Ham radio in the news: more than a hobby, ten-year-old ham, GEARS

For some, ham radio is more than a hobby.
Jerry Wetzel has relayed messages to scientists and military personnel at the South Pole from his amateur radio station in Butler and provided a vital communications link to people in the path of hurricanes. He has talked with astronauts aboard the International Space Station who are ham radio operators.

At age 10, Trenton girl is among youngest amateur radio operators.
When many kids her age are learning texting abbreviations such as ROFL or IYKWIM (“if you know what I mean”), 10-year-old Sierra Saylors is focused on KK4RJW. That’s her call sign, the collection of numbers and letters issued by the FCC that identifies her as a legitimate ham-radio operator.

Golden Empire Amateur Radio Society turns a hobby into community service.
While historians still debate who actually invented radio, one thing is certain: Golden Empire Amateur Radio Society is keeping the airwaves of ham radio buzzing. The Golden Empire Amateur Radio Society, or GEARS, was organized Aug. 13, 1939 by a group of 11 radio buffs in the Northern Sacramento Valley.