Flashes of lightning illuminate a castle on a distant hill. In a concealed laboratory within the stone walls of the castle, amidst the tables of bubbling flasks of chemical concoctions and walls with flickering lights and buzzing electrical apparatus, Dr. Frankenstein carries out his diabolical experiments in trying to give life to the dead.

As this scene from the classic horror movie would unfold, frightening chords played on a pipe organ are replaced by radio sounds and members of the Warrensburg Area Amateur Radio Club calling "CQ special event." The scene is actually the WAARC special event station in Frankenstein, Missouri celebrating Halloween/All Saints Day.

Special event stations are one way that hams get on the air and have fun. These stations often commemorate an event or celebrate an anniversary. The Frankenstein FunXpedition is run in conjunction with the Mid-MO ARC in Jefferson City, MO and has been a club activity for a few years now. The event even has its own special callsign, W0O. As with most special event operations the club offers a colorful QSL card to anyone who makes a contact and sends a QSL.

(left to right) Rick Ebbesen, KB0VZP; Gloria Michalski, KC0TPB; Mike Long, N0WNZ; and Keith Haye, WE0G (standing) operating and logging Field Day 2005 (Photo by Gail Haye)

A list of special events can be found on the ARRL web site:

In addition to the annual Frankenstein event, other special event operations include several appearances at the Wings Over Whiteman air show at Whiteman Air Force base in Knob Noster, MO. The club has even operated a station in front of a movie theatre for the opening of the movie Frequency which featured ham radio in the plot.

The club uses these special events as fun on air activities and encourages new hams as well as seasoned operators to participate. The club invites all interested people to participate in the long list of WAARC activities. The club has many activities where the members can hone their operating skills as well as develop lifelong friendships.

WAARC President Keith Haye, WE0G, tells us that ARRL Field Day is another big club activity where the membership enjoys food, fun and friendship as well as some great radio operation. Since the club first formed they have operated Field day every year. One year they tried a new challenge by operating a low power, QRP, Field day event. Keith says that the operators were up to the challenge and everyone had fun.

Rick Ebbesen, KB0VZP and Kayleigh Michalski (daughter of Gloria Michalski, KC0TPB) - Kayleigh ensures that Rick is logging correctly. No Dupes! (Photo by Gail Haye)

Several years ago the club started a clean up project at the Clearfolk Lake area of Knob Noster State Park. After the clean up the club members enjoyed a picnic in the area. Eventually the club struck a deal with park officials where in exchange for their care of the Clearfolk Lake area the club gets to use the park for their Field Day activities. This is truly a win-win situation.

The club was originally formed and became an ARRL Affiliate in 1973 but in 1985 it was move to inactive status for lack of activity. By 1990 it had all but disappeared until nine local hams got together in September of 1990 and discussed resurrecting the old club. By December of that same year a new board of officers had been formed and since then they have not looked back. In 1992 WAARC became an ARRL Special Service Club and they continue to go that extra mile in training and community support.

This year the club had a successful membership drive where they saw their goal of exceeding 100 members. "Typically we have had seventy to ninety members." says Keith, WE0G.

Keith has been a WAARC member since 1991 and he says that the club has been very active since its reincarnation. "It make no difference if it is a club meting, special event station or weather spotting, the club members enjoy a great social environment." Keith says, and he adds that "Food is rarely absent from club activities." At its annual Christmas Party the club gets to express appreciation and gratitude to the membership for the dedication and hard work contributed throughout the year.

In addition to the many activities such as their annual hamfest and Amateur Radio Awareness Day demonstrations, the club also runs licensing classes. Their last class produced eleven new hams including 11 year old Crystal Runyan, KC0TKQ, who is the club's youngest ham.

Keith Haye (WE0G) and Marcus Ward (KC0SUZ) operating at Frankenstein. (Photo by Denise Haye, N0PVZ)

WAARC is always reaching out to the community and does a lot to introduce Amateur Radio to non-hams. One way they do this is by setting up a working demonstration at the annual Warrensburg Home Show. The display includes a working station, APRS demonstrations and they have plenty of people on hand to answer questions from a curious public.

WAARC owns and operates two repeaters and they have a weekly net where members can check in. Weather watch training exercises and traffic handling are some of the activities that take place on the club's repeaters.

Each month the club newsletter, The Repeater, informs the members of club news and activities. Although the club has serious side when it comes to emergency communications and weather related operations, their main focus is on fun and friendship.

Back in the castle laboratory, Dr. Frankenstein stands over his creation and reaches toward the heavens demanding that his creature have life. Thunder crashes and a tremendous bolt of lighting strikes an electrode sending sparks about the lab and bolts of electricity into his lifeless creature. "It's alive! It's alive"

From a club that had no signs of life to a healthy and vibrant organization of over 100 members, it is only fitting that the Warrensburg Area Amateur Radio Club uses the backdrop of the fictional Dr. Frankenstein, to promote fun and activity among its members.

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