Okanogan Amateur Radio Club recognizes first concrete pouring at Grand Coulee Dam

Dec. 6th, 1935, was the first “ceremonious pour” of concrete at Grand Coulee Dam. It was the first of a total of 12 million yards, which is enough to pour a sidewalk around the world at the equator twice.

The Okanogan County Amateur Radio Club W7ORC sponsored a special event to celebrate the anniversary of the that pouring. Club members used their home radio stations, commonly referred to as “HAM SHACKS,” starting at 4 p.m. Dec 6, and ended at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec 8.

During most of the contacts, the club would give some facts about the dam and answer questions they may have had about the dam. There were quite a few that did not realize the Grand Coulee Dam was larger than Hoover Dam, some folks did not have any idea where it was and quite a few had been to the dam or had relatives that worked on the dam. And some who had been there raved about how it should be one of the Wonders of the World that everyone should go see. Every club operator had tales to tell about some of the questions and comments they heard throughout the event.

Each contact was directed to the club’s web site at http://www.w7orc.com and was asked to send their contact information, and the club would send a beautiful e-certificate to them.

When it was done, the operators had made contact with about 1,300 amateurs around the world and reached six continents, 15 countries, all 50 states and 468 counties in the USA, sharing information about the largest concrete structure in the USA.

For more information on Amateur (HAM) Radio, visit the club’s web site http://www.w7orc.com for the meeting schedules and testing dates to get your amateur radio license.