Amateur Radio Operators Connect to Giant LORAN Tower

DIAMOND BEACH- Members of the Cape May County Amateur Radio Club had the unique opportunity Sat. Oct. 2 to connect their equipment to the large tower at the U.S. Coast Guard LORAN Station here.
The club was celebrating 35 years of service and was invited by Coast Guard Commander Gary Thomas to use the 625-foot tall tower that has been decommissioned along with the rest of the LORAN Station. Thomas is also a member of the amateur radio club.
Amateur radio operators or HAMS as they are called often become the only means of communication during natural disasters when phones stop working and power fails. In addition, HAMS enjoy talking to our other radio operators around the world and meeting for social occasions.
In addition to connecting to the giant tower, club members put up a vertical antenna outside a gazebo on the grounds and club member Howard Minnicbach was communicating by voice to other HAMS as far away as California, Missouri and Canada.
Inside the former transmitter building for the LORAN Station, Arnie Oberson was sending Morse code using the Coast Guard tower. Club Treasurer Bob D’Imperio said the amateur station had communicated with stations in France, Puerto Rico, Ontario and Michigan using 100 watts and the huge tower during the first few hours of the event.He said a poor sunspot cycle has been affecting communications and they felt fortunate to be able to reach overseas locations.
Thomas said it was an “urban legend,” that LORAN in Diamond Beach was an actual operating station. He said the LORAN Station only went on the air when it needed to troubleshoot another station’s problems or making engineering changes.
Club member Bill Cole said about one-third of the club are members of RACES/ARES organizations which act as volunteer communication backups for the county Office of Emergency Management. An amateur radio station is located in that office.
Cole said those seeking an amateur radio license are no longer required by the Federal Communications Commission to learn Morse code. Applicants for the Technician Class License take a 34 question multiple choice test and must score 70 percent or better to receive a license.
The club holds periodic classes to prepare for the test.
“Public service is the majority of amateur radio and it’s an interesting hobby, it gives you a chance to socialize with other people with likewise interests and to talk to people all over the world,” said Cole.
The club assists in the operation of the amateur radio station in the Emergency Operations Center at Cape Regional Hospital and provide communications to community organizations and events such as the Multiple Sclerosis-170 bicycle ride. Their website is:http://www.capemaycountyamateurradioclub.org/
Club President Frank Baker presented Commander Thomas with a certificate of appreciation. Thomas will be transferred to a new assignment when the LORAN station is fully non-operational.