Thanks to the generosity of Yaesu, W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, now boasts the Yaesu's premier transceiver -- a FTDX9000D. Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, Executive Vice President for Yaesu's Amateur Radio Sales Division, visited ARRL Headquarters on January 13 to present the radio.

"Yaesu is very happy to present ARRL and the world famous W1AW station with our top-of-the-line FTDX9000D transceiver," Motschenbacher said. "The transceiver comes loaded complete with recently released PEP9000 performance enhancements designed to affirm our commitment to Amateur Radio. We are very excited to know that the ARRL will place this elite class transceiver in one of their visitor operating studios, allowing many to have their first experience operating one of our three models of FTDX9000 radios."

W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, thanked Yaesu for their donation of the FTDX9000D transceiver to W1AW: "This radio is installed in Studio One and is available for use to Amateur Radio operators visiting W1AW. In addition, the FTDX9000 will also be used as part of the 'Contesting' station located in Studio One. With all its additional functions and features, the FTDX9000 will certainly improve upon an operator's ability to participate and be a worthy contestant!"

Motschenbacher, who worked at ARRL HQ before moving to Yaesu, remarked that returning to Newington to make the presentation "was a wonderful personal experience for me. I was so happy to see many old friends inside HQ, friendships made during the four and half years I spent with ARRL before joining Yaesu. It didn't take me long to see that the staff is very busy supporting its membership and Amateur Radio as a whole!"

Carcia also noted that the FTDX9000 will get its first official work-out in this weekend's North American SSB QSO Party (NAQP). "Various ARRL staff members will have W1AW on the air for this contest," he said. "If you hear W1AW, please try to work us!"