WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Amateur radio operators or "hams" from around the globe can celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Air Force in a high-tech way, with a worldwide radio "QSO party." The party is set for 12:01 a.m. Sept. 19th to 11:59 p.m. Sept. 20th Universal Coordinated Time.

QSO is ham radio shorthand for "radio contact."

Hams are licensed by their governments to develop radio skills, improve radio science, provide disaster and public service communications, and build international goodwill. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has issued such licenses to more than 700,000 people. Hundreds of thousands of citizens of other nations are similarly licensed by their governments.

Started last year as a one-time celebration of the Air Force 50th anniversary, the QSO party has become an annual event at the request of hundreds of last year's participants from around the world. The event is sponsored by the Air Force directorate of communications and information, and managed by the Razorback Radio Club. Its trustee, Col. Bernie Skoch (amateur radio call sign K5XS), is director of systems at the Air Force Communications and Information Center at the Pentagon.

Hams have a historical practice of using the Morse code to communicate. They couple this practice with modern communication techniques such as voice communications, radio teletype, television, facsimile, and even computer-to-computer communications over radio. Space shuttle astronauts communicate real-time information to classrooms worldwide via ham radio.

The QSO party has been structured to make contact with Air Force veterans attractive to participants by awarding "points" to those members who entered the Air Force the earliest, the colonel said.

"A formula will be used which subtracts the year a radio operator first entered the U.S. Air Force from 1998," said Skoch. "Hams compete in the contest by adding up the point values for all of their contacts during the QSO party.

"Certificates will be awarded to the top three finishers in each U.S. state and foreign country; a plaque will be awarded to the overall winner," he said.

For more details e-mail Skoch at k5xs@Compuserve.com or write the club at 8437 Wesley Stinnett Blvd, Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732.

reprinted with permission from -ham radio online-