WW2IND USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35) AMATEUR RADIO STATION
INDIANA WAR MEMORIAL PLAZA POTA #10561
The Indiana War Memorial Plaza is listed as Parks-On-The-Air # US-10561.
Here are some guidelines for operating this park.
The Plaza is bounded by Meridian St., Pennsylvania St., New York St., and St. Clair. It includes University Park, The War Memorial itself, Obelisk Square, and the American Legion Mall.
Most of the parking is metered and you will have to pay. There is parking in front of the Memorial on Michigan St. and on North St. that is marked STAFF ONLY. You may park in this area if you operate from your car.
Operation from the USS Indy Radio room inside the main lobby of the War Memorial is possible only during the following times: WEDNESDAY – THURSDAY – SUNDAY from 0900 to 12 noon. Call on 146.67 repeater before coming there to make sure the volunteer hams are there. One of the Volunteers MUST be there. The Museum Staff cannot help you.
You must bring your own radio. 12 volt power is available with Anderson Powerpoles. If your equipment is in a backpack, you MUST show it at the front desk. The volunteer operators will alert the Security desk that you are coming. They can issue you a temporary parking pass for the STAFF PARKING spaces in front of the building on Michigan St.
Antennas with tuners are available for 160 thru 6 meters. Cable connection is PL-259. If you need adaptors, bring them.
Headphones are strongly recommended. Bring a pair.
You can use your own call or operate under WW2IND. It’s your choice.
This is an open public museum and general visitors have priority. It can get a bit noisy.
If you have any questions, contact one of the following:
Mike Sercer – WA9FDO Dave Jarvis – N9KZJ Ed Condor – N9IZN
INDIANA WAR MEMORIAL CONTACT INFORMATION AND DETAILS
USS Indianapapolis Radio Room contact info is: Jason Edwardson, >>Telephone: 317.233.0528 >>Email: jedwardson@iwm.in.gov Tours are available Wednesday – Friday between the hours of 10 and 3. Weekend availability for special event tours may be available with advance notice (subject to docent availability). Radio Room operators are on site Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from roughly 9AM till noon. These times are subject to change.
WW2IND DETAILS
WW2IND station location is the Indiana War Memorial 55E Michigan St,Indianapolis, IN, 46204 Lat/Long…N39degrees_46.4’-W86degrees_09.4’
QSL policy… Include your QSL card & SASE to WW2IND, 6041 Copeland Ct., Indpls. IN 46221-4523
The USS Indianapolis (CA35) Amateur Radio Station welcomes anyone wishing to enjoy the pleasures
and benefits of an association of persons commonly interested in World Museum Ships on the air event participation,
other Ships/Associated On the Air (OTA) events and Amateur Radio.
The purpose of the USS Indianapolis Amateur Radio Station (WW2IND) Club;
shall be to further the exchange of information and cooperation between all interested in these goals and to Promote:
the World Museum Ships on the air event participation, while continuing support of the USS Indianapolis Survivors association,
the Indianapolis World War memorial, and the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) exhibits.
CA-35 Museum ship operations are conducted from the U.S.S. Indianapolis Memorial station,
located in the Indiana War Memorial museum downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.
The outdoor monument, which can be viewed anytime, was designated a National Memorial by an act of Congress in 1995.
Indianapolis Memorial station operates during Museum Ships during 1st Weekend June each year on Amateur radio frequencies.
Sponsoring local groups: The local Indianapolis area amateur radio operators, and Indianapolis Radio Club,
For more information, follow these links Indiana War Memorial and Museum Ships Weekend
Radio Room visitor entry
USS Indianapolis Radio Room looking through south bulk head opening. This picture was taken from the old gift shop entrance that would have been a bulkhead on the actual ship. The Hammurlund Super Pro receiver is visible on the left along with some period radios and equipment from that era that might have been on the ship
Radio Room transmitters and receivers
USS Indianapolis Radio Room looking east from maintenance desk. This view is taken by a person standing in front of the Hammurlund receiver in the previous picture. The transmitter with the danger high voltage sign on the front is the TDE transmitter used in one of the operational morse code operating positions. The boxes above the typewriters are period correct receivers. The RBC to the right of the clock and left of the fan is used for the operational morse code setup.
Radio Room receivers
USS Indianapolis Radio Room looking east standing behind "Sparks" These are the operating positions where navy radio men sat on the USS Indianapolis while receiving and sending coded messages pertaining to ship operations. The third chair from the left is where the present day operator sits for use of the morse code operating position. The RBC receiver for use with the TCK and TDE transmitters is directly above the typewriter and has a speaker sitting on top. This receiver uses a "BFO" type scheme for morse code reception and generally operates at 7.060 megacycles in the 40 meter amatuer radio band. The operator at this station position generally provides their own telegraph key with a two conductor "1/4" jack. The transmitter works best with a straight key or "bug" semiautomatic key. The old transmitters relays do not follow a high speed modern keyers very well
Radio Room Electrical Details
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USS Indianapolis Radio Room power panel drawing. Caution historic document here from 1937 that may load really slow. Thanks to Jason Edwardson at the IWM for sending the drawing file. Lets see who can figure out what voltages went were and how the panel functioned?