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#1 Fan of  431 Air Demonstration Squadron "SNOWBIRDS"

BY JESSEY BIRD STAR STAFF REPORTER

After years of trying, local amateur radio operators finally made contact with Hawaii at about 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

The Sun Parlour Retirees Amateur Radio Club gathered on the grounds of the Tecumseh Fire Station Two to gain points in the North American Field Day 2007 radio contest.

“Once they get in there they don’t stop,” said Chris Pitre, president of the club. About 30 people participated in the annual field day in which the goal was to make as many contacts Canada and the U.S. in a 24hour period. Sunday was the first time they reached Hawaii.

The event simulated an emergency situation, so the participants worked through the night, from seven stations powered by three gasoline generators.

“This is something we can do that most people can’t,” said 77year-old Harold Dresser, huddled over his Morse code station. “The Internet could all go down and we would still have this,” he added with a laugh.

Last year the club placed first in Ontario with more than 1,800 contacts. The results of this year’s contest are not expected until November.