The sPARC gap

Newsletter of the
Portland (Oregon)
Amateur Radio Club

(c) PARC, 2004

Index

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he 2003 Banquet had 38 members and guests present. Included were 11 FARS members who had traveled to Russia for past Radio-sport Games, 5 of whom were in the first delegation that went to Khabarovsk in 1989. The 1989 slide show program was introduced by current FARS President Greg Hodsdon, K7KJ. René Berblinger, KX7Z, and John White, K7RUN, worked to get the slide show assembled for the Banquet. This was the first public viewing in many years, and it was a pleasure to hear the stories told by those present.

Dale Hunt, WB6BYU, and John White, K7RUN, discussing facets of the Friendship Radiosport Games as part of the Banquet program at Shenanigans, December 20.

The trip narrative was shared, starting with the invitation extended by the Soviet amateurs in Khabarovsk to the ARRL, who forwarded to PARC member Dick Fredrickson, WAĜDIM. Kevin Hunt, WA7VTD, explained the evolution from this invitation to the planning for the trip. Rose White, KC7BRY, narrated the flight to Japan and then on to Khabarovsk, a long trip. The visas for entry into the USSR were delayed almost until flight time, adding to the uncertainty of actually attending the Games. The team had to overcome some difficult political obstacles present at that time. The primary way of communicating with the Russian hams to plan the trip was by amateur radio on 20 meters, using K7RUN's or NO7V's station in Portland. This was long before the days of e-mail, which perhaps would have made it a bit easier. Mailed letters between the groups had to be translated into English from Russian and vice versa.

Memories of the Games, which included transmitter hunting,  a CW sending contest, and DX station contesting, were shared as the scenes unfolded. While the American team did not do as well at the Games, they were held in high esteem by their hosts for making such a tremendous effort to take part by attending. There was a two way HF contact between the Mayor of Khabarovsk and Portland Mayor Bud Clark to mark the event. The station at the Portland Shriners' Hospital served as the US end of the link, with PARC member Steve Crouch, NO7V, at the controls.

The citizens of Khabarovsk treated them as very special guests, much to the surprise of the Americans. Even the ever present KGB security officer was willing to bend the rules to allow the team to have more freedom to explore things and take photos. Elizabeth White, KC7BRX, related her experiences with Russian children during the stay in Khabarovsk. She was 9 years old at the time.

The hospitality and generosity of the Russians was very evident in the photos and the stories we heard. The group visited their host's summer homes, called dachas, and were treated to wonderful home cooked meals with the families. The bonds formed as a result of these experiences continue to this day, with Russians and Americans keeping in touch. It was indeed a rare glimpse into the USSR at that time, and PARC thanks all those who made the trip and the resulting story possible. The winner of the free dinner drawing was new member Dennis Newton, AC7UY.

Those interested in joining FARS or attending the FARS Games to be held in Khabarovsk in September, 2004 should contact Greg Hodsdon at k7kj@arrl.net, or PARC for more information.

-W7LT