Marty Gordon
The New River Valley Radio Club and other ham radio operators are a link to the world we sometimes seem to forget.
Current estimates are that there are three million amateur radio operator active worldwide.
The whole idea of ham radio is the use of the radio frequency spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radio sport, contesting, and yes, emergency communications.
This Saturday, June 1, the local group, which boasts close to 40 members, will hold a special event in honor of Audie Murphy, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Audie Murphy was the most decorated US soldier in World War II and died in a plane crash on Brush Mountain, near New Castle, Va. on May 28, 1971. This field day marks the 53rd year of his passing, and brings awareness to his life as a soldier, actor, and American hero.
According to online records, he received every military combat award for valor available from the United States Army, as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism. Murphy received the Medal of Honor for valor that he demonstrated at the age of 19 for single-handedly holding off a company of German soldiers for an hour at the Colmar Pocket in France in January 1945, before leading a successful counterattack while wounded and out of ammunition.
He died along with four others in heavy fog as his plane cut through the mountainous area of southwest Virginia. His plane crashed 14 nautical miles northwest of Roanoke at a spot now marked by a memorial along Brush Mountain near New Castle.
Organizers of the radio field day thought it fitting the two events could be linked together.
The hillside of Brush Mountain also presents itself as a great location for transmitting the radio frequencies where temporary antennas will be set up along with several broadcast stations.
The idea of Ham radio is booming, spurred by COVID lockdowns. In the past three years, thousands of new ham operators were licensed to take to the airwaves.
The National Association for Amateur Radio (NAAR) says Amateur Radio is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town and even around the globe.
Typically, any ham operator must have a federal license to operate on public airwaves. Field days are held throughout the United States and Canada each year for a 24-hour period, where operators try to make contact with as many others as possible usually in remote locations.
In this case, the remote area of Brush Mountain. The local group hopes people can learn both about ham radio but also Audre Murphy.
Murphy would embark on a 21-year acting career following his return from War. This included many business ventures including the trip that brought his plane to our area.
Reports were simple on that day in 1971, his private plane was dealing with rain, clouds, fog and zero visibility.
The twin engine Aero Commander 680 struck the side of the mountain. No one survived.
Three years after the crash, the Veterans of Foreign Wars placed a stone monument near the site of the crash, which can be approached by a short walk.
Directions: From Blacksburg: Take Main Street to Mount Tabor road (Rt. 624). Go 12 miles just past Rt. 650 turn left onto a gravel road (FS p188.1). Turn right at the top of Brush Mountain and continue for three miles.
The public can also observe the ham radio field day just down from the monument. For more information on the NRV Amateur Radio Club go to: https://www.n4nrv.org