Crossband Military Exercise

  POSTED ON: Monday, May 11, 2026 7:00 AM by Christine Maceo

On May 9, 2026, The USNA Amateur Radio Club, W3ADO, participated in the Armed Forces Day Crossband Military Exercise, a 24-hour DoW-sponsored annual event that tests the interoperability between amateur and government radio communications. During this exercise, miliary stations transmit on military frequencies using MIL-STD waveforms and log Amateur Radio Service contacts.  The crossband (military-to-amateur) exercise demonstrates technical proficiency in support of public service in times of national emergency.  The Potomac Valley Radio Club took the lead on station set up, operations, and breakdown, operating on the grounds of the former US Navy transmitting facility (call sign NSS).  The “Voice of the Navy” is now famous for the 3 towers that remain from the original 19 towers that operated at VLF and HF from 1918 to 1976.   W3ADO reactivates the historic NSS call sign during this event.  W3ADO President MIDN 1/C Andrew Alvey participated in the event, along with ARC O-Rep Alli Hamel and W3ADO Trustee Christine Maceo.

Category: Academics