The Vienna Wireless Society (VWS) was established in 1963 to foster and
advance Amateur Radio in the Town of Vienna, VA, and the greater Washington DC
metropolitan area. As with all "hams," the club's original founders came from
many walks of life and shared a common interest in communication as a hobby, as
a means of technical exploration, and as a way to serve their community and
nation. Over the years, VWS members have participated in a variety of public
service events, ranging from coordinating parades and races to supporting the
disaster relief effort at the Pentagon following the attack of September 11,
2001.
The spirit that brought together the founders of the VWS continues today.
Presently, the club has over 140 members of all ages and interests. Club members
represent all available Amateur Radio license classes--Technician, General, and
Amateur Extra--each of which carries various operating privileges and
frequencies. And as of 2007, the requirement for Morse Code was dropped by the
FCC.
The VWS also sponsors Winterfest, one of the Washington DC area's oldest
Amateur Radio exhibitions, each year at Northern Virginia Community College's
Annandale campus. Winterfest features dozens of private and commercial vendors
offering a wide range of amateur radio and computer equipment, as well as
programs on current technical, operating, and regulatory topics. Many other area
amateur radio clubs and special interest organizations are represented as well.
Proceeds from Winterfest support a variety of VWS functions.
Other VWS activities during the year include an annual banquet for club
members and guests, operating events for low-power enthusiasts, participation in
the annual Field Day contest/emergency communications exercise, and a late
summer picnic. Two VWS sponsored repeater stations are used for emergency and
public service communications support, experimentation, and general use.
VWS members are devoted to their hobby and welcome opportunities to assist
anyone interested in learning more about Amateur Radio. The club meets at 7:30
pm on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month at Oakton High
School (2900 Sutton Road). Meetings are open to all, and typically consist of a
brief business session, followed by a program on various aspects of amateur
Radio. In addition, the VWS regularly offers licensing classes to prepare
newcomers for their initial Amateur Radio examination, or help current amateurs
upgrade their licenses.