Extensive antenna work may disrupt W1AW schedule and visitor access

ARRL Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will undergo extensive antenna repair and replacement work over the next several days.

W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, says the project could restrict visitor access to the station and may mean W1AW will not be on the air on some bands for code practice and bulletin transmissions.

Current plans call for an antenna crew to remove old antennas from their towers starting Wednesday, August 30. At the same time, new antennas will be assembled, and if time permits, new upper 40 and 20-meter Yagis could be in place the same day on W1AW's 120-foot tower. Assembly and installation work will continue Thursday, August 31, and wrap up Tuesday, September 5.

"Of course, this is all weather-dependent and assumes we don't run into any problems," Carcia says. "There exists the possibility that we may be off the air on a few bands for maybe a day."

He anticipates that W1AW will at least be available on 160, 80, 17, 10 and 2 meters for code practice and bulletin transmissions and for visitors.

Carcia says that while there's no guarantee W1AW will be active on all seven HF bands simultaneously during the work period, "we won't be totally off the air".

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