The Heart O' Texas Amateur Radio Club helps the Young Marines (June 10, 2003)
By Stan Russell, KD5RWX
More than 80 young people learned about Ham Radio and general electronics, when members of the Heart O' Texas Amateur Radio Club, headquartered in Waco, presented a training exercise for the Greater Waco Young Marines on May 17, 2003 in Woodway Park in Woodway, Texas.
Using a rotating classroom system outside in the park, the HOTARC members gave instruction in general electronics (including soldering), antennas, digital communications (PSK31, APRS and others), Morse code, GPS navigation, amateur television and slow-scan television. The cadets also received a primer on using nets and field communication using an exercise in military forward observer techniques.
Each "class" of cadets moved from through each of the training session, taking about 10 minutes in each section. The classes were made up of 10-12 cadets ranging in age from 8 to 16.
The club also brought along its emergency communications trailer for observing ATV and slow-scan equipment in operation. Some 14 members of the club took the roles of teachers and coordinators.
The young cadets, many who had never been exposed to electronics or Ham radio, were given the opportunity to see how a basic electronic device works, learn Morse code by using a practice key and use a computer to communicate over a radio, plus many other activities. Their enthusiasm was show in the attention and boundless energy the cadets put into the training.
At the end of each session, cadets were given a simple multiple-choice test. If they pass the test, they qualify for a communications ribbon for their uniform.
The event was coordinated by Bill Haberl, KD5TRD, who is the club's education committee chairman.
The Heart O' Texas Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL affiliated club serving McLennan County and the surrounding Central Texas area. It sponsors the county ARES unit and meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the Texas State Technical College near Waco.
Photos of the event are availabe in the Photo Gallery here.
For more information contact Stan Russell, KD5RWX, club VP and PIO, kd5rwx@arrl.net.
