Who was John Rogers ? Lets make a try - W2ADC - (1906-1985) His
1925 amateur call (2ADC). Residing on Senator Street Brooklyn, NY.
John’s work caught my eye reviewing old CQ magazines. Later in our article
John Rogers worked for the major New York City daily newspapers.
The W2ADC watercolor art works appeared on the front covers ofDecember 1980 thru 1983 CQ Magazines. Alan Dorhoffer K2EEK
deceased editor wrote “Sometime ago I told you about my joining theQCWA and attending the local chapter dinner meetings. At one of thosegatherings I ran into an old friend, John Rogers W2ADC. I met John years ago through a mutual
friend who owns an art gallery. John is an accomplished and renown artist, whose work was being
displayed by our friend. Later, the subject of amateur radio came up and John said he was a ham.”
Alan continued; “I hadn’t seen John forseveral years and at one of the QCWA
society dinners he and I sat at the sametable. One thing led to another and hesaid that he had always wanted to do acover for an amateur radio magazine. We
concluded with a handshake deal on thespot. (I like the handshake aspect) Thentime passes and we publish.”
I am sure you’ll agree that John has
captured the winter scene where
everyone seems to be a ham. There’s the
traditional sense of Christmas and theholidays and of the family dinners yet tocome. The windmill towers amidst thecountryside add warmth to the scene andwe could all very easily imagine
ourselves sitting in that upstairs room at
the rig. The painting will be hung in ouroffices, where we’ll enjoy it for manyyears to come.
If there seems to be enough interest
generated, we will look into having
large-size prints made in a limited
edition. 73 K2EEK Alan, Note (K2EEK1938-1999) Alan died from complications of cancer surgery, he was 61, served as Editor for CQ
Magazine for nearly a quarter of a century, spent his entire professional life at the magazine. He had
been co-owner of CQ since 1979. Alan tried to focus on the people aspect of Ham Radio! We
believe Alan Dorhoffer, Editor succeeded well in his mission.
Arthur Silvers WS6T advises us; He knew John Rogers back in 1957, Arthur was only 12 years oldand in need of an Elmer. Friend Mr. Rogers filled the bill nicely. They were neighbors in Elmontand Art said W2ADC was strictly CW and loved twenty, ran a homebrew 813 which was driven bya surplus ARC5 and an old HQ129X. Read about “John Rogers Day Sales.” Continued on page two.

Silvers said “John used two antennas, a vertical to transmit
with and a short shank of wire for the receiving antenna. John
had two children, a daughter and a son in that order.
Silvers lost touch with John when they moved out to theChicago area in 1960. Much later Silvers learned that John
had expired of cancer and been a Member of Elmont L.I., St.
Boniface Parish founded in 1898. John Rogers QCWA foto.
In a later communication Art Silvers said; I knew John loved
New England, he spoke of his (W2ADC) honeymoon inCape Cod, he ran a wire up a flagpole and worked Englandon 40 meters with an ARC5 rig, he would be one of theoriginal QRP’ers. Art continued; Unfortunately many things were lost over the years, among themmy old QSL’S - I do recall that the background of the entire card was an American flag with his call
(W2ADC) and info in the foreground. I’ve used that theme myself on certain occasions but it neverlooked quite as good as the original W2ADC.
NZ1Q said; “It all started for me - NYC,1963.” I was age 13, my dad helped mebuild a xtal radio. The Novice ticket
arrived, I was known as WV2TKE - myElmer was W2ADC John who was firstlicensed as 2ADC and it was quite a thrill
taking the 5 WPM and written exam in hisshack with all that equipment staring at me- WOW! Then on to building equipment,antennas and first DX QSO. Quite a thrill.
Canal Street “The Row” was fun, but for
those of us in NY before the WTC (TwinTowers) remember all those surplus shops(I spent many hours there despite a hour
and a half journey from L.I. then Harrison
Radio - shelves of used equipment, bringsback smiles. Miss Kitty was there too.
Rob Alvey in 2006 said; “To answer aRogers previous question, John Rogers wasa successful artist primarily in the 1940s 1970 era, did watercolor landscapes andchurches. Lots of Long Island influence,some of his work was reprinted as
inexpensive giveaways by local banks. Check Art League of Nassau County. He taught in Garden
City for a period in the 1960s. John was a long time member of the American Watercolor Societyfrom 1944 until 1980. I love those CQ-ville covers!
It is apparent that Mr. Rogers had the heart of a very competent instructor. He loved to teach hiscraft. It always had to be a good day in the neighborhood of Mr. Rogers. Continued page threeQCWA Material on file about member 202 - W2ADC John Rogers: Artist, watercolor painter.
Worked for NY Times, Herald-Tribune and NY Post. During war did illustrations for the QST warstories. “Hams in Combat” Member Am. Watercolor Society. B’kln Society of Artists and theSalmagundi Club. Also ARRL., Active on 20 and 40 Meter CW. Author says check out Salmagundi
Club on the net, very impressive location and building with great service.
Tim Savage - Director of Art League of Nassau County wrote July 2009; John was a very importantmember of our league, he led Plein Air outings. His work was greatly prized and for many years after
his passing the League held a “John Rogers Sale.” His widow donated the bits and pieces ofpaintings that he had left behind. Other artists donated works as well, with proceeds donated to localcharities. Our Historian is in Florida for the summer if I (Tim) can learn more will be glad to relay
on to you for the article. Note; Plein Air outings, art group outings, bring your easel and yourimagination, in the company of other artists. Credit CQ Magazine Covers Dec 80 and 81. Comments
Alen Dorhoffer, K2EEK. QCWA Mug shot of W2ADC and personal history. With special thanks
to Tim Savage of ALNC with enough information to make this VIP Tribute work.
CQ Editorial Oct `1985 by K2EEK; Several wrote to ascertain what became of our annual Christmas
cover this year. Our several covers were original paintings done by W2ADC, a world noted watercolor artist. John was quite ill this past year and decided against this years cover, as it wouldn’t havebeen up to his high standards due to his health. We both hoped to see another cover in 1985, but thatwasn’t to be. John passed on in July. Of the 16 or so years I knew John, it was less than 8 that I knew
he was a ham. The subject never came up. I grew to admire his talent and his wit and looked forward
each year to his view of “CQville.” We all will miss him. Alan

Left, Rogers rendition of Hill Side
Farm; Below “Lady of the Night.”
W8SU 2009