We have permission to set up and operate the trailer in the Headquarters area near the picnic shelter and to use the shelter as a greeting area for visitors. What is needed are volunteers to staff the operation both as operators and as greeters. For this event we need to have people scheduled into time slots to be sure of continuous coverage so please contact me if you are available and wish to participate. Let me know your availability and preference for Friday or Saturday; morning or afternoon. We will also need extra hands for set-up Friday morning and tear-down Saturday afternoon.

Some history; the NWR week event started in 2005 with an operation by John Forslen, KC8ULE from Seney NWR in upper Michigan which as operated every year since. Fifteen stations participated last year. Interestingly, when I approached Tom Melanson about having an operation this year he noted that none of the refuges activated last year were in the West and that it would be a great idea to get the Bosque activated. Last year the KP1-5 Project stepped up to take over coordination of the event. You may remember this group as the one that activated Desecheo Island NWR, a DXCC entity, in 2009 for the first time in 15 years. Among other things, KP1-5 established a committee which developed rules for NWR Week-Amateur Radio that were vetted through U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The sponsors award a certificate to amateurs working five different refuges which should add some interest for other stations working us during the event as we will be one of just nine refuges activated this year. The NWR – Radio website link has been posted to the SARA website for more information on other planned activities and additional background.