From November 1 at 0000 UTC through November 9 at 2359 UTC, amateur radio special event station W3A will commemorate one of the most dangerous moments of the Cold War.
Our primary operating weekend will be November 6–8, 2026.
In November 1983, a realistic NATO communications exercise caused Soviet leaders to fear that preparations were underway for an actual nuclear first strike. The resulting “1983 War Scare” is considered by many historians to be the closest the world came to nuclear war since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
W3A will operate holiday style using only Cold War-era military radios and antennas. Planned activity includes 29.65 MHz and 51.00 MHz FM, along with 75, 40, 20, 18, and 10 meters USB and RTTY on 7.080 MHz.
Listen for W3A and make contact with history as we remember the military personnel, Signal Corps members, and members of the clandestine services who served during this critical period.
Event information:
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Walt KB3SBC