ROAR - Rotarians of Amateur Radio

Guglielmo Marconi inventor of the wireless, it is said, was an active member of the Rotary Club of Bologna, Italy.

John Maier, W8AUV, tells us at the RI Convention, Chicago, 18-22, June through the cooperation of the Chicago Chapter of the American Red Cross, ROAR have arranged to have their Emergency Communications Vehicle as Low Band Base Station during the Convention celebrating 100 years of Rotary.

Since this is a special convention, ROAR is doing something extra as well. Special Event Station W9R will operate during the entire convention on most amateur frequency bands to actively have opportunity to contact any ham station around the world. More importantly for ROAR members familiar with the rules of convention, plans are afoot to make the station accessible to ROAR members and others not attending the convention most hours of the day, striving to keep this station 'on-the-air' as much as possible. A special certificate will be available to all who are able to contact this station.

Refer to www.ecrv4711.org for photographs of this vehicle, the capability and equipment description. Select FAQ for the equipment listing, and/or select 4711 Scrapbook, and then Florida Hurricanes for a photograph showing the unit supporting the 3 element Mosley Beam on the pneumatic tower at 52 feet (16.25 meters).

You can gather from the information posted on this site the complexity of this vehicle, it is much more than a portable ham station. The group of hams that support this vehicle as volunteers have been very supportive of our needs and desires. They will be available during selected hours of the convention to demonstrate the capability of this vehicle.

This vehicle will be parked within the RV Fellowship area which will be located adjacent the convention center which is the Convention HQ and contain the "House of Friendship". ROAR will have a booth there to meet all who attend the convention.

Instructions will be available as to where the station is located and how to get there. Make plans now to allow time to visit and operate this Special Event Station while in Chicago.

For those in ROAR unable to attend the convention mark your calendar now to reserve time to contact W9R. Additional information will be forthcoming detailing the times and frequencies of operation.

ROAR will be operating the station during the International Nets on Sunday.

This is a memorable event, both the convention celebrating 100 years of Rotary but a special Amateur Radio event as well.

If you attend the Convention, make this a must visit and plan to attend ROAR's Annual Meeting.

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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