April 26th & 27th Special Event Station (SES)

MANNA80 commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Allies’ humanitarian actions of dropping food supplies by Lancaster bombers to the starving population of the Netherlands near the end of WWII. Amateur radio stations worldwide aim to commemorate this chapter in history and to bring public attention to Manna.

The Bomber Command Museum of Nanton will host the Calgary Amateur Radio Association (CARA) communication trailer. CARA is one of the Amateur Radio international special event stations (SES) using the call sign VB6MAN. Amateur operators contacting four SES will be eligible for a certificate. Awards Scheme – Operation Manna @ 80 .

Nanton is a quaint town south of Calgary. It is a pleasant drive to Nanton with views of the prairie and the mountains with a world-famous aviation museum.

The Nanton Museum will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on April 26th and April 27th. Museum activities planned are:

  • Lancaster engine run-up at 14:00 on April 26th
  • Live demonstrations of a vintage Lancaster radio
  • Vintage radio displays
  •      Make radio contacts from the communication trailer
  • Brandmeister DMR Talkgroups 98080, 98081, 98082, and 98083
  • Joe English Manna display
  • Many other displays and artifacts.
  • Coffee, tea, Danish donuts available
  • Joe English Lancaster print available
  • Note 1: Catriona Ann Le May Doan appearance on April 26th

Note 1: Catriona Ann Le May Don is the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and a retired Olympic Speed Skater.

Other links that may be of interest are: