Route 66 On The Air
W6A - Santa Monica and W6B - Los Angeles
9 - 17 September 2023
The 24th Anniversary of this Amateur Radio Special Event
Celebrating the 97th Anniversary of Route 66

Event Background

Route 66 History:  US Highway 66, established in 1926, was the first major improved highway to link the west coast with the nation’s heartland. Through stories, songs, and TV shows, the highway came to symbolize the spirit of freedom of the open road, inspiring many to see America. However, the demise of Route 66 began in the 1950s as the US began building its interstate highway system, and the highway was officially decommissioned in 1986. Nonetheless, small portions of Highway 66 still exist in towns and rural areas in several states.

Route 66 on the Air:  An amateur radio special event celebrating the 96th anniversary of Route 66.  Twenty cities along Route 66 plus 2 Rovers, represented by local radio clubs, using special one-by-one call signs (W6A - W6V), will be on the air during the week.  Stations around the world will be trying to work as many of the Route 66 stations as possible.  The WARC will operate as W6A & W6B during the event representing Santa Monica & Los Angeles.

This is the 23rd year for this special event.  It was sponsored the first two years by the Northern Arizona DX Association.  Now it is currently  sponsored by the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club of San Bernardino.  The Citrus Belt ARC is handling all of the certificate processing.  WARC will just handle requests for W6A & W6B QSLs (SASE required, info at www.qsl.net/route66 or QRZ.com mailing address for W6A or W6B.

Route 66 OTA Stations:

This year there will be 19 cities plus 2 rovers represented for a total of 21 possible stations.

Certificate:   A great certificate is available (for $4.00) if you work at least one of the 19 Route 66 stations.  Endorsements are available for each Route 66 station and for each mode (SSB, CW, Digital, Mobile, Repeater).  All information on this certificate is available on the Route 66 Event Website that can be accessed thought a link on the W6A and W6B website: www.qsl.net/route66

Operating Guidelines:

Have Fun: The main objective is to make this a fun event for the Route 66 operators and participants.  Should the pile-up get hectic, just keep cool and stay in control.  OK to say you're taking a 20 minute break or work them by the numbers.  Don't operate split.

Operating suggestions:

Route 66 Mobile:  Any ham while actually driving on Route 66 is encouraged to operate mobile and sign "mobile 66."  Any of our club members operating mobile should sign "W6A/mobile 66." or "W6B/mobile 66."  This way the QSO will be good for both the city and mobile endorsement.  If you happen to be mobile outside of Santa Monica or LA then use your own call/mobile 66.

Exchange:
SSB – Signal Report, Name & State (or DX Country)
CW/Digital - Just signal report OK or more if no pile-up

Logging – Any computer logging program that can export the log file (ADIF Format preferred).  Be sure to use UTC time.  Create a special log file for just Rte 66.  Please e-mail your log export file to [email protected], as soon as possible, after the end of the event.

SSB/CW/Digital Frequencies - Use a frequency as close as possible to the published frequencies, but spread out if other Rte 66 stations are on the air.  Digital - use normal frequencies for your mode.

Repeaters:  Some of the participating clubs will also be operating this event from their local VHF/UHF repeaters. The certificate has an endorsement box for this type of QSO.

On-the-Air Announcement - W6A & W6B QSL Info:
Occasionally you can say QSL with SASE to the W6A or W6B address on QRZ.com.