The World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) organizers have selected 16 New England communities as operating sites to host its 7th quadrennial RadioSport competition, the first held in the United States since 1996.
From 9-14 July 2014, the world’s top amateur radio operators will converge on towns spanning the Route 495 corridor for the “Olympiad of amateur radio,” WRTC2014. Previous WRTC competitions have been held in Seattle (1990), San Francisco (1996), Slovenia (2000), Finland (2002), Brazil (2006), and Russia (2010).
WRTC2014 pits 59 two-operator all-star amateur radio teams, representing 38 countries, in a battle of operating skill and strategy under emergency field conditions, for personal and national pride on a world stage. Similar to Olympic athletes, competitors hone their skills for superior performance through mental and physical conditioning, talent, skill and strategy. This form of competition evolved as a method of practicing emergency communication, but also serves as a laboratory for technology innovation and experimentation, much like other technical sports, such as motor sports or sailing.
Operating sites for WRTC2014 include private properties, state parks and other state- and town-owned facilities in Mansfield, Wrentham, Devens, Assonet, Berkley, Dighton, Pepperell, Hollis (NH), East Taunton, Plymouth, Carver, Leominster, Medfield, Cohasset, Hingham and Norwell, each carefully selected to establish a level playing field.
Competing teams were selected from around the world in a series of 55 qualifying events over a 3-year period. Just earning a spot in the competition is a prestigious accomplishment for every competitor, allowing them to represent their country and have the opportunity to win a coveted place on the podium.
WRTC2014 teams will compete to contact other amateur radio stations in countries around the globe using both voice and Morse code transmissions. Top teams will operate without sleep for the entire 24-hour competition in an effort to contact as many stations and countries as possible, pursuing the highest score, to earn the distinction of “the best in the world.” Top level radiosport enthusiasts originate from all walks of life and a variety of professions. It is common for technology CEOs, emergency room physicians, retired diplomats, members of the military, and engineers to each compete on a level playing field with university students, bankers, grocery store managers or antique dealers.
