USS KIDD

W5KID

2024 News: USS KIDD going to shipyard

Operating events for W5KID on the USS KIDD have ended, while the ship goes through a major repair and restoration. The project consists of hull repair and reinforcement, superstructure repair, interior restoration, and painting of the ship, as well as the repair and upgrading of the docking cradle. The ship will be moved to Houma, LA so the work can be done by Thomas-Sea Marine Constructors LLC. The project is scheduled to start in April of 2024 and continue through May 2025. See this report from WAFB TV. W5KID will return to the air in the summer of 2025.

Requests for QSLs for past contacts will still be honored.

USS KIDD Veterans Museum

Pearl Harbor Day – 7 December 2023

Our radio operations for this date are summarized in this report in PDF format.

Veterans Day – 11 November 2023

As we do every year, W5KID operated from the USS KIDD as a Special Event Station on Veterans Day. We were on the air from 10 am – 2:30 pm with seven operators. All the operation was on 20 meters SSB, except for the final half hour which we operated CW. Jason Mullins, KI5ZAZ was interested in observing a CW QSO, so Jon Reise, WA9JBR called CQ on 20 meters using the paddle and electronic keyer at 18 wpm. Several stations were worked before Jon and Jason chased some of the POTA stations on 20 meters.

Pile ups were common with many Veterans wanting to work the USS KIDD. Since it was a Saturday and Veterans and family had complimentary admission, many visitors stopped by the operating room with many of them coming in to view the operation. We worked 116 stations across the USA and Canada.

The operating team consisted of:

  • Pam Welsh, KF5IPJ
  • Jeff Welsh, KF5ENP
  • Joe Roppolo, K5ROP
  • Russ London, NS5W
  • Elmer Tatum, N5EKF
  • Jason Mullins, KI5ZAZ
  • Jon Reise, WA9JBR

V-J Day – 2 September 2023

Our club station W5KID was on the air in recognition of V-J Day, when the surrender document was signed, officially ending World War II in 1945.

The operators during the first part of the morning were Elmer Tatum (N5EKF) and Jason Mullins (KI5ZAZ). During the remainder of the morning the operators were Jason Mullins (KI5ZAZ) and Jason Giroir (KI5LIG).

We logged 33 contacts, with 9 on the 40 m band and 24 on the 20 m band. All contacts were SSB voice. The locations we reached included 2 in Canada and the following USA states: AZ, CO, IA, IL, LA, MA, MI, MN, MS, NC, NY, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI.

GOTA-HF – 30 August 2023

This Get on The Air HF session using the W5KID station covered the same content as the one on 12 August. The attendees, Pam Welsh (KF5IPJ) and Jeff Welsh (KF5ENP), enjoyed the instruction and dialog with Jon Reise (WA9JBR). They both enjoyed turns speaking with other hams on the 20 m band.

Here is a summary of the contacts made during the session:
Digital FT8 contacts:
20 m band – Arizona, Indiana, Texas, Virginia
17 m band – Norway, Dominican Republic and California
Voice (SSB) contacts:
20 m band – Florida, Indiana, Michigan (2) and West Virginia

GOTA-HF – 12 August 2023

Our club sponsored another Get on The Air HF session for members who recently earned or upgraded their ham radio licenses. This was a tutoring session for learning the basics of operating an HF ham radio station. Using the W5KID station aboard the USS KIDD we covered the following topics:
• HF station setup
• Use of a station PC
• Logging software
• Making digital FT8 contacts
• Basics of an SSB contact
Jon Reise (WA9JBR) conducted the session, which included a voice contact by Bill Clenney (KI5ZYN) with Jon’s friend in the Chicago area, on the 20 m band.

Other voice contacts included New York and Wisconsin. Our FT8 contacts included Colorado, Maryland, and Nebraska.

Independence Day – 4 July 2023

On this holiday we logged 30 contacts, all on the 20 m band. 12 contacts were made on the FT8 digital mode, covering the US states: AZ, FL, NC, NE, NJ, OH, SC, TN plus the Dominican Republic. The other 18 contacts were on SSB voice, covering the US states: CA, CO, FL, IL, LA, MI, MN, OH, VA and Canada.

The operators were Mike Gebhart (KI5YZL), Jon Reise (WA9JBR), Russ London (NS5W) and John Krupsky (WA5MLF). Much of the morning session enabled Mike to get acquainted with HF radio. We closed the station at 1:00 pm due to hot weather and downtown crowds.

Museum Ships Weekend – 3 & 4 June 2023

Click on above image for full size.

Our participation in this annual event is covered in this report in PDF format.

Memorial Day – 29 May 2023

Our radio operations are summarized in this report in PDF format.

Kamikaze Remembrance – 11 April 2023

During the morning of this solemn date, W5KID was on the air. We logged only 6 QSOs, all on SSB: 4 on the 20 m band and 2 on the 15 m band. One of the 15 m contacts was with Scotland, Island of Hoy, Orkney Islands. The other contacts included the states: CO, NJ, WI, WV, and TX. The Wisconsin and Texas contacts were with POTA stations that we found by their postings on the POTA spots web page. Our club participants were: Jon Reise (WA9JBR), Russ London (NS5W), Joe Roppolo (K5ROP), and John Krupsky (WA5MLF).
The remembrance ceremony was covered by WAFB on this page.

GOTA-HF – 1 April 2023

Using our club station W5KID, we held a Get on The Air (for HF radio) session for members who recently earned or upgraded their ham radio licenses. A report of this event is posted here.

Vietnam Veterans Day – 29 March 2023

On March 29, 2023, W5KID was on the air to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day. The participating club members were Leonard Bowman (W5ZDW), Dayna Bowman (WA5YSS), Tim Babin (KI5ZAW) and John (WA5MLF).

We logged 14 contacts: 5 CW on 15 m; 2 CW and 3 SSB on 17 m; 4 SSB on 20 m. We contacted the following: Czech Republic, England, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Sweden and USA states: FL, IA, NJ, NY, TX, VA. All QSOs were made with the Icom IC-7300 driving the Acom amplifier for up to 500 W output.

73,
John (WA5MLF)

Pearl Harbor Remembrance – 7 Dec 2022

Our club members operated W5KID for about 4 hours on this date. Starting at 1000 CST Leonard (W5ZDW) and Dayna (WA5YSS) tried 20 m and 40 m CW. Both bands had unusual noise levels and marginal signals. After a mere 3 contacts across the two bands, Leonard decided to try the 10 m band. A lot more activity was present there. In addition to calling CQ, we made use of the Reverse Beacon Network to locate other stations calling CW on 10 m and answered their calls to log several more contacts. Shortly after 1100 CST, Leonard switched to voice (SSB) and many more contacts were made.

At about noon, Russ (NS5W) arrived to help with logging while John (WA5MLF) took over the pile-up that Leonard had started, staying on 10 m SSB for the remainder of our session. Among the interesting contacts were: WX1USN, who reported contacting 22 museum ships during the summer event; KB1OYB, who had a nice signal from his 66 ft vertical wire antenna suspended by trees; KA6ASF, whose mother served as a WAVES aircraft technician at Oahu; K1FRC, who served aboard the carrier USS America during the 1980’s and K7OOS, who served aboard the destroyer USS Epperson.

We logged a total of 58 contacts, with 55 being on 10 m. Contacts beyond our usual range of US states and Canada included: Balearic Islands, Brazil, Canary Islands, France, Mexico, Scotland and Spain. The unique US states contacted were: AZ, CA, CT, FL, ID, LA, MA, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, UT. Canadian provinces contacted were: Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan.

73, John WA5MLF

Veterans Day – 11 Nov 2022

W5KID was on the air for Veterans Day. The operators & loggers included: Jon (WA9JBR), Mike Gebhart, John (WA5MLF), Elmer (N5EKF), Russ (NS5W), Marvin (N5HE), Michael (KG5EPT), Matthew (W5OTO), Jamey (K5PEW), Leonard (W5ZDW) and Dayna (WA5YSS).

101 contacts were logged, comprising 76 on the 20 m band and 25 on the 10 m band. Voice (SSB) accounted for 89 contacts and 12 contacts were on CW. USA locations were 95 of the total contacts, with 32 unique states represented: AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV. Other countries contacted were: Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Zambia.

The museum ship USS Hornet (CV-12), operating as NB6GC, was our ship-to-ship contact. Another notable contact was with a Navy veteran Radioman who served aboard the USS KIDD during the Korean War.

73, John WA5MLF

US Navy Birthday – 13 Oct 2022

Read about our station’s activity in this PDF report.

V-J Day – 2022

On September 2, 2022 our club activated station W5KID in recognition of V-J Day, when the surrender document was signed, officially ending World War II.

All contacts were made on the 20 m (14 MHz) band using the long-wire antenna. We started the morning with three FT8 digital mode contacts by Jon (WA9JBR), reaching the states AZ, FL and IN. These contacts were observed by Thornton (K5HLC) who is interested in learning about the digital operating modes and how to configure a modern transceiver to interface with a personal computer running the digital mode software.

When Leonard (W5ZDW) and Dayna (WA5YSS) arrived we switched to CW mode, operating at 300 W output with the Acom linear amplifier. Leonard made 8 CW contacts, covering the states: CO, FL, IA, IL, MD, OK and PA. When Leonard and Dayna signed out, Jon took over and made three more CW contacts, including the states FL and IN. Jon then made two FT8 contacts (at reduced power), with the states MD and WV.

In the early afternoon Rus (NS5W) arrived to observe and help with logging, followed by James (W5WMU) and Bryon (K5AIA). They chose to make voice (SSB) contacts. This was a new experience for James. After calling CQ a few times he began to get a string of contacts which started out slowly and gradually built up to a moderate pile-up. The 26 contacts by James covered the states: AZ, CO, CT, FL , IL, KS, MN, NE, NY, PA and VA. The Connecticut contact was W1AW at ARRL Headquarters.

The figure above identifies the total set of states contacted by the three operators across the three operating modes.

The DX contacts made by James were Mexico (Mexico City) and India (Mumbai). The contact with India was the prize QSO for the day, at 8,800 miles – if the signals took the shortest (great circle) path as shown on the figure below.

The W5KID station performed very well and our club members enjoyed the radio contacts. With a temporary Internet connection via cell phone we were able to see each station’s information from QRZ.com along with whatever photo or image that appears on their QRZ.com page.

Our next planned day to operate the station is October 13, in recognition of the US Navy Birthday.

73,
John WA5MLF

Museum Ships Weekend – 2022

The USS KIDD was one of 89 ships participating in the annual Museum Ships Weekend, sponsored by the USS New Jersey amateur radio club (NJ2BB). Over the two days (June 4 & 5) our W5KID station made a total of 314 contacts which included the following 14 museum ships and one museum

  • K0FPO, USS Hazard, Minesweeper, Omaha, NE
  • K1USN, Watson Naval Shipbuilding Museum, Braintree, MA
  • K8E, Col. James M Schoonmaker, Bulk Carrier, Toledo, OH
  • N4HLH, H L Hunley, Submarine – Civil War, Charleston SC
  • N5E, Tall Ship Elissa, Sailing Barque, Galveston Island, TX
  • N6MSO, USS Lucid, Minesweeper, Stockton, CA
  • NB9QV, USS Cobia, Submarine, Manitowoc, WI
  • NJ2BB, USS, New Jersey, Battleship, Camden, NJ
  • NJ4DU, USS, Clamagore, Submarine, Charleston, SC
  • NM8GS, LS, Huron, Lightship, Port Huron, MI
  • NS7DD, USS, Turner Joy, Destroyer, Bremerton, WA
  • W5LEX, USS, Lexington, Aircraft Carrier, Corpus Christi, TX
  • WA4USN, USS Yorktown, Aircraft Carrier, Charleston, SC
  • WW2IND, USS, Indianapolis Memorial, Cruiser, Indianapolis, IN
  • WW2LST, LST 325, LST, Evansville, IN

We contacted 42 unique states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY along with two Canadian provinces (ON, QC) and Puerto Rico.

Jeff N4XEG set up his video camera to capture some of the action. You can view his YouTube video at this link. Please excuse my occasional blocking of the view.  One of the participating battleships, USS Wisconsin, shared this video of their club’s operations.

73, John , WA5MLF

Memorial Day – 2022

W5KID was on the air on May 30, 2022, to commemorate Memorial Day. We made 140 contacts – 25 CW and 114 voice. All contacts were on the 20 m band. We contacted the following 32 states: AL, AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY. We also contacted 3 Canadian provinces: AB, ON, QC.

The operators and loggers were Jeff N4XEG, Russ NS5W, Leonard W5ZDW, Dayna WA5YSS, Brandon KI5SXE, and John WA5MLF.

Our local FOX /NBC TV affiliates sent their reporter Ariel Salk to do a video report on the activities at the USS KIDD Veterans Museum. The local evening news broadcasts that day included video of the CW radio contacts in progress and some interview responses by John WA5MLF about our activities. John mentioned the many contacts with US veterans and their family members who thanked us for commemorating the day. He also explained that we used both Morse Code and voice modes in making contacts and that we reach ham radio stations in many states across the USA. A text report by the TV reporter appeared on the brproud.com website, but no video was present.

Vietnam Veterans Day – 2022

On March 29, 2022, W5KID was on the air to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day. We made 74 contacts (55 voice, 19 CW), all on the 20 m band. We contacted the following 27 US states: AL, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV plus 3 Canadian provinces. All contacts were made with the Icom IC-7300 driving the Acom amplifier to 300 W.

The operators and loggers were:

1.      Leon Zebrick N5LAZ                 John WA5MLF

2.      Stacey Sonneland KG5KGU     John Wiley Matthews KI5NUP

3.      Leonard Bowman W5ZDW     Dayna Bowman WA5YSS

Leon and Stacey sent requests by email to BRARC to operate the W5KID. They are both from outside the Baton Rouge area. We approved their requests and asked them to buy admission to the museum and ship for the day. Both are experienced Extra class hams. Stacey brought John Matthews with him to do the logging. They enjoyed their time working the many stations who were seeking a contact with the USS KIDD.

Throughout the day we received compliments for commemorating the day and for putting the ship on the air. Many contacts were with veterans of the US Armed Forces or their descendants.

HF Radio Training Session Aboard USS Kidd

On Saturday February 12, 2022, three of our newer club members attended a training session about HF radio at our W5KID club station. Click here for a report with photos of this activity.

Pearl Harbor Day – 2021

radio operators on USS KIDD

Our club station W5KID made 76 radio contacts from the USS KIDD on December 7, 2021, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. We contacted the following 27 US states: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MT, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, SD, TX, VA, WI, WV, WY. Beyond the USA we contacted Canada, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

All contacts were on the 20 m (14 MHz) band and included 50 on SSB (voice) mode and 26 on CW (Morse code). We contacted the Battleship USS New Jersey twice – once on SSB and once on CW.

The radio operators and loggers were Jon (WA9JBR), Jeff (N4XEG), Don (KF0CSP), Charlie (KG5VTE), John (WA5MLF), Leonard (W5DZW), and Dayna (WA5YSS).

During the noon hour the activities aboard ship honored the fallen, as shown in this article by The Advocate.

All contacts have been uploaded to the W5KID Logbook of the World account. Several have already been matched with the records of stations who use that option. I’m sure that many QSL cards will arrive in the mail from stations we contacted who want a copy of the W5KID QSL card.

73,
John WA5MLF

Veterans Day – November 11, 2021

The W5KID station aboard the USS KIDD was on the air in recognition of Veterans Day. We made 51 contacts during the day — 20 CW, 31 SSB, all on 20 m. We contacted 22 states (AZ, CO, CT, FL, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, VA, WY) plus Puerto Rico and Ontario Canada. The operators were: Leonard (W5DZW), Dayna (WA5YSS), Elmer (N5EKF), Jeff (N4XEG), John (WA5MLF). Many of the contacted stations told us that they or family members are veterans. One of our contacts was a ship-to-ship contact, with the USS Little Rock, a US Navy light cruiser that is now a museum ship at Buffalo, NY.

Independence Day – July 4, 2021

W5KID was on the air onboard the USS KIDD. We made 43 contacts on the 20 m band: 27 CW and 16 voice. Our contacts included 20 states (AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IN, LA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NE, NM, OK, PA, TN, TX, WI), Ontario Canada and Mexico. The operators were Lee (W5ZDW), Dayna (WA5YSS), John (WA5MLF) and Russ (NS5W).
Article by the Advocate

Museum Ships Weekend – 2021

Here is a summary of our contacts made on June 5 & 6, 2021:

6/5/21
96 total contacts
88 on 20 m, 8 on 40 m
65 SSB, 31 CW
32 states were contacted:
AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY
Plus 2 in Canada
Included were 7 other museum ships:
SS Col. James M Schoonmaker, Toledo, OH
NSS SAVANNAH,Baltimore, MD
USS YORKTOWN, Charleston, SC
USS IOWA, San Pedro, CA
USS SILVERSIDES, Muskegon, MI
USS TURNER JOY DD951, Bremerton, WA
USS LEXINGTON, Corpus Christi, TX

6/6/21
131 contacts, all on 20 m phone
29 states
This date shared 24 states with 6/5, but added AZ, AL, CT, MS, ND
3 more museum ships:
USS RAZORBACK, Little Rock, AR
USS MIDWAY, San Diego, CA
LST 325, Evansville, IN

Participants were:
6/5 – Leonard (W5DZW), Dayna (WA5YSS)
6/6 – KI5EGM (Marty), John (WA5MLF)

Memorial Day – 2021

For the first time since the pandemic started, W5KID was on the air — for Memorial Day, May 31, 2021. We made 113 contacts including 38 US states, 2 Canadian provinces and Northern Ireland. The US states were: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV.

Operators participating were: Chris (KI5JSE), Ken (W5KQ), Jon (WA9JBR), Leonard (W5DZW), Dayna (WA5YSS), Elmer (N5EKF), John (WA5MLF), Jim (K7QI), Jennifer (K5NMT)

Pearl Harbor Day 2019

W5KID was on the air on December 7, 2019 (10 am – 2 pm) in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day. After the initial setup by Buddy (N5BUD) we made 51 contacts — 5 on CW and 46 on SSB; all on 20 m.

Contacts were logged with the following states: AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, IL, KS, MD, MI, MO, MT, NC, OH, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, WI, WY. A special event station N0W, for Skywarn Recognition Day, was among the contacts. Canadian provinces contacted were Ontario and British Columbia. Operators from our club included Jon (WA9JBR), Lee (W5ZDW), Rus (NS5W) and John (WA5MLF). Jon and Lee made the CW contacts after setting up the FT-450D’s keyer to use the paddles.

Veterans Day 2019

Our operation of W5KID for Veterans Day 2019 is described on page 6 of this edition of the RF News.


Vietnam Veterans Day 2019

W5KID was on the air aboard the USS KIDD on Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29, 2019.  Buddy (N5BUD) arrived first and set everything up and Thornton (K5HLC) arrived shortly thereafter.  Band conditions were not favorable in the morning so when Bill (KE5TA) and Cecile (N5DR) showed up we had an up-close personal net going trading stories and entertaining visitors to the ship as to why we were there.  We made a logarithmic number of contacts compared to the number of CQs sent.

John (WA5MLF) arrived a little past 1:00 pm and Thornton stayed a while longer to help with logging contacts. Dave (K5CGX) was unable to attend.

The station was on 40 m for most of the operating day. We logged 11 contacts on 40 m, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas. Later in the afternoon John moved to 20 m and made one contact with Colorado after calling CQ multiple times.  20 m was busy with contests and DX stations.

The nearby docked American Queen riverboat (pictured below) provided folks who toured the USS KIDD and enjoyed hearing about our club station onboard.

American Queen riverboat

The USS KIDD was afloat on the high Mississippi River as you can see in the next photo.

USS KIDD

73, John (WA5MLF)


Veterans Day 2017

A Good Time for All who Participated! Thanks to Thornton Cofield KG5HLC for the photos.

L to R: Charlie Mercier KG5VTE, Louann Clark W5LDX, Joe Clark N5HDX

 

L to R: Cliff Oliver, Dave Thomas K5CGX, Jon Reise WA9JBR

 

 

 

 

 

 

L to R: Charlie Mercier KG5VTE, Louann Clark W5LDX, Joe Clark N5HDX and 3 young visitors.

 

 

 

Brett Hebert, KG5IQU working in the lobby of the USS KIDD Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 


Independence Day – July 4, 2017

Here are photos by Dave (K5CGX) from our HF radio operation aboard the USS KIDD.

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Bill (KE5TA), Mary (WB5LBR), Mike (KD5MLD), Brett (KG5IQU)
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Dana (AD5VC), Ken (W5KQ)
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Mike (KD5MLD), Brett (KG5IQU)
KIDD-7-4-17 (4)
Brynn (KG5KRV), Synomen (KG5IRS), Logan (KG5LLM)
KIDD-7-4-17 (5)
Dana (AD5VC), Tyler (LSU student)
KIDD-7-4-17 (6)
Seth (LSU student), John (WA5MLF)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Museum Ships Weekend – 2017 June 3 & 4

Our club participated in this annual event that is sponsored by the Battleship New Jersey club. Here are two photos from the operation on June 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 Memorial Day – 2017 May 29

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Pearl Harbor Day 2016

Pearl Harbor Day, December 7th, aboard the USS KIDD was a good operation for us. We stayed busy all day and logged approximately 275 contacts, one even claiming to be in East Ukraine, making him suspect. Nothing on the logging software on him. Sounded like a 5/9 to me. We even got a couple of new guys with the club on the air, Cory (KG5QCU) & Kevin. George (KC5HMI) & Jeff (both from the MssLou Club in St. Francisville) came over and helped out.
–  Dave K5CGX

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Veterans Day 2016

Our Nov 11 Veterans Day observance aboard the USS KIDD was a success. From Joe,
N5HDX & Daughter LouAnn, W5LDX Clark from Texas to a good showing by Club
members. All time slots were filled & then some. A high 200’s contact count & good
conditions made things busy. I hope for the same on Pearl Harbor Day.  Dave K5CGX

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 USS New Jersey Recognition for W5KID

Our Team was recognized for operating W5KID on the USS KIDD during the Museum Ships Weekend 2016, June 4-5. Here is the certificate we received from the event organizers.

Independence Day Operation

W5KID01

On a beautiful, sunshine filled Saturday, 2 July 2016, BRARC members activated W5KID on the USS KIDD to observe July 4th Independence Day. A full slate of 12 operators and loggers contacted stations around North America during the 6-hour operation on 20 m SSB. 168 stations were contacted in 36 states, including Canada and Puerto Rico!
Since it was a holiday weekend, there were many visitors to the USS KIDD.  Many of them stopped in the radio room, intrigued by the wireless contacts we made with Hams all over North America. We use this as a chance to promote Amateur Radio, especially to the young people. Our own Marvin Owen N5HE, brought his family of Ham Radio Operators, who were visiting from Dallas. They all took part in operating or logging with the assistance of Marvin, their Dad and Grandfather.

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3 generations of Hams

Brett KG5IQU, handles the deluge of QSL requests with a colorful QSL card and descriptive brochure about the USS KIDD. He QSLs through the mail, as well as LoTW and soon to add eQSL and QRZ.com.

The USS KIDD station uses a Yaesu FT-450D, running 100 W and a MFJ-969 antenna tuner, feeding a long wire strung from the mast. Many times on the air, we encounter pileups, similar to Field Day. That was certainly the case during Museum Ships Weekend in June. The station is now equipped with an easy-to-read Startup/Shutdown Guide, for quickly activating the station. A guide for the MFJ Antenna Tuner lists tuner settings for operating frequencies.

Any BRARC member is allowed to use the station, during normal Museum hours. Please contact Jon Reise WA9JBR or Buddy Brown N5BUD to gain access to W5KID. If you are a new operator to the station, you will have to be checked out by Jon or Buddy. Contact them to arrange a meeting.

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John WA5MLF, racking up the contacts as Ken W5KQ keeps up with the logging duties.

The USS KIDD, W5KID is an excellent way for Technicians or new Generals to gain some HF experience, with an experienced Ham showing you the ropes! Come and join in on the fun. You don’t have to wait for the next scheduled activation; you can schedule your time when it is convenient for you. The next scheduled activation is Veterans Day, 11 November 2016.

Museum Ships Weekend – June 4-5, 2016

Two days operating from the USS KIDD. Sometimes things just can’t get any better. The event was sponsored by The Battleship New Jersey Amateur Radio Station and it attracted a total of 111 ships operating amateur radios which were located around the world. Thirteen countries including Russia, Portugal, Finland, Australia, etc. were represented. The USS Orleck out of Lake Charles, LA was even participating.

We opened up the USS KIDD for operation at 10 am and ran it to 4 pm according to schedule. We had a full complement of operators and loggers and everything went smoothly. By the time we started to experience some pileups, the weather and 20 m turned on us and we had to wade through that until the afternoon when things picked up measurably. I think with the open door and the sign we were able to attract several more visitors than I remembered in the past. Mostly we worked 20 m and were happy with our contacts.

Jennifer Bordelon. logger and Jon Reise, WA9JBR, operator on June 4
Jennifer Bordelon. logger and Jon Reise, WA9JBR, operator on June 4

On June 5, our second day of operating off the USS KIDD, the only bit of excitement, not radio related, was the setting off the alarm by the KIDD personnel, but that is another story. We were a little short on operators but happily Chad, K5EBR, filled in for the last 4 hours. We also had Jennifer, a potential new “ham” and member, operate with us for the two days. The weather, the visitors, and band conditions all cooperated to make it a very nice day for all.

A cub scout den from Crowley, LA with Ken Shutt, W5KQ and Mike Nolan, KD5MLD operating
A cub scout den from Crowley, LA with Ken Shutt, W5KQ and Mike Nolan, KD5MLD operating

The first Sunday of the month is admission free day and we experienced quite a few families and had at least one cub scout den from Crowley, LA visit us. We also had a visit from Gary Pearcey, WB4RLS, from Atlanta, GA who was here on vacation. We had a total of 408 contacts during the two days from 42 states and 5 Canadian provinces. Most of our operation was on 20 m.

Visitors with Ken Shutt, W5KQ operating and Mike Nolan, KD5MLD as logger
Visitors with Ken Shutt, W5KQ operating and Mike Nolan, KD5MLD as logger

Our next operation on the USS KIDD will be on July 2, 2016 in observance of July 4, Independence Day. Please contact Buddy Brown, N5BUD, or respond to the volunteer email to participate.

 

 

BRARC Celebrates May Day at the USS KIDD

Several Club members participated in the May Day activities at the USS KIDD Museum on May 1, 2016. The W5KID operating station was set up in the museum lobby, to demonstrate Amateur Radio to the museum goers. Visitors were interested in the technology, as well. The TenTec station operated on 20 m in the museum, while the FT-450D station was used on board the ship for contacts. The stations made contacts in several states, including a VE8 in Canada’s NWT. Contacts were also made in the Florida QSO Party. The booth was manned by Buddy N5BUD, Thornton KG5HLC, Dick N5KIP, Brett KG5IQU, Mike KG5MYX, and Jon WA9JBR.


USS KIDD, W5KID – Vietnam Veterans Day 2016 Special Event

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Alex Juan, Executive Director, making a 20 m SSB contact.
Alex Juan, Executive Director, making a 20 m SSB contact.

The W5KID operation on Vietnam Veterans Day turned out to be an enjoyable event on 19 March 2016. With the Louisiana QSO Party taking place the same day, we also supplied points to the QSO Party participants who worked us. A total of 128 contacts in 29 states, were made during the 6-hour continuous operation. A team of 12-logger/operators kept the station active from 10 am – 4 pm. Numerous ship visitors stopped by and enjoyed viewing and listening to the operation. Several of the logger/operators were students from our current Technician class, who enjoyed the operating experience. Pile-ups were common and there were still stations wanting to work W5KID when the operation was closed down at 4 pm.

Most of the operation was on 20 m, SSB, with a little activity on 40 m, SSB. 20 m propagation was favorable. W5KID was spotted several times on the DX clusters. Hits to the W5KID QRZ.com page were frequent. The addition of our new outdoor BRARC signage gave us increased awareness to the ship visitors. We had a surprise visit from Alex Juan, the Executive Director of the Museum, who picked up the mike and made a contact on 20 m SSB. A big thank you goes out to all the logger/operators, who made the event a success.

We will again activate W5KID on the observance of Armed Forces Day, 21 May, 10am – 4pm. We are in need of logger/operators. Please contact Buddy Brown, N5BUD with your request to participate.


USS KIDD, W5KID –  Veterans Day 2015 Special Event

The W5KID operation on Veterans Day turned out to be a resounding success. A total of 241 contacts (34/hr) were made during the 7-hour continuous operation. A team of 14-logger/operators kept the station active from 9 am – 4 pm. Five additional visiting Hams enjoyed viewing and listening to the operation. Several of the logger/operators were Technician or newly licensed Generals, who enjoyed the operating experience. Pile-ups were common and there were still stations wanting to work W5KID when the operation was closed down at 4 pm.

Most of the operation was on 20 meter, SSB, with a little activity on 40 meter, SSB. 20 meter propagation was favorable, with all call districts worked, including Canada, Mexico, PR, and the Ukraine. W5KID was spotted several times on the DX clusters. Hits to the W5KID QRZ.com page were frequent. The addition of the new headphones and speakers, allowed all to comfortably hear the operation. A big thank you goes out to all the logger/operators, who made the event a success.

We will again activate W5KID on the observance of Pearl Harbor Day, Monday, 7 December 2015, 9 am – 4 pm. We are in need of logger/operators. Please contact Jon Reise, WA9JBR with your request to participate.

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