HFU HF Underground

General Category => Amateur Radio => Topic started by: FTU Alumnus on March 25, 2024, 1616 UTC

Title: USAF ID 'WIDGET47' 14.213 MHz USB 25 MAR 2024 ~1528Z
Post by: FTU Alumnus on March 25, 2024, 1616 UTC

As the M/W/F 14.213 MHz morning net moderated by W4CBS was winding down a station self identifying as WIDGET47 broke in basically for an equipment check. When questioned about using WIDGET47 instead of an amateur call the operator explained they were a USAF flight operating in the Panama City, Florida area. The exchange was cordial and ended after that. (I verified the flight info details as correct using one of those Internet flight reporting web sites) This was a first for me. Has anyone else ever heard the military using amateur bands without an amateur call?

Title: Re: USAF ID 'WIDGET47' 14.213 MHz USB 25 MAR 2024 ~1528Z
Post by: osiris on March 27, 2024, 2148 UTC

I never have but the amateur bands are a secondary service to the military. If I were a military pilot with an amateur license I might do the same thing he did just for a gas.

That's pretty cool.