Several upcoming youth-related events are on the calendar. Also, learn about the accomplishments of two young hams.

YMCA, Indianapolis Repeater Association Co-Hosting Kids Event

On Saturday, April 2, 8-5 PM Central Time, the Indianapolis Repeater Association will be putting on an Amateur Radio demonstration in conjunction with the YMCA Healthy Kids Day, a national YMCA event. The Indianapolis Radio Club's youth group will set up special event station W9Y and will operate on 2, 15 and 20 meters. Depending on conditions and equipment availability, they may also try 6 and 10 meters.

The YMCA expects between 200 and 400 young people to attend the event. The YMCA hosted an ARRL Kid's Day operation in January. Depending on the level of interest, the "Y" will consider holding some Technician classes after this event.

According to Steve Wendt, KB9RDS, the YMCA has been very open to allowing Amateur Radio operators to set up demonstrations. They gave the radio club access to a brand-new building and even will let the hams install a ground rod at the YMCA site, Wendt said. Since the Arthur R. Baxter Branch YMCA has been so accommodating, Wendt encourages others to contact their local "Y" to see if they can "get their foot in the door."

The April 2 event is open to all. Those not close enough to participate in person are encouraged to look for W9Y on HF. QSL via Steve Wendt, KB9RDS.

Reminder: Kids Roundup Contest

As mentioned last month, the Kids Roundup Contest, sponsored by the Anne Arundel Radio Club Jr (AARC JR--KI3DS), will take place starting Saturday, April 2, at 1400 UTC, and wrap up Sunday, April 3, at 2200 UTC. Visit the KI3DS Web site for the official rules, a list of available logging programs and further details. Also, check out this unofficial Web site for other details and some pictures.

Eleven-year-old Kaitlyn Scott was among the youth attendees at the Dalton hamfest and is studying for her license. Good luck, Kaitlyn!

Buck Hicks, six-years-old also came to the Dalton Hamfest and wants to be a ham someday, like his dad.

Seven energetic youth man the Dalton Amateur Radio Club concessions, while supporting the scholarship fund. (L-R) Brittany Coker, KG4DEJ; Ebbie Belles; Cara Clara; Caitlin McDonald; Adam Coker, KI4GGB; Patrick Wilson, KG4YUV; and Taylor Clements, KI4ABL. [Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM Photos]

Matt Hansen, KE7AQM introduces a class of elementary school students to Amateur Radio. [Photo courtesy of Lynn Hansen, KU7Q]

Instructor David Van Hooser, WB2LUI (left), and Marcus Smith, KE5EDM. [Photo courtesy of Ben Jones, AC5SU]

Dayton Hamvention

The 2005 Dayton Hamvention is just around the corner. Held Friday through Sunday, May 20-22, the world's largest Amateur Radio gathering and trade show this year will host the ARRL National Convention featuring ARRL EXPO 2005.

A host of youth-related Amateur Radio events are on this year's Hamvention schedule. They range from the "Youth in Amateur Radio Forum," moderated by Carole Perry, WB2MGP, to the ARRL Education & Technology Program (the "Big Project") exhibit in conjunction with the ARRL National Convention. I look forward to meeting many of you at the youth forum and at ARRL EXPO 2005, which will be held in the Ballarena of the Hara Arena complex in Trotwood, Ohio, near Dayton.

If you've never been to Dayton Hamvention before, make it this year! Don't dawdle about getting accommodations either if you haven't already done so. It's pretty late in the game, and the hotels and motels fill up quickly.

Dalton Hamfest Youth Attendees

A number of young people were on hand February 26 for the Dalton Hamfest in Dalton, Georgia. Although I didn't have a chance to speak with everyone, I was able to chat with a number of them, and it sounds like several might be getting their licenses very soon! So, keep studying, and you'll have it in no time.

Several more youth were busy staffing the Dalton Amateur Radio Club (DARC) concession. Proceeds go to the Nathan Henderson, KF4DCC, Scholarship Fund. Henderson, a member of the Dalton Amateur Radio Club, was just 20 years old when he died in 2001, the year he was voted DARC Amateur of the Year. Henderson was said to be a fine gentlemen who "always found a way to take the high road in every circumstance." According to the DARC, Henderson wouldn't want anyone to be sad over his death, so the club did something positive by establishing a scholarship in his memory. Kudos to the young and prospective hams who worked at the concession stand to support this fund!

Young Ham Shares Knowledge of Amateur Radio

Licensed in April 2004, 15-year-old Matt Hansen, KE7AQM, recently volunteered to teach three sessions about Amateur Radio for Ms. Bouy's sixth-grade science classes at Green Acres Elementary in North Ogden, Utah. The students learned about homebrewing and Morse Code, with a couple of demonstrations to hold their attention. Hansen learned that teaching is hard work, but he says it's also a lot of fun and worth the effort. Now, he is studying for his Amateur Extra class license.

Thanks to Lynn Hansen, KU7Q, for providing this information.

New, Young Ham Brings Excitement to Local Test Session

During a recent VE session for vocational students at Virginia College in Jackson, Mississippi--Marquis Smith, now KE5EDM--discovered an error on his Technician Class examination booklet and used his copy of Now You're Talking to defend his findings to the Volunteer Examiners.

In January, instructor David Van Hooser, WB2LUI, began to include Amateur Radio as a supplement to the school's normal Electronics Technician coursework. "Amateur Radio has so many facets, I couldn't help but get excited at the prospect," said Van Hooser.

College administrators quickly supported the project, even purchasing an exhibitor table for the school at the recent ARRL Mississippi Section Convention in Jackson. As a part of the curriculum, Van Hooser taught the course using traditional materials and included preparation for the Technician Class examination. Each student purchased Now You're Talking! as a supplementary textbook.

Following the Thursday evening testing session, examiners allowed students to review their answers. Although he passed the examination without the question, Smith discovered that Question T1E08 was supposed to have been withdrawn from the current pool. He showed his findings to his instructor and the VE team members. The team concurred with the student's finding and congratulated him. Excited with his discovery, Smith got each of the examiners to sign his copy of the ARRL textbook.

Says Van Hooser, "This project has been fantastic, and we're going to continue to fine-tune the integration." He anticipates testing to continue each quarter, and plans are under way for a school club station with the support of local members of the Jackson Amateur Radio Club.

Spring Break Reading:

• Australian Youngsters Quiz ISS Commander via Amateur Radio (Mar 22, 2005)
• Students' Space Questions via Ham Radio Show Strong Science Slant (Mar 15, 2005)
• Feature: The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler (Mar 15, 2005)
• ISS Crew Commander Addresses Litter, Space Station "Tilt" in Ham Contact (Mar 8, 2005)
• Feature: Amateur Radio at the International Pathfinder Camporee (Mar 5, 2005)
• Soyuz a Smoother Ride than Shuttle, Astronaut Tells Students (Mar 1, 2005)
• Feature: The Amateur Radio Crossword Puzzler (Feb 28, 2005)
• Pine Tree State Logs First School Group QSO with Space Station (Feb 24, 2005)

Remember to...

• Check into the Echo Link Connecticut Amateur Radio League of Youth (CARLY) Net--Sundays at 7:00 PM Eastern Time on the K3KID-L 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 Fridays from 23:00 to 23:30 UTC on 14.329 MHz.
• 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 9205, at 0100 UTC each Saturday.
• Look for other youth on subchannel 06 of the 9600 IRLP Reflector. Philadelphia IRLP Reflector owner, Vic Tenaglia, N3IO, was kind enough to invite Amateur Radio's youth to use the reflector for youth communications.
• Check in with the ". 275 Youth Group", an informal "rag chew" group, on Saturdays, at 9:00 PM Eastern, on 7.275 MHz or +/- 10 KHz.
• Check into the World Wide Youth Net (WWYN) on Saturdays, 19:00 UTC, on 21.305.

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!

Final Comments

Thank you to all who continue to support this youth column! Always remember that this is your column, and its success depends on your input. This month, I had more articles than I could use, and that's a good "problem" to have. So, if you didn't see your contribution this month, don't worry; I will probably use it next time.

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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