| Mission The USS Bon Homme Richard CV/CVA-31 Amateur Radio Association was organized in 2008 for the purpose of commemorating and honoring, through amateur radio, the former United States Navy aircraft carrier and the thousands of men who proudly manned her decks during nearly 26 years of illustrious service. About The Ship Named after the famous vessel commanded by John Paul Jones during the American Revoluationary War, the USS Bon Homme Richard was launched on April 29, 1944. After testing, the ship was commissioned on November 26, 1944 and was immediately delpoyed to the Pacific Theather of operations where she would see action in the closing months of World War II. Earning 1 battle star for her role in the raids on the Japanese home islands, the Bonnie Dick was retired from service in 1947 following several Magic Carpet runs. |
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| N4HCL |
| USS Bon Homme Richard CV/CVA-31 Amateur Radio Association |
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| January 1945, preparations for deployment |
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| After modernization, circa 1957 |
| Upon the outbreak of hostilities in Korea in 1950, the Bon Homme Richard was recommissioned and deployed where she would see extensive action. During the course of the Korean War, the ship was awarded 5 battle stars as her pilots engaged the enemy in the air and on the ground. In 1955, the Bon Homme Richard was temporarily removed from service while she, like many other Essex class carriers, was modernized to enable the launch and recovery of modern jet aircraft. She would emerge almost unrecognizable, with a strenghened, angled flight deck, and enclosed hurricane bow, a new island and steam catapults. Following recommisioning in 1956, the Bonnie Dick would serve the US through nearly a decade of peace. |
| In 1964, America again found itself invloved in an armed conflict and once again, the Bon Homme Richard was there. During the Vietnam War, the BHR made an unprecendented 6 combat tours and was part of the famous Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club. Following her 6th deployment, the ship returned home as was decommissioned for the final time after more than 26 years of service. She was made part of the mothball fleet and would remain at the Bremerton Naval Yard for many years. Despite efforts to save her, the Bonnie Dick was ultimately sold for scrap and dismantled in 1992. N4HCL The Bon Homme Richard's Navy radio identification call was NHCL. Through the FCC's Vanity Call Program, we were granted the call sign, N4HCL in January, 2009. The USS Bon Homme Richard CV/CVA-31 Amateur Radio Association will be on the air to commemorate dates of historical significance in the life of the ship. Those dates for 2009 include but may not be limited to: |
| Date |
| Event |
| April 29 May 25 (2009) October 27 November 11 November 26 December 7 |
| Ship's Launch Anniversary (1944) Memorial Day Navy Day (traditional) Veteran's Day Ship's Commissioning Anniversary (1944) Pearl Harbor Day (1941) |
| Frequency (MHz) 3.531 3.831 3.885 7.031 7.231 7.290 14.031 14.260 14.31 21.031 21.31 28.031 28.31 29.00 |
| Mode A1A J3E A3E A1A J3E A3E A1A J3E J3E A1A J3E A1A J3E A3E |
| Our operational periods will vary in length and will be during randomly selected hours. In other words, there's no telling when we may pop up. However, we will try to operate on or in close proximity to the frequencies included in the table to the right. |
| QSL Information QSL direct with SASE to: USS Bon Homme Richard CV/CVA-31 Amateur Radio Association P. O. Box 1393 Hildebran, NC 28637 Be pateint. We have a very limited staff but we will get your card out as soon as possible. Due to volume and budget limitations, we must have a SASE to process your QSL request. |