The founding of the U.S. Navy dates back to the Revolutionary War. George Washington created the United States' first naval fleet by converting three Massachusetts schooners into warships. The makeshift fleet's purpose was to intercept an unarmed British supply ship. The next day, Washington sent a letter to Congress urging them to establish a naval force. On October 13, the Continental Congress passed a resolution in order to create the Continental Navy. This date now represents the official establishment of the U.S. Navy. The Battleship IOWA Amateur Radio Association’s NI6BB will celebrate the US Navy’s 250th birthday with radio operations from October 4 through October 19, 2025. Frequencies will be on or near those listed on the front page of https://biara.org. Modes will be at the discretion of the individual operators manning NI6BB. Operating hours are expected to be between 1400 and 2400 UTC. QSL’s will be available per the detailed instructions found on the Website. For additional information please contact w6hb@biara.org.
After years of trying to address everyone's desires with a limited staff, as the on air amateur radio face / representative of the Pacific Battleship Center / Battleship IOWA Museum and the home of the National Museum of the Surface Navy we now offer ONLY collectable QSL cards.
Nov. 10th will be the Marine Corps' 250th birthday as well. Any celebrations planned for the Battleshiop IOWA Amateur Radio Assocition's NI6BB for that event?
W1JHK said: I remember when I was stationed at CSTSC Mare Island, CA, I volunteered for gate duty so the MARDET could attend their ball that they held annually. I enjoyed doing it and the MARDET treated me well coming off watch.
Nothing currently planned due to a lack of movers and shakers -- if enough folks ask I could go to the ship and do a one man operation though from maybe 0800-1600 Pacific Local Time.
