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The next Kid's Day is June 18.
Sure, it is always easier to lament that ham radio can't compete with everything that is going on in our children's lives; it is much harder to do something about it. So how do you compete? Try a little magic. The same "magic" that got you interested in ham radio is still magic; the only difference is that now it is your turn to be the magician.
On June 18, 2005, kids of all ages will experience the magic of ham radio. Kid's Day is one way that you can share the fun, excitement, and learning opportunities of ham radio. Many hams participate with their own children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. This event isn't just for relatives though. Consider inviting the people you work with and their children, or your neighbor's family. Inviting adults and youth may result in future ham radio operators.
So you're not a magician? Oh yes you are. Don't forget the power and fascination of CW. Kids love the code so let them send their names on that old code practice oscillator in your shack. How about copying a CW QSO and "magically" convert the dits and dahs into meaningful words? Let the kids make a name bracelet using different sized beads for the dits and dahs … they know what it says, but their parents might not … that's magic. Want to be the "mad scientist"? Try dropping a small magnet through a conductive (copper) pipe and watch what happens (it isn't what the kids intuitively expect). The "hey that's cool" just might be the hook you need to get other questions going. What ever you do, make your activities centered on the kids.
The same goes for actual station operations. The Kid's Day operating event is centered on kids so if you want kids to have a great time (and be ready to come back for more) allow them to dictate the pace and duration of the event. Kid's Day should be fun for both of you. Do the kids appear to be losing interest while you tune around looking for a strong signal? Why not let them try their hand at tuning? If they are ready to leave, accept it. It is better to do 15 minutes of ham radio fun than to be forced into spending 1 hour at the ham radio transceiver when they want to be somewhere else. Besides, kids change their mind so often in a few minutes they may be sitting beside you again.
Since Kid's Day began in 1994, the comments from hams and kids haven't changed much:
Though band conditions were tough, kids came by and at least two or three wanted to attend a license class. Neighboring clubs came by and assisted, much thanks to all who helped, members of San Gorgonio Pass Amateur Radio Club and Yucaipa ARC. Thanks to all stations who exchanged contacts with AE6JM.
We had 13 girls from my daughter's Brownie troop at my home today and successfully made contact with many. Everyone had a great time and I hope developed an interest in Amateur Radio. (My two have-for a while now-talked about eventually getting their licenses.) Great event!-Peter, W2PWS
One of Camille's CQs was answered by KH0AC. We had quite a long chat with him about his QTH in Saipan-quite a thrill for Camille, hard as it is to impress kids with such things these days. Thanks to all for the QSOs-Kid's Day is wonderful!-Derek, AA5BT
I a lot of fun today working all the kids. I'm looking forward to the one in the summer, as it is the same weekend as our Ham Campout so will most likely have more kids on the air.-Kevin McCoy, VE6KJM
Kid's Day Rules
Purpose: Kid's Day is intended to encourage young people (licensed or not) to enjoy Amateur Radio. It can give young people on-the-air experience so they might develop an interest in pursuing a license in the future. It is intended to give hams a chance to share their station with children.
Date: Saturday, June 18, 2005.
Time: 1800 to 2400 UTC. No limit on operating time.
Suggested exchange: Name, age, location and favorite color. You are encouraged to work the same station again if an operator has changed. Call CQ Kid's Day.
Suggested frequencies: 28,350 to 28,400 kHz, 21,380 to 21,400, 14,270 to 14,300 kHz and 2 meter repeater frequencies with permission from your area repeater sponsor. Observe third party traffic restrictions when making DX QSOs.
Awards: All participants are eligible to receive a colorful certificate (it becomes the child's personalized sales brochure on ham radio. Please complete the short survey and post your comments. You will then have access to download the certificate page or send a 9×12 SASE to: Boring Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 1357, Boring, OR 97009.
Kid's Day is truly a family affair, as dad and daughters demonstrate.
Mark Spencer, WA8FAS, is ARRL Education and Technology Program Coordinator. He can be contacted at mspencer@arrl.org.
The "nicer" you are perceived by your audience, the more likely you will succeed as a speaker. If you are viewed as "nice," those listening to you are more inclined to believe you, pay attention to you, accept you and buy into you and your ideas.
So how can you seem more likeable as a speaker?
Looking for press materials for Field Day?
They were in last month's issue of CONTACT!
Politicians love to give out proclamations for all sorts of things. But most of them are really rather poor at writing these pronouncements. But this is a good way to get your foot in the door of the Mayor's office or other public official. If you have a suggested proclamation in hand when you ask for one, chances are good they will simply take your writing, edit a word or two, and use it as if it were their own.
So, how do you go about ghost writing a proclamation? It's not hard!
In general, proclamations begin with a host of "Whereas" statements - reasons why the politician is recognizing you. There are some regular patterns to this:
Whereas #1 - establishes your group as being in the home territory of the politician
Whereas #2 - gives the reason why it is being done on this particular date
Whereas #3 - tell the large picture of what you do for the community
Whereas #4 - gives any specific services recently or events of note
Whereas #5 - any oddities of merit
Therefore - (two possibilities)
"Therefore, I, title & name, do proclaim……"
This is used if the official is acting independent of others
"Therefore be it resolved…."
This is the phrase used if there is a council or other group involved in making the proclamation.
Putting it together comes out something like this:
WHEREAS, The City of Runnamucka is the home of 1234 Amateur Radio Operators and the Runnamuck Amateur Radio Club which has provided backup emergency communications to our community for many years; and
WHEREAS, June 25th, 2005 is their annual Field Day in which the Runnamuck Amateur Radio Club demonstrates their capabilities to the community and emergency services to our people; and
WHERES, the continuing importance of the Amateur Radio Service has been recognized by the federal government, Department of Homeland Security, Citizens' Corps, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), and countless state and local emergency management organizations; and
WHEREAS, the Runnamuck Amateur Radio Club has also regularly provided radio communications services to the town for civic events such as parades, marathons, emergency drills and Rev. Lou's Bingo Night; and
WHEREAS, the incorporation of the Amateur Radio Service into our City Emergency Plans has expanded our capabilities and gained us recognition; now
THEREFORE, I, Hugh Whoosit, Mayor of the City of Runnamucka, do hereby officially recognize and designate June 19-26, 2005, as AMATEUR RADIO WEEK in the City of Runnamucka.
Can you take this in to the Mayor as it is written above? NO!
I have intentionally made it impossible as any "boilerplate" announcement would have no chance. You need to individualize your own for your location. It will only take a little time, but by doing so you will have a very good chance of having it enacted.
Here's a neat trick. Go to the ARRL home page and find the callsign search area. Do NOT put anything into the "fill in the callsign" white space, but just click on the green GO button. When the next screen comes up, just put in the name of your town and the state - that's all. It will give you the names and addressed of licensed hams in that town!
(…and yes, we have asked for a Presidential proclamation)
Don't forget to stop by the PR booth in the ARRL area! Meet and greet other PIO's, discuss the latest ideas and what's being planned for the near future. Pick up some tips and pointers you can use when you get home.
ALSO, be sure to take in one or more of the special presentations on the stage!
Save the Date! Save the Date! Save the Date! Save the Date!
You are invited to the
Make your travel plans now and plan to join in this very special discussion.
Questions? Contact ARRL Media & PR Office at (860) 594-0328
Presenters at the Forum include:
The popular ARRL Public Relations Forum takes place Sunday, May 22, 8:30 AM-10:00 AM, in Room 1. The moderator is the ARRL's Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP. Here's the scenario you'll confront:
Your local electric company is going to test BPL in your area, and the news reporter thinks it's all just wonderful. What do you do?
Highlighting the ARRL PR Forum will be an interactive panel discussion with some of the most passionate public relations people involved in keeping the truth about interference issues a central topic in the media coverage on BPL.
Support Requested for US House Resolution to Evaluate BPL Interference
NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 28, 2005--Rep Michael Ross, WD5DVR, of Arkansas, has introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives calling on the FCC to "conduct a full and complete analysis" of the radio interference from broadband over power line (BPL) operations. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has urged ARRL members to contact their US representatives to support the resolution when it reaches the floor of the House. A sample letter is available on the ARRL Web site, although members are encouraged to express their support in their own words. If you're not sure who represents your congressional district, visit the United States House of Representatives Web site.
The resolution, H.Res 230 -it's important to clarify that it's a House Res 230 and not HR 230 which is different legislation -says the Commission should comprehensively evaluate BPL's interference potential incorporating "extensive public review and comment," and--in light of that analysis--to "reconsider and review" its new BPL rules. If approved by the full House, the non-binding resolution, introduced April 21, would express the requests as "the sense of the House of Representatives."
While the resolution's prime focus is on BPL's potential to disrupt critical public safety radiocommunication, it reinforces what the Amateur Radio operators have been warning. When high frequency signals are put into unshielded wires, such as electrical lines, it creates radio static and can make communications impossible. It cites National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) studies that "have determined that broadband over power line creates a ‘high risk' of radio wave interference, and that harmful interference to public safety mobile radio receivers can be expected at distances of 75 meters from a power line where broadband over power line is in operation, and at distances of up to 460 meters from fixed stations, such as police or fire dispatch communications facilities."
Many public safety agencies and support services, including emergency medical services, fire, and law enforcement, utilize radios which can be affected, the resolution points out. Thirteen states--California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming--use radios threatened by BPL for their state police operations, and they are the primary public safety radios in nine states.
See the full story on The ARRLWeb
