Locals keep ham radio alive and well
World explorers: WCS students travel across radio waves. The U.S., Canada, Central America and Europe represent just a handful of global locations Worthington Christian School students have been able to explore with no passport required. Using radio frequency technology, WCS students have made contact with hundreds of people across the world by way of radio waves. “You get to know people you wouldn’t otherwise know,” said WCS fifth-grader Cali Visser of her experience transmitting shortwave radio signals. Led by longtime amateur radioer Randy Shirbroun, students interested in learning about amateur (ham) radio have had several hands-on experiences over the past two years during both casual and organized radio operating events via the school’s club station, W0WCS.
Amateur radio operators make worldwide contact. Having a good time enjoying a hobby interest that also serves an important service when severe weather or disasters strike was a good reason for a “party” Saturday in a school parking lot. Amateur radio operators from the Chickasaw Amateur Radio Association (CARA) and the Olive Branch Amateur Radio Club (OBARC), along with the DeSoto Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, spent 12 hours in the parking lot of Pleasant Hill Elementary School attempting to make contact with the rest of the world, or at least the rest of the country. They joined other operators in what OBARC president Shawn Braddock called, “The Mississippi QSO Party.”
GARY H FREEMAN says
Dan
Nice to hear you on 40 a few nights ago. I heard you again this evening on the K3FEF WebSDR connection: you were a very solid S9 + 20 dB.
Speaking of WebSDR, I have listened to several and they offer some benefits. First, it’s an easy way to be sure you are getting out. Second, it’s better than RBN because you can actually hear your signal: if you have chirp or other problem, it’s right there. And third, a WebSDR provides half a station for a QSO. I have a little XTAL controlled TX on 40 meters, but I don’t have a companion RX. I have had QSO’s where I transmit on my stand-alone TX and listen to the station I am talking to via the WebSDR.
And the SDR is also a good way for people learning ham radio to listen without buying a rig.
See you at FDIM Vendor Night
73 de Gary W0ITT
Steve~W8SFC says
I never thought of ham radio as a social media platform, but looking at it in that light makes it the granddaddy of social media. The way in which it differs are you will not be spammed by ham radio operators you make contact with. That is a good thing. Too much of social media is used as a commercial asset by corporations to reach a customer base – often without their consent or at least without knowing they consent to be bombarded with advertising. Ham radio is social media in it’s unspoiled form and it actually provides a safe outlet for people to have conversations.
I feel that ham radio is superior to the other social media outlets because of this, and in a QSO you aren’t surreptitiously being steered into a sale of goods or services.
At least I haven’t ever received any form of sales pitch via amateur radio. (which is if I understand the rules is forbidden by the FCC). Too bad the FCC rules don’t apply to the other social media platforms.
73!