Amateur Radio, Kites, Kids and a Park — March 28, 2010
Spain, Italy, Denmark and the list kept growing for Cristi and her teacher, Clifton Harper, KE5YZB as they worked 20 meters and the CQ World-Wide WPX Contest under a bright blue, sunshine filled southwest Oklahoma sky. Cristi 
stayed on the microphone, fighting to answer CQs, while Clifton encouraged her efforts and maintained the log.
Cristi is a member of the Viking Radio Club that operates in Harper’s classroom at the Eisenhower Middle School. In addition to being a radio club member, she’s a member of the National Honor Society and currently studying for her Technician license.
Clifton Harper is an art teacher and facilitates the Viking Radio Club, KF5CRF with about 18 members. Clifton brought his HF radio system out to the park today. He continually streamlines the station making it more and more portable. His station now fits nicely into a brief case. Once he has power and a location for his mag-mount HF mobile antenna he is on the air. Typically he can key up in less than five minutes after his arrival. Great Job!
Angelee, KF5EOY (right center) visited us with a couple of friends. Within minutes they were making contacts on 40 
meters, competing for air time during the CQ contest. Her friend Ashley thought it was “just too cool” to be able to talk to so many different people from all over the place. Both girls attend the Lawton Christian Academy in Lawton. At 11, Angelee is one of the youngest operators that we have seen in the area in about 12 years. Angelee gets plenty of support from her father, Richard, KF5EOX. As you can see from their call signs, they studied, took the test and passed together. Over the years we have seen several parents and their children become involved in amateur radio as a joint activity. Many continue to this day to share that common interest. Richard has discussed the possibility of a school radio club at the Academy. So far the idea has received a warm reception.
Several weeks ago we met Tomlinson Middle School student Jacob. Joe, Jacob’s father stopped by and spoke with 
Jaron, KF5DIR and expressed how excited his son was about amateur radio. He asked if Jacob could come back and visit us again. The response was of course positive, and in a few minutes Jacob returned wanting to learn more Morse code. So, using a “bug”, we showed Jacob how to form letters using dit’s and da’s. Jacob asked about the old style telegraph key and with a point towards Jaron’s setup, he ventured over and examined Jaron’s growing collection of keys.
In just a few minutes, using Jaron’s recently purchased Soviet Military Surplus key, Jacob was able to send his name and a few other common words. Over the next 45 minutes the two talked enthusiastically about the evolution of keys and Morse Code.
With Jacob’s dad present, Jaron challenged Jacob to take the next amateur radio class beginning April 3. Before Jacob could respond, Joe asked if he could take the class too. Now, both father and son are looking forward to the challenge of the upcoming amateur radio licensing classes. Joe remarked that he sees amateur radio as a potential activity they’ll enjoy together. Classes are conducted at no charge, except for the cost of a text book. Jaron agreed to loan his book to Jacob and Joe. The instructor, Milton Simpson, WD5YZB will normally schedule a test session as part of the last class.
Jim Havens, KE5HAZ stopped by and helped us out with a wind generator. The wind generator was purchased a 
couple years ago with a grant to the W5LHS, School Radio Club. Jim is responsible for the Lawton High School (W5LHS) club, where he is a physics teacher. Using amateur radio and other equipment purchased with a series of grants for the club, Jim reinforces key fundamentals of physics. A good example was when a student asked the question about the range of wireless Internet technologies. Jim secured a wireless access point. Students were soon experimenting and answering their own questions regarding range and quickly discovered the maximum range of the device. How did everything they “know” about wireless Internet change when Jim swapped out the standard Rubber Ducky antenna for a 15 element Yagi 
antenna? In an instant the maximum range was again unknown, requiring more experimenting and thinking. Several students even accused Jim of cheating because he was using amateur radio technology. Jim could only smile at the accusation.
The weather was pleasant and certainly a factor for the 400+ park visitors throughout the day. The Outreach program is starting to get repeat visitors that stop by as in the case of 7 year old Andrew and his father James a member of the Coast Guard. Andrew worked the “Bug” and we reinforced Morse Code and the use of the SOS. We explained that you can use other technologies besides radio to call for help. Ideas we normally use as part of our presentation include the horn of a car, fog horn if on a boat or a flashlight at night. James offered the idea of using the shinny side of a CD that can be used as a reflector to alert nearby passing ships, aircraft or a visible shoreline.
L-R, Jim, KE5HAZ and Clifton, KF5YZB. Note the use of the trash can as a ground plane for the mobile antenna. The yellow box on Jim
L-R, Angelee, KF5EOY and two excited friends Jessica and Ashley. Jessica is a current student of Harper but not aware of the School Radio Club. Ashley will be attending Eisenhower Middle School in the fall.
East side view of the pavilion. We put a small kite on our Jack Kite Pole. In the foreground is a G5RV antenna in a horizontal (26 feet up) configuration center supported by a kite pole. This is the antenna configuration that Jaron intends to use for the Rookie Roundup contest April 18 (permit in hand). It does a great job on 40 meters and has achieved proven results on 20 meters with contacts in Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, the Caribbean and South America. The setup time is relatively quick too, at about 15 minutes.
Angelee, KF5EOY and Ashley showing off a new version of the CQ dance.
A more detailed photo of the self contained APRS unit acquired for the W5LHS Radio Club. School radio clubs have a lot of benefits.
Many, many thanks to KC5EIU, KF5DIR, KF5EOY, KF5EOX, KE5HAZ, KE5YZB, WB5YZB, WX5IRL and Cristi who’s combined presence and efforts greatly added to the success of the event.
There have been some significant changes to K5USA qrz web site with many more to come. Go to
www.qrz.com/db/k5usa and check it out.
Our next scheduled outreach event will be on Sunday April 21. If we don’t have a permit and the weather is nice on those weekends, we may head to the park when those opportunities present themselves. In the meantime, get a kite, grab your radio, go to a park, enjoy the day and listen for K5USA.
73, KC5CYY
