(BVARA File Photo)

The Beaver Valley Amateur Radio Association will celebrate it’s 100th Year anniversary with a week-long series of events and celebrations to respect and commemorate the founders of our organization.    The BVARA, the oldest amateur radio club in Western Pennsylvania, has a long, proud heritage of helping the community in times of emergency including floods, tornadoes, power failures, and many special situations.  For the kick-off event, the BVARA will erect and operate a remote, fully functional  ham radio station at the softball fields in Brady’s Run Park Saturday April 15th and 16th.   All amateurs and any interested person are certainly invited to attend, observe, and possibly participate in the activity.            

The seven day long observation commences Saturday April  15th at 9:00 am to Sunday 6:00 pm on the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands.  At the ball fields, many styles of interesting antennas will be deployed for optimum performance.   Club members expect to receive many on-air calls from other hams throughout the United States and Canada.  If atmospheric conditions are favorable, they expect to receive hundreds of calls of congratulations from around the world.  The public and any interested person of any age is certainly invited to observe and learn what a great hobby amateur radio is.  Please join us. 

The usual club call sign of W3SGJ will be swapped to the “special event station” callsign of W3S.The Beaver Valley Amateur Radio Association encourages all amateur radio operators to contact the Special Event Station(s).  Those who do will receive a commemorative  “QSL card”, a special postcard that signifies a confirmed radio contact.  A special certificate is available to those who make multiple  contacts with the club.  Additionally there will be operations from member’s “shacks” (home stations) during the week as well as dinners and other get-togethers.   The observance will be concluded the 22nd with another club operating session.  

We look forward to seeing you.  For additional information, please visit W3SGJ.org.