Jack Conway (W5JHC)
This is no April Fool’s joke! On March 31, 100 youth from Trail Life Tulsa joined TARC to work on earning their Communications Technology award. This event was made possible by amateur operators like you, who showcased your skills and talent to the next generation of ham operators.
Steve Childers (KF5VCQ) and David Griffon (K5TZS) guided participants in making five over-the-air contacts with other ham operators in a mock field day event. They spent the first 10 minutes explaining what field day is and how we use our trailer and surrounding areas to operate with other ham operators and non-licensed operators. With the support of Tim (KI5ZDF), Mac (KJ5BKB), and Kai (KI5ZDG) Morgan, Dirk Dewachter (W4IPD), Brent Mansur (N5LOL), Linda Barnett (KI5VYF), Mark Roberts (KD5SMF), David Kennedy (N5DMK) and Ray Young (K5CFY); each youth had a short QSO to fulfill their requirement.
Next, Paul Teel (WB5ANX) and Jeff Scoville (AE5ME) focused on how amateur radio operators provide emergency communications during catastrophic disasters, using Winlink as an example to demonstrate how quickly we can send messages over the air. Jeff even helped check off the contact list during the VOIP Statewide with other hams in and around the US.
Lastly, the original gangsters of Morse code, Mike Toole (KI5EGH) and Ky Varagas (KY5VAR), had the daunting task of teaching Samuel Morse and Morse code to a group of kids with little to no exposure to CW. They explained when Morse code was developed, why it was used, and how it is still used today. They also made a simple telegraph and practiced using it with a partner, coding and decoding telegraph messages, some of which were exchanged during the Winlink session.
We can’t forget the support from Jack Conway (W5JHC), Mark Adams (WA5MA), Jeffery Uy (KJ7JTU), and Cody Gulliaume (KJ5JDO), who helped the team and ensured the event ran smoothly despite the bumps along the way.
To catch up on all the photos and read more, visit this link and check out the Trail Life Communications award and all the work required to earn it.
https://w5ias.com/trail-life-communications-technology/