Ham radio operators to commemorate Titanic anniversary in Branson

For the second year, ham radio operators around the world will participate in a special-event transmission to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, originating from the Titanic museum in Branson.

Operators will transmit the news of the 96th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic using special event call sign W0S.

The special call sign, WØS, stands for “White Star,” the name of the company that built the Titanic.

This year a group of 16 to 20 high school students, who recently passed their ham radio license exams, will travel from northeast Oklahoma to Branson and participate.

The special event idea was developed by museum attraction co-owner, Mary Kellogg Joslyn, and Nixa ham radio operators Rich Vogt, Dave Beckler, Al Gallo and Rod Kittleman.

The worldwide transmission will honor the radio crew working aboard the Titanic on the night the ship sank.

“They sent a distress signal which was heard by operators in Cape Race, Newfoundland immediately after the ship hit the iceberg. Without these successful radio transmissions, many additional lives would have been lost that night,” said Kittleman, spokesperson for the ham radio operator group.

Spectators can witness these radio operators live at the the museum’s free Outdoor Entertainment Center from 8 a.m. April 12 until 7 p.m. April 13

Source: News-Leader.com