The folks at the Westford Public Library reached out to us sometime back about hosting an Amateur Radio Youth Outreach day at the library. This event gave us the opportunity to use the Amateur Radio Youth Outreach materials that we created for NEAR-Fest and to fine-tune them. The event took place in July and included an afternoon of presentations and hands-on activities about Amateur Radio. We had about 15 students and parents attend.
Several Nashua Area Radio Society members helped to set up and deliver the program at the library. A very big thanks to:
for all of their help!!
Our approach was to simplify and leverage the display that we created for our Youth Outreach at NEAR-Fest. We were able to bring almost all of our displays from NEAR-Fest and simplify them to the point where we could set everything up in about 2 hours. Our displays included the following:
- A Remotely Operated HF GOTA Station
- A Satellite Communications Display
- A Nashua Area Radio Society Activities and Licensing Display
- An Emergency Communications and Field Day Display
- A Portable Operating Display and Digital HF Activity
- A Morse Code Display and Activity
- A Fox-Hunting Display and Activity
Our program consisted of presentations and videos about each of the displays followed by hands-on activities and a chance to take a closer look.
The HF Remote GOTA was popular and provided a chance for folks to talk to Hams in Europe and across the United States. We used a Maestro and the Internet to run the AB1OC/AB1OC station remotely.
Our High-Altitude Balloon Display was a hit. Folks were very interested in the video presentation from our flights and they asked lots of questions about our HAB programs.
Brian, W1BP brought his Elecraft KX3 Transceiver and Buddipole Antenna and set up an FT8 Digital GOTA Station at the event. Brian’s activity provided a great way for us to explain and demonstrate portable operations.
Our third GOTA station was part of an Emergency Communications and Field Day display. The GOTA enabled everyone to try to make contacts through local repeaters and to learn about EMCOM.
Tom, AB1NS hosted our Morse Code activity. We had a variety of keys, practice oscillators, and simple code activities for folks to try.
Marie, KC1RMS hosted a Fox Hunt and demonstrated Radio Direction Finding. Members of the group were able to locate the three Foxes that we had hidden on the library grounds.
Our final display highlighted the many STEM learning and other training activities that the Nashua Area Radio Society provides for young people. Two of the attendees at our youth day decided to join our summer Technician License Class the following week. Maximilian, KM6UVJ, and Tatiana, KM6UVK both earned their Technician licenses at the class – congratulations to both and welcome to NARS!!!
As you can probably tell, our Amateur Radio Youth Outreach event at the Westford Public Library was a success. We are looking forward to offering similar events at other local libraries and Ham Fests later this year.
Fred, AB1OC
