The W1AW Endowment Fund provides support for day-to-day operations, maintenance and capital needs of W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station.
This simple and graceful building represents far more history and accomplishment than most passersby would imagine. Cross the threshold and you enter another world, one in which the magic of radio communication has spanned several generations. You can feel the spirit of Hiram Percy Maxim, whose "Old Betsy" rotary spark gap transmitter graces the vestibule. You can almost see Hiram Percy Maxim sitting at his desk in the era of Amateur Radio when sparks flew and each contact was a rare event. And his spirit of adventure and experimentation - and above all, service - is still alive at W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial station.
In recent years, since we launched the W1AW Endowment Fund, the station has been modernized without sacrificing its character and history. Income from the W1AW Endowment Fund has contributed to the replacement of aging equipment and antennas. New band pass filters, computers and cables have been installed. A vintage AM station sits gracefully alongside D-Star and other advanced digital technologies. A matrix of antenna connections and a wall of transceivers and amplifiers for every band bring daily bulletins and Morse code practice to every corner of the country and the world. The guest operating suites showcase the most up-to-date equipment.
As an intrepid tinkerer and inventor, Hiram Percy Maxim would be pleased with how far Amateur Radio has progressed, and proud of the station that bears his name. Now we need you to help us continue the progress to make W1AW a truly 21st Century operation.
If you are in a position to do even more, you may consider supporting the W1AW Endowment with a gift of securities.