ARLA/CLUSTER: WW1USA observes Centennial event from World War I, February 7th and 8th

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

WW1USA observes Centennial event from World War I, February 7th and 8th

As many of you know, WW1USA, the Amateur Radio Club of the National
World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial at Kansas City is hosting a
number of Special Radio Events, commemorating moments in history
during the four year centennial of the Great War. On the weekend of
February 7th and 8th, such a special event will be 'on the air' in
observance of the Beginning of War from the Air.

Previous to the First World War, aviation had been used primarily for
scouting and intelligence since the mid-nineteenth century, primarily
from balloons and eventually powered dirigibles and airplanes. For
instance, the first use of airplanes by the United States with limited
success for scouting and observation was during the Punitive
Expedition into Mexico during March 1916.

With the outbreak of World War I on the European Continent, the use of
aircraft as a potent weapon was being seriously considered by the
major powers at war. In January 1915, Germany began what is today
referred to as Strategic Bombing against England and France. The
intended outcome was not only to damage targets of military interest,
but also to strike fear in the hearts and minds of the citizens, which
would inhibit the will of the targeted nation to wage war.

Due to the limitations of technology of the time, actual damage to
targets was not extensive, if the intended targets were hit at all,
however the perception of the hated Zeppelins as a weapon of terror
did achieve an appreciable degree of success. As a result of these
raids, considerable resources and effort were diverted from the front
in order to combat the weapons from the sky. Experience, both
defensive and offensive was gained by both side of the conflict, which
evolved in to the policies and tactics used in the Second World War,
and ultimately to the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction, (MAD,)
used during the latter half of the twentieth century during the Cold
War and beyond.

Watch an edition of NOVA from PBS on this subject
at:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/military/zeppelin-terror-attack.html

A good article on the use of Strategic Bombing during World War I can
be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_...ng_World_War_I

Special Event Station WW1USA of the National World War I Museum at
Liberty Memorial will be on the air at Kansas City, Missouri to
commemorate this historic event, and invite all licensed amateur radio
operators in the region to come to the museum to operate during this
special event. Simply go to http://ww1usa.org and look for the link in
the article regarding the February 7th and 8th Event. That link will
take you to a page where you can schedule when you’d like to operate!
This is a great opportunity to participate at the fun side of a radio
pile up, where everyone wants to talk to YOU! (Time slots are
available on a first come / first served basis.)

ATTENTION ELMERS! Do you know a newly licensed ham? Here’s a great
opportunity to present the thrill and excitement of HF Radio to your
protégée! Sign up for a time slot at http://ww1usa.org and work with
your new ham as he or she operates the WW1USA Event Station. This is a
perfect opportunity to introduce new operators to the excitement of a
pile up!

Additionally, operators who present an operator license will receive
$5 admission to the Museum for themselves and $5 each for up to three
guests. (No other discounts apply.)

If you’re not able to come to Kansas City to operate at the WW1USA
Special Event Station, operators from around the world are invited to
make contact with WW1USA via radio during the Special Event.

Look for details how you may receive your Contact Certificate
athttp://ww1usa.org. A QSL Card can be obtained via mail by sending
SASE or by providing other return postage. You can also obtain an
Electronic QSL Card via eQSL.