W6B

Route 66 "on-the-air "

September 10-18, 2005

LOGBOOK

Left to right we see, W6B, N6ZL (Route 66 event coordinator) and W6A

For me, it all started back a few years ago when my good friend Harry, K6PDQ, started running the California/Arizona portion of the Route 66 On the Air special event.  He'd typically drive from Santa Barbara to western Arizona, near Williams and operate the event.  He's always wanted his own 1 by 1 callsign as an official event participant.  This year he got his wish and he pulled me along as a willing (not kicking and screaming) partner.  Harry will be W6A and I will be W6B; rovers 1 and 2.  Our plan is simple:  spend 9 days driving Historic Route 66 making as many contacts as possible between Santa Monica and points unknown in central Arizona.

I plan on operating first from the endpoint of Route 66, the Santa Monica Pier, where the road meets the Pacific.  Then I will start driving east stopping at various classic Route 66 points of interest along the way.  The map below shows my intended route with waypoints.  I plan on operating a variety of antennas, from hamsticks to dipoles and loops.  And I intend on setting up these antennas on as many famous things as I can find along Route 66.  Top on this list is transmitting from the slopes of Meteor Crater and hanging an antenna across Twin Arrows, which is in the same area as the crater.  If it's famous or unusal, you can depend that I will hanging wire on it!

Hope to see you in my log!!!

    Route 66 Map

QSL INFO:

SEND SASE ENVELOPE TO:

W6B

PO BOX 90309

SANTA BARBARA, CA. 93190

(normal 3.5 x 5.5 inch card)

BACKGROUND:  US Highway 66 established in 1926, was the first major improved highway to link the west coast with the nations heartland. Through stories, songs, and TV shows, the highway came to symbolize the spirit of the freedom of the open road, inspiring many to see America. However, the demise of Route 66 began in the 1950's as the US began building the interstate highway system.  The highway was officially decommissioned in 1986. None the less, small portions of Route 66 still exist in towns and rural areas in several states.

The Special Event: The purpose of this event is a way to offer amateur radio operators a fun way to "Relive the Ride" and their own memories of Route 66, and to celebrate the highway's 79th anniversary.

Amateur Radio Clubs using 1 X 1 call signs will operate from 15 cities along the highway during the special event period, 10 September (00:00:01z) through 18 September (23:59:59z) aiming to contact as many amateur radio operators as possible who would like to take part in this annual event.

SUGGESTED OPERATING FREQUENCIES: Special event stations are likely to be found somewhere in the vicinity of the following frequencies. (Look for digital modes in the standard band segments for such mode) All Frequencies +/- QRM

ROUTE 66 MOBILE:  Any amateurs operating while actually driving along Route 66 during the special event period are encouraged to take part in Route 66 On The Air, by using the designation "mobile 66" for Phone or "/m66" for CW after their call signs. All other amateur radio operators are welcome to contact these mobile operators.

REPEATERS:  Some of the participating clubs will also be operating this event from their local VHF/UHF repeaters. Check the ARRL repeater guide for possible repeater frequencies if your in the local area.