Good To Great!!!
Radio In the Park Summary 091018
What a HAM adventure filled week! We had our Radio In the Park event, but it started on Saturday and would not end until next Saturday. On the 17th several of us participated with the Scouts during the annual Jamboree On The Air (JOTA). The Lawton Elmer Thomas Park west pavilion proved to be perfect for such an event. We even managed to enjoy the company of a visiting Australian family that included two young scouts. In no time, Ron AF5Q had the two scouts on the air making contacts. Another young scout was not to be out done, and demonstrated his potential amateur skills. Although turn-out was low, the fun-meter was high!
We followed up a good Saturday event with a great Sunday event. We kept things pretty simple, and carried everything into the park in one trip! It takes Bob (KC5EIU) and I, about 40 minutes to have our area fully setup. This includes an HF station and a 20 meter vertical wire antenna.
(L-R – Caleb, Jaron and Bob)
Lots of activity on 20m for us – reality is that we are not in the park looking for contacts on the air. Our contacts are already in the park, as we search out interested young boys and girls that find the idea of amateur radio fun and exciting. Our new “Help Wanted” sign makes notice of a special demonstration, and that phrase works! It only takes a few minutes before those with an interest in science or math to come on over and check us out, such as 8 year old Caleb, a 3rd grader from Hugh-Bish elementary school, and his mom. Calab’s mom expressed that he’s always had an interest in science.
After some time, Bob spurred Caleb’s interests and got him on the air. Great! In the meantime, we managed to get some SSTV going back and forth. We listened in on a 20 meter DX operation from the Caribbean. The station was giving priority to Japan stations. Most of the Asian stations were undistinguishable in the background noise. But occasionally, a Japanese station would be loud and clear. I’m always amazed at how great that $14 antenna works that Bob and I put together one afternoon in the park!
Jaron KF5DIR (above blue and white jacket), one of our newest hams, reinforces our efforts at Kid’s Zone. Jaron’s proving to be a real asset at the park. He helps with set up and tearing down. He makes a quick connection with the kids too, and joins into the engagement. Although actually “talking” on the radio is still new to Jaron, he’s getting the hang of it. He’s finding out there’s lots of ways to “Talk” on the air without actually “talking”! Jaron and I talked about the School Club Round-Up (SCR) that would begin the next day – Monday (19 Oct). Bob was going to be present at the Viking station all day and needed to leave early. With the park full of kids, we had about 15 visitors come on by and ask question and getting on the air. A great success story!
Dusk began to settle on the park – Jaron volunteered to stay for the duration, and together we packed up everything. Jaron’s dad, just like the cavalry, showed up just in time, and helped carry out the equipment. On the way out, we grabbed up our “Help Wanted” sign. Amazingly, the park still had about 30 kids present. You have to love these hearty kids from Oklahoma! As this day closes, we have to remember that the SCR is the next day.
The School Club Round-Up just reinforced a fun week, as Bob and I spent most of the week with Viking Radio Club members. Every member got on the air and made at least two contacts each over the course of the week.
Laurel and Jacobi Listen as AE4TE confirms their station as she commutes in Florida.
Clifton Harper, KE5YZB the responsible teacher, organized the students, so that at least 1 student would always be present to operate the radio during school hours. Every member made some great contacts. One Viking was exceptionally proud when accused of “blasting” into California! Another still refers to his contact with Hawaii, as the farthest. Great job Vikings!
Viking Members will be sending out QSL cards to every contact in the QSL Database. Of course it is always nice to get a reciprocal QSL card. These kids are proud of their club and looking forward to sharing their pride. They worked hard to make the contact, but got tongue tied when it came time to talk on the air and we are working on that. By February, our young Vikings should be able to put this past week’s adventure into full practice and have a nice rhythm to their presentation. The score’s have been tallied, the Vikings talked with 14 other schools and 51 individuals. Great Job Vikings!
Your next Radio In the Park Event is scheduled for November 14th (A Saturday because of a previous work schedule conflict). We are going to try to be present on Sunday the 15th, but we still need to coordinate that with our friends at Parks and Rec. This past week proved to be busy and fun for amateur radio – if you did not get your share, sorry you missed out. Four Viking members were present for the 1st of 5 Saturday 9a-12p classes on the 25th as they work towards their Technician license. So, you see, it really was a GREAT AMATEUR RADIO WEEK!
Author, KC5CYY, Paul Goulet
Contributor, KF5CSP, Marianne Class
