1. 77 Years of the YLRL Past, Present and Future
The Lace Bordered Ad
77 Years of the YLRL
Past, Present and Future
I have learned an import lesson, hanging around here. If you ask questions, it usually leads to “wow we have a volunteer”

2. And there is one other subset of Amateur Radio….
In Amateur Radio there are a number of subsets of the hobby and some choose to identify with a specific subset, while others partake in all of them.
Subsets in Amateur Radio include, but are not limited to:
• DXing-talking to others from around the world
• Contesting-talking to as many people as possible in a certain amount of time.
• DXpeditions-going to a foreign place to operate from (often a rare place) and talking to as many Hams as they can.
• Paper Chasing-collecting QSL cards or certificates for achievements.
• Providing Emergency services and/or communications in times of disaster.
And there is one other subset of Amateur Radio….
Every one here knows the major subsets of this hobby, Dxing, Contesting, Dxeptions, Paper Chasing, emergency responding. There is another Subset!

3. The “Young Lady” also known as a YL
The YL (Young Lady)

4. What is a YL?
There have been many controversies over the definition of a YL.
The term YL was first defined in a Traffic Report signed The American Radio Relay League by E. C. Adams on May 13, 1920 to Miss M. Adaire Garmhausen, 3BCK.
He was responding to her submission of an article submitted to QST.
In it he called her “My Dear YL–”. Though not the first female Ham Radio Operator, this is when the term was first applied specifically to label all women as Young Ladies no matter what their age.
Every licensed female no matter what her age is known as a YL.
An unlicensed Wife is an XYL.
-I know most of you know what YL stands for. But do you know where that term came from?
-It all started with a reply to an ad in QST in 1939> Adaire Garmhausen 3BCK asking if there were other women HAM’s out there.

5. How it all began With a Lace Bordered Ad in the May, 1939 issue of QST
And a single reply to the Editor in July, 1939.
Copies of QST article

6. Twelve Replies were Received
The Founding Mothers
Lida W1GQT - SK
Marjorie W7GXI - SK
Jean W5HYF - SK
Enid KH6IHW - SK Ethel K4LMB - SK
Lenore W6NAZ - SK
Jean W9NLW - SK Genevieve W6RGX - SK
Mary W8SMM - SK
Anita W8TAY - SK
Loretta exW0UA - SK
Carol W6WSV - SK
Ethel VE2HI - SK
-12 replies were received.
-All of these YL’s are silent keys now, but they have a legacy

7. In 1939, the Young Ladies’ Radio League was formed.
September, 1939-the constitution and by-laws were created.
November, 1939-the first issue of the organization’s publication was born.
December, 1939 the name YL-Harmonics was chosen as the publication name.
The YLRL

8. Thus became the YLRL or “Young Ladies’ Radio League”
The YLRL exists to encourage and assist YLs throughout the world to become a licensed Amateur Radio Operator. It also sponsors and otherwise carries out programs to promote YL interest, appreciation and understanding of radio communications and electronics and encourages YLs to advance and improve their skills as Amateur Radio Operators.
-Encourage and Assist YL’s
-Sponsors programs to promote YL interest, appreciation and understanding of HAM Radio and to improve their Skills
Thus became the YLRL or “Young Ladies’ Radio League”

9. YL specific clubs were being formed around the United States by February, 1940.
In the February, 1940 edition of YL-Harmonics the ladies were warned by Enid Carter, W9NBX (later W6UFX)
“Beware the OM who passes himself off as a YL. W1IOR has been taken off our membership list since it was discovered that the only feminine thing about him was his desire to be a member of the YLRL!”
November, 1940 (and the first anniversary of YLRL) boasted a publication of 15 pages and the name of the winner of the YLRL Slogan contest.
Anita Bein, W8TAY submitted the slogan that is still the YLRL motto today:
“QRV-I am Ready”
-Beware it is for women only!!!
-Bi-monthly YL Harmonics
-Slogan for the YLRL was determined by a slogan contest in 1940 “QRV-I am ready”

10. YL Terms
In May, 1940, the Young Ladies’ Radio League set forth the policy for YL-Harmonics and the YLRL that the term “YL was to be used for all LICENSED Amateur Operators of the feminine sex. This meant they were all Young Ladies no matter what their marital status was. A licensed woman is a YL while an XYL is a non-licensed wife.
Another term important to a YL is that of 33.
"33" was originated in 1939 by Clara, W2RUF (ex W8KYR) and adopted by YLRL for exclusive YL use. It means "Love sealed with friendship between one YL and another YL". With this background and meaning, it is very understandable that "33" is not only exclusive with YLs but is NEVER used in the plural. We sign "33", never 33’s.
Terms:
YL-Licensed YL
XYL-Unlicensed wife
33 means "Love sealed with friendship between one YL and another YL"

11. A Call to Arms
A Time of War
The 1940’s
YL’s helped during

12. With the attack on Pearl Harbor, all Ham Radio Operators rushed to the aid of the nation. The YLs had already become involved with defense work-teaching code, working in defense plants and doing Red Cross work.
QRV-I am Ready
-Teaching code
-Defense plants
-Red Cross

13. YLs received instruction in Cryptography
Dot Knapp, W2MIY
The only AARS woman Radio Aide
Viola Grossman, W2JZX
Served in the Signal Corps
YLs served in the Army
YLs received instruction in Cryptography
-Dot Jnapp W2MIY the only AARS Women Radio Aide
-Viola Grossman W2JZX
-YL’s serve in the military.
-YL’s received instruction in Cryptography

14. The First Lady of the US
After reading an article by Anita Bein, W8TAY, titled “YLRL QRV”, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wrote:
“I have read with interest the story of the work carried on by the Young Ladies’ Radio League, and I applaud your sincerity and enthusiasm.
“At a time when all of us must be alert to defend the institutions we cherish, the work of the League is an inspiration, and I am sure will prove of inestimable value should the need for active defense arise.”
Even First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt acknowledged the YL role

15. Contests • Certificates • Support
OMs Count too!
Contest, Certificates and support

16. Two YLRL supported contests every year
• In February the OMs can participate in the YL-OM Contest
• In October the YLs look for each other in the DX/NA YL Anniversary Party
2 YLRL Contests
-February OM’s can participate in the YL-OM Contest
-Oct is the YL anniversary Party

17. Certificates everyone can earn
YL Worked All States
YL DXCC
YLC-worked all Continent
YLCC-worked 100 different YLs
Everyone
-YL worked all states
-YL DXCC
-YLC-Worked all Continent
-YLCC worked 100 Different YL’s

18. Certificates for YLs only
Continuous Membership
The annual Friendship Award
YL only Certificates
-Continuous Membership
-The annual Friendship Award

19. Scholarships
Every year, the YLRL gives out two $ scholarships to full time YL students.
One is in honor of founding mother, Ethel Smith, K4LMB and the other is in honor of Mary Lou Brown, NM7N, a long time officer, member and supporter. Both Ladies are now Silent Keys.
2 Scholarship awards to Full time YL Students
-1 to honor the founding Mother-Ethel Smith K4LMB
-One to honor a long time officer Mary Lou Brown NM7N
Both are silent Keys

20. Where to find a YL? On the nets including YL only nets
Helping out in Emergencies
At local Hamfests
At national Hamfests and Conventions
On the air in contests
Building Antennas
Building their own equipment
Everywhere other Amateur Radio Operators can be found
Where to find YL’s
The same place you are

21. YL-Harmonics
YL Harmonics- Bi monthly Magazine
I have sample copies

22. Read about the under 17 YLs in the Youth Column.
The Young Ladies’ Radio League has a bi-monthly magazine YL-Harmonics. In it you will find out what is happening with the YLs in each of the US Districts and around the world.
It is a great place to find out where YL booths will be at major Hamfests.
Learn about YLs who might be in areas you are travelling to in the US and around the world.
Meet new friends or find out how to make a donation to the Scholarship fund.
Read about the under 17 YLs in the Youth Column.
Find out which YLs are going on or have been on DXpeditions and how to join them.
And much, much more.
Paid for with your yearly dues and no money is taken from the Scholarship fund.
-What is happening with other YL’s
-Where YL booths are at Hamfests
-Meet friends
-how to make donations to the scholarship find
-What is happening with the youth
-Who is Dxing
-All paid for out of dues -

23. Conventions
They just had one in Europe last month
In lieu of monthly meetings and so the international members can attend, conventions are held every 3-4 years.

24. Want to find out what the future holds for the YLRL and You?
Learn more at