Smithsonian Institution’s NN3SI Returning to the Air

KQ4P · Mar 22, 2019

N3DF said: ↑

Norm - I remember you from the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club and Chaverim in the 1970s. Are you still flying? Neil Friedman, N3DF
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No more flying after 3000 hours. No more motorcycle, No more boat, just driving my Sheriff's car to work and back.

Norm

WR2E · Mar 22, 2019

Rotor Norm! Thanks for helping me fix all them broke down rotors back in the day! I think I've still got a bag or two of the ball bearings.
@KQ4P

W3KKO · Mar 23, 2019

You both read my mind!! My dads friend Nelson Shurr W3DYP was one of the group of hams that operated the Franklin Institute W3TKQ station in the 60s and 70s. I remember seeing it as a kid. I understand the station was mothballed, then moved to Northeast High, but is now again mothballed. Here's hoping!

N4KZ · Mar 23, 2019

Many years ago I worked NN3SI on 40m SSB. Later, I saw the station during a DC trip but it wasn't open. Glad to hear the first steps are being taken to return the station to its glory years . 73, N4KZ

N4NPG · Mar 23, 2019

N3DF said: ↑

The NN3SI call sign was issued for the "Nation of Nations" exhibit at the National Museum of American History, which ran from 1976 to 1991. It had a regular corps of operators, of which I was one. On my shack wall, I have a certificate of appreciation signed by and handed to me by ARRL President Vic Clark at a celebratory luncheon. The station was on display to the public. It had two full operating positions with room for visiting ops. As I recall, the principal HF antennas were a large log periodic and a yagi. Rigs included a Collins KWM-2, a Ten Tec 544 and a Kenwood 520S. We also had an early HAL "glass teletype" that I particularly liked to demonstrate. One of Ronald Reagan's (first term) inaugural balls was held at the museum. I operated the station that evening in my tuxedo. The Secret Service had checked over the station that afternoon. A good number of slightly inebriated and puzzled ball attendees came over to watch our operations and chat with us. I remember the President and Mrs. Reagan walzing by, looking very happy. Operating station NN3SI was one of the highlights of my 50+ year amateur career. - N3DF
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We enjoy hearing stories like this, thanks for posting!

KD2LH · Mar 23, 2019

I was privileged to operate NN3SI when I was temporarily working in Washington DC back in the late 1970's. It's good to see it coming back on the air. Hopefully someday the Smithsonian Institution itself will find a place to host operations.

K3LU · Mar 25, 2019

Great news indeed! I remember taking all the DX hams that visited Washington DC back in the 80s there to see the station and have their photo taken. It was also a thrill to work their at the time unique callsign.

NN3RP · Mar 27, 2019

It was a great surprise for me to see my Elmer be one of the volunteer operators of NN3SI back in the early 90's ... on my brake time, I will visit the station just to chat with the old timers...now we are here in the midst of a new endeavor!!!

KK6QMS · Mar 27, 2019

I hope to work you guys soon! A dedicated station at the Smithsonian would be great. Put it behind glass so visitors could get curious about the hobby!

W4OKW · Apr 4, 2019

KG3I said: ↑

Well done!!! Maybe there is hope for the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia!!
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The Franklin Institute W3TKQ. It is where I got my start in amateur radio in the early 50s! Hope it comes back. 73 de Tom/W4OKW

K4AGO · Apr 11, 2019

N4NPG said: ↑

http://www.arrl.org/news/smithsonian-institution-s-nn3si-returning-to-the-air

The historic NN3SI call sign is being reactivated under the aegis of the Smithsonian Institution Amateur Radio Group. “We do not have a physical station location, and we are not open for guest operation as in the past, but this this is the start to Amateur Radio slowly coming back at the Smithsonian,” the group’s president, John Weise, N4NPG, told ARRL. “We expect to begin operating holiday style starting in April.”

NN3SI will operate mobile and portable from several District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland locations on most bands and modes. NN3SI hopes to be on the air for most contests this year including Rookie Roundup, the ARRL June VHF Contest, and ARRL Field Day, Weise added. As he recounts, NN3SI was initially a temporary “special” call sign granted to the Smithsonian during the US bicentennial in 1976, and the station remained active until 2008 when building renovations left NN3SI without a permanent location. “The call sign lapsed, but was renewed this year,” Weise said, “and the new Smithsonian Institution Amateur Radio Group has been organized as a club for Smithsonian staff members, and to provide important emergency management and STEM educational resources to the Smithsonian Institution.” — Thanks to John Weise, N4NPG
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OUTSTANDING !!! Thank you very much.
John
K4AGO

KG5RJR · Apr 24, 2019

Enjoyed making a contact this afternoon on HF with NN3SI!!

73,
Scott
KG5RJR

N4NPG · Jun 6, 2019

KG5RJR said: ↑

Enjoyed making a contact this afternoon on HF with NN3SI!!

73,
Scott
KG5RJR
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did you receive our QSL card?

Smithsonian Institution’s NN3SI Returning to the Air

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