(Dec. 9, 2011 - by Harold Goerzen) Amateur radio operators who listened to shortwave broadcasts from Radio Station HCJB, the Voice of the Andes, in Quito, Ecuador, will have an opportunity to make contact with the mission during a special weeklong event beginning Saturday, Dec. 10.

Ham radio operators Dan Caesar (seated, NI9Y) and Wayne Huhta (W8GXB) prepare for the special event.

“The purpose of this special event is to reconnect with countless thousands of shortwave radio enthusiasts who listened to those international broadcasts,” said David Russell, director of the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind., that will host the event. “We have people lined up to operate the station that has been given the special call sign of W9H.”

Many amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide attribute their interest in the hobby to an enjoyable experience they had of tuning in to distant broadcasts from Radio Station HCJB’s shortwave transmission facility in Ecuador that ended broadcasts in November 2009 after 58 years.

“The special event ham radio station aims to spread goodwill among this group and to inform them of the existence of the Technology Center,” added Russell. “It’s appropriate that we do this on the eve of major milestones in the life of our organization—the 80th anniversary of HCJB’s initial broadcasts and the 25th anniversary of the mission’s technical services arm, the HCJB Global Technology Center.”

Participants will receive a special QSL (listener confirmation) card and brochure. For more information, visit http://www.arrl.org/Events/view/37794.

Source: HCJB Global