June 28, 2008. The Ocean Monmouth Amateur Radio Club (OMARC) held it's annual Field Day at the historic Camp Evans area in Wall, NJ. This is the site where man first bounced and received radio signals off the moon in a project called Diana.
Upon arrival I was greeted with banners advertising the amateur radio event and the invitation to join in the operation. I also enjoyed the clubs sense of humor.
I quickly noticed a field day tent which is the backbone of emergency communications. What was great about this tent was it's operation by a father and son team. On the left, operating the 40 meter CW position, was the 'Old Man' Jim Lurski, N2BQ and on the right, doing the laptop computer logging, was his son Nick Lurski, KC2QNA (age 11). Congratulations to Jim and Nick for keeping up the family amateur radio tradition !
Just feet from the tent, manned by Jim and Nick, history was made here on January 1946, as documented by the four concrete base pillars which held the original Diana antenna tower. Also nearby was the portable generator providing emergency power for their tent.
The club also maintains a building and many antennas to serve their various radio operating positions. The large historic dish antenna, at the site, served the United States in tracking satellites.
Inside the club building were two more field day operating positions. The 20 meter phone position was manned by Henry, W2HES on the left, who did the logging, and Ned, KC2HCY on the right who did the phone operation. The other position on 6 meter phone was with Denis, N2JJF closest to camera and standing was Bill, KC2CNB and farthest from the camera was Art, KC2CRI.
The OMARC club had visitors today for field day and Ron Olender, WA2HZT held an impromptu electrical theory session that peaked their interest.
Bob, WD2U discussed the actual UHF equipment that was used for man's first radio signals bounced off the moon. It was nice to see history is preserved by OMARC.
There is a wealth of history at this field day site.
Click HERE to see more amazing history of Camp Evans.
