Thanks to all the participants in yesterday's Science and Engineering Expo at Calvert High School.
- Andy, KC3WRX, for coordinating our involvement, being the POC, and running the HF station
- Les, KH6CUJ, for helping on-site.
- Erik KC3QQD and Brian KB3WFV for being on the "other end" of the repeater for QSO's with the kids.
- A few others who also joined in on the repeater.
Some lessons learned:
1. Very noisy (audio, not RF) environment makes hearing a challenge. Maybe use a headset with boom mic next time.
2. We should have put up one of the CARA banners. We had them with us but there was no obvious place to hang them at our table in a way they could be seen and not interfere with our ops.
3. I thought the little TV/DVD playing an intro to ham radio would attract more viewers than it did. I suspect the noise level in the room detracted from it despite the little TV's volume which could be raised to quite loud.
4. Need to bring a foot long piece of PVC with ID big enough to slide a PL-259 through. Use this at the door for antenna runs. The door near to us was not supposed to be used for the general public but it was due to its proximity to the front of the school. Result was one piece of RG-8X torn up by the door and foot traffic, even with a small wood block to keep the door from fully closing and carpet over the cables.
5. Need more interactive activity besides talking on the radio. Kids love to interact with technology. Maybe some arrangement where they could type some words into a laptop and have it send out the corresponding CW. We did have an old style CW key and audio oscillator with us. The kids liked to hear their name sent in CW, but why not automate? Other ideas?
N3AE
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