The Cat ' s Whisker : Ham Radio : continued
To encourage youth to learn about the space program , NASA began inviting students to communicate with astronauts traveling in the space shuttle Columbia as early as 1983 , and the program continues to this day . Using ham radio , students across the country connect with astronauts to learn about their work and day-to-day life aboard the International Space Station . ( fake nasa image )
In the 1990s and early 2000s , Maker Fairs and gaming enjoyed popularity and evolved . Today ’ s educators are creating new opportunities for students to design , build and test things . Ham radio clubs are working with schools to meet kids where they are and expose them to ham radio in evolving technology contexts such as ham radio TV and gamification . It ’ s all about using one ’ s imagination and experimenting with radio in all of its forms .
In Closing
According to the Federal Communications Commission , currently there are more than 750,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the U . S . California has the largest number of hams by far , at 96,907 . Santa Clara County accounts for nearly 1,000 licensed operators .
For decades , ham radio clubs and the Amateur Radio Relay League have persisted in the face of increasing regulatory requirements and shrinking access to wireless spectrum bandwidth governed by the Federal Communications Commission . The battle for the air waves continues .
If you meet a ham radio operator don ’ t be surprised if you are encouraged to get your license . The FCC dropped the Morse Code requirement long ago . You can take your license exam online and get started with a “ handy talkie ” for less than $ 100 . And of course , you ’ ll meet the nicest people when you join a ham radio club . Signing off , as all good hams do , with a big “ 73 ”!
See a great movie about local hams made by local filmmakers : “ Cat ’ s Whisker and Other Ham Radio Stories ” Poppy Jasper Int ’ l Film Festival April 14th , 5:00 pm Community Playhouse , 17090 Monterey Road , Morgan Hill Get tickets : https :// pjiff2024 . eventive . org / schedule / sunday-films-in-morgan-hill-block-3-6591d897cd3aa2007a87e2db
Check out clubs near you : Garlic Valley Amateur Radio Club - https :// www . gvarc . net / Palo Alto Amateur Radio Club - https :// www . paara . org / San Benito Amateur Radio Association - https :// www . sbcara . org
Attend Ham Radio ’ s Annual Open House : ARRL Field Day June 22-23 , 2024 Locate a Field Day Event Near You : https :// www . arrl . org / field-day-locator
Explore all things ham radio : Amateur Radio Relay League ( ARRL ), https :// www . arrl . org /
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