[kids] From the ARRL Letter

[n6tr@teleport.com]

KID'S DAY SHOWS OFF HAM RADIO TO NEXT GENERATION

If you've ever said we need to get more young people into ham radio, Kid's
Day presents ample opportunity to put your words into action. Just ask some
young people to spent at least 15 minutes in your ham shack on Kid's
Day--June 19--talking to other youngsters who've been invited to do the same
thing. It's easy! It doesn't require much time, and you don't have to learn
anything new.

Kid's Day was started by "Tree" Tyree, N6TR, under the auspices of the
Boring Amateur Radio Club in Oregon. N6TR asked the ARRL to assist with
sponsorship.

During a January running of Kid's Day, more than 400 youngsters took part
(see June QST, page 32). It's a fun on-the-air event that's grown
tremendously popular in the past few years. The friendly ragchew-type
exchange includes name, age, location and favorite color. But, kids can ask
whatever questions they think of. You just have to act as the control op,
make sure you or they ID at the proper time, and be sure to observe
third-party traffic restrictions when making DX QSOs. Another possibility is
to invite a young person who is already licensed but might not have a good
station set up yet.

Some of those planning to be Kid's Day participants this year have shared
their ideas. Members of the Green River Valley Amateur Radio Society, in
Bettendorf, Iowa, plan to set up a station at the Bettendorf Family Museum
of Arts & Sciences for Kid's Day. They'll hand out certificates to every
local youth who gets on the air. 

Ham volunteers at Kopernik Observatory, in Vestal, New York, are inviting
area youths to visit on Kid's Day, and will operate through the satellites,
listening for other youngsters on-the-air. 

Worldradio Editor Rick McCusker, WF6O, of Sacramento, California, has
printed flyers about Kid's Day and distributed them in his neighborhood. If
enough kids respond, he plans to throw a barbecue to feed them when they
stop by to make QSOs.

Ric Painter, WO4O, in Tennessee, had a similar notion. He says his son and
daughter--aged 14 and 12 respectively--and one of his neighbor's kids have
participated in past Kid's Day events from his station. He's planning to
invite a church youth group for pizza, soda, and ice cream--plus a chance
"to step up to the golden microphone for the Kid's Day Radio Party!" 

Kid's Day is June 19, 1800-2400 UTC. Suggested event frequencies are 14,270
to 14,300 kHz and 28,350 to 28,400 kHz. For more details about Kid's Day,
visit http://www.jzap.com/k7rat/.


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