Young amateurs at Dayton Hamvention 2004, a ham snags first place in his high school's trades fair and we explore some interesting opportunities for young amateurs.

Dayton Hamvention 2004--Youth, Youth Everywhere!

This year's Hamvention Youth Forum had an excellent turnout, and a few stayed around to pose for this "group photo." That's me, second from left in the front row with my signature red cap!

The Dayton Hamvention Youth Forum was pretty much standing room only.

Of course, the "Youth in Amateur Radio" forum would not be possible without its dedicated organizer and moderator Carole Perry, WB2MGP, with your editor.

Nine-year-old Technician Emily Bishop, KI4CHK.

Alabama ASM for Youth Activities Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y, and Georgia ASM for Youth (and your editor) Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, at Dayton Hamvention 2004. [Scott Hartlage, KF4PWI, Photos]

On Saturday, May 15, 2004, many attended the "Youth in Amateur Radio" forum, held at Dayton Hamvention, moderated by Carole Perry, WB2MGP. Nine young hams spoke on a variety of topics ranging from constructing your own equipment ("homebrewing") to youth nets and school radio clubs--just to name a few.

Among the many attendees at the Dayton Hamvention Youth Forum was nine-year-old Technician Emily Bishop, KI4CHK. Emily is a member of the ARRL, SERA (SouthEastern Repeater Association), RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) and an Auxiliary member of Tennessee Army MARS (her Army MARS call sign is AUX4EB). MARS is the Military Affiliate Radio System.

Emily also belongs to the Cleveland (Tennessee) Amateur Radio Club, where she even helps maintain the clubhouse. Because of her call sign, many hams call her "Chick."

Eleven-year-old Alabama Assistant Section Manager for Youth Activities and Amateur Extra Class licensee Rebekah Dorff, WG4Y, was among this year's Dayton crowd. As ASM, she's involved with planning and carrying out of many youth-related activities, including youth forums, Boy Scout Merit Badge Day, Kid's Day and the GOTA ("Get On The Air") station at Field Day.

"I encourage other clubs to involve their youth in Kid's Day and Field Day activities," says Rebekah. By the way, Rebekah's mom is WN4C, her dad is NN4C and her sister is KG4WYN.

Young Ham Places First in High School Trades Fair Show

Alan Costa, KB1JNJ, of Somerset, Massachusetts, won first place at this year's Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School Trades Fair show--a yearly exhibition of what Diman students are doing. Costa, who's the Bristol County Repeater Association's vice president, was introduced to Amateur Radio by his teacher, Kenneth Rapoza, K1NSX.

After reading about the Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) and gathering information from other hams, he was able to put together a simple station for the fair and explain how it works.

YCCC DXpedition Award Program

Starting this August, the Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) will award one lucky ham up to $1500 to accompany, for up to one week, a YCCC-authorized DXpedition/Contesting operation anywhere in the world to compete in one of the four major contests (ARRL DX or CQ WW DX, CW or Phone). To qualify in the "Youth" category, applicants must live within a 175-mile radius of Erving, Massachusetts, be between 14 and 20 years old and hold at least a General class license.

Submit applications by July 15. For further details and an application, contact YCCC President Jim McCobb, W1LLU; 978-363-1619; fax 978-363-2430.

Young Ham Contest Program 2004

The Young Ham Contest Program, sponsored by David Kopacz, KY1V, awards one young ham an all-expense-paid trip to operate in the CQ World Wide SSB Contest with the VP5X team. The competition is open to amateurs age 21 and younger.

To be eligible, applicants must e-mail a 500-word (minimum) essay by August 31, 2004, describing how you got started in ham radio, who guided you through the process and why you should be selected. There's more information on the VP5X Contest Group Web site. Scroll down to "Free Trip For A Young Ham."--thanks to John Davis, WB4QDX, and Dan Nixon, W4EA, for tipping me to this information

The Presidential Freedom Scholarships Program

The Presidential Freedom Scholarship Program, administered by the Learn and Serve America at the Corporation for National and Community Service, recognizes high school juniors and seniors for their outstanding leadership and commitment to community service through a $1000 scholarship for college. Students who complete at least 100 hours of community service in one year are eligible, and the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications courses count towards the hours. Each high school in the nation can select up to two students who are eligible. This year's deadline is July 16. For more information, visit the Presidential Freedom Scholarship Program Web site.

Amateur Radio Newsline "Young Ham of the Year Award"

The deadline is fast approaching to submit nominations for the Amateur Radio Newsline "Young Ham of the Year Award." All nominations must be submitted before June 30, 2004. The YHOTY Award goes to an amateur licensee aged 18 or younger and living in the contiguous 48 states who has made a significant contribution to the community or the nation through Amateur Radio. Nominating forms and additional information are available at the Amateur Radio Newsline Web site or by writing Newsline Young Ham of the Year Award, 28197 Robin Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.

Last year's winner was 18-year-old ARRL Life Member Jay Thompson, W6JAY.

IRLP Reflector for Youth Communication

Recently, Philadelphia IRLP reflector owner, Vic Tenaglia, N3IO, was kind enough to invite Amateur Radio's youth to use subchannel 06 of the 9600 reflector for youth communications. So, if you are looking to talk to other young hams over IRLP, give it a try. The IRLP Web site has more information about the Internet Radio Linking Project.

The ARRL Contester's Rate Sheet

If you're interested in contesting, check out the Contester's Rate Sheet edited by Ward Silver, N0AX. It is a biweekly e-mail newsletter that's free to ARRL members and contains lots of information about upcoming contests, log submission dates, news and technical items.

Upcoming Events

Chelsie operates N8LFP during Kid's Day.

Kid's Day: The second 2004 Kid's Day is just around the corner. It's Saturday, June 19. Kid's Day offers an opportunity for youngsters--licensed or not--to experience Amateur Radio. Participants are eligible to receive a colorful certificate. See the Kid's Day page on the ARRL Web site for details. Please let me know how your Kid's Day operation goes.

Field Day: Don't forget to participate in Field Day, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, June 26-27. This is an event for all ages. While contest-like, Field Day is actually a 24-hour emergency-preparedness event. If you're trying to get your friends involved in Amateur Radio, Field Day is an excellent place to start. It has many things to offer the ham-to-be such as socialization, food, staying up all night and--best of all--a chance to get on the radio. The ARRL Web site has all the information you'll need, including a complete Field Day package. And, remember to let me know about your youth-related Field Day experience.

(Not Quite) Summer Reading

• Feature: The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler (May 15, 2004)

• League Staff Aids Iraqi Schoolchildren (May 7, 2004)

• ARRL Foundation Announces Scholarship Winners for 2004 (May 7, 2004)

• Young Ham Aids Effort to Save Drowning Classmate (May 3, 2004)

• Feature: The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler (May 2, 2004)

• Kansas Amateur is 2004 Goldfarb Scholarship Winner (Apr 21, 2004)

• Feature: The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler (Apr 16, 2004)

• Feature: From Father to Son (Apr 15, 2004)

• Astronaut Looking Forward to Returning to Earth, But Not to Gravity (Apr 7, 2004)

Remember To . . .

• Check into the Echo Link Connecticut Amateur Radio League of Youth (CARLY) Net--Sundays, 7:30 PM Eastern, on the K3KID link.

• Try the ARRL Youth Sked Database to set up on-air schedules with other young hams.

• Visit the North American Youth Net (NAYN) on Mondays and Fridays at 2300 to 2330 UTC on 14. 329 MHz.

• Check into the Onondaga County Youth Radio Amateur Net on the 145.350 MHz WW2N EchoLink repeater (Node 64224) in Pompey, New York. Stop by and say hello Sundays, 7 PM Eastern Time.

• Visit the IRLP New Ham Trivia Net, which takes place on a linked 440 repeater system in Southern California and on IRLP Node 3500. Check in with NCS Brandon Umbarger, KG6NMQ, Fridays. 7 PM Pacific Time.

• Try checking into the IRLP 4 Kids Net, which meets on IRLP Reflector 2, Channel 5, Node 9205, Saturdays at 0100 UTC.

New to Amateur (Ham) Radio?

• Explore the Web site (this one!) of ARRL―the National Association for Amateur Radio. There's lots here, like the Harmonics (Youth) Web page.

• Take practice Amateur Radio tests on the QRZ.com or eHam.net Web sites.

• 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!

My Final

I'd set out to feature school radio clubs in this column, but due to the amount of news and upcoming events this time, there simply was not room. So, thank you to all of the school radio clubs that sent information and pictures. Look for updates on several school radio clubs in the next column.

Thanks to everyone who contributes to the column. The readers make it what it is.

Editor's Note: Fifteen-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."

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