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Welcome to the Western Tidewater Radio Association
Serving Amateur Radio in Isle of Wight, Surry, and Southampton Counties

Last Website Update - November 26, 2023

James River Multiday Bridge Closure

VDOT has scheduled two extended maintenance closings of the JRB scheduled for:

1 a.m. Friday, January 12, 2024 through 5 a.m. Tuesday, January 16, 2024
1 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2024 through 5 a.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Full and up-to-date details can be found on the VDOT website.

YOTA Contest 2023

December 30, 2023 - 1200 – 2359 UTC

This event takes place three times each year and is open to all ham radio operators. Its aim is to increase youth activity on the air, strengthening the reputation of the YOTA program, and demonstrate the support for youth in Ham radio across the world.

Visit the YOTA website for complete information.

Winter Field Day

January 27 & 28, 2024

Winter Field Day is a communications exercise. WFD can be worked from the comfort of your home or in a remote location. You can participate by yourself or get your friends, family, or whole club involved.

Full information on the WFDA Website.

why wait? Make contact!

A very interesting event happened to me recently. I was scanning around the HF bands one weekend during the afternoon and I was surprised at how little activity there was. My waterfall display confirmed that, except for some sporadic activity on the digital frequencies, the bands were dead! Or so I wrongfully assumed.

I tuned to 20 meter phone, checked that the frequency was clear, and called CQ. Instantly I was met with a reply. We exchanged the typical pleasantries, had a nice conversation, and I moved on. Before I even started to call CQ again I got another contact, and then another, and another. A mini pile-up. Dead band? Definitely not!

I took a break and suddenly a comment from that first contact struck me. He said, "I've been listening for some time and waiting for a CQ!" I did not think much of it at the time be, in retrospect, I started to remember how many times I heard that exact same comment through the years. I also remembered how many times have I, myself, have just scanned, heard nobody, and left.

So I ask... why are we waiting? Be the start. Get on the bands and call CQ. Solar cycle 25 is progressing and I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what awaits you. There really is no such thing as a dead band. It is just waiting for you to make something happen.

Make the contact.