W8USR - Special Events
Seneca County Fair – W8ID 177th Anniversary Activation
About the Special Event
On July 24, 2019, station W8USR tracked and logged a unique piece of regional midwestern heritage by contacting special event station W8ID. Hosted by the Seneca Radio Club, this specialized station operated daily from July 22 to July 29, 2019 (1600Z to 0200Z), to celebrate the remarkable 177th anniversary of the Seneca County Fair. Deployed directly on the historic fairgrounds in Tiffin, Ohio, club operators promoted the event with an enthusiastic public invitation highlighting the agricultural showcase, community attractions, and classic fair festivities to engage both visiting hams and the international radio community.
Field Operations & Radio Layouts
The Seneca Radio Club maintained an active multi-band presence from the fairgrounds, targeting voice and Morse code operators across the High Frequency (HF) bands:
- Single Sideband Voice (SSB): Actively running phone operations on target frequencies of 14.250 MHz (20 meters), 7.270 MHz (40 meters), and 3.900 MHz (80 meters).
- Continuous Wave (CW): Utilizing traditional Morse code capabilities on specific target lines: 14.130 MHz (20 meters), 7.100 MHz (40 meters), and 3.550 MHz (80 meters).
- Community Outreach: The live on-air demonstration beautifully broadcasted the local agricultural history of northwestern Ohio while demonstrating portable field infrastructure capabilities.
History of the Seneca County Fair
The Seneca County Fair in Tiffin, Ohio, has a rich industrial and agricultural timeline dating back to October 19–20, 1842, when the very first exhibition was held. Over nearly two centuries, the fair evolved from a tiny, two-day community gathering into a massive annual summer tradition. The event was born when the newly formed Seneca County Agricultural Society put together a humble setup just east of the Rock Creek bridge on Market Street. The entire first fair featured just a single, temporary building built from rough wooden boards to provide shelter for exhibits. Though the debut was a massive success, community interest sharply declined shortly after, forcing the Agricultural Society to cancel the fair entirely from 1844 to 1847.
The modern era of the fair truly began to take shape in the mid-19th century through a series of structural expansions and new locations. The Society reorganized in April 1851 and leased two acres of land along the Sandusky River, a location that quickly revitalized the event. By 1853, the fair grew to a three-day schedule, charging $1 for a family membership and 10 cents for single admission. In 1855, the Seneca County Union Race Course was constructed on expanded fairgrounds, introducing competitive horse racing — and later, foot races for the local community — to the schedule of events.
According to historical records preserved by the Seneca County Historical Society, the fairgrounds took on a critical military role during the opening years of the American Civil War, when the entire property was converted into a Union Army military training facility called "Camp Noble." Normal fair operations were entirely postponed during the final years of the war while troops organized on the site. After moving to a 23.6-acre plot on East Market Street after the war, the Agricultural Society ran into severe financial trouble, leading the group to disband in 1892 and forcing a ten-year hiatus with no fairs held.
The fair as it is known today was saved in 1902, marking the 60th anniversary of the original 1842 gathering. Operations permanently relocated to an 81.65-acre property on the southwest side of Tiffin, originally known as the Seneca County Driving Park. The grand reopening on September 10, 1902, was a triumphant success, drawing an incredible 10,000 visitors on its opening day after an electric streetcar line was built directly to the park gates. Today, the fair remains at this exact location on Hopewell Avenue, serving as a vibrant showcase for regional agriculture, 4-H youth development, and community entertainment.
Station Log: Contact History
| Special Event Call | Station Logged | Date Logged | Time Logged | Frequency | Frequency Band | Operation Mode | Signal Report | On-Board Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W8ID | W8USR | July 24, 2019 | 21:19 UTC | 7.270 MHz | 40 Meters | SSB Phone | 59 | SRC Operator |