USS Yorktown back on the air!
-Fred Hambrecht W4JLE/NNN0AAG-
On May 14, 2011 the call sign NWKJ will be heard on the airwaves for the first time in forty one years. Yorktown will be activated by South Carolina Navy Marine Corp MARS members as well as operators from other states in Region Four for the annual military cross band test. Yorktown has been the site for WA4USN on the amateur bands under the auspices of the Charleston Amateur Radio Society; however this will be the first use of Yorktown’s military call since its decommissioning. It required that Yorktown be relisted in ACP 113 to allow the use of the “Fighting lady’s” military call on military frequencies.
The amateur frequencies being listened to will be announced by the operators on the frequencies listed below. QSL cards will be sent to all contacts.
Yorktown will be operating on the following frequencies:
USS YORKTOWN (CV-10) (14 MAY 1200Z - 15 MAY 0400Z)
FREQUENCY EMISSION AMATEUR BAND
4010.0 KHZ LSB 80M
7348.0 KHZ LSB 40M
14478.5 KHZ USB 20M
20994.0 KHZ USB 15M
POC: Fred Hambrecht NNN0GBS
ADDRESS: 129 Indian Trace Court
Gilbert, SC 29054
COMMERCIAL: 803-657-3602
The USS Yorktown (CV-10) was the tenth aircraft carrier to serve in the United States Navy. Under construction as Bon Homme Richard, this new Essex-class carrier was renamed Yorktown in honor of Yorktown (CV-5), sunk at the epic Battle of Midway (June 1942). Built in an amazing 16 ½ months at Newport News, Virginia, Yorktown was commissioned on April 15, 1943. Yorktown participated significantly in the Pacific Offensive that began in late 1943 and ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945. Yorktown received the Presidential Unit Citation and earned 11 battle stars for service in World War II. Much of the Academy Award-winning (1944) documentary "The Fighting Lady" was filmed aboard Yorktown.
In the 1950's, Yorktown was modified with the addition of and angled deck to better operate jet aircraft in her role as an attack carrier (CVA). In 1958, Yorktown was designated an anti-submarine aircraft carrier (CVS), and would later earn 5 battle stars for service off Vietnam (1965-1968). The ship also recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts and capsule (December 1968). Yorktown was decommissioned in 1970 and placed in reserve.
1975, Yorktown was towed from Bayonne, NJ to Charleston to become the centerpiece of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.