January Radio In the Park Summary
WHEN THE WINDS BLOW! — Go Fly a Kite
Every Radio In the Park (RIP) event brings learning opportunities about people and amateur rad
io. After several months of observations, we finally concluded that more kids are in the park on Sundays verses Saturdays. Consider that many families are probably involved with activities on Saturday, such as youth sports or shopping, so of course the park would have more youths on Sundays. With this new information, we moved the RIP to the 3rd Sunday of the month from about 11am until 5pm.
By being consistent in locating the RIP at KIDS ZONE we are starting to see benefits too. Kids are now approaching us, making our task so much easier! Although many are a bit too young to consider the potential of amateur radio seriously, there are some positives. Many have an older sister, brother or friend – say between 8 – 12 years old; and at that age, amateur radio is a whole lot of fun! Such was the case when a bi-lingual 1st grader named Emily, ventured by to say “Gutentag”, bringing her older friend, Zoey, age 10, who later brought her friend Anna, also 10. Neither, Zoey or Anna had any initial desire to talk on the radio, but both would eventually make a radio contact, thanks so much to a young man in Walters, Oklahoma, Nic, KE5VMO, standing-by and ready to answer a call from K5USA. (You can’t see them, but if you note the streamers tied to the antennas, they are attached to secret weapons, balloons. If kids are involved, and you want to have fun, make it look like you are about to have a birthday party and have plenty of balloons! Above, Kashauna (10) talks with NIC in Walters, OK.
Nic discussed how he uses amateur radio almost daily to talk to his grandfather in North Carolina using IRLP. In short order he tried to give Zoey a front row seat as he called his Grandfather via IRLP. Nic asked Zoey to try to make a contact on the HF and she agreed to give it a try. Zoey attempted to make an HF contact, but the bands had already changed on us.
Hams — please listen vigilantly on the 146.91, 147.36 or 445.075 repeaters. PLEASE, answer when you hear the CQ call from K5USA. Above, caught this candid moment with Dale AF5AF and Bob KC5EIU getting things organized. The temperatures would later warm up considerably and the winds would subside, as the park filled with youngsters. Bob, Dale and Mike WD5USA are untiring in their desire and ability to work with the kids to support the Radio In the Park project. Amazingly, regardless of the wind or the chill in the air, they thank me for putting this together. The truth is Bob, Dale and Mike inspire this author and to them, I say thank you!
Look for your next RIP on Sunday February 15th from about 11am until 5pm. The RIP mission remains rock solid. Provide an opportunity to young minds to explore technology and its potential using Amateur Radio.
