W2LRZ West Point, NY

US Military Academy

The United States has five Service Academies.

U.S. Military Academy, is the oldest Service Academy. The Academy traces its roots to 1801, when President Thomas Jefferson directed that plans be set in motion to establish the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. The first amateur radio station at West Point was established by Lieutenant William Wenstrom with the call letters 2CX in 1926. In 1932, Lieutenant Edward Gillette began instructing in the  Department of Chemistry and Electricity. Gillette, W2JIG, is instrumental in establishing the Cadet Radio Club. The earliest QSL cards in the club's records bear his callsign and he was both control operator and Elmer for cadets. The club received its current callsign W2KGY, in 1937.

The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, was established in 1845. It's radio club W3ADO was established in 1926.

The United States Air Force Academy was established in 1954 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At one time it  apparently had a radio club with the callsign K0IMC. This callsign is no longer active.

The United States Coast Guard Academy was established in 1876 in New London, Connecticut. It's callsign of W1CGA is still active.

And, lastly, the United States Merchant Marine Academy was established in 1936 at Kings Point, New York.

QSL Patrick Rigg Collection
Info courtesy of AI5P