W1AW
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W1AW is both the amateur radio call sign and the primary operating station of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). Also known as the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, W1AW is located on the grounds of ARRL Headquarters, located in Newington, CT. It was inspired by Maxim's 1AW callsign which predated the use of the A, K, N and W prefixes.
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[edit] History
The original ARRL station was licensed with the callsign of W1MK, located in a National Guard building at Brainard Field in Hartford, CT. However, after eight years of operation this flood plain location was destroyed by the waters of the Connecticut River in the Great Flood of 1936. The ARRL quickly established a replacement station at its offices on La Salle Road in West Hartford, CT.
By May of 1936, plans were laid for a new state of the art station.
A considerable amount of work, including construction of the station's transmitters and rhombic antennas (wire antennas supported by red cedar poles in this case) was completed by Hal Bubb.
Constructed on what was then 7 rural acres in Newington, CT, purchased for $2,200 from Ms. Elsie Starr (the only nearby resident and namesake of today's HQ framing Starr Avenue), the station's dedication on September 2, 1938 was of such significance in its day that it was carried live nationally on the CBS radio network. This was accomplished with the aid of Connecticut powerhouses WTIC and WDRC.
Staffed by Bubb and George Hart, W1NJM, the station was soon affected by a hurricane, losing power and proving the wisdom of installing emergency generators. It would be years before they were used once installed.
The night of December 7, 1941, saw Hart and Bubb alerting the nation's amateurs that the FCC had closed down amateur stations, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. This continued for several months until W1AW itself was ordered off the air by the FCC. This condition would exist until October 31, 1945, following Japan's surrender. On that day, W1AW returned to the air to announce the methodical reopening of amateur radio activity.
In 1964, an addition and other renovations were made to the station following the closure of the La Salle Road offices in favor of the newly constructed offices used today by the ARRL.
By 1988, under the tutelage of Chuck Bender, W1WPR, the Maxim station was renovated again, adding such amenities as a new kitchenette, toilet, workshop and a meeting room (on the station's second floor). Further improvements included glass walled operating studios, new operating tables, and modern rack mounted equipment placed within climate controlled spaces.
[edit] Role in modern amateur radio
W1AW is the flagship station for amateur radio operation within the United States. Using Maxim's distinctive call sign, this station transmits one-way Morse code training practice using pre-established shortwave frequencies on a daily basis. The text of the daily W1AW code practice sessions is taken directly from the pages of recent issues of QST, the ARRL's monthly magazine. Because these training sessions are scheduled for specific published days, times, and code speeds they are useful for anyone interested in learning Morse Code or improving their copying speed. The text is not repeated, and is sent as if one were reading QST at increasingly faster Morse Code transmission speeds.
W1AW also transmits bulletins of interest to the amateur radio community in a variety of formats, including voice and RTTY (radio teletype). These bulletins include notification of significant amateur radio events, including frequencies used to assist in rescue efforts during state or national disasters.
W1AW bulletins are available as MP3 files via the Internet as W1AW Practice Files. These files are identical to the information transmitted via ARRL's daily Morse Code practice sessions, so it's an easy way for those without access to a shortwave radio to study for or upgrade their amateur radio license. In addition, these files may be downloaded onto any MP3 player, or saved on your computer's hard drive for later use.
W1AW is also on the air for traditional amateur contacts. Licensed amateurs may visit, and use the station, if they wish. W1AW is quite active during radio contests, particularly ARRL-sponsored events. Tours of the facility are also available. The ARRL should be contacted for dates and times.
W1AW offers a much-sought QSL card for those who have contacted the station over the air. The "retro" looking card can be obtained by any licensed amateur -- not just ARRL members -- who send W1AW the amateur's card with an envelope along with sufficient return postage. QSL requests should be addressed to: 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111
[edit] Broadcast frequencies
Morse code practice drills are broadcast on the following frequencies:
1.8175, 3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975, 21.0675, 28.067 and 147.555 MHz.
Teleprinter (RTTY) frequencies are 3.5975, 7.095, 14.095, 18.1025, 21.095, 28.095 and 147.555 MHz.
Voice broadcast frequencies are 1.855, 3.99, 7.29, 14.29, 18.16, 21.39, 28.59 and 147.555 MHz
Please note that due changing atmospheric conditions caused by solar radiation, it may not be possible to receive W1AW clearly on all frequencies. Most modern HF receivers have a "memory" function, whereas different frequencies can be first stored, than recalled at the touch of a button. It is recommended to enter the W1AW broadcast frequencies into your radio's memory, for easier use.
