[Elecraft] Suggestions for Introducing a 10-year-old to Amateur Radio and Electronics

[Fred Jensen]

www.sotawatch.org is the main site.  Like everything else, one size does 
not fit all.  The programme [it started in the UK] offers a number of 
awards which attract some but not all folks.  Some are just outdoor 
folks who would be hiking/camping anyway.  Some don't hike but derive 
pleasure from working the QRP/antenna challenged stations from home.  
They're called chasers and I am one, old injuries plus the accumulation 
of birthdays that followed tend to restrict me physically.  There are 
drive-up summits and I've done a few of them.  One very active summiteer 
runs up the mountains.  Another [WG0AT] uses pack goats.

In all the times I've been on a summit, I've met a number of other 
hikers.  I'm CW only, but I've activated with others on SSB and none of 
the "visitors" have been upset.  SOTA almost universally takes place on 
the summit itself, not the trail.

But SOTA was just an example for Ted.  The primary point was that 
success with his grandson, if success means the kid getting interested 
in ham radio, will likely be enhanced if he can couple the radio part up 
with some interest the boy already has and enjoys.  Double points if his 
grandson can include his friends in the activities.

73,

Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 10/15/2017 2:21 PM, ab2tc wrote:
> I hate to be a wet blanket, but I am not sure if I understand the joy of
> activating peaks on ham radio. How do other hikers react to this? I know I
> am extremely annoyed by people gabbing on their cell phones on the trail. Is
> ham radio that much different?
>
> Knut - AB2TC
>