UPDATE: OCTOBER 26,2025 – THE SPECIAL EVENT W2R HAS CONCLUDED.

I want to thank all of you whom checked in with me and supported the 200th anniversary of the ERIE CANAL. I was very surprised at the amount of support you all gave me as you checked in with me, it was a pleasure putting on this special event station and celebrating a milestone event here in upstate ny.

Just a reminder if you checked in with me and have NOT sent me a S.A.S.E envelope it is not to late to do so and grab yourself a qsl card.

 

UPDATE: W2JLD WILL BE TRANSMITTING AT COBBS HILL PARK.

W2JLD WILL BE ON 7.184.5 STARTING AT 1230UTC TIME ….LOOK FOR ME!!!

IF YOU CHECKED IN WITH ME BE SURE TO GET YOURSELF ONE OF THESE FANCY QSL CARDS!!! 

Send a S.A.S.E. (self addressed stamped envelope) to W2JLD, my address is good on QRZ,

If you do not want to do the S.A.S.E envelope, you can also send a donation of 5.00 USD to cover postage and handling cost at dmotorsports@gmail.com (PAYPAL Account).

 

Picked up a POTA T-SHIRT just for the occasian

 

WAS ON 7.184.5 FOR 4 HRS 5 MINS GOT 148 CONTACTS!! AND ACTIVATED A POTA PARK #6532

9-2-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 36 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-5-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 83 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-9-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 32 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-17-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 103 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-18-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 94 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-19-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 127 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-20-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 118 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-21-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 85 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-23-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 65 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-24-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 100 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-25-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 73 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-26-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 57 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-27-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 111 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-28-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 79 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-29-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 133 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

9-30-25 (W2JLD)ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 68 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-01-25 (W2JLD)ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 15 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-03-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 84 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-04-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 147 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-05-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 86 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-06-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 102 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-07-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 69 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-08-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 130 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-09-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 74 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-12-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 66 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-14-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 65 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-15-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 99 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-18-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 149 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

10-19-25 ACTIVATED THE PARK #6532, GOT 148 CONTACTS, GOT CREDIT FOR THEM ON POTA WEBSITE…!!!

 

UPDATE 10/19/25 

RECORDED MY 2600 CONTACTS THUS FAR,THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT HAVE CHECKED IN WITH ME

UPDATE 10/11/25 

GOT MY FIRST KILO ON 9/27 THANKS TO W8BDS

GOT MY SECOND KILO ON 10/09 THANKS TO W2VDZ

ONLY 12 DAYS BETWEEN EACH KILO!!!

EACH KILO LOGGED IN WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL ERIE CANAL CERTIFICATE AND A SPECIAL ERIE CANAL COIN AND 4 COMMERATIVE ERIE CANAL STAMPS

 

UPDATE 10/02/25 – JUST GOT NEWS FROM THE ARRL– Special Event Call Sign Application for W2R from 2025-10-01 to 2025-10-15 has been approved by ARRL as well as Special Event Call Sign Application for W2R from 2025-10-16 to 2025-10-26 has been approved by ARRL, which means I can continue using the W2R callsign till October 26, 2025 which incidentally is the actual finish date of the ERIE CANAL. So be sure to check me out on the air.

UPDATE 10/01/25 – THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT CHECKED IN WITH ME ON THE SPECIAL EVENT,GOT OVER 1087 CONTACTS LOGGED….IF YOU CHECKED IN AND WANT A SPECIAL EVENT QSL CARD, SEND A S.A.S.E ENVELOPE OR DO A 5$ DONATION TO MY PAYPAL WHICH INFO IS BELOW

UPDATE 9/29/25 – ON MONDAY I BROKE MY PERSONAL BEST RECORD, I GOT 133 CONTACTS…TY EVERYONE!!

 

UPDATE 9/27/25 – ON MONDAY I WILL BE ON AIR AT 1130UTC TIME TILL 1500UTC.

IN THAT TIME BE SURE TO CHECK IN AND GET ON THE LOG AS WELL AS GET A FANCY DANCY QSL CARD…..I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO BREAK MY OWN PERSONAL RECORD OF 127 CONTACTS ON THAT DAY.

 

With a special event callsign W2R, from SEPTEMBER 1ST – SEPTEMBER 29TH/Also from OCTOBER 1 – OCTOBER 26 2025 which is the finish date of the ERIE CANAL. W2JLD will be on the air celebrating the 200th anniversary of the ERIE CANAL.

The Erie Canal is a historic waterway in New York State, connecting the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River to the Great Lakes at Lake Erie. Completed in 1825, it was North America’s first navigable waterway linking the two systems and the greatest public works project of its time. The canal was an immense commercial success, dramatically reducing transportation costs and fostering the growth of cities like Buffalo and Rochester, and playing a vital role in New York’s rise as the “Empire State”. Today, the original canal is part of the New York State Barge Canal and is primarily used for recreational boating and as part of the multiuse Empire State Trail.

Key Facts & History

Construction:
Built between 1817 and 1825, the original canal was 363 miles long, stretching from Albany to Buffalo.

The Erie Canal was finished on October 26, 1825. Construction of the canal, which linked the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, began on July 4, 1817, and was completed approximately eight years later.

Engineering Feat:
It was a massive undertaking, featuring originally 83 locks that raised boats significant heights.(but due to subsequent enlargements and deepening projects, the number of locks was significantly reduced to the current total of 35.)

Middle-Level Activity: How was the Erie Canal built?
From the New York State Great Irish Famine Curriculum, Maureen Murphy, Director, Maureen McCann Miletta and Alan Singer
The Erie Canal, built between 1817 and 1825, was constructed by people who initially had little idea of how to
build a canal. However, when it was completed, it was considered an engineering marvel. Problems with
constructing the canal emerged early in the project. When the canal company advertised for engineers to design and
supervise the work, no one answered the ads. There was not one experienced canal building engineer in the United
States at the time. Planning went ahead in spite of this, using land surveyors to lay out the route. One of the
surveyors, Canvass White, was sent England to study how canals were constructed. White walked two thousand
miles along British canals, sketching locks, aqueducts, and towpaths. His drawings became the instruction manual
for the Erie Canal builders. Construction crews also relied on what has came to be know as “Yankee ingenuity” —
the ability to examine a problem and figure out a solution. Essentially, canal engineers and construction crews
invented ways to build a canal as they worked.

Commercial Impact:
The canal was an instant commercial and financial success, with tolls completely repaying the construction loan within nine years. It significantly lowered the cost of moving goods and people, creating new markets and routes for settlers.
Economic Growth:
The Erie Canal helped make New York City the nation’s premier seaport and spurred the development of towns along its route.
Modernization:
In the early 20th century, the canal was overhauled to create the New York State Barge Canal, allowing larger steamships to pass through.

Today Recreation:

The New York State Canal System, including the Erie Canal, is now a major route for recreational boating.
Tourism:

Numerous museums, canal sites, and historical remnants along the route showcase the canal’s legacy and engineering.
Empire State Trail:

Many portions of the former canal towpath have been converted into a multi-use trail for walking and cycling, forming part of the Empire State Trail.

W2JLD will be transmitting at various sites throughout downtown Rochester,NY.
Cobbs Hill Park was part of the eastern waterways system that allowed boats to turn around in a large body of water.

The Erie Canal ran thru part of his neighborhood, known as lock #66, there is a large portion of it which is visible from the expressway here in Rochester,NY.

Help John celebrate the 200 anniversary of the ERIE CANAL and work him.

There will be a special event QSL CARD available upon request.
This is a HF only event, look for him on 20 meters, 40 meters.
He will list what frequency he will be on, on the ROC-HAM.NET website

 

Speaking of checking in,  a SPECIAL event QSL Card will be available upon request. Just tell the net controller and they will put you down for one and of course to obtain your special event QSL Card.

Send a S.A.S.E. (self addressed stamped envelope) to W2JLD, my address is good on QRZ,

If you do not want to do the S.A.S.E envelope, you can also send a donation of 5.00 USD to cover postage and handling cost at dmotorsports@gmail.com (PAYPAL Account).

WHEN USING THE PAYPAL OPTION, PLEASE PUT YOUR CALLSIGN AND NAME AND TIME OF QSO or I WILL NOT KNOW WHO IT IS FROM!!