[K6BW] No Open House Tuesday Night - Cub Scout Crystal SetProject

Tue Apr 7 00:12:00 EDT 2009

Hi Joy,

We have built some 30 crystal sets with youngsters, and they love the
project.  Even if they don't understand what they are doing, they get to
work on the project with their Mom's and Dads, and that in itself is
exciting.  I wish we had a copy of a picture which was taken at our last
project of 15 or so cub scouts, each holding a radio set in their arms, all
wearing big smiles.

One of our members has 3-year old twin boys which join him regularly at the
clubhouse, and they have a field day with all the "toys."  We have presented
Morse Code to youngsters at outdoor events and have met with simlilar
enthusiasm, in particular one young eight-year old young lady returned time
and again to our table and learned half the alphabet in Morse Code one
afternoon.

The difficulty seems to be with parents.   By extension, "did such old
fashoned stuff really appeal to them?" has been a common attitude.  One
parent asked us point blank "Isn't radio obsolete?"   I am afraid that is
the major issue which has discouraged youngsters from pursuing an interest
in radio.  I suppose group-think has really replaced any sense of developing
individualism in this country, even though we don't have the corporate
structure to support that many groupies.  Dangerous, IHMO.

We would love to have your (grand)son participate and would welcome a youth
project at Hamilton.  With a little focused interest, I would think we might
have a great activity for our youngsters, if we can convince parents to
support the notion.

Thank you so much for asking!

73 de Bill, AB6MT

----- Original Message ----- 
From: JOY BEST
To: Members of the Hamilton Wireless Assn.
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: [K6BW] No Open House Tuesday Night - Cub Scout Crystal
SetProject

Hi Bill: I'll be curious about how the Cubs responded to your project. We
have a grandson who is now just starting Cubs with a bunch of 6 year olds.
I'm guessing the kids you are dealing with are closer to 9 or 10. How did
they respond? Did such old fashioned stuff really appeal to them? Thinking
of it as a project our son might use down the road.
Joy Best

--- On Mon, 4/6/09, Bill Smith <hbco2 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

From: Bill Smith <hbco2 at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: [K6BW] No Open House Tuesday Night - Cub Scout Crystal Set Project
To: "HWA" <k6bw at mailman.qth.net>
Date: Monday, April 6, 2009, 5:38 PM

The regular Tuesday night open house is usurped this week by a Cub Scout
Crystal Radio project to be held at the Church of the Redeemer in San
Rafael.   We are meeting there at 5:30pm to help six Cubs build crystal set
radios.  If you'd like to assist, we will begin at 5:30pm and continue
until
the sets are assembled, or the scouts need to go home.

If a Founding Member would like to host the open house, leave a message on
this reflector so that others will know the building is open.  Otherwise,
there will be no get-together this Tuesday, April 7.  Our CERT Radio class
will be held as scheduled this Thursday, April 9 at 7:00pm.

We are holding a VE test this weekend, Saturday April 11.  If you have been
studying for a license upgrade and would like to take the test, here's an
opportunity.  Testing starts at 1:00pm at Hamilton.

Several have expressed interest in becoming an Amateur Radio License
Volunteer Examiner.  We need all the examiners we can find, and would very
much like you as a volunteer.  You do need to hold a General or Extra class
license in order to conduct examinations, but as most of our examinations
are for the Technician test, you don't have to wait until you get your
Extra
class license to become a VE.

The process is simple, fill out an application and use an on-line manual to
answer a few questions.  There is an application and on-line manual you can
use to answer the multiple-choice questions (open book).  There is no
charge, and you get a badge.  (oh boy!)

http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/become-a-ve.html

The application is on page 19 of the manual.  The question sheets follow the
application.  I believe all you need to do is fill out the information and
mail it to the ARRL.

Thank you Jack Troup for building 10 wood crystal set bases for the Cub
Scouts!   This has been a last minute project, and Jack has really saved the
day to put the project together on very short notice.

Thank you David Rice for help putting the Delta Loop back in the air.  The
wind ripped the antenna wire from the feedpoint.   There is still apparently
a coax feedline problem with the antenna, however.  SWR measurements show
something may be wrong with the feedline.

If you would like to help out with the Cub Scouts or have any questions
regarding the VE test or Examiner program, let me know.  415-456-4481.

73 de Bill, AB6MT
hbco2 at sbcglobal.net

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