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USS Wisconsin Facts |
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This great warship (BB-64) served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War against Iraq. She is now permanently berthed in the historic seaport of Norfolk, Virginia. home of the U. S. Navy, next to the Nauticus National Maritime Center and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. On April 16th, 2001, her decks were open to the public as a tourist attraction. The first battle between ironclad ships occurred in Hampton Roads Harbor not far from where our warship is docked. Was that not the beginning of armored battleships? The USS Wisconsin was the largest battleship and the last to serve in the U. S. Navy. Our radio club was formed on June 10, 2000, by about 25 area hams interested in getting a Ham station aboard the ship or at Nauticus where she is docked. Several call signs were considered. W4WIS and N4WIS were available. We chose N4WIS because all U.S. Naval ships and shore stations have traditionally had call signs beginning with the letter "N", e.g. NAM (Navy Norfolk) and NUGW (USS Wisconsin). The Wisconsin was moved to its present berth on Pearl Harbor Day, 2000. The Club ran a Special Event Station to commemorate that occasion using N4WIS for four days and contacted over 1950 stations. N4WIS has been activated on several other occasions including “Museum Ships on the Air” in July 2002 and 2003. “Full Membership” is available to local amateur radio operators for annual dues of $10 and an “Associate Membership” is available to anyone wishing to support our efforts at a one time contribution of $20. Either Membership includes a special certificate and a beautiful 5 x 7 color photograph of USS Wisconsin arriving at Nauticus December 7, 2000. email us at: N4WIS |