VK80MAN

VK80MAN.

VK80MAN was a special event call sign to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Manna / Chowhound.

Nearing the conclusion of WWII, about 20,000 Dutch people had died of starvation at the hands of the Nazis. A further 980,000 were classified as malnourished. Desperation had led to many having to survive by eating small animals including pets and tulip bulbs, some of which were poisonous.

At the end of April and early May 1945, Operation Manna was launched: a mission to feed the starving people of the Netherlands, using the air power of the International Bomber Command Force. The United States Air Force ran Operation Chowhound. This was the first time that airpower had been used to relieve a humanitarian disaster, with food being dropped from low flying bomber aircraft. The operation was a multi national force with the crews from several nationalities. (QRZ.com 2025)

WEBSITE.

More detailed information on this event can be found on the Manna website at.....

https://manna80.radio/the-stations/

ORGANISERS.

The organisers of this event in Australia were Rob VK6WHO and Dennis VK6AKR.

MY INVOLVEMENT.

In February 2025, I was asked to use VK80MAN on its very first day of operation, 24th April 2025.

I made a total of 733 QSOs on 10, 15, 20, 40, & 80m SSB, FT4, and FT8.

Below is a map showing my contacts around the world.

I was asked to run the special event call again on the 28th day of April 2025. I made a total of 590 QSOs on 10, 15, 20, 40, 80m SSB, FT4, & FT8.

Below is a map showing my contacts around the world.