Amateur Radio Operators Plan To Celebrate Papal Visit With Special Stations On Air
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When Pope Francis arrives in the United States at the end of next month, a group of amateur radio operators from across the region will be activating special stations to mark the historic occasion.
Ron Sigismonti, a Chester County ham operator whose radio call sign is N3RS, is recruiting ham operators from the Frankford Radio Club in southeastern Pennsylvania, south Jersey and Delaware to take part.
He says groups of operators in Washington D.C. and New York, two other cities the pope will visit before arriving here, also are preparing to put special stations on the air.
"People all over the world are aware of his visit and what we're doing is giving them an opportunity, those that are amateur radio operators, the opportunity to join in the event."
In the Philadelphia region, Sigismonti says operators will have recognizable identification from their stations.
"Frankford Radio Club has a call sign, W3FRC. And, we'll be working W3FRC portable WMF which is standing for the World Meeting of Families."
He says the hams also will be sending out special contact confirmation post cards and certificates to radio operators who contact them as part of the pope's visit. They will contain photos and information about the pope's historic visit to the three cities and especially his participation in the World Meeting of Families here.
