Museum Ships Weekend with the Long Island CW Club, aboard the Fire Fighter

By Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE
VP, Long Island CW Club

The Long Island CW club (LICW) supports and operates from the historic museum ship Fire Fighter which is a living and fully functioning example of the “blood and guts” era of an FDNY firefighting fireboat from New York Harbor.

Present for nearly every maritime emergency in New York City’s history during her time in service from 1938 to 2010 with the FDNY, Fire Fighter has seen both herself and her crew decorated for valor more times than any other fireboat. Her roles in some of the 50 major multi- alarm fires she battled during her career have become the stuff of legend among the marine community.  Fire Fighter is now located in Greenport NY. Please visit http://www.americasfireboat.org  for further information.

Fire Fighter

On Museum Ships Weekend,  June 1, 2019,  the Long Island CW Club operated aboard the Fire Fighter.  Set up was a breeze thanks to Mike N2PPI who had his 2 rigs already in homebrew handy GO Boxes:
FT 857 for CW to a center fed Zepp the length of the boat supported by a jackite pole
FT 897 for Digital to a mag loop
The club had a representative contingent of members show up:

Mike, N2PPI
Jim, W2KFV (ARRL NLI section manager)
Bill, W2IIT
Bob, WB2ICQ
Jerry, K2GV
Rich, K2UPS
Howard, WB2UZE

N2PPI at the electrical panel

The bands were not good and there was a higher than expected noise level.  The operators made 30 QSOs as far as Washington State to Club member John, W7JKC and also to Germany. The operators were also pleased to work the following club members:

Wes, W4CWL
Bob, K4RLC
Steve, W3FT



Club members were given a tour into the ‘belly of the beast’ of Fire Fighter. A vintage 1930s engine room is a sight to behold. 

Engine room

The club gave a donation to the Fire Fighter and also bought T shirts and hats in support. Greenport is a terrific summer destination with many things to do and see, with eateries and scenic water views. Club members all had an enjoyable time.