Washington Island's Ham Radio Treasure

Great article Fred - understand you were in the shack when I was speaking to George on 160m

It would be a legacy worthy of our hobby if a working collection of historic radios could be created.

While a museum working collection takes care of the "physical stuff" the real Ham Radio Treasure on Washington Island is a very knowledgeable and willing to share that knowledge George W9EVT!

Greengate Farm and the W9EVT Shack is a worthy trip for any Radio Amateur to not only see & operate the collection, but to hear George's advice and be amazed as he works a net, talks to you and handles other shack issues at the same time!

All best and 73

Steve
K9ZW

 

Wow! On August 8th I made contact with George. He gave me a report of 30 over barefoot. I was astonished. He really has an awesome station.

 

All I can say is "Holy Wa!".... I live not too far away and it will be worth my time to see this! I need a vacation!

73 Rod KB8DNS

 

I think it would be terribly sad to see all that wonderful equipment sitting in a museum somewhere and gathering dust, never to be used on the air again.

 

Thank you Fred for passing the word about W9EVT and his wonderful station. I have had the pleasure of chatting with George on almost a daily basis for some time and I have always been impressed with I his ability to hear my QRP station and his generosity in offering a reley when needed. As others have said, George is a true exemplary gentlemen in the ham radio community. My thanks to him, you and QRZ for spreading the word on the best of ham radio. grant / va7go/p

 

George is a great guy and I have stayed there several times with my wife and daughter.
His wife is very gracious as well and we always enjoyed our times there. Washington Island
itself is a treasure, the Ferry ride sort of isolates it from the rest of Door County and makes
it a very unique place. Visit if you can! Cheers... Dale AB9WO

 

I've worked George a few times. A real gentleman and his collection of gear is truly mind boggling. Visiting his place for a "Ham Vacation" is definitely on my Bucket List!

 

George does have a true world class collection of HF gear. AND he is still collecting! George stops by my place every now and then looking for old equipment racks to put some of that old gear in.
Every ham that gets to this area should make a visit to George's place a must.

 

My old timer I supported now silent key 2011 ZL3FK LES HEPBURN LICENCE 1929 AGE 12 quite a record,active to the end. CLIVE ZL1FZ.

 

His station looks like a great location for Ham Nation episode.

 

It would be really difficult to get a set up that extensive collection in a stand-alone museum. WeAr need to start lobbying the ARRL or some other major science/technology museum to consider housing this collection. I agree that putting this equipment in a static display would be an injustice. Perhaps the organization that takes over the collection could keep many of the pieces in operation, and allow visitors to use it (for a small donation).

 

CHEEZE AND CRACKERS!!! What a place! I need to get back home to the land of brats and Blatz and have a look at Georges set up.

Dave N9HF
Ormond Beach, Floriduh

 

I don't do much SSB operating, but I had the pleasure of working George on 50 MHz SSB in 2008. A real gentleman. Long may he continue.

73, Ray W2RS

 

The Ultimate Amateur Radio "Ham"

I just viewed this post (forwarded by a fellow ham), and was BLOWN AWAY! As a ham (W4VFZ) myself for over half a century, (and former engineer at HeathKit and later at Rockwell/Collins), I could identify much of the equipment in George's Collection. It is without a doubt the most "historically valuable" collection of ham radio equipment anywhere!

Ham radio has changed so much during our lifetimes, from the warm glow of an 811A warming up and the sound of -.-. --.- Morse Code in the background, to today's digital modes and satellite communications. Hams like George have contributed so much to ham radio, not only in technological advancements, but in developing better ways of providing emergency communications during some of the disasters in recent years.

But most of all, he has preserved a beautiful history of all the equipment used, almost for "before dirt" to today. I truly hope that resources become available to preserve his invaluable work.

73
Alton W4VFZ

 

W9EVT is on my vacation schedule!