First contact: Rising fourth-grader’s interest in ham radio bolstered by ARRL Field Day
CARTERSVILLE, GA—While her transmission lasted mere seconds, Brooklyn Colding’s first radio contact is a moment she will always treasure.
The rising fourth-grader corresponded with an amateur radio operator in New York June 24 while she was participating in American Radio Relay League’s annual Field Day. At 9, she was one of the youngest attendees at the event — presented by Cherokee Amateur Radio Society — at Rob Long Farm in Taylorsville.
“My interest started about a year ago,” Brooklyn said. “Our family friend Chad Cone, whose call sign is KY4KP, introduced me to it. He started teaching me how it works and invited my family and I to Hamfest in August of 2022. I like that I can communicate with people all over the world.”
Communications from a family of hams
FLAGSTAFF, AZ—It was a thrill making contact with volcanic Bouvet Island, says local ham operator Bob Wertz, marking a 47-year quest and the final confirmed contact with all 340 countries and independent entities.
“Very few hams in the world have done this and I only know of eight others in Arizona that have ever contacted all 340 entities,” he said. “This is amazing to me, as there are about 22,000 Hams just in Arizona.”
City stresses importance of EOC
SAN BENITO, TX—One might be wondering what are all those antennas atop of the City’s Municipal Building.
These are ham-radio antennas, and are the keys for providing a direct link to various federal, state, local agencies and the weather bureau on what is happening in San Benito in the event the internet goes down. Amateur radio does not depend on the internet or cell service to transmit and receive messages.