The ARRL
Hudson Division WebsiteThe ARRL
Hudson Division Website
Kids Day 2008
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| Nick Esposito, KC2ONP fills out an Operating Certificate for a young man making his very first contact on VHF. ARRL Hudson Division Vice Director Joyce Birmingham, KA2ANF watches as Paul Klippel, KC2SAS makes a contact on two meters. | Another YL or Young Lady is showing how easy it is to 'get on the air'. |
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| Who said Morse Code was 'dead'? This was the highlight on the day's event. Kid's of all ages, were intrigued by 'the secret' of Morse Code. | Andy Stillinger, WA2DKJ scanning for stations on 20 meters for these young guests to make contact with. |
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| Even the Cub Scouts had fun getting on the air for the first time. | Nick Esposito, KC2ONP spent a good part of the day surrounded by YL's anxious to make their first contact. |
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| Vince Lobosco, KC2IZK and Andy Stillinger, WA2DKJ coach another exchange of information: 'What was this young man's favorite color?' | Barry Cohen, K2JV and Maycee working 20 meters. Maycee was right at home in front of the microphone! |
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| Paul Klippel, KC2SAS enjoys demonstrating just how to go about making a contact on VHF. | Nick Esposito, KC2ONP is kept busy preparing Participation Certificates for these very excited young ladies while Joyce Birmingham - KA2ANF ARRL Hudson Division Vice Director looks on |
At Berkeley Heights Recreation Center, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Joyce Birmingham - KA2ANF - ARRL Hudson Division Vice Director
“Kids Day is an on-air event to encourage young people (licensed or not) to have fun with Amateur Radio. It is designed to give on-the-air experience to youngsters and hopefully foster interest in getting a license of their own. It is also intended to give older hams a chance to share their station and love for Amateur Radio with their children.”
“Kids Day” happens twice a year, January 6th and June 21st. That should give kids a great opportunity to get on the air! As was suggested by Dave Patton, N1NN in his December 2007 QST article on “Kids Day”, clubs could benefit by hosting an ‘open house’ and fire up the Club Station, Award Certificates to those making contacts, make a display board of kid’s activities at prior years’ events and serve pizza during these dates.
On Sunday afternoon, January 6, 2008 I visited Berkeley Heights, New Jersey to view the Kids Day set up by the New Providence ARC. And the club followed Dave Patton’s suggestions and the results were amazing!
There were over 40 kids in attendance that Sunday afternoon. New Providence ARC President, Jim, KB2FCV was on hand with Barry Cohen, K2JV- Mentor extraordinaire and “Hudson Division Youth Representative”, Nick Esposito, KC2ONP to coach the kids through their ‘on-the-air exchanges.
The Club set up 4 stations (operating Club Callsign - N2XJ) for the kids to make contact with others on the air. The 20 meter station drew quite a bit of activity, as the kids were able to reach out across the country and the world to make contact with other kids, exchanging their names, their locations, and their favorite colors! They were all very enthusiastic, when they stepped up to the microphone giving out their information, like they were ‘born with microphones in hand’…amazing! NO MIC-Fright here!!
The most fascinating thing was the amount of girls that were there. And as usual, our good-looking young leader, Nick, KC2ONP had quite a crowd of young YL’s around him (wink)!
Ladies, with all of the young YL’s I saw that day, it’s evident that we need to do some mentoring! It’s a great time for us gals to step up and show them that Amateur Radio has a lot to offer them, too.
Thanks to David, N2MHI, Shirley, N2PHP and Paul, KC2SAS for their tremendous support, as well as all of the members of NPARC along with the kids and their Moms and Dads, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles who helped make this Kids Day really special...and we even had a visit by Assistant Director (ex- NNJ Section Manager) Bill Hudzik, W2UDT!