[HCRA] HCRA Special Event Stations - 2008

[Jim Mullen]

Through the efforts of Jim, KB1JVF, HCRA will be sponsoring two Special
Event stations this year. First up will be the Catfish Derby in Holyoke, MA
on July 29th and 20th. Jim has most of the plans in place but asks that any
HCRA member in the area stop by and say hello. If you want to try your hand
at operating, logging or just talking with the public he has a place for
you.

There was an article about the Derby in June 15th Republican. The article
gives a lot of information about the event as well as mentioning , "The
Hampden County Radio Association will conduct a nationwide ham radio
operation on the derby site.". 

The second Special Event station will be at the Vintage Radio and
Communications Museum in Windsor, CT this September. Information will be
forthcoming as we get closer to that date. Read about the museum at:
http://www.vrcmct.org/

Watch our website for a page devoted to the Special Event stations. There
you will find current information, samples of the QSL cards and pictures
from the event after it is over.

See you all at Field Day,

Jim, KK1W

PS: If you don't want to follow the link above I have copied the article
below for your convenience.

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Catfish Derby keeps growing
Sunday, June 15, 2008

It's listed as the biggest catfish derby in the northeast, but there are
some of us, yours truly included, who wouldn't be surprised if the 28th
annual Catfish Derby sponsored by Holyoke American Legion Post 351 is the
largest in the nation, perhaps the world!

Hey, think big, it's only an extra dime.

Large or small the derby is a happening and some serious fishermen travel
from a lot of states to participate. For families, clubs and friends it's
just pure fun that comes with a chance to not only win some pretty fair
country prizes, but also to catch one of those log-sized striped bass that
are in the river with the migrating shad and herring.

Thirty-plus pound stripers are presently being taken, often by catfish
anglers, so don't be surprised. Two years ago I landed a 38-pound bass
there.

A second fisherman had hooked a sturgeon that he said had to go more than
100 pounds. It surfaced, looked him over and then snapped his rod like a
matchstick. There are some big sturgeon in the river. Doing a deep recovery
dive years ago in the river I spotted sturgeon that dwarfed me.

There are also huge carp that can be caught. Vermont has a new carp record:
42.46 pounds and that is a lot of gefelterfish.

Derby chairmen Mark and Lisa Hatten said the derby will run from July 18 at
7 through July 20 at 2 p.m., and that prize money, including for the largest
cat will be approximately $1,500, plus there's a wide variety of trophies in
numerous categories.

Participants may fish on any section of the Connecticut River or its
tributaries.

Tickets and a derby T-shirt will cost $10, $11 if you a 5X or up. Tickets
will not be sold after 6 p.m. on July 18. They may be purchased on line
catfishman351 at yahoo.com

You can also purchase ticket/T-shirt combos by calling the Hattens at
413-230-6959 or at Post 351 at 50 St. Kolbe Dr., Holyoke, by the Mueller
Bridge; Dave's Pioneer in Northampton, Valley Sports in Easthampton, Granby
Bait in Granby, Pipione's in Greenfield, DeBait Shop in Springfield, Egg and
I in South Hadley, Action Marine in Holyoke, Brunelle's Marine in South
Hadley, Central Auto in South Hadley, Joe's Bait in Windsor Locks, Arbor
Kids in Chicopee, R and R in Belchertown, and Red Bridge in Ludlow.

The Hampden County Radio Association will conduct a nationwide ham radio
operation on the derby site.

Jim Manley, last year's winner, donated his purse back to the post's special
kids program.

Last year, the post donated $300 to each of five special needs children's
families and $500 to the Jericho House. 

Derby founder Don Partyka can provide additional info of this year's derby
or past ones and can be reached at 533-7535. His daughter Lisa Hatten and
son-in-law picked up the baton on this wonderful goaled derby, and all you
can say is "thank you."

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From: The Republican, June, 15, 2008