W7ASC June 2011 ADAW

From The WB7TJD Wiki

A Thrill a Minute at the W7ASC Harkins Ham Shack

The doors open and the multitudes stream in.  There you are at one of the glowing operating positions, pencils sharpened, Guest Operator Certificates ready to be awarded, Morse code operation, and free (old) QSTs.  We built it, but will they come?  They sure did on Field Day 2010 and we expect a good FD crowd to introduce Ham Radio this year also (plus a lot of “Rubber Duckies").

Your reporter thought that he had experienced all that Ham radio had to offer.  DX, DIY, contests, field days, public service and the rest.  But there was another level:  meeting the Public in order to explain and demonstrate this multi-faceted avocation.  The best part is that most of the required tools (Hardware, software and handouts) are right there at W7ASC.  The Ham volunteers round out the team.

A visiting family approaches.  The kids want to know what goes on.  Morse code?  What the heck is that?  And we are off and running, engaging those young minds with tales of invention and application.  Here is how you send your name with that red button (that’s our kid-proof code key).  It beeps and a light flashes!  Talk to someone on the radio?  Out goes a CQ and a QSO begins.

Other visitors look in to view the action.  Could they participate, too?

A skeptic arrives, telling us that Ham radio is dying away:  being replaced by CB, cell phones and the Internet.  Do we ever have a surprise for him!  Bring up Vanity HQ on the screen at www.vanityhq.com, select N4MC’s “Ham Locator” in the left column and type in the visitor’s ZIP code (try this for your own ZIP code).  Wow!  He sees his home SURROUNDED by those blue pins.  One for every Ham.  Not counting multiple Hams at the same address!

Having caught their attention, we now have time to tell some of the Ham radio story.

Next report will cover another visitor type.  But you can save your eyes by experiencing the fun in person.  Call Bob, KG7QJ who will find a way to squeeze you in.

Jean W4CIH=

The General Amateur Radio License Class starts Saturday July 23rd 10 AM to 1 PM at the AZ Science center.  Check the ARRL Class search or see the attached flyer for details.  Call me (Bob KG7QJ) at 480-961-1109 or e-mail kg7qj@cox.net to sign up.

See this New General Class Starts July 23, 2011 Announcement and accompanying flyer.