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July 30, 2004 -- One week after learning of ham radio, at age 13 Caleb Gerbrandt earned his Technician license and received the call KD7RDY. In the two years since taking that first class offered by Mt. Baker Amateur Radio Club, Caleb has accomplished a lot including upgrading to Amateur Extra.
A member of Mt. Baker ARC, Western Washington DX Club, World Wide Young Contesters and ARRL, Caleb has earned his DXCC and has 150 countries confirmed and 212 worked so far. He is an avid CW contester but mostly enjoys DXing. He has just gotten a taste of VHF contesting and is planning a trip to Mt Baker for the ARRL September VHF QSO Party, under the tutelage of hard-core VHFer Rodger Alexander, KK7LK.
 Caleb, KD7RDY, and his mentor John, W7KCN, working CW at Field Day. |
Caleb gives a lot of credit to his Elmer, John Munroe, W7KCN. John got his license in 1942 but because hams were off the air during of WW II he didn't receive his call until 1946. John is an Honor Roll DXer and he says he had met Caleb at a youth fair sponsored by Mt Baker ARC.
John says that Caleb showed a strong interest in the demonstration at the fair that he invited him to visit his shack. John gave him a kit and provided guidance in construction techniques. John also helped Caleb find a transceiver and a free triband yagi. John lets Caleb operate all of the major contests from his well appointed station.
John remembers his first mentor, Iley Winn, W7BDB (SK) and gives him much credit for his involvement in Amateur Radio. John is returning the favor by helping Caleb and others with their ham radio pursuits. He is also very active with the Mt Baker ARC and has helped put together a very comprehensive booklet called "A Guide For New Amateurs" that the club gives to all new hams.
Caleb is the only ham in his family and when he is not on the air he is busy running track. His main events are 800m, 400m and long jump. Although ham radio has pushed aside his other hobbies, he says that he's "still quite the chess player." He had a great opportunity to meet many DXers and contesters at the DX Convention in Visalia, California, while visiting his grandparents who live near there.
 Caleb Gerbrandt, KD7RDY |
Being home schooled, Caleb says "The home schooled population is a huge opportunity for the advancement of Amateur Radio." He believes that there is a lot of talent and motivation in this group of young people. Not planning a career in technology, Caleb says that ham radio has heightened his knowledge of geography and that he would one day like to serve in the American Embassy. In the mean time he earns his money for radio gear working part time for his dad as a concrete finisher.
Field day was a great event for Caleb and the other Mt. Baker club members. The GOTA station got a real work out including 13 year old Andrea Acosta, who, operating with a control operator knocked out 70 QSOs on her own in just a few hours. Andrea has not yet taken her license exam. According to Caleb "There are a few other young guns in the club including some Generals and Technicians" He worked double duty at the CW station keeping it going through the night, accounting for a good portion of the clubs almost 1200 CW QSOs.
Mt. Baker ARC has a great youth program and a lot of dedicated volunteers to help make it work. Caleb Gerbrandt is one of those fortunate ones that, because of this program, has acquired a rewarding hobby that will stay with him the rest of his life. Bright and enthusiastic, I'm sure that he too, will be passing the baton by helping new hams as they enter this fascinating hobby.
