CB Radio Memories Home Page ] A Word from Shadow7 ] CB Radio Frequency in Megacycles ] Catalog Corner ] CB Radio 10 Codes ] CB Radio Log Book ] CB Radio Myths ] Classic CB Radios ] Coffee Break Memories ] Complex 7 Story ] Cool Links ] East Coast Rangers ] FCC Chronicles ] FCC Regulations ] [ M.E.C.A. ] Memorable Moments ] Mystery CB'er ] Mystery CB Radio ] Photos of_Fellow CB'ers ] QSL Corner ] Reunions ] Silent Mics ] Shadow7 Photo Gallery ] Those Were The Days ] Skip Corner ] Co-Phased Antennas ]

Mystery CB Radio

Mobile Emergency Communications Association

Introduction

M.E.C.A. (Mobile Emergency Communications Association) was set up by John Gruen (KQD-5594) of Cedar Grove, NJ back around 1965. This was an organization set up for mobiles who needed emergency assistance. Not only was this association ready for assistance but they also gave a once a year coffee break at the VFW building in Oakland, NJ. Here people could sell, buy, or trade equipment. There was food, music, raffles, door prizes, vendors, a guy who made name tags/badges, and other odds & ends of interest.

 

Valery's father (John) was president of M.E.C.A. - Mobile Emergency Communications Association back in the 60's. I would like to think that this would make Valery a little famous. Some of us belonged to the club. Most of us went to the annual breaks at the Oakland VFW building in Oakland NJ. There were door prizes, people selling radio equipment, engravers (that's where I got my "Shadow 7" ID plate), grand prizes, music, food, and more but I can't think of it all at this time. The first time I went to the M.E.C.A break was in '66 or '67. was where I met Val, Iris, Linus, & Elliot Ness. Recently, Linus was kind enough to give me a picture of himself of what he looked like at that time. Valerie won the grand prize but being that her father was president, he felt it wouldn't be fair to have one of his family win so the grand prize went onto the runner up.
I still remember G2 telling me that he went there by walking the tracks with Michael Zinis (both from Little Falls). That was a distance. The breaks were always successful. The place was always packed. I wish they were still going. The Oakland VFW still has ham fests there now in the fall but it’s not like The Good Old Days.

Member List

John Gruen KQD-5594 Father as President of M.E.C.A.
Valery Gruen Daughter
Mark Gruen Son
Wayne Gruen Son
Iris Cohen KBK-2848
Gary De Young "Shadow 7" KBZ-1381
Diane De Young "Squeaky" - Gary's sister
Louis Simpson “Mars Base”
Dave Garfalo “Garfy” KCL-1637
Greg Randall “Phantom Base”
Scott Larsen “Underground”
Richard Posner “Linus” KCL-1003
Tim Ver Voorn “Drifter” KDQ-3823

 

Oakland VFW where we had the M.E.C.A breaks.

 

 

Wish to contribute? Contact us today!

    Email Us At  dell17@cbradiomemories.com

CB Radio Memories Home Page ] A Word from Shadow7 ] CB Radio Frequency in Megacycles ] Catalog Corner ] CB Radio 10 Codes ] CB Radio Log Book ] CB Radio Myths ] Classic CB Radios ] Coffee Break Memories ] Complex 7 Story ] Cool Links ] East Coast Rangers ] FCC Chronicles ] FCC Regulations ] [ M.E.C.A. ] Memorable Moments ] Mystery CB'er ] Mystery CB Radio ] Photos of_Fellow CB'ers ] QSL Corner ] Reunions ] Silent Mics ] Shadow7 Photo Gallery ] Those Were The Days ] Skip Corner ] Co-Phased Antennas ]