DX Engineering and Icom America have teamed up to help university amateur radio clubs upgrade their stations and get more out of their time on the air.
DX Engineering recently donated Icom IC-7610 HF/50 MHz All Mode Transceivers to Carnegie Mellon University’s Tech Radio Club (W3VC), The Pennsylvania State University Amateur Radio Club (K3CR), and the University of Pittsburgh’s Panther Amateur Radio Club (W3YI).
The donations were part of DX Engineering’s ongoing commitment to support bright and enthusiastic young amateur operators who will be the next leaders and innovators in the ham radio community.
“For many of us at DX Engineering, participating in school clubs had a major impact on our lives, both in our development as amateur radio operators and as professionals in related technical fields—not to mention all the fun we had and friendships we made.
“The support and encouragement we received from Elmers meant a great deal to us back then, just as we hope this donation will be a catalyst for those who will represent the future of this great hobby.”
Tim Duffy, K3LR – DX Engineering CEO
Carnegie Mellon
The Carnegie Tech Radio Club (W3VC) was established in 1914 and has used several callsigns over the years, including W8NKI and W3NKI.
In addition to the club, Carnegie Mellon has offered an “Introduction to Amateur Radio” course since 2022. The course, which introduces students to the history, art, and science of radio, was featured in a radio news segment on the local NPR affiliate station, WESA.
According to the instructor Tom Zajdel, the engineering students who take the class say that it helps them better understand radio technology, circuitry, and signal processing that they learn in other classes. They also enjoy the hands-on activities of building a radio, experimenting with antennas, and connecting with other ham operators.
University of Pittsburgh
Amateur radio has been present on the University of Pittsburgh campus for more than 100 years. W3YI is historically tied to 8YI, which was a “special land station” callsign issued to the University of Pittsburgh in 1915.
Over the years the club has earned DXCC, WAZ, and many other accolades.
Recently, the club was instrumental in the introduction of a laboratory Software Defined Radio course. A milestone in the club’s history was the celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2015 with a keynote presentation by Dr. Joe Taylor, K1JT.
Student members have benefited from their hands-on experience as shown by the multiple employment offers from technology companies received by the University of Pittsburgh’s ham graduates.
“The new IC-7610 from DX Engineering and Icom was a big hit at Pitt!” said W3YI repeater trustee and alumni advisor Harry Bloomberg, W3YJ. “The students were taken by surprise and love the new rig. Almost immediately they started making FT8 contacts. Thank you so much! This will be a huge improvement in the W3YI station and will absolutely see a lot of use.”
The Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University Amateur Radio Club (K3CR) was established in 1909, making it the university’s oldest club still in operation.
With an HF shack in a penthouse on campus and multiple repeaters for student use, K3CR students are sharing the joy of amateur radio on campus on and off the air.
Interest in radio communications is high, and licensed student members are organizing licensing classes and exams this semester alongside other fun activities.
“This donation has come at the perfect time for the club,” said Ruth Willet, KM4LAO, the club’s event planner and a PhD student in acoustics. “We are focused on revamping and improving the club station as we help students get licensed, and having the opportunity for new licensees and experienced hams to get on the air with such a wonderful radio is an incredible gift. This tangible support from DX Engineering and Icom America is the perfect encouragement to ensure that the next generation of excited amateur radio operators at Penn State can build skills and priceless memories on the air.”
