W. A. COM Serving Washington County Since 1974 Washington Amateur Communications Box 1031 Washington, Pa. 15301
WHAT IS W.A.COM Washington Amateur Communications was founded in 1974 and was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Pennsylvania in 1977. It s mission: Promote the interests of Amateur Radio by encouraging its members to assist in emergency services and other activities in the public interest. Cooperate with other amateur radio clubs in an manner that will react to the common good of Amateur Radio. Participate in amateur radio activities such as Field Day, DX, UHF, VHF, and other contests. Provide a Club House and operating facilities so that members shall have an adequate meeting place and equipment for the pursuit of their hobby. Teach and assist non-amateurs who are interested in amateur radio in the art and skill necessary to pass the FCC license tests. Conduct such activities as will enhance and improve the hobby of Amateur Radio. Any person is eligible for membership provided he or she is interested in amateur radio. COMMUNICATIONS RESOURCES Repeaters: Washington County repeaters open to all Hams include: Repeater Freq. Sponsor notes W3CYO 145.49 W3CYO 1) K3PSP 146.79 K3PSP/EMA 2) WA3DIQ 147.27 M.A.R.C. 3) WB3AZL 147.345 WB3AXL 4) W3CYO 222.4 W3CYO 5) W3CYO 443.3 W3CYO 5) WB3JOB 443.65 N3FFP 6) W3CYO 145.01 W3CYO 7)
Notes: 1)W.C.P.S.N. Tues. @ 8:30PM ARES Events, autopatch 2) Skywarn Nets, R.A.C.E.S. Events 3) C Net Tues @8:00, autopatch 4) PL Ctrl, autopatch. 5) linked with 145.49 6)linking system 7)Digipeater Repeaters enable low power handheld and mobile transceivers to cover more area by receiving a signal on one frequency, amplifying it, and retransmitting it on another frequency. Repeaters are normally located on hill tops or other high structures. Packet BBS Systems link PCs by radio rather than telephone lines. This enables Hams to send and receive electronic mail worldwide. W.A.COM sponsors the KB3BHS Packet BBS on 145.05MHz. Club Room located in the George Washington Hotel serves as an operating center for ARES and RACES, meeting place, classroom and a complete Ham Station. The HF, VHF and Packet Stations are open to all Club members. PUBLIC SERVICE Through both the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) local Hams have registered their services and formed an organized pool of operators to provide reliable primary or secondary communications links in either emergency conditions or for the well being of the public. Some of the local organizations using our communications skills are; Washington County Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania Emergency Mangement Agency, National Weather Service, The American Red Cross, American Cancer Society and The March of Dimes.
Examples of actual emergencies where we have provided communications are; 1985 Pennsylvania Tornadoes, 1985 River Flood, 1988 River Chemical Spill, 1994 Houston Gas Crisis,1994 Flight 472 Plane Crash. Annual Drills and exercise, N.W.S. Severe Weather, Beaver Valley Nuclear Power, ARRL Field Day, Simulated Emergency Test, MDMS. Parades, Runs, Walks, Marathons, and Air shows are also yearly activities. Organizations requiring communications assistance are urged to contact W.A.COM. CLUB ACTIVITIES Monthly meetings, the first Thursday of each month 7:30pm at the South Strabane Fire Hall on Route 40E, Washington PA. The Public is welcome. Annual Hamfest in November 2 Meter Net,. Each Tuesday at 8:30PM on the W3CYO Repeater 10 Meter Net. Each Tuesday at 9:00PM on 28. 340Mhz +/-. Ham Radio Classes. Each Fall or Winter. VE (Ham Radio) License Tests. Annual Club Picnic Special Event Stations. Demonstration of Ham Radio at local events including: National Pike Festival in May Field Day in June Covered Bridge Festival in September Houston Pumpkin Festival in October. And other events. Club Newsletter, THE W.A.COM HAM is published Monthly and mailed to all members.
WHO ARE AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS, OR HAMS? Anyone can become an Amateur Radio Operator, or Ham, no matter what age, gender or physical ability. People from all walks of life pass the entry level Amateur Radio exams. Your whole family can have fun together as radio amateurs. Amateur Radio Operators make hundreds of new friends across town and around the world. You ll discover the culture and history of places you ve only dreamed about. You can communicate from the top of a mountain, your home, or behind the wheel of your car! You can take a radio with you wherever you go. In times of disaster, when communications channels fail, hams swing into action, sometimes saving lives, and find it very rewarding. As with most hobbies, you have a multitude of choices about how much time and money you invest. You can contact another continent using the simplest radio setup and antenna. Your radio can occupy an entire room or be held in your hand. The American Radio Relay League 255 Main Street Newington, CT. 06111
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact: Dave DeMotte 1768 East Maiden Street Washington, Pa. 15301 412-228-8178 OR Washington Amateur Communications Box 1031 Washington, Pa. 15301