The FCC has authorized the Maxim Memorial Station W1AW to also use the call sign W1ØØAW during 2014, the ARRL’s centennial year. Contacts made from the Maxim Memorial Station in Newington, from regional Centennial conventions, and during the IARU HF Championship will use W1ØØAW, with portable designators as appropriate. The “W1AW WAS” operations throughout 2014 from each of the 50 states will use W1AW, not W1ØØAW.

Bulletins and code practice transmissions during 2014 also will still use W1AW. Contacts with W1ØØAW will be worth 100 points in the ARRL Centennial QSO Party. To help kick off the ARRL Centennial, special W1ØØAW activity will begin at 0500 UTC on January 1, 2014 (midnight in Newington), and will include participation in ARRL’s Straight Key Night; one CW station will use Hiram Percy Maxim’s straight key. Activity will continue throughout New Year’s Day.