From time to time a special event happens within the amateur radio community. These events can be local and pertain to a city or area, or they can be nationwide. When amateur radio is involved in an organized event the FCC will assign a “special event” call sign to be used by operators at the event. These call signs are usually short, letter number letter and therefore easily recognizable. It is fun to work these operators during an event but the conversation is usually quite brief. Many times the goal is to see how many contacts can be made in a time frame, so just name, state, and signal report are given.
A recent event that has just ended was carried out by the Tri-City Amateur Radio Club of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The special call sign of N0T (that is a zero) was used during the Oregon/California Trail Association’s annual convention. Frank, K0BLT, was the operator for Morse code and he used 30 meters as well as 20 meters. Their goal was to reach 1000 QSO’s plus as many DX contacts (foreign) as possible. I have no doubt that they met their goal. K8ASA was happy to help out and I worked N0T on 30 meters on Saturday night. The convention attendees could stop by and see it all happen, and be impressed by what amateur radio can do.
Perhaps this would be a good way for you to get your feet wet by helping out with one of these special events in your area. It takes many people to make it happen and you would be welcome. This is not the same as contesting or field day activities which I will cover in future posts.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
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About Me
- Jack Stahl
- One of the wonderful aspects of using Morse code as a communications mode is that it is very indifferent as to the operator’s age. A good fist (one who sends well) can be ten years old or one hundred. I say this is wonderful because I am happily enjoying my sixty ninth year. I am new to the hobby of amateur radio, however, since I passed my technician test in September of 2006 and was awarded the license and call sign of KD8EJY by the FCC. I then passed my General exam in November and was granted my vanity call sign request of K8ASA by the FCC Although I am new to the amateur radio hobby, I am not new to Morse code. The ASA in my call sign refers to the Army Security Agency who sent me to a special school in 1956 to become efficient in Morse code. I was sent to Ethiopia for two years to give the army the benefit of my new skill. While back in those days my knowledge of Morse code was beneficial to our national security, 51 years later it now brings me pure pleasure. There has been a hiatus of fifty years between my army discharge and my becoming a ham and I do truly regret the fact that I missed out on all those years of enjoyment with the amateur radio hobby.
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