Several Amateur Radio special event operations are scheduled to mark the 96th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. The "unsinkable" White Star Line passenger vessel was on its maiden voyage from Liverpool, England, to New York City when it struck an iceberg and sank early on April 15, 1912. More than 1500 people perished, while some 700 passengers in 19 lifeboats were rescued by the RMS Carpathia, whose radio operator copied the frantic distress call (the still common "CQD" signal, possibly coupled with the then-new "SOS") transmitted by MGY radio operator Jack Phillips as the Titanic foundered.

W0S

Special event W0S, which stands for "White Star Line," will be on the air from the Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri. The W0S operation will commence at 1300 UTC on Saturday, April 12, and conclude at 2400 UTC on Sunday, April 13. Members of the Nixa Amateur Radio Club and the Southwest Missouri Amateur Radio Club (SMARC) will be among those at the helm of W0S. Icom, Vibroplex, MicroLog, Rayfield Communications and MFJ are corporate sponsors for the event.

Look for W0S on or around these frequencies: SSB, 3.850, 7.250, 14.250 and 21.350 MHz; CW, 3.550, 7.050, 14.050 and 21.050 MHz; PSK, 80 and 40 meters only. Operators will be listening 3 kHz up for calls. There will also be activity on D-STAR, EchoLink and IRLP; please check the event's Web page for information concerning these frequencies. Visitors are welcome. E-mail the Nixa club for more information.

W1MGY

Special event station W1MGY will be on the air from the Titanic Historical Society Museum in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. Operation will concentrate on 20 and 40 meters April 11-12 from 1400 UTC until 2030 UTC each day, although W1MGY may be on the air at other times, bands and modes throughout the 96th anniversary weekend.

Look for W1MGY on or around: CW, 3.533, 7.033, 14.033, 18.099, 21.033 and 28.033 MHz; SSB, 3.860, 7.260, 14.260, 18.160, 21.360 and 28.336 MHz, conditions permitting.

To schedule a contact with W1MGY, contact Dave Isham, KB1MU, indicating a preferred date, time, and frequency. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with QSL requests to Titanic Historical Society, W1MGY, PO Box 51053, Indian Orchard, MA 01151-0053.