Riding the waves of last year’s success, New Jersey’s Knights of Columbus once again will be broadcasting across amateur radio stations in hopes of connecting with others across the globe.
Last May, during the fraternity’s New Jersey State Convention in Wildwood, the Knights operated over several amateur radio stations, sharing their philanthropic deeds and encouraging Catholic men to join their efforts. The “Special Event Station” included the Knights using the call sign K0C (K-zero-C).
Over the 15 days of the convention, the 12 Knights/radio operators made 2,100 contacts with other “hams” (amateur radio operators) in 67 countries across six continents, including one priest, 11 fellow Knights of Columbus and a young man who called himself the youngest licensed amateur radio operator in Austria.
Following this initiative, a new club was formed – the New Jersey Knights of Columbus Amateur Radio Club (NJKOCARC) – which will be operating May 4-18, before and during this year’s New Jersey State Convention on May 17-18.
As well, the club will join Knights/hams throughout the country later in the year for a multi-date “Special Event Station.” This project will first operate from Aug. 5-8 during the Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention in Quebec, Canada; from Aug. 12-14 to celebrate the birth, death and feast day of Blessed Michael J. McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus; Oct. 12-14, to mark Columbus Day, and from Oct. 31-Nov. 2 to celebrate the Beatification of Blessed McGivney.
“This year, we would love to see Knights of Columbus, nationally and internationally, join us and spread the message,” says Thomas Perrotti, Knights of Columbus District Deputy #60, from Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton, who spearheaded the initiative last year and leads the Knights’ amateur radio efforts.
As well, NJKOCARC is providing priests, parishes and Knights of Columbus councils and assemblies that are celebrating milestone anniversaries (25th, 50th, etc.) the opportunity to receive congratulations by receiving QSL cards (postcards to mark communication between hams) from amateur radio contacts.
Pastors and Grand Knights and Faithful Navigators are invited to contact Perrotti at 856-602-2525, or e-mail tmperrotti@gmail.com, to make arrangements for amateur radios to be operated during their scheduled anniversary celebrations.
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