 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
|
|
 Previous: ARRL 500 kHz Experiment Kicking into High Gear |  Next: American Red Cross Clarifies Background Check Policy |
By Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM
Contributing Editor
November 10, 2006
Find out about all the places ham radio's youth have been lately. Several young radio amateurs have received awards, some attended a hamfest and others participated in the 2006 Jamboree on the Air!
Last time, I asked to hear from any students who read this column. Many thanks to those who responded. For those I've not heard from yet, send me an e-mail to let me know you're reading this column and tell me a bit about your ham radio activities. Then, next time, I'll feature a number of readers, and you will be the focus of this column!
2006 Georgia Section Youth Award winner Matthew Ruberson, KI4JQS, receives his award from 2005 winner Connie Cote, N4CAC, and Georgia Assistant Section Manager/Youth Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM. |
2006 Georgia Section Youth Award Honorable Mention recipient Christopher Evans, KI4FUJ, receives his award. [Scott Hartlage, KF4PWI, Photos] |
ARRL's Alabama Section recognizes Robert Lock IV, KG4PLK. [Photo courtesy of Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y] |
A trend that began in ARRL's Georgia Section now has spread to the Alabama Section. This is recognizing deserving young hams on the local level, in addition to the numerous national awards already in place. The ARRL Georgia Section honored Connie Cote, N4CAC, as its first Youth Award recipient in 2005. On November 4 this year's award went to ARRL member Matthew Ruberson, KI4JQS. Ruberson was honored for his emergency communications work, especially following Hurricane Katrina. Ruberson also received a Kenwood 2-meter mobile, an antenna donated by Ham Radio Outlet, an MFJ atomic watch, $100 from the Alford Memorial Radio Club and a name badge and Georgia Piglet t-shirt from NativeGeorgian.com. Christopher Evans, KI4FUJ, received honorable mention and an HRO gift certificate in recognition of his promotion of ham radio to youth. The other three nominees -- Lisa Bianco, KG4UIB; Mike Olson, K4MBO; and Sean Morgan, K4ZF -- each received HRO gift certificates. Thanks to these outstanding sponsors, all of the prizes were donated.
Alabama's version of the award, sponsored by the North Alabama DX Club and Icom America, went to ARRL member Robby Lock, KG4PLK. The first to receive this award, he was honored at the Huntsville Hamfest on August 16 for his dedication to helping others, especially with respect to emergency communication and Amateur Radio.
Lock's unfailing willingness to call weekly training nets is one reason he received the award. He has called the net mobile, from home and even from a high school football game. Said Alabama Assistant Section Manager for Youth Activities, Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y: "This shows commitment and dedication to Amateur Radio. Robby's dedication is an example for other amateurs--both newly licensed and old timers alike."
Congratulations to all of these deserving young radio amateurs!
The crowd of youth gathers outside the Stone Mountain Hamfest Youth Forum for a group picture. |
ARRL Headquarters Staffer Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, answers a question during the Stone Mountain Hamfest Youth Forum roundtable discussion, while youth look on. |
Some of the Youth Lounge's younger visitors create glow-in-the-dark bracelets, which spell their names in Morse code. |
Also at the Stone Mountain Hamfest, the Blitch family prepares for the fox hunt: (L-R) Jenny Blitch; Alex Blitch, K4ALX; and dad Tim Blitch, N4EEE. [Scott Hartlage, KF4PWI, Photos] |
Once again, this year's Stone Mountain Hamfest & Computer Expo, November 4 and 5 in Lawrenceville, Georgia, was bustling with youth. This year, 45 young people showed up to participate in the Youth Forum and Youth Lounge activities. The fun included fox hunts, scavenger hunts, geocaching, QSL card designing and making Morse Code bracelets. Participants ranged in age from several months old(!) to 18 years old. During the forum, the second annual Georgia Section Youth Award was presented. Four young people came out to the Youth Dinner on Saturday evening.
Have you ever been to a Youth Lounge? Do you see one at the hamfests you
attend? If not, why not start one? For tips, ideas, suggestions or if you
have a question, contact me, and I'll be
happy to help you get started.
(L-R): Heather Brady; Caitlin Brady, W3CJB; and Girl Scout Erin Bailey participate in JOTA 2006. [Chris Brady, N3CB, Photo]
|
Held October 21-22, this year's Jamboree on the Air seems to have been a success. Chris Brady, N3CB, reported that he and his daughters participated in the JOTA operation at Epiphany of Our Lord School in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Some of the highlights were contacts with Australia, the Netherlands and the JOTA station on the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor -- all via the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP).
Did you know that the School Club Roundup Contest now takes place twice a year? That's right! In addition to the normal February time frame, another SCR now takes place in the fall (October 16-20 this year). If you participated, tell me about your experience (and don't forget the photos).
If you're a young person interested in getting your ham radio license but feel like you don't have enough resources, check out the Radio Teacher Project Web site. Paul Guido, N5IUT, editor of the Radio Teacher Project, says these study materials were designed to target youth in 7th and 8th grades. The site contains everything from a study guide to videos, and it's all free. Check it out!
You've heard of an Amateur Radio Youth Forum, but would you believe that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has its own youth forum, too? In fact, more than 250 young people from 150 countries are expected to attend the Youth Forum at ITU TELECOM WORLD in Hong Kong, China, from December 3-8, 2006. In its fifth year, the Youth Forum brings together students with the vision and talent to take on key leadership roles in the future within the global Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. College-aged students attend the six-day event and are encouraged to form global youth networks and share knowledge. The selection of each participant is based on an essay submitted to the ITU Youth Forum Advisory Committee on how to apply ICT to improve living conditions for people around the world.
The Youth Forum is a regular feature at TELECOM events, and over its five-year history it has attracted outstanding university students, many of whom now work as professionals in the ICT sector. "The commitment and passion shown by the Youth Forum Fellows is inspirational," said ITU TELECOM Executive Manager Fernando Lagraña. "The Youth Forum brings together forward-thinking, informed, compassionate young people from all over the world. The combination of their experience, background and insight makes for thought-provoking conversation and debate. I look forward to witnessing this year's Forum discussions."
ITU's relationship with Youth Fellows does not stop at TELECOM events. ITU continues to nurture them through the Youth programs, helping facilitate scholarships and internships as well as collaborating with industry partners to support community projects designed by Youth Forum alumni. The ITU Web site includes some success stories reported by Youth Forum alumni.
Amateur Radio will be represented at this gathering, as well. ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Walt Ireland, WB7CSL, will represent the ARRL. International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Vice-President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, also will attend.
Hats off to nine-year-old Justin Pang, KI6FTP, and his six-year-old brother Isaac, KI6FXM, on receiving their Technician licenses. Justin also decided to start a new youth net. See "Remember to" below for info.
Congrats to 14-year-old Katie McWhirter, KI4SBY, who earned her Tech ticket at the Stone Mountain Hamfest November 5.
Try the ARRL Youth Sked Database to set up on-air schedules with other young hams.
Check out the newest youth net, which meets on Saturdays at 3:00 PM PST, on IRLP WALA LAX reflector 9350.
Visit the North American Youth Net (NAYN) voice net on Fridays from 23:00 to 2330 UTC on 14.329 MHz and the NAYN PSK net on 14.075 MHz (near 1500 Hz) Sundays at 2300 UTC.
Check into the World Wide Youth Net (WWYN) Saturdays, 1900 UTC, on 21.305 MHz.
Explore the Web site (this one!) of ARRL--the National Association for Amateur Radio.
Read previous Youth@HamRadio.Fun columns.
Find a local radio club.
Attend a local hamfest (Amateur Radio convention).
But most of all, get involved. No excuses!
Thanks for your continued support of this column. As always, I invite any and all contributions. If you're reading this and are a student, be sure to e-mail. Speaking of students, to all those out there--study hard (and do your homework)!
73 until next time!
Editor's Note:
Seventeen-year-old Extra-class
operator and ARES Member Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, resides in Grayson,
Georgia. Her Amateur Radio activities include public service, kit
building, hamfesting, and operating SSB, CW and digital modes. Amateurs
with youth-related news and photos are invited to contact Andrea
via
e-mail with the subject
line "Youth Column."
| Previous: ARRL 500 kHz Experiment Kicking into High Gear | Next: American Red Cross Clarifies Background Check Policy |
