[Click HERE to view the W2ZQ Station Manual]
One of the oldest radio clubs in the USA, the Delaware Valley Radio Association takes pride in our modern club station in our shack atop “Wireless Hill,” a county location five miles north of Trenton, NJ, which includes HF, VHF, and UHF capabilities for education, contesting, message handling, emergency communications, and other activities.
Operating Positions
The primary HF operating position has a Yaesu FTdx-101D, Tokyo HyPower Solid State HL-1.5KFX Linear Amplifier, and LDG AT1000Pro2 antenna tuner.
The secondary HF operating position is a full Icom station using an Icom IC-7600 with an Icom IC-2KL 500w linear amplifier and Icom IC-AT500 antenna tuner.
A third operating position is dedicated to VHF and UHF, and utilizes a Yaesu FT-400XD, Icom IC-9700, and other VHF radios.Operations include FM and C4FM modes, the W2ZQ APRS digipeater, a WinLink VHF RMS node, and a 1296 MHz EME station.
A lounge / conference area and a well-equipped workshop complete the facility.
Antennas
Our main HF Antennas are a 2 element Yagi for 40 meters (Force 12 Magnum 240N), and a 14 element 20, 15, and 10 meter (Force 12 C31XR) multi monoband Yagi turned by an M2 OR2800 rotator atop our primary 100 foot tower.
Our secondary 50 foot tower has a Cushcraft A3S triband beam and a 5 element 6 meter beam. A SteppIR Vertical covers 40-6 Meters.
Dipoles for 80 and 160 meters are strung between the towers and various supports.
The EME antenna is 3m dish utilizing a Septum-type feed with circular polarization.
Hours
The shack and club station are open to visitors on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday afternoons from 1-4 PM and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-8 PM local time.
We invite all to visit the shack and club station. Check w2zq.com/calendar/ for additional planned operations or feel free to call the station at 609-882-2240 or on 146.67 MHz as members may be there anytime. You may even contact our Club Station Director Dom DiClementi, N3DD at N3DD@ARRL.net if you’d like to make an appointment to visit at other hours.
Station B
Station C
Repeaters
W2ZQ repeaters are Yaesu System Fusion machines configured with AutoModeSelection (AMS): Traditional analog FM or digital C4FM. The repeater output will automatically switch to the mode of the received signal.
VHF 146.670 MHz(–) (PL 131.8)
UHF 442.650 MHz(+) (PL 131.8)
Coverage area is from New York City to Philadelphia.
The Wires X room number for W2ZQ-DVRA is 28381
For FM users:
- Set squelch for Tx and Rx PL to 131.8 to avoid hearing digital conversations on traditional FM radios
- Monitor S-Meter for activity before transmitting, as a digital conversation may be underway
For Fusion / Wires-X Users:
- Forcing digital on your Fusion radio prevents you from speaking to traditional analog users, and vice versa
- Be courteous of the analog nets by observing our NO C4FM policy during those time slots
- Disconnect from a Wires-X room when you have completed your contact
More Information
Although the Delaware Valley Radio Association had a humble beginning in the early 1930’s, today the DVRA has over 150 active members. The men and women of the DVRA come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, but one thing brings us together…“Fun, Fellowship, and Service for Amateur Radio Operators.”
Please explore our site to learn about our latest activities, enjoy more photos and videos, and see how you can join in the fun!
QSL Info
Our Current QSL showing part of our Portable Antenna set up for Field Day 2003. QSL us direct or via LOTW or the bureau.
QSL Cards and Certificate
As our shack and club station are located at the highest point along the route of march of General Washington’s troops from their crossing of the Delaware River down to the Battle of Trenton, we are excited to annually run special event stations W2T (“Washington to Trenton”) Dec 26-30 and W2P (“Washington to Princeton”) Dec 31-Jan 6. These historic victories enabled the new nation to maintain its recently declared independence.
QSL Cards for both W2T & W2P events can be had by sending a SASE (to accommodate 3.5″x5.5″ sized cards) to:
W2T or W2P c/o DVRA
PO Box 7024
West Trenton NJ 08628-0024
Additionally, for contacting either stations, W2T and W2P, a Certificate conferring a “commission” as Lieutenant in the Continental Army Signal Corps can be had for a $5 processing fee and mailing label.
Promotional video on the special event prepared by KB2RMS:
