Saturday, April 28, 2012

Why Not?

Thought for the day:  Bodies in motion remain in motion, and bodies at rest stay in bed until their mothers make them get up. [an unidentified third grader]

[THEME: Amateur radio]

Oooh, boy, we've almost made it to the end of the road, huh? Just two more to go.

Ever notice? The letter Y kinda looks like a fork in the road, doesn't it? Well,  I'm gonna cheat a little, and take both forks. Two words for the same letter.

First word? YOUTH.








Not just Scouts, but ALL youth. You might guess that today's young people are too sophisticated to have any interest in something like amateur radio.

But for many, many young people ... your guess would be wrong.

Students I've worked with are fascinated with Morse code. (Just because we don't get tested on it anymore doesn't mean none of us use it.)

Young people are also particularly enthusiastic about talking to astronauts aboard the space station and satellite communications, about fox hunting and the multitude of modes that work in tandem with a computer, and with contesting and  the simple act of talking one-on-one to another young person on the other side of the world. Licensed young people learn about many subjects which aid them in their schoolwork, provide impetus toward technology-related careers, and instill self-confidence. It also provides them with a host of public service opportunities. What's not to love, right? One young lady we know, who is graduating from GA Tech in May, found her path largely through her involvement with amateur radio. As a teen, she won numerous young ham awards, one of which included a week's stay at Huntsville, Alabama's Space Camp. She loved the experience so much, she went back the following year on her own dime. Her GA Tech degree? It's in aeronautical engineering. Oh, and she got that degree through a FULL scholarship from the ARRL. So amateur radio can have an incredible impact on the lives of young people. And more and more, young people are having an incredible impact on amateur radio.

                                                             The other word? YOU.


                                  Have YOU ever considered getting an amateur radio license?

It doesn't matter where you live in the world, or how old or young you are. You don't have to be a mathematics or physics whiz kid or make your living in the engineering field. All you need is the desire to learn, and an interest in expanding your horizons. Didja know? Amateur radio is the only hobby in the world that is actually protected by international treaty. Interested in joining the fold? Here, I'll move over. See? There's lots of room.



22 comments:

  1. Hi Susan. Amateur radio is not something I ever thought about until a few years ago. A neighbour had a mast placed in his garden and when I asked what it was for he showed me his set-up which was in his garage. It was fascinating!

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  2. My Dad, God rest him, loved radio. He dabbled in amateur radio on and off during his lifetime. He had his radios set up in our garden shed and when the family got too much for him, he would retreat there with his can of Guinness and talk to people all over the world. Fascinating.

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  3. That's not cheating. That's going above and beyond.

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  4. Denise- I'm glad to hear you've had some exposure to amateur radio, anyway. Most people haven't.

    fsmum- Oh, how cool! Very neat that your dad was a ham. I hope you have a lot of terrific memories of listening to him on the radio.

    Delores- I like the way you think, lady.

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  5. If the whole grid goes out, would the ham operators still get reception? How did they get reception in those old war movies when they carried their radios in a suitcase and set it up anywhere? (I always ask stupid questions)

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  6. Manzie- Not stupid at all. Most of us, or at least those interested in providing emergency communications, have multiple means of staying on the air long after the power goes out, telephone lines and cell towers are down, and the internet is kaput. We use anything from batteries to generators to solar power. Those radios in a suitcase typically ran on batteries, and many hams have similar cases, which we're committed to keep at the ready to establish emergency communications at a moment's notice.

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  7. I haven't thought about getting an amateur radio license...until now. LOL
    Great info. It's so nice to see young people interested in that too.

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  8. Susan, Thanks for the answer. I think I said it before and I do believe you ham guys will save the world. How inspiring that young kids are getting into it. It was very popular when I was young and I can remember learning Morse Code at one time but soon forgot it. You are one heck of a great inspiration.
    Proud to be your blogging buddy.

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  9. Jennifer- Hey, at least you're thinking about it! You're right about young people. It's encouraging to see so many of them entering the hobby.

    Manzie- Thanks you. I'm proud to be your blogging buddy, too. (And I'll bet you'd be surprised how quickly you could pick up Morse code again!)

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  10. I love radio. Have never thought about getting an Amateur license tho (not even sure I knew one existed lol). Will check it out and how great there are all these young people interested. I know my son is fascinated by morse code. They're not all video gamers!

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  11. Oooh I am your 200th follower! Congrats. Do I get a prize? (Just jokin')

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  12. Remember the CB craze. I had so much fun talking to people around the country. Thanks for prompting the memory. :)
    Kate

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  13. Claire- If your son in interested in Morse code, and you love radio ... it sounds like amateur radio is just the thing to fill the bill for both of you. There are a LOT of hams in California, so you shouldn't have any trouble at all finding someone nearby who could help you guys get started. Woo HOO! Two hundred followers! Thank you so much for hitting that milestone for me. If I weren't such a slug, I WOULD have some kinda award all ready and waiting, but to tell the truth, the past 70 or so followers came onboard so quickly, it caught me off-guard and unprepared. So I'm sending you a great big virtual hug. (Yeah, I know. That totally sucks.)

    Kate- Yeah, CB was pretty big in the '70s. Glad I prompted some good memories for you, but pssssst! amateur radio is a kazillion times better!

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  14. Very cool! I'm stopping over from the A-Z challenge. We are almost there! I'm your newest follower :)

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  15. Thanks, but I think I'll concentrate on how to work my Kindle. Hehe.


    http://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.com/

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  16. Honestly? Not really. Not until I read your blog. Now, I'm seriously, seriously thinking of adding it to my list of things that I will absolutely learn how to do someday.

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  17. Martha- Nice to meetcha. Thanks for stopping by and for signing on as a follower. Welcome aboard! I'll be visiting your blog asap. One more to go!!!!!

    Suze- I'm glad. And I'm really glad you got your butt outta that hammock! It's great to have you back again.

    Francene- HA! I know what you mean. Thanks so much for stopping by.

    Stephanie- Super! I hope you do.

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  18. Hey, it was a helluva hammock ...

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  19. Suze- I'll bet! I'm sure the tropical breezes weren't bad, either.

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  20. Hi Susan .. what a great thought for youngsters .. and a way of learning so much - can quite see where you're coming from ..

    Excellent post - thanks Hilary

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  21. Hilary- Absolutely. It's a wonderful hobby for youngsters, and one they can enjoy for a lifetime. Cheers!

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