The Falmouth Amateur Radio Association (FARA) and the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club (BARC) teamed up to present an overview of amateur radio to 200 junior high school boys and girls at a two week summer camp held at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne on Monday, July 17. The two hour evening program included a demonstration of HF and VHF operation, a cube sat demonstrator, a discussion of the use of amateur radio for public service and emergency operation and an opportunity for the participants to get on the air themselves. The benefit of amateur radio for anyone pursuing an engineering career was highlighted. Local opportunities to get their technician license were offered including mentoring and donations of equipment to get started. Antennas and other on-air club members were pre-staged to provide the attendees with an enjoyable on-air experience.
Presenters Norm, WA1NLG (BARC President), Bruce, WA3SWJ and Chris, WA1CMR (FARA President) with support by club members Ralph, N1YHS, Rob K1UI and Lem, W1LEM (taking photo) answered questions following the presentation and helped get some of the attendees on the air.
Many of the attendees expressed an interest in learning more about amateur radio and obtaining a license.
The evening continues an initiative being pursued by the clubs to work together on projects that benefit amateur radio on the Cape and especially EmComm. The two clubs together have a membership of 300 hams. Cape District Emergency Coordinator, Frank, WQ1O, has recognized the need for the Cape to be self-sufficient for an extended period of time following a natural or man-made disaster. This makes this cooperation between clubs essential to support emergency operations anywhere on the Cape, regardless of any club affiliation.