Fred Legawiec built his first ham radio and passed the Novice Class ham operator’s license test at age 8. Ever since that day, and now as an Extra Class operator, Legowiec has been talking to locations across the U.S. and around the world, including to operators aboard historic battleships, aircraft carriers, and submarines.
As part of the June 6, 2026 Lake Ontario Waterfront Festival in Oswego, New York, Legawiec will be talking to historic ships from aboard Derrick Boat No. 8 alongside the National Historic Landmark LT-5 tugboat used in the 1944 D-Day landing of Allied forces at Normandy during World War II. Legawiec’s station during the festival will have information on the storied career of the LT-5.
The June 6, 2026 festival date coincides with the Museum Ship Weekend Event organized by the Battleship New Jersey Amateur Radio Station. The event places amateur ham radio operators aboard museum ships worldwide with a special call sign to speak to one another. “Hams” interested to participate at Oswego are welcome to set up along the 1 West First Street Pier to operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more details, contact Legawiec at W2LGA@yahoo.com.
More than eighty museum ships from around the world have already registered for the 2026 weekend include historic U.S. naval and seagoing ships, including the U.S.S. The Sullivans in Buffalo, New York; submarines; lightships; icebreakers; a fishing schooner; the RMS Queen Mary oceanliner; and other vessels notable in American and international history. The participant list is updated regularly at nj2bb.org/museum/index.html.
One of Legawiec’s favorite memories is connecting a U.S. Navy veteran with “his ship,” the U.S.S. Wisconsin Iowa class battleship, on the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Oswego.
Legawiec also provides radio support to many area events, including the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Day parade, and during weather and civil emergencies.
The family-friendly Lake Ontario Waterfront Festival in 2026 will highlight New York’s maritime history; the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; water recreation opportunities and safe boating practices for people and pets; New York Sea Grant research, education, and extension programs; aquatic science; and water conservation. The festival hours are 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission to the festival in Oswego’s Historic Maritime District is free. The Lake Ontario Waterfront Festival is sponsored in part by Eagle Beverage and Adventure at Burritt’s Marine and Powersports in Oswego.
Amateur (“ham”) radio operator Fred Legawiec of Liverpool, N.Y. will connect with other “hams” across the U.S. and around the world on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7 as part of Museum Ships Weekend Event organized by the Battleship New Jersey Amateur Radio Station. The Saturday date coincides with the Lake Ontario Waterfront Festival, which runs from noon to 4 p.m. on West First Street Pier, Oswego, N.Y. Admission is free.