Ham radio operators from the Middle Peninsula Amateur Radio Club (MPARC) will be showing off their communication gear at a special event to commemorate the 409th anniversary of the capture of Captain John Smith in December 1607 by the younger brother of Chief Powhatan.

The special event station will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Abingdon Park.

According to Smith’s account, Pocahontas, who was 12 at the time, prevented her father, Chief Powhatan, from executing Smith by placing her head upon Smith’s when her father raised his war club to execute him.

The public is welcome to meet and talk to the ham operators as they set up antennae and radios, and then get on the air. Using only emergency power supplies, they will communicate with other ham radio operators throughout the U.S. and abroad who want to know more about Gloucester’s early history. A postcard, called a QSL card, commemorating this event is sent to each contact.

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