03/14/2007 | K3EE The Garrett County, Maryland ARES group set up a station at the Southern Middle School in Oakland, Maryland for the School Club Roundup. Our host was Jason Shank and his sixth, seventh and eighth grade technical class students.

Using the callsign, K3EE, we operated on 20 and 40 meters using an Icom IC-751A transceiver running 100 watts. The antenna was a homebrew trap vertical with radials which was installed behind the school building in a few feet of snow and single digit temperatures. (Im glad Field Day isnt in February!)

We operated mostly on SSB, but also made a few QSOs on CW. Contacts were made during each of the six classes during the day and at least a few students from each class got a chance to get on the air. Thanks to all of the operators of the school clubs and individual stations who helped give the kids an excellent first experience of Amateur Radio.

Aside from the station, we set up a display of QSL cards from all over the world. Another display had keys connected to code oscillators for the students to try their hand at sending Morse code. To demonstrate how technology has evolved the 150 year old art of sending Morse code, we had keys on display starting with the J-38 straight key, the semi-automatic Bug, paddles for electronic keyers and a microprocessor controlled memory keyer with touch paddles.

The ARES members assisting with this event were K3EE, KB3FMJ, KD4UCP, KK3F, N3HFC, N3SGL and WA3EOQ.

73, Howard -- WA3EOQ