QSO count during Legion "Birthday" event a new high

The TALARC board was just a wee bit nervous at the start of the March 11 special event that commemorated the 98th birthday of The American Legion. Band conditions were poor, and the first hour on the air brought only a handful of contacts. But things soon picked up, not from a change in band conditions, but through help from other amateur radio operators.

The National Headquarters station had solid relay assistance from individuals around the country and especially from WB4TAL, North Carolina American Legion Post 116's amateur radio club: QTH Fuquay-Varina, N.C. A right-hand salute of respect and admiration goes to Mike, KD4OKR, at Post 116 for his help during the event.

The same measure of appreciation goes to Everett, WA3DVO, and members of his Glen Arden, Md., Legion Post 275 Amateur Radio Team, N3TAL, for their relay work on 40 meters, as well as to Bill, KI0CW, for his relay work on the 20-meter band. And one more salute goes to Mark, W2UIS, for conducting a Birthday special event, via D-Star, on the actual birthday of the Legion, March 15.

As has been customary, the majority of contacts came via HF, where 302 log entries were made. D-Star provided 16 more. The combination of UHF/VHF/IRLP/EchoLink gave us 42. Combined, the number of QSOs for the event was 360, an all-time high. This was the first TALARC special event for which two HF bands were used – 40 and 20 meters – and from the results noted here two-band operation will be SOP going forward.

To all who were part of the Birthday event we offer our thanks for your participation. For those who QSL'd, don't forget that you have a QSL card and a personalized SE certificate coming that will be sent upon receipt from you of a 9-by-12 inch self-addressed stamped envelope to:
The American Legion National Headquarters
ATTN: TALARC
700 N. Pennsylvania Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204