There are countless numbers of Amateur Radio clubs and groups in the United States. Almost every city or town has a club or some kind of group, whether they are just socially or technically oriented, or both.
However, if you have ever been to a club meeting, Field Day, or any other Amateur activity, you have probably noticed that most of the hams present are, well...older than us. Please don't get me wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with older people in these clubs, but it is always nice to be involved with some other people our age. This month I am going to introduce to you some groups and clubs that are oriented towards young Amateur Radio operators, like you and me.
If you live in the Boulder, Colorado area you have probably heard of the Boulder Amateur Radio Club (BARC). The BARC sponsors a club especially for young people who are both licensed, or are interested in ham radio, named the BARC Jr.'s. This club was founded by Rip (NV0M) and Ellie (N0QCX) Van Winkle in 1991 and has been a success ever since then. The BARC Jr.'s currently have 35 members, who plan and run the club by themselves, and only 6 of them aren't licensed! 7 of the members hold Extra class licenses, too. Some of the activities the BARC Jr.'s partake in include field trips, Christmas parties, public relations events, fundraising and more. The BARC Jr.'s even set up their own Field Day (They plan and do everything from start to finish), participate in the annual Dayton Hamvention, build kits and help each other become licensed and upgrade. There are 14 adult Elmers in the club who are more than happy to help the members during activities. The BARC Jr.'s even have their own officers, directors and treasurer, have meetings every Saturday, and run their own weekly net on the 146.70 BARC repeater! One of the goals for the BARC Jr.'s is to create a mini-Dayton for themselves and their families. The members of BARC Jr.'s "graduate" into the regular BARC club once they turn 18.
Do you feel like some adventure? Many Explorer Posts around the country are involved in Amateur Radio and search & rescue, and are sponsored by regular ham radio clubs. The Albuquerque (New Mexico) Amateur Radio Club sponsors Explorer Post 296. This Post has been active for about 8 months now, has meetings twice a month and operates a 220 MHz repeater. Post 296 is planning on becoming involved in search & rescue, and public relations events (Races, etc.) by helping with communications. There are 11 active Amateurs in the Post. Other activities this Post participates in include camping, Amateur Radio contests and more! Ask your local Amateur Radio club if there is such a group in your area. If not, suggest that they start one. If you are between the ages of 14 and 21, you are eligible to join such an Explorer Post.
Perhaps the largest youth oriented Amateur Radio "group" is K2BSA based out of Irving, Texas. Does the call look familiar to anyone? If you are not aware of it, K2BSA is the official ham radio callsign of the Boy Scouts of America. But this is a different kind of group. This group does not have monthly meetings, or dues, and it happens to welcome both those who have their Amateur Radio licenses, and those who do not. K2BSA is one of the most coveted stations that participates in Jamboree On The Air (JOTA), an annual event that gives scouts from all over the world a chance to meet by using Amateur Radio.
However, the most popular event K2BSA participates in is the Boy
Scouts of America's National Jamboree, which happens once every
four years. As many as 35,000 scouts and scouters from all over
the United States as well as many countries in the world are planning
to participate in this year's Jamboree, which will take place
from July 28 - August 6 of this summer, at Fort A. P. Hill near
Fredericksburg, Virginia. At this time, the majority of "members"
of K2BSA will range from 12 - 18 years of age. Scouts who have
their Amateur Radio license, or are interested in getting one,
will have a chance to meet, share stories and talk about one
of their favorite hobbies because of K2BSA. K2BSA will give those
scouts who are not licensed a chance to experience the world of
Amateur Radio. They will be able to learn about this great hobby,
experience what we do on the air, talk third-party, and even take
Amateur Radio license classes and exams. For those scouts who
are licensed, they will be able to operate on all of the HF bands,
VHF and
UHF on their spare time and join a nightly Jamboree net on a 2
meter repeater located in camp.
Even though this is not an actual club, K2BSA attracts many young people, whether they are Amateur Radio operators, or not. If you are a participant of the National Jamboree this summer, stop by K2BSA's huge Amateur Radio station. There you will meet many young scouts who share, or hope to share some day, this great hobby we know as Amateur Radio. By the way, I am participating in the Jamboree, too! So please look for me as I am interested in meeting those who are reading my column. I'll see you there!
Of course these are just three of the many youth Amateur Radio clubs located around the United States today. If you are interested in becoming a member of such a club or group, ask any experienced Amateur Radio operator, your local ham radio equipment dealer, or the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) where the closest one is. They will be more than happy to steer you in the right direction.
And when you do join, become involved! Offer to set up, or run a weekly club/group net. Or see if your club can become involved with an ARES group. At any rate, become involved with the club or group and with the Amateur Radio community, and do something to make a difference for others. Remember, we as youth, are the future of this awesome hobby!
Speaking of nets, I have been notified that there is a 75 Meter Youth Net that meets on 3.970 MHz in the 75 meter band at 20:30 UTC Sundays. If you hold a General class license or higher, please check in! Should you have any questions or comments about this net, please direct them to: Jack Hamm, N1REU (Address: 806 Bay Rd., Stoughton, MA 02072 E-mail: n1reu@ amsat.org).
One final note; I would like to remind one and all that I can be reached through my e-mail address located below. Please send any comments to me, or just say hello! If you have any story ideas, feel free to send them to me, and I will be more than happy to write about them.
Best of 73,
Brian, N5ZGT.
Brian is an Eagle Scout (12-6-96), and Author of Worldradio's "Youth Forum" Column. He is Jr. Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 41 in Albuquerque, N.M. and a member of O.A. Lodge 66 <-W-W-W-<<.
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Added January 27, 1997