Indiana War Memorial
Museum,
USS Indy
Radio & Exhibit. Date: 02
Feb 2011
Brief history.
2005 a group of 4
people headed by Chuck W9IH approached World Wide Museum ships
event committee (USS
Salem CA-139) for permission to participate as one of the
89 museum ships
during the June 5th event that year.
Participating during
the event were Amateur radio operators “Hams” from the Indianapolis &
surrounding
communities. Some were members of the Indianapolis Radio Club, The
Hoosier DXER's , some
weren’t even hams but wanted to help. Many of the Hams were
members of more than
one club.
They operated from a
Building in the area of the USS Indianapolis Memorial located on
the
north end of the Canal during the “SHIPS Event “ in 2005, 2007 & 2008
as the
USS Indy Radio memorial station (CA-35). By 2008 the Group had become know as the
USS Indy
Radio Ham group and number
about 50 for operations and 6 to 10 for equipment support.
They have
operated “Ships Event" in 2009
& 2010 as well.
( all coordinated by
Chuck W9IH a life member of the Indianapolis Radio club (IRC))
The IRC is the oldest
USA Ham radio club with beginnings back to 1914.
Late In 2008 USS Indy
Radio approached the Indiana War Memorial Museum
(IWM)
for permission to build the now existing USS Indianapolis Radio
exhibit.
The Entire project was coordinated by Chuck, which involved more
than 175 donations from
more than 80 separate donors and about 30 volunteers
which took 8 months to complete.
Project was done with Donations totaling more
than $60,000.
The exhibit was
formally completed on Nov 7th 2009 and open to the public.
Helping construct and
maintain all of the 8- WW2 Transmitters and 20- antique receivers,
power supplies and
various test equipment were local Indy volunteers. Not all were Amateur
radio operators. Some
volunteers were ex US Navy, Army & Air Force veterans.
Currently the exhibit
is maintained and operated by 8-10 volunteers who give the life to this
IWM permanent, living
WW2 radio exhibit honoring the USS Indianapolis Cruiser ship
and
US radiomen form the 1940's to 1960's..
The USS Indy radio
Group operates separately while inviting and including Ham operators
youth groups,
visitors and volunteers to enjoy the exhibit.
For more info:
goto.. www.USSIndyRadio.org
By ;
Chuck Crist-W9IH
IWM Volunteer