Dear Editor,

The Okanogan Amateur Radio Club recognizes First Concrete Pouring at Grand Coulee Dam

Dec. 6th, 1935 was the first “ceremonious pour” of concrete at Grand Coulee Dam. It was the first of a total of 12 million yards, which is enough to pour a sidewalk around the world at the equator twice!

The Okanogan County Amateur Radio Club W7ORC sponsored a “Special Event” celebrating the anniversary of the event, where the Club members used their home radio stations, commonly referred to as “HAM SHACKS” starting at 4 p.m. starting Dec 6th and ending at 4 p.m. Sunday Dec. 8.

During most of the contacts the club would give some facts about the dam and answer questions they may have had about the dam. There were quite a few that did not realize the Grand Coulee Dam was larger than Hoover Dam, some folks did not have any idea where it was and quite a few had been to the dam or had relatives that worked on the dam. And some who had been there raved about how it should be one of the Wonders of the World that everyone should go see. Every Club operator had tales to tell about some of the questions and comments they heard throughout the event.

Each contact was directed to the Clubs web sitewww.w7orc.com and was asked to send their contact information and the Club would send a beautiful e-certificate to them.

They used HF ssb and digital PSK31 modes

After it was over the operators made contact with about 1,300 amateurs around the world, including 6 Continents, 15 Countries, all 50 States and 468 counties in the USA, sharing information about the largest concrete structure in the USA.

For more information on Amateur (HAM) Radio visit the clubs web site www.w7orc.com for the meeting schedules and testing dates to get your Amateur radio license.

Information about Amateur Radio is also available at the ARRL web site http://www.arrl.org/ The National Association for Amateur Radio

73 (meaning “Best regards” in Amateur Radio talk)

Mike Mauk W7MCM – President

Okanogan County Amateur Radio Club