Mississippi Valley Amateur Radio Association

Participates in Western Technical College's Camp-W

What is a morning spent with 200 excited 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, 80 tireless volunteers, and more sugary sweets than you can shake a stick at. Sound like chaos? It's not. It's Camp-W!

Twice each year, Western Technical College Foundation, in La Crosse, WI, hosts Camp W, a youth-enrichment program designed for students in grades 4-6. Courses are developed and presented by our volunteers.

 Learning my Name in Morse Code

 An exciting contact on 20 Meters

So what did we do to introduce Amateur (Ham) Radio to a group of nineteen 4th 5th and 6th graders in a hour and a half?  

For an introduction we started out viewing the ARRL “HELLO” PSA video.  

Then our teachers each introduced themselves and talked about their own interests. We then explained what the FCC license calls were and how we used them.  

From there it was time for each participant to make a 20 meter contact. This took a little time but we were fortunate to find some very helpful hams who took the time for each one of the students to make a 20 meter contact. Part of our goal was to dazzle so we used a Yaesu FT-2000 for our contacts.  

We also demonstrated APRS and PSK-31 on the big screen.

A 20 Meter contact with a helpful Ham

No ham radio demonstration would be complete without a satellite tracking and contact demonstration.

While we were not able to work any of the “birds” we were able to view and track the International Space Station on the big screen and explain how it was accomplished.

In the last segment of our program each student received their very own Morse code sounder handcrafted by the Mississippi Valley Amateur Radio Association members along with a code training sheet.

The class was then coached in learning their name in Morse code. Sounds easy? Try Jacqueline, Stephanie or Benjamin.  By the time we were finished most of the class could pound out their first name without the training sheet.

While we did not get any of the sounders on the air we did introduce the girls and boys to a new “secret” language. Mom, Dad, Teachers, you better brush up on your code because I am sure it will be tapped out on a few tables and desks around home and school.

Another Super 20 Meter contact with Craig, N9ETD as Control Operator

All the kids young and old enjoyed themselves during the event.

The Famous MVARA Handcrafted Morse Code Sounder

 20 Meter Contacts Are Popular

 An Expert on the Key

As each of the three classes came to an end every student was given a set of six ICOM “Adventures with Zack & Max” comic books along with their MVARA Sounder.

 A very special Thank You to all of the Western Technical College Staff and Volunteers who make Camp-W possible.

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