AWA Amateur Radio Activities

The AWA has always had a strong appeal for the radio amateur with an interest in vintage communications. Most, if not all, of our founding members were hams, and their influence continues to be reflected in various club activities. Several ham radio nets are in operation throughout the week; you can take your choice of AM, SSB or CW. Beautiful '1929' station built by Rick Weber, W9QZ, and posed behind a very nice key and sounder set. Hartley transmitter on the right; regenerative receiver on the left.

Beautiful '1929' station built by Rick Weber, W9QZ, and posed behind a very nice key and sounder set. Hartley transmitter on the right; regenerative receiver on the left.

When in the Rochester, New York area, you'll be welcomed on our 2-meter repeater. To see a current net schedule, click here to go directly to the "Meets and Meetings" section of the current "AWA Journal(OTB) Online Edition" (our quarterly bulletin for members).

Our organization also sponsors three major "on the air" get-togethers for those who enjoy operating vintage equipment. Among them are two winter events: The Bruce Kelley Memorial 1929 QSO Party (usually in December) and the Linc Cundall Memorial Old-Time CW Contest (usually in January). The Linc Cundall Memorial OT DX Contest takes place in the spring (usually in April).

The 1929 QSO party is an 80-meter event, giving participants an opportunity to fire up their Hartley, TNT or MOPA rigs. There's a friendly competition to see who can make the most contacts, and scores are published in "The AWA Journal(OTB)."

Very impressive '1929' push-pull tuned grid-tuned plate transmitter built by Stan Hojnacki, WA2NPL. It operates at 10 watts input (200 volts at 50 mA on the plates).

The Linc Cundall Old-Time CW Contest features equipment built up through 1946 and takes place on "160", "80," "40" and "20." Scores depend on distance covered, power used, and whether the age of the equipment qualifies. "Mod" (post-1942) rigs may be used for a lower "equipment multiplier."

The Linc Cundall Memorial OT DX Contest allows a still more modern equipment mix. Its rules were recently modified to allow rigs manufactured or designed before 1960. Operation is on 40 or 20 meters. Scoring is similar to that of the OT CW contest.

These contests are open to members only, and full details are published in the "Amateur Radio" column of "The AWA Journal" at appropriate times. Join up now, begin receiving your bulletins, and get in on the next one!