OARS – WJ4DD

The USS Orleck registered an amateur radio club named Orleck Amateur Radio Society with the call sign WJ4DD for use in normal radio operations.  The call sign is based on the first letter “W” for the Region East of the Mississippi, “J” for Jacksonville, “4” for Geographic Area within the region and “DD” for normal Destroyer naming convention in an attempt to define the location and type ship hosting the club.

Main Radio Central, commonly called the “radio shack” is the location where the club meets and operates.  Radio Central supported both short- and long-range communications between ships and shore side centers using voice, teletype and Morse Code.  OARS continues that tradition of communicating using more current technology and will use Morse code on occasion during special events such as Museum Ships on the Air.

The space was normally manned by a watch supervisor and two radio operators.   In addition, all internal communication for the ship went through this location.  In today’s world the area is used for amateur radio operations during special events.  A similar format is used whereby there is a supervisor who holds the highest FCC radio license oversees multiple radio operators who are on the air broadcasting.

If you would like get involved and volunteer, contact us at Radio Central Support.