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»HAMS”CAN WIN AWARDS ARMED FORCES DAY
WASHINGTON^—NAVNEWS—Every collector has his mementos or his special
ly prized tokens which are representative of his interest area,Amat
eur radio operators treasure their QSL cards or other written items
that represent the operators aotivity in the amateur radio world.
The armed services appreciate the radio amateur*s pride and ded
ication, Because of this appreciation, the Army, Navy and Air force
sponsor an amateur radio communications program as part of the annual
Armed Forces Day festivities. In conjunction with this program, a
special, one-time only Q.SL card is issued for each military-to-radio
amateur contact. These new QSL cards are colorful red, white, and
blue creations exclusively designed for the May 19, 1962 Armed Forces
Day Communications Program. *
This.amateur radio program also features a CW code and a radiotele*
typewriter receiving contest. Special messages from the Secretary of
Defense will be transmitted during these receiving contests. The text
of the two messages is different but amateur operators can, if theytfi
have the .equipment, .copy both messages and obtain two Department
of Defense certificates of merit. Each certificate bears the name off
the amateur operator and the Secretary of DefenseTs signature and
seal. ■ *
The CW code receiving contest is open to any amateur or short-ware
listener who can .copy international Morse Code at 25 words per minute
The radioteletypewriter (ATT) .message is transmitted at 60 words per
minute and is. open to any amateur radio operator or other individual
The three programs add up to the possibility of an amateur receiv
ing five mementoes consisting of three Q,SL cards and two certifiestes
of merit* The amateur radio operator may receive a: Department of De
fense certificate for perfect copy of the CW or "RATT transmission*If
he. successfully copie.s both messages, then he may receive two cert
ificates, Headquarters radio stations of' the Army, Navy and Air Force
■vd 11 operate on-spot frequencies outside the amateur bands* A militaiy
to-amateur contact may be made with an Army station (WAR), A Navy a
station (NSS.) and. an. Air Force Station (AIR) • Thus, A Qst card from^P
each contacted military headquarters station will mean that the card
collector’s' corner will be brightened with the red, white and blue
colorsc .
Coxupetition entries should be submitted to the Armed Forces Day
Contest, Room 5B960, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C* and postmarked
not late^ than 31 May, 1962, Additional information may also be
obtained at this same address.
A check with Mr, Deitz of the Ham Shack discloses that it would
be difficult for Hams on Adak to participate and as far as he knew
no one had participated in past contests. If, however, anyone does
participate in any of the program, please send this information to
the Editor of the Adak Sun, giving tie details,
The CW code might be picked up by many of Adak’s Shortwave sets.
The only trick is to be able to take CW at 25 words per minute. That
is about as fast as yourwriter can type. , :j ■'
Good luck, . : •