The theme here is how some amateur radio activities are helping kids around the world….Dan
Meet the group of TN youngsters taking science to government schools
“When compared to adults, children make far more interesting conversation. They don’t think if something is right or wrong. During our astronomy sessions, they come up with questions like – ‘How did the Earth form?’ ‘How do you know human beings have life?’ ‘When did they discover that?’ – They ask these questions easily but we may not be able to come up with answers,” laughs Surender, who is doing his Masters in Nuclear Physics at Madras University in Chennai.
About six years ago, Surender got together with a few of his friends, and started the Open Science Foundation (OSF) that is now taking science to government school students. Their idea is to guide students into developing interesting science hobbies.
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“We make it a point to meet students two to three times every week, during non-working days. We have selected 30 students based on interest, with help from teachers, to be trained in OSC,” he adds. And the very first idea that they introduced to students was the ham radio, also known as the amateur radio.
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Any student who has completed 12 years of age is eligible to obtain the ham radio licence from the government. “There is an easy exam that anyone with basic electrical knowledge can pass. The ham radio is the best way to learn and discuss science. You can communicate with anyone across the world, share your recent science experiments. It is a very good hobby,” he says, the excitement evident in his voice.
Ham radio operators tune in to need
Throw a holiday party but scratch the gifts. That’s a winning strategy for the Gaston County Amateur Radio Society.
Each year when the group holds its Christmas gathering, it takes up a hefty collection for The Gazette Empty Stocking Fund which fuels the Salvation Army’s Christmas outreach effort.
On Tuesday, Pat and Cy Rowe brought a $200 contribution to The Gazette on behalf of the group of ham radio enthusiasts.
Several years ago, Pat says members decided the end the tradition of giving each other gifts and instead take up a collection to help the Salvation Army.
This year about 800 children will receive toys and their families will get a food box to prepare a holiday meal. And about 40 seniors will get some much needed toiletries and personal care items, things they often struggle to afford after paying all their bills.
BUCKHANNON — A couple of local people are seeking to spread awareness and help promote telecommunication by use of HAM radios. Buckhannon residents Fred and Stacy Suder both have licenses to operate the amateur radios and want to help others utilize this amazing method of communicating.
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“My main goal is to stress the opportunity for young folk to get them involved in something that you don’t see too frequently anymore. It’s a great hobby and service to pick up on, and introduces people to the electronics and telecommunication that are unlike the communication we mostly use today with cell phones and the internet,” Suder emphasized. “People may get involved for different reasons, but have a basic knowledge of radio technology and operation principles. You must pass an examination for an FCC license to be qualified to operate on radio bands. They call them ‘Amateur Bands’ that have been assigned by the FCC (or Federal Communications Commission). You used to have to learn Morse Code too, in order to pass the examination years ago,” he stated. “A good buddy of mine and I was inspired as teenagers to obtain our license and then eventually acquiring the top license. My first Call letters were K8WYH,” Suder proudly expressed.
Fred and Stacy Suder currently have a “Go Fund Me” fundraiser on Facebook, in order to help young people purchase online courses for Amateur Radio. “It teaches the youth about emergency communications and gives them an opportunity for advanced learning. Anyone can obtain a license. There are kids under the age of 10 learning to operate HAM radios,” Suder further stated. You can contact Fred and Stacy through Facebook @Fred Stacy Suder or by email at [email protected] to contribute to their cause or for more information about Amateur Radio licensing.
Dave New, N8SBE says
The phrase “good buddy” made me cringe. That was so CB in the day.
Milton says
Excelente
HC4Z
Milton
73