WEIRTON — Members of the Steubenville-Weirton Amateur Radio Club presented the Mary H. Weir Library with a book donation referencing their craft. The volumes, published by the American Radio Relay League, will assist those interested in becoming licensed, amateur radio operators. Additionally, one can learn the facets of the hobby, including both its operational and technical aspects.

The presentation was made to Rik Rekowski, director of the Weirton library. Several members of the radio club attended the event, including Rick Shuster, amateur call sign WD8SAB, president; Greg Day, N8GD, secretary-treasurer; and Bob McNeal, WV8RM, representing West Virginia club members.

The club’s donation consisted of 17 volumes, six of which are a six-volume set of the same title. The books are new, up-to-date and contain the latest information regarding various aspects of the amateur radio hobby.

A similar donation was made to the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County’s Main Branch March 1. When the motion was made to purchase and donate the book set to the Steubenville library, some West Virginia club members asked why the donation wasn’t being made to the Weirton library? Another motion was made following the question and the donation being made to the Weirton library passed unanimously. Officials with the club said they strive to support the hobby on both sides of the river. The hobby of amateur radio has been around almost as long as radio technology itself, starting at the beginning of the 20th century, according to officials. The hobby consists of people who have an interest in utilizing a wide variety of radio communication methods to connect with each other locally and worldwide. The hobby uses everything from simple, low-power devices to highly-complex voice and digital communication equipment, often utilizing personal computers to augment the process. The hobby saw national notoriety through the creation of The national organization for amateur radio The American Radio Relay League — the national organization for amateur radio, was established in 1914. It wasn’t until its formation that the hobby grew.

Today, there are about 780,000 amateur radio operators in the United States and nearly 3 million worldwide, including many of whom are astronauts.