Special MRD Station- Chatham Radio c/s WA1WCC

By Radio Officer Ron Farris WA1RF (Opr. at WCC)

During the next MRD  we will operate in the original operations building at the receiver site which was constructed in 1914 by the Marconi Wireless America Company. In fact, all the original buildings at the receiving site still exist.  While the site was established by the Marconi Company,  they never operated or had any radio activity there.  World War One happened around that time and the U.S. Government did not allow any foreign companies to conduct communications activities. WCC eventually went on the air in 1921 under RCA Corperation – and the rest in history. While we do operate and the museum is located inside the original  operations building –  unfortunately, we lost all the original WCC antennas to vandalism about 15 years ago.  We had many rhombics and various other types of wire antennas which were all cut down by vandals for their copper value.  The WCC ARA has built and erected antennas for our ham activity. Some of the antennas are replica’s of what was originally used by WCC but thus far we have not be able to duplicate any of the rhombics.  Perhaps one day we will have one back in service. Please refer to the WA1WCC, W1HNJ and WA1RF  qrz.com pages for more info and feel free to use any of the pictures on those pages.  Additionally, the museum has a website:  http://chathammarconi.org/AmateurRadioClub.html   where you can find more info about WCC and museum activities.

73’s

Ron Farris/WA1RF   (WCC op sine: RF)