[PaQSO] "Ham radio isn't dead, and it definitely isn't dying"

[TwelveVDC--- via PaQSO]

Thought I'd share some favorable press with you. (Wouldn't it be nice to see more like this?)
-Pete / NL7XM 



The Fontanelle Observer

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 - VOLUME 151 | NUMBER 51 | 

FONTANELLE IOWA 50846 

SINGLE COPY 75 CENTS

By SANDY MCCURDY, Fontanelle Observer

Ham radio isn't dead, and it definitely isn't dying. Keith Carpenter, WD0FIA of Bridgewater will testify to that fact. In his words, he can operate on any mode, or frequency, from any location, with amateur radio. And he assures this reporter that there are dozens of other local “Ham Operators.”

Local Hams include Mike Maynes KD0AUS, Larry Jo Vandewater N0BKB, Doug Welsch KA0MHJ, and Joanne Duckworth KD0MPR, each with different interests. Joanne Duckworth is Union County Emergency Management, Larry Jo Vandewater is a farmer, Doug Welsch is an electronics technician, and Carpenter volunteers as a regional director to USAF MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System).

Carpenter began his ham radio hobby in 1969, building his first radio from a kit purchased from Boys Life Magazine. With this radio, he obtained his first license as a Novice. Keith hasn't been quiet since. He took his Technician License test from Larry Vandewater in 1986. He currently has over 300 Facebook friends that are Ham Radio Operators from other countries; some he chats with daily. They all have different backgrounds, interests, etc. He can send video, pictures, data as well as just chatting.

Carpenter has talked with Joe Walsh of the Eagles singing group, King Hussein of Jordan, and nearly a dozen astronauts while they were in space on Mir or the ISS.

What is Amateur Radio? According to Wikipedia, “an amateur radio operator is someone who uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other amateur operators on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. ”

The operators are granted an amateur radio license by the FCC after passing an examination on the applicable regulations, electronics and radio theory and operation. As a component of their license, amateur radio operators are assigned a call sign used to identify themselves during communication.

There are now three license classes in the United States, Technician, General and Extra. The Technician Class is the entry level license, earned when passing an examination of 35 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. This license allows the ability to communicate locally, and most often within North America. A General Class License opens the door to world-wide communications. The Amateur Extra License conveys all available United States Amateur Radio operating privileges on all bands and all modes.

Currently there are over 738,500 licensed amateur radio operators in the United States. This number has grown remarkably in the past 40 years, in December of 1971, there were only 285,000.

Recently Tim Allen who plays Mike Baxter KA0XTT from “Last Man Standing” took the plunge and became a real life Amateur Radio operator, he is now licensed as KK6OTD!

There are over 3 million Hams worldwide. All ages, girls and boys, there is no limit as to who operators are.

In Adair County, there are young ham operators, including Nathan Maynes KD0FSO, Doug Welch’s daughter Ruthie KD0ZHP and son Richard KD0RDS.

Ruthie, a sixth grader at Nodaway Valley, became interested by going with her father and brother to Hiawatha Amateur Radio Club RF Fest in Perry, kind of like a flea market for ham radio enthusiasts. When she was 10, she passed the tests required for the first license one needs. She said, “I like to talk on 10 meters, everyone sounds like Daffy Duck! ” Her 15-year-old brother, Rick, has all three of his licenses. Carpenter commented that it took him 37 years to get to where Rick is now. Their father, Doug, got his licenses when he was 15, but claimed it was harder then. For one thing, he had to learn morse code.

“Everybody helps everybody, ” Carpenter said, as he has loaned radios to everyone interested, and also offers help with the expertise when getting ready to test for the licenses.

There are plenty of things to do with ham radio, and without even owning a radio. A computer with a microphone and internet connection will work via Echolink. Or, using a smart phone you can remotely connect to radio, and contact people all over the world. Morse code isn't required anymore. Carpenter told about how when using the computer, “You can see the signal before you can hear the noise. ” The digital can cut through the static. And it is possible to use the keyboard instead of a microphone to communicate.

In addition to the fun and interesting uses of radio, there is the emergency response aspect of ham radio. Robert Kempf, Adair/Guthrie County Emergency Management, said that he hasn't had the opportunity to use the operators, but they are in the county plans. Adair County has equipment and a radio ready to deploy quickly, a system paid for by a public health grant.

Carpenter is the ARRL Emergency Coordinator for Adair County, there is someone designated in every county. “They are a very important asset, I’m glad we don't have to use them, but good to know they are there. ” Kempf said. The local operators are a very capable group; Kempf can depend on them even if there is no electrical power, phone or internet service. They can talk to the National Weather Service and FEMA directly.

The ARRL lists 22 things you can do with Amateur Radio. The things begin with expanding your world by talking, sending text and pictures to unusual places, create a network of ham radio friends, meet awesome people from all over the U. S. and the world. Explore amateur radio by talking through satellites, sending messages in code, and look for hidden radio signals. Putting the radio to work by becoming a weather spotter, using Amateur Radio to control models, robots or drones, support recovery efforts in emergencies, use the radio for community service, track people, pets or wildlife. Go beyond the menu, create technology by building and testing your own gear, experiment with new software applications for radio, and learn radio science that powers cell phones, Bluetooth and other wireless technologies.

It seems the possibilities are endless. And with all the technology, the Ham Radio operators aren't disappearing into thin air. Carpenter is staying on air and encouraging others to do the same. Since 2009 over 20 of his friends have become licensed.

He has accumulated a collection of over 30 radios during his 44 years of being a Ham Radio Operator; many are on loan, some are housed in curio cabinets in Keith and his wife Roberta’s home in Bridgewater. And then there is his car - a couple of red cars with lots of antennas, packed with interesting gear inside. For me, Ham radio adds color to my life on what could otherwise be a boring drive to Des Moines, or a break from a rainy day. ” Carpenter said.

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This article forwarded by:
Jodie Rouse, KD0LDE
<jodie.rouse at att.net>