W4M

Franklin County Moonshine Heritage Month

Franklin County, Virginia, is nestled up next to the famous Blue Ridge and is famous (some say infamous) for being the "Moonshine Capital of the World." Whether you're a student of history or a fan of the show "Moonshiners" you're sure to recognize the name and may very well have heard of some of the stories that started in these hills--the men and women who tended, guarded, made the liquor, and moved it to the customers. From the Great Moonshine Conspiracy of 1935 to the roots of NASCAR, moonshine runs in the heritage of our county.

April is Franklin County Moonshine Heritage Month. Regardless whether you're a tea-totaller or partake of the product from the stills, we still celebrate the history and unique heritage art, music, and people of this area and Franklin County in particular. Unfortunately, due to the virus responsible for the COVID-19 situation, most of the events planned for this month have had to be moved to next year. We take care of our community and protect one another with the requisite social distancing and restrictions. (We don't like it and we don't necessarily agree with it, but we do what needs doing.)

So, with that being said, while W4M - Whiskey 4 Moonshine will not have any public on site events during the month as originally plaanned, we still plan to commemorate (not celebrate) the 100 year anniversary of the beginning of Prohibition by celebrating the Moonshine Heritage of Franklin County. We will be operating at various times on various frequencies across the amateur radio bands--10m, 15m, 20m, 40m, 80m, and maybe even 160m--and using phone, digital, and cw. We will start on April 15 and operate as our voluteers are able through April 30.

QSL

QSL cards (see image above) will be sent to all confirmed QSL cards received with a self-addressed stamped envelope. International QSLs, please include $2 USD to cover international postage. Donations to help defray the cost of the cards are welcomed but not necessary. Any funds received in excess of expenses will be banked against a repeat of this event next year.

QSL Manager:  Bryant Johnson, AF2T  Send QSL cards and requests with self-addressed stamped envelope to: Bryant Johnson (AF2T), PO Box 103, Glade Hill, VA 24092.

Schedule

The schedule is rather nebulous at this time other than we will operate from April 15 through April 30. Volunteer operators will be activating the special event from their home stations (or remotely--some volunteers may choose to operate from socially distant isolated locations around the area). While we will make an attempt to keep the current day's schedule updated on the website (see address below), if it isn't updated please listen across the bands and check DXSummit.fi for spots. We're doing this to have fun; have fun with us!

For more information...

The event website is www.whiskey4moonshine.com. Take a stroll through the site and learn a bit more about our special event station and Franklin County's Moonshine Heritage Month. Who knows? Maybe you'll learn enough about Franklin County that you'll plan a trip to come see us next year for the 2021 Moonshine Heritage Month.