Scouts

April 23, 2007

Five Boy Scouts and two of their Leaders are now Licensed Amateur Radio Operators, thanks to a 10 week training course presented for the benefit of local Boy Scout troop 102, by members of the Rip VanWinkle Amateur Radio Society. Licensed Amateur Radio Operators, commonly called "Hams" perform a multitude of public services, utilizing their ability to communicate via short wave radio with one another locally and around the world, by Morse Code, by voice, by teletype, and by other modes. The Rip VanWinkle Amateur Radio Society was formed in 1951.

A new 10 week training course for the general public will begin May 16th at 7:pm in the Noecker Buick Pontiac Showroom, located at Union Turnpike (Rt 66) and Graham Avenue in Hudson, NY. There is no charge. If you are interested, show up Wednesday May 16th at 7 PM. You may register on the first night of classes.

John Gabrielsen, below, presents a new Chrome Plated Iambic Telegraph Key, which he personally donated in honor of Dave Watrous, WD2K, who became a "Silent Key"(deceased) in 2003, to Bernie Keeler, for proficiency in Morse Code. Bernie and 4 other Scouts plus 2 of their leaders passed the Federal Communications Commission test and became Licensed Amateur Radio Operators this month. Bernie and the six others can now communicate with other "Hams" around the world via short wave radio.

Bob Adriance accepts the key awarded to his son Adam

Stan Engle presents Morse Code Proficiency Plaques he personally donated, to Bernie Keeler and Bob Adriance (Bob is standing in for his son Adam).

Club member Dana Hommel, Scout Bernie Keeler, Technical Instructor Wayne Gearing, Scout Leader Bob Adriance.

John Gabrielsen, donor of the Iambic Telegraph Keys, Dave Clapper, Club President, Stan Engel, Treasurer.

Scouts Learning To Be Hams

The big test - 3-28-07

SCORE: 5 Boy Scouts passed!

2 Scout Leaders passed!

One club member upgraded to EXTRA

One club member upgraded to GENERAL

One walk-in passed.

The written technical test.

The audio Morse Code test.

Bernie Keeler, Tom Elliott, Wayne Gearing

Adam Adriance, Bob Yates, Wayne Gearing

Scouts Learning To Be Hams

Adan Adriance is congratulated by John Noecker for his first short wave contact, using the Ham Club transmitter. He talked with K4NVJ in Alabama, by Morse Code.

Adam's first QSO. He used our Club's Kenwood 530S with an Icom Folded Dipole antenna.

CW, of course!!!

Class on March 7, 2007

Dick Leavitt congratulates Bob Adriance on Bob's first short wave contact by Morse Code.

Dick Leavitt congratulates Bernie Keeler on his first short wave contact by Morse Code.

"How to make a short wave antenna" class. The "trees" are Wayne Gearing and Dana Hommel.

Later, we had Dana in the far end of the showroom, holding one end, and Adam outside in the freezing cold among the cars holding the other end, while Bernie was on the radio talking to a Ham in Texas by code. The antenna went 33 feet, turned the corner 90 degrees, and went out the showroom door 33 more feet.