Welcome to the Museum's Ham Station
W1VCM
W1VCM (for Vintage Communications Museum) is an operating station hosted by the museum’s own ham radio club. The station is located within the museum’s display area so that visitors can see and listen to ham radio in action. Adjacent to the station are displays of commercial and home-made amateur equipment going back to the earliest days of radio.
The station represents a typical ham “shack” from around the 1980s, and operates CW and SSB on all bands between 80 and 10, plus 2 meters. Future plans call for a vintage AM phone presence on the lower bands.
Any licensed amateur who brings in a copy of their valid license may operate the station, under supervision of the station trustee. Besides operating demonstrations, the ham club offers classes for anyone wishing to obtain a ham license. The club meets once a month on the second Saturday for an informal breakfast meeting at the Windsor 75 Diner in Windsor, CT.
For more information about the museum’s ham club, how to become a member, equipment donations, etc. please contact the club secretary, Bernie Michaels, W2LFV at bmawrite@comcast.net or write, 514 Dewey St. West Springfield, MA 01089.
Nine members joined guest speaker Harold Kramer, WJ1B, at the May breakfast meeting. Here are the highlights.
• President Bill Thompson, K1NNB, opened the meeting at 9:10 and asked for a treasurer's report. Charles Griffen, W1GYR, stated the treasury had $1,331.55 with no outstanding bills.
• Chris Kelling, N1WKO, volunteered to contact Paul Courson, WA3VJB and establish a QSO on 40 meter AM between our museum and the National Radio and TV Museum near Washington, D.C.
• Skip Colton, W1FTE, will host this year's Field Day activity again. Anyone planning to take part in FD should email Skip and let him know what time frame they can dedicate. Skip says even someone who can only devote an hour or two is welcome. Chris Kelling will fire up the grill and the club will provide food and drink. Skip's email address is: clcolton@att.net
• As part of the FD activities, Dan Thomas, KB1WFF, plans to have the station's TV system up and running.
• Skip also reported that A. Ward Machesney, K1DXB, of East Windsor became an SK.
• Greg Secord, K1MVQ, has agreed to chair a committee to get the club involved in next year's ARRL Centennial celebration. Volunteers should contact Greg at gregsecord@comcast.net.
• Guest Speaker Harold Kramer, WJ1B, outlined the plans for next year's ARRL Centennial Celebration. The event will
take place in Hartford and Newington, and span the weekend of July 17, 18, and 19, 2014. Keep your eyes on future issues of QST for information about this exciting and ambitious undertaking. Volunteers will be needed and hopefully some of our members will take an active role in seeing the event is a success. Drawing so many visitors to the area from around the world will certainly increase the museum's traffic as well and we need to be prepared. The official meeting ended at 10:13, then Harold went on to describe his experience providing radio communication during the recent Boston Marathon bombing incident. Harold was assigned relay messages for Medical Director Chris Troyanos and he gave a passionate account of the events following the bombing. Harold gave ample evidence that the hams who participated should be proud of the role they played.
Meeting notes by
Bernie Michaels, W2LFV
Club Secretary
Are You Interested in Becoming a Ham Radio Operator?
We offer classes, advice and assistance for anyone interested in learning about or becoming a ham radio operator.
Technician Classes - The Technician class is the entry level into amateur radio. Classes are being formed for anyone who wants to get their Technician grade license. Contact Chris Kelling, N1WKO, at kellingc@cox.net
Ham Radio Advice - Have questions about antennas, equipment, operating procedures, etc.? Contact Charles "Skip" Colton, W1FTE, at clcolton@att.net or Bill Storey, AB1LZ, at ab1lz.@arrl.net
Equipment Loans - Have a license but no equipment? The club has transceivers, power supplies and accessories for short term loan. Contact Bill Thompson, K1NNB, at k1nnb@netzero.net
Have a ticket but no station - If you're a licensed ham without a station, use ours! The museum club station, W1VCM, is available for use by anyone with a valid amateur radio license. Contact Bernie "Bud" Michaels, W2LFV, at bmawrite@comcast.net
Be Prepared for Emergencies - Hams provide essential communications for their communities during an emergency. Learn how you can help. Contact Bill Storey, AB1LZ at AB1LZ@arrl.net
