operations

Initial Operations - 2001
June 6, 2001
The first operation of WW2DDM took place from the Smith Mountain Lake State Park at the Amphitheater near the Visitor's Center. This is a beautiful location on a peninsula jutting out into the lake. It was a lovely day with a gentle breeze.
One station was set up on a picnic table under some trees which shaded the table all day long and the table was within a few feet of the water. A second station was set up on the stage of the Amphitheater. This operating position had open sides and a roof. The ceiling was complete with lights and ceiling fans. The third station was the mobile of Stan, K4UK fed from AC power from the Amphitheater.
Rigs used included Ten-Tec OMNI 6, Ten-Tec Jupiter, ICOM IC-746 and Ten-Tec Scout. The antennas were G5RV, trapped dipole and hustler mobile whip.

June 7, 2001
We left all antennas in place and returned to the Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
June 8, 2001

Based on a vote of the participating operators it was decided to once again go to the Park. The Lake location was just too pleasant a place to leave. This day at least one contact was made on: 40 CW & SSB, 30 CW, 20 CW & SSB, 17 CW & SSB, 15 CW & SSB, 12 CW & SSB and 10 CW & SSB.

June 9, 2001
The Operation of WW2DDM took place at the Lakeside Picnic Shelter in Liberty Lake Park in Bedford, VA. This was sponsored by the Roanoke Valley ARC and included an all-day picnic. The food was great and lots of contacts were made using two G5RV antennas, an FT-1000 and an FT-990.
Many operators took time out to visit the D-Day Memorial which was about a mile away. All were impressed, it is a very fitting tribute to those who took part in the landing in Normandy on June 6, 1944.
June 10, 2001
Operations on Sunday were limited to operating from home stations.
Operations from Home Stations
Paul Beach, K4PLB operated 40 Meters to provide SSB contacts with WW2DDM.
Bill, WA4BKW operated 75 Meters to provide SSB contacts with WW2DDM.
Jack, KS4FK and Pete, W4WWQ provided PSK-31 contacts with WW2DDM.
Bob, W8HGH and Anthony, WM3T provided RTTY contacts with WW2DDM.
Frank, KE4HOA and his gang provided SSB and FM contacts with WW2DDM
on 50 MHz, 144 MHz and 432 MHz.

In addition the local 6 Meter Repeater on 53.150 MHz and the 2 Meter Repeaters on 147.105 MHz and 146.985 MHz were used so that those with only FM equipment had the opportunity to contact WW2DDM.
Providing multiple bands and multiple modes surely added to the enjoyment of all who operated WW2DDM during the Special Event and we hope also added to the pleasure of all those who contacted us.

Results
Total Contacts = 2712
SSB - HF Total = 1694

                                  75M      40M    20M      17M    15M      12M     10M
                                     82       1444       201         7          39         1            2

CW - HF Total = 394

                            80M       40M    30M      20M    17M      15M    12M      10M
                                1           143         4        126         7           19          1           3

PSK - HF Total = 421

                                                          40M      20M    15M      10M
                                                              8         334          78          1

RTTY - HF Total = 65

                                                                               20M
                                                                                   65

VHF/UHF - Total = 133

                              6M/SSB    6M/FM/R    2M/SSB 2M/FM/R    2M/FM/S    432/SSB
                                     29              15               25               56                 9               4

Countries Worked
A total of 114 different countries were worked from WW2DDM.

                                                             CW          SSB        PSK          RTTY
                                                                37             92             36              18

Also, we worked stations in each of the 50 States of the U.S.
Truly the Operation exceeded our "wildest dreams" and was enjoyed by all who participated in putting WW2DDM on the air.

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In 2002 the operation of WW2DDM was concentrated on Saturday, June 8 and was held at the Liberty Park in
Bedford, VA. Click HERE for the description of this operation.
The first operation of WW2DDM on the grounds of the Memorial site took place on Saturday, June 7, 2003
Click HERE for the description of this operation.
Due to tight security for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2004 we were not able to operate from the grounds of the Memorial. However, a major operation of WW2DDM was conducted by various folks from their homes or from remote locations. Click HERE for the description of these operations.
To gain greater exposure to the public for the operation of WW2DDM we paricipated in the newly instituted Family Days at the Memorial in July 2004, 2005 and 2006. Click HERE for the description of the 2006 operation.

This page revised by Stan Reas - 8/30/06