Do the very words "Amateur Radio" get your heart pumping and adrenaline racing with excitement? If so, you've come to the right place, especially if you're under 20 years old or are interested in Elmering new or prospective young hams!

Greetings and welcome to my debut as your youth columnist. We have just ahead a couple of ham radio events that will be of interest to young hams and prospective hams--Kid's Day and ARRL Field Day.

Jamie Bruce, KG4SKK (left), a 13-year-old General-class operator made a couple of contacts and had a great time participating in Kid's Day earlier this year. Pete Coppola, KG4QDY, an 11-year-old Technician, looks forward to participating in Kid's Day this year for the first time.

(L-R) Vernie (unlicensed), KG4PYL, your editor, and my sister Laura (unlicensed).

Timothy, KG4SKL, is an 11-year-old Technician class op.

Newly licensed James Greene, KG4ZZD, is just nine years old. A Technician with Morse code (Element 1) credit, he plans to upgrade to General this summer.

Matt Yancey, KG4QQU, is a 15-year-old Technician licensee.

KG4IUM's backseat mobile setup for the trip to Hamvention 2003.

Hamvention at a Glance: Hamvention really is too large to easily describe, but here's the main arena, which is home to several well-known vendors. There's usually lots of traffic here.

Kid's Day 2003-June 21

The second Kid's Day of 2003 is fast approaching! "What is Kid's Day?" Basically, it's an opportunity for youngsters--licensed or unlicensed--to talk on the radio. Many, like Jamie Bruce, now KG4SKK, participated before becoming licensed. See the ARRL Web site's Kid's Day page for more information. And let me know how your Kid's Day operation went! Photos always are welcome.

Field Day 2003

ARRL Field Day is just around the corner. It's always the fourth full weekend in June, and this year it happens June 28-29. While Field Day is a lot of fun, it's also a 24-hour emergency preparedness exercise. While it's not a contest, it is contest-like, thereby letting participating club groups claim bragging rights when the scores are posted.

This year, Field Day has a new category, Class F, which covers operation from an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). See the Field Day Rules for more information. Here in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where I live, Gwinnett County ARES, under Emergency Coordinator Stan Edwards, WA4DYD, will hold a Class F Field Day, coordinated by Scott Hartlage, KF4PWI (my dad).

Two setups are planned. One will be inside the EOC and one in the parking lot. This way, the public is exposed to Amateur Radio, while communications capabilities are tested. Tell me your experiences and plans for Field Day!

Other Field Day possibilities include operating from home--with or without emergency power--mobile and portable operation and non-club groups. You can even operate solo. So, there's an opportunity for everyone--young and not so young--to take part.

I remember my first Field Day experience, because it was my gateway to ham radio. I was 11 years old and unlicensed. My dad told me about Field Day, but at first, I didn't want to go. However, once there, I got to see a man on stilts (who turned out to be Victor Gann, N2VG) and found the Amateur Radio scavenger hunt (provided by Venture Crew 73 leaders Victor and Carol Gann, KG4ETR).

I'm no fool. I know fun when I see it. That night at about 1 AM, I was thrilled to make five HF contacts. It was all over too soon, but, I was still thirsty for more. After 18 days of serious studying, I had my Technician Amateur Radio license.

I also remember my second and third Field Days. One person who stood out in our club is Crystal Florea, now KG4PYL. When she first came to Field Day, she was--like many--unlicensed, but that did not keep her from making more contacts than anyone else. So, we made a deal with her: She could not come back to Field Day the following year without a license! Tell me about your first or favorite Field Day or about one that was unique in some way.

This Field Day, be sure to get involved. Field Day offers a lot of different learning possibilities. For example, you can learn by watching more experienced hams string antennas, set up and start generators and get their stations on the air. Who knows? You may even be able to help set up.

Once operation begins, you have a couple of choices. Of course, operating is an option--and a fun one at that. But, if you have "mike fright," try logging (keeping the log) for an operator until you warm up. Some clubs and groups use really cool computer logging software. Uncomfortable logging? How about operating a digital mode or observing someone making a Morse code (CW) contact?

I have never heard of a Field Day where anyone goes hungry. There's usually more than enough food to eat, right down to midnight snacks. In addition, socializing is half the fun. You meet some really neat people and learn from them too. Disassembling is an entirely new learning experience.

So, here's your plan for fun. Find a local club that's is hosting a Field Day. You may even get to experience a Class F operation. After all, you're never too young to help in an emergency. Just remember to be helpful and not in the way. Whatever you do, participate in Field Day one way or another, then share the pleasure with others. Go find that licensed or unlicensed friend or youngster who isn't quite sure what everything means, take them by the hand and lead them to the fun.

Help them make contacts. There's still time to organize some fun events for licensed and unlicensed youth alike--such as an Amateur Radio scavenger hunt. Talk to your local club president and Field Day chairman. If you present the right attitude, most clubs will be more than willing to help you set up youth-related activities. If time's too short this year, start planning for next year. Just think: You could inspire someone to become a ham.

Georgia State Convention (Atlanta Hamfest)

On June 7, 2003, the Atlanta Hamfest--which serves as the Georgia Section Convention--was the place to be for metro-Atlanta hams. Some of the younger generation in attendance included Timothy Fisher, KG4SKL, Pete Coppola, KG4QDY, Jamie Bruce, KG4SKK, Matt Yancey, KG4QQU, and James Greene, KG4ZZD--and these are just the ones I had the chance to talk to. As you may know, hamfests are a great place to meet other young amateurs. Next time there's a hamfest in your area, see how many young hams you can meet. You might even want to schedule a youth forum. For some tips on holding a youth forum, see the column "Our Significant Role as Youth in Amateur Radio" by my predecessor, Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, and especially the section "Get involved today!"

Summer Reading

Looking for some fun summer reading material? Try the ARRL Website. Here are some links to recently published youth-related columns:

• Washington Ham Wins Inaugural Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship

• Terrestrial Contact with Astronaut is Space Day Highlight for Canadian Students

• The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler

• Surfin': Kids Leading the Way

• WA8SME is New Coordinator of ARRL's "The Big Project"

Hamvention 2003

Billed as the world's largest Amateur Radio gathering, Hamvention has come and gone for 2003. The youth forum was among the many highlights. My dad, KF4PWI, John Davis, WB4QDX, and I traveled to Dayton pulling a camper. We had two HF radios in the truck--one for the front and another for the back--and one VHF/UHF radio. Although the band conditions were down during the trip to Dayton, we did make a few contacts on the return leg. In Dayton, Ed Woodrick, WA4YIH, joined us, and we had a blast camping and hamfesting.

Tell me about your Dayton experiences.

Editor's note: Fourteen-year-old Extra-class operator and ARES Member Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, resides in Lawrenceville, 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."

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