ILWG Communications Special Event

In honor of the 70^th anniversary of the founding of Civil Air Patrol, a special radio net was held in December. It is the only known CAP communications event held recognizing 70 years of Civil Air Patrol.

Comprised of 14 volunteer operators, located around the state of Illinois, the day long activity garnered almost 400 unique radio contacts worldwide. Calls came from around the United States, and also from Japan, Bermuda, Mexico, and Canada. Those who sent a SASE were sent a commemorative CAP 'QSL card', which is a radio commemorative event postcard. That card featured a vintage photo of a CAP communication team from the 1950’s (above). Some participating members in the exercise honored the day by posing in a similar fashion for a photo (below). From left are Col. Maurice Givens, Capt. Ron Walerowicz, and Major Jim Bartel.

CAP amateur radio operators who participated were:

• Col. Maurice Givens,N9DC
• Col. Steve Peters, W9KXT
• Lt. Col. Ted Lohr, N9WDS
• Lt. Col. Constance Kelly, AC9CK
• Major Jim Bartel, N9NWU
• Major David Picek, KC9EAU
• Major Robert Becker, N9JCR
• Major Jerry Scherer, KC9LYO
• Major John Brendel, KC9PTF
• Capt. Ron Walerowicz K9SX
• Capt. Joe Schroeder, W9JUV
• Capt. Matt Brown, KC9UJC
• 1^st Lt. Lee French, N9YHO
• 1^st Lt. Michael Petz, KA9HNT

These members, who are all amateur radio operators, are members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). An upcoming article on the event is to be published in the ARRL's "QST Magazine", located at http://www.arrl.org/qst