WA1WCC is operated by the WCC Amateur Radio Association in Chatham, MA on Cape Cod.

For more general information about the WCC Amateur Radio Association contact:
Rob Leiden, K1UI
Amateur Radio Committee

For general information see the Amateur Radio links on the Links page.

Back in November 2010, CMMC co-sponsored a "License in a Weekend" opportunity for interested folks to get their ham license. If you are interested in upcoming opportunities to get a ham license, contact Rob Leiden, K1UI.

Summary of the Nov. 2010 event: It was an eventful and exciting 3 days over Thanksgiving 2010 weekend at the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center. Lead by instructor Dana S. Henrique, WA1KYU, the first amateur radio class ever held in this historic building was presented to 23 students. An exam session was held at the end of the day Sunday and most earned their Technician class license. Local amateur radio club representatives congratulated the new hams and offered memberships in their clubs at new member rates. Other exam sessions are given regularly by the Barnstable Radio Club and other clubs on the Cape.

This class was the latest of many that Dana has taught, this time with the assistance of Paul Laconto, W1NP. The class included demonstrations of actual on-the-air communication using local repeaters that act as relay sites to extend the distances over which hams can talk.

The WCC Amateur Radio Association at the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center has a fully equipped radio room that already has logged many contacts with other stations all over the world. There are two operating positions with only modest antennas at present but the Amateur Radio Committee is finalizing plans to put up antennas that will give the Center a recognizable on-the-air presence as well as simulate many of the antennas that were in operation during the station’s heyday.

 During the few times that long distance communication isn’t supported directly, today’s amateur radios can “talk” back and forth using computers and the internet to stretch the distances over which hams can talk to each other. Computers and the internet can also inform hams when conditions are best for communication and who is already on the air all over the world.

The WCC station will operate for special events such as Marconi’s birthday and the Titanic anniversary as well during times the Center is open to the public when staff is available.

Amateur radio is more important today for emergency communications than ever before. The internet and cell phones rely on a complex infrastructure that often breaks down under the stress of the many users trying to get help and information after a natural disaster. Amateur radio, with its portable power supplies and self-sufficient relay systems, will get through when all else fails. This is the reason that the Red Cross and Salvation Army have their own amateur radio support networks.