Hamtastic Kids

[aa0by]

I am starting a new publication just for kids in the ham radio hobby, as well as those kids wanting to be hams called Hamtastic Kids. I am looking for people to submit articles on the following topics:
ragchewing, DXing, antennas, contesting, foxhunts, awards and other ham-related topics as they pertain to children.
Adults may submit articles as well, or assist their children.

LOGO CONTEST
We also want kids to submit a logo of their own design so we can use it on the publication. Winner will receive $25 and a free year subscription to Hamtastic Kids.
Email your logos or articles to:

hamtastickids@mail2world.com

You can also email me at the above address if you wish to receive the snail-mail address.
To subscribe to magazine, visit here!
Thank you.
Hamtastic Kids Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hamtastickids)

73,
Larry, AA0BY

[k7unl]

Great idea! We need all the youngsters we can get. My work with those under 20 clearly shows an interest in the digital side of the hobby. This generation is into instant messaging and computer-based communication rather than RF. Rag-chewing, for example, is something those raised on instant gratification and communication have a hard time relating to! Too bad, but true.

Bob

[AF0H]

Great idea. If I can help you in any way, drop me an email to rharper@socket.net I would be more than happy to help with a project like this.

73 de
af0h - Rob

[n2ea]

Good onya, as they say.

Great idea, and I hope you're successful.

Having been a ham for 45 years....having a wife who's
a special ed teacher....it's obvious to me that as a
society, we lack imagination, and flexibility.

You've adopted a positive role, and it's to be commended. I wish you well.

Jim/N2EA

[w2pkg]

A Radio Magazine for kids is a great idea. I am the trustee for WB2BSA, which is the Radio club for Troop/Pack 36 in Staten Island, NY. I think it would be nice to bring attention to Amateur Radio in Scouting. There are quite a few BSA Units with a very active amateur radio program. I would be more than happy to help you with this project.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # #73's #Phil Greis W2PKG
# # # # # # # # # # Trustee for WA2BSA & WB2BSA

[aa0by]

Thanks for the positive input. I would be more than happy to receive any help on this project that I can get, as I plan to produce the first issue in Dec 2003.
If any of you have articles or wish to share stories related to children in the ham radio hobby, feel free to e-mail them directly to:

hamtastickids@mail2world.com

For mailing address, please request it through the e-mail listed above.

73,
Larry, AA0BY

[n5ebw]

How about starting a version of the publication via a website?

[KD7WHQ]

A parallel website would be a good idea.

What age range are you targeting?

There is an elementary school teacher in Kirkland, WA who has gotten several hundred kids their tickets in the last few years.
Unfortunately, it doesn't keep well with 4th graders, as they seem to see it as a novelty, and go for a few months before dropping off the screen.

Two of the kids I was talking nearly daily with last school year are gone. One other got his own radio, and I've heard him twice since the start of this...and his dad is a ham! Where is the elmer there?

I'm going to talk to the teacher sometime this week, and see if I can't get ONE kid to actually keep going.

I was on a J-pole, and now I have two 11 element yagis, making it rather surplus. These kids are on handhelds, but let's see what happens when one of them has a real antenna.

They are a kick to talk to, especially if you ask them how their day went, lol http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[W6KGB]

Larry (et al),

This is a very interesting and promising venture. Youth have 'mixed reactions' (and loyalties) to magazines, particularly regarding those billed as youth-oriented, but success is possible! Keeping it interesting can be a challenge. I commend your intentions and subsequent efforts in bringing this about. Let's hope that it 'takes off.'

Should you like any help with articles, particularly those of a technical nature, or anything a'tall, please feel free to contact me. May I also suggest that you not concentrate on a time-table as much as assembling a group of people to help with this effort. 'Tis better to be late and better than on-time and soon gone forever.

-KGB

[Dayton86]

I myself got interested in ham radio around the age of twelve, but due to the lack of publications like you are trying to do it took me 3 years to get the interest up to get my ticket. I finally did though and I do enjoy the hobby and I would also like to see more kids my age or younger to talk to. I am 17 now and I belive there are plenty of kids in my area that would benefit from something like this.
73 KD5PIT Joshua

[kc3qu]

kc3qu

Nice to see something positive like this. Hope you will keep us informed as to progress using this outlet.

[nx6d]

Larry:

Good luck with this. I hope you have success.

It's difficult to present something like Ham Radio to kids without being either

1. Goofy. (This ain't 1950, so that imagery won't work) or

2. Uberhip (Yo! Radio Yo! Ham DX, YO!, This isn't happening either!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Lay the radio out for what it is, and recognize that Ham Radio is not for everyone. We'll get our numbers. I appreciate your efforts.

WX7B

[wr1tx]

That is an excellent idea, since we really do not have enough young people in the hobby. Your publication is also a wonderful opportunity to promote public service, especially by Amateur Radio.

I am part of a storm spotters volunteer group in Central Texas, and would be happy to provide an article about that area of public service. If you need further help with articles and other ideas, do not hesitate to contact me!

Warren Rowe / KM5EW
Temple, Texas

[KG4TWX]

I am 13 years old and am REALLY into ham radio. I will be more than happy to send in some articles for the magazine. My dad recieved the E-Mail announcing this a few minutes ago, I'll read through it and I am pretty sure that I will be a subscriber since it is "for the kids and by the kids."

[KG6MYL]

Hi,

I think your magazine sounds great! #I wish more kids were into Ham Radio. #I am 13 and have had my license for a year. #I passed code a few months after I got my license and I have so much fun with this hobby. #I would love to be able to talk to more kids. #Please let me know if I can help you in anyway.

73,
Austin
KG6MYL

[n2mzb]

Good Idea, I did not get interested in Ham Radio until I started working for a 2way radio shop. I now work for a major communications company, but still love working DX.

[n4tia]

I like the idea!! I am 15 and I am the president of the Springstead High School Radio Club KG4VJS. If you need any help with anything let me know and I will do my best, thanks and 73
Alexander KG4OGN

[KB3IHJ]

I think its a good idea. If you need some help feel free to email me. I'm 21 and have been in the hobbie for almost 2 years

Josh Kb3ihj

[aa0by]

I've been working on the publication and I believe it will be out on time, December 15. I am getting a lot of positive feedback both on this site and in e-mail. I would like to see more of the same.
I know this will generate more interest for kids in the hobby. I think adults will also find this interesting.
Let's see some more feedback.
73,
Larry

[kg6kwa]

I got into ham radio 2 years ago at age 10, I now am a General and I have fun on HF and the FM bands I think it will be very nice to have a publication just for kids thanks for starting this up

73 KG6KWA brenneth

[KG4PLK]

Yes, I beleave publiching a magazine would be a good idea because I have told some of my friends who are intrested in wireless communications about ham radio and they have never heard of it! Informing people would be a great idea. I am 13 now and was licenced in 9/28/01 http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif [IMG]http://www.qrz.com/ham_gifs/4/kg4plk.jpg

[KG4PLK]

http://www.qrz.com/ham_gifs/4/kg4plk.jpg

[kd7oir]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I have a little girl that's very interested in ham radio. She is practicing the code with me and is picking it up like a magnet. She is 9 years old (almost ten) and her interests all started with a couple of cheep am walkie talkies. She would try to punch out the code on the back of the talkie, while talking to her niece. She has also talked third party on a large repeter system we have here in Washington, State and realy enjoys third party on Echolink. You might try some articals on sat. communicatons too. She has helped me with seting up my portable yagi for UO-14, and she would squeel with joy when I told her where we were talking to.
We plan on taking our general tests togather. She wants to impress the V.E.s and take her tech, her code and gen. tests at the same time. She understands she might not pass them all right away but I told her that we have all the time in the world to study for these tests. This is like when I was a boy fishing with my father.
We would love to subscribe!!!

"73's", KD7OIR, and a third party!!!
kd7oir@yahoo.com

[K0ZZE]

i think it is very important to get children and older kids envolved in the hobby. that is what's going to keep the spectrum alive. my two boy's LOGAN wich is 5 and CASEY wich is 4 are amazed with ham radio. i suspect they will both be hams one day. when they start reading i will start them on the code asap. when they get the code down to a t, i will start teaching them theory so they can pass the tech class and from there on up it's up to them to figure out the rest, i will help ovcourse. i highly recomend what you are doing keep up the good work.

73 KC0QME http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[KB3KJM]

Hi . I am John Irving and my callsign is KB3KJM . I am 12 and wanted to say that a magazine for us kids involved in ametuer radio would be a very good idea . I would be very interested in subscribing . I actually just took my test on the 25th of October and just today got added to the FCCs database . I have been interested for a while . My dad is a ham and has helped me alot . I also have a couple of friends into ametuer radio too . 73 .

[KB1IPK]

This sounds like a great idea. All the best of luck with it and I sincerely hope it will succeed. I am 14 years old and have enjoyed this hobby for over a year now.

I just have a couple of questions:
1) Maybe I missed something but I didn't really see anything regarding how to subscribe. So, how do I subscribe?? And............ 2)How much does it cost?

I suppose I could have emailed these questions but I guess it would be good to have that info posted here for the benefit of others who may also be interested.

I would be glad to help by spreading the word to some youth related sites and young hams that I know. I also will consider writing a article in the future if I can think of a topic to write on http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.

Again, All the best to you in your efforts. Let me know if there is anything I could do to help. 73, Jonathan

[aa0by]

Update
Hamtastic kids magazine ordering info. and etc. can now be viewed here !

Enter Hamtastic Kids Zone by clicking Here ! (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hamtastickids)

[KB1IPK]

Hey great!!
Thanks for the web site info.
I was able to find the site but I just want to point out that the link is wrong because of a spelling error and will not come up to the right page.
The following link is correct: Hamtastic Kids Webpage (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hamtastickids/)

Thanks again for the info on the magazine. 73, Jonathan

[kd5jxu]

SWEET. I am currently teaching kids now. I want to subscribe for the class and my kids I may need 3 to 4 subscriptions.
Please keep me posted by e-mail kd5jxu at arrl.net
I need all the help I can get We are working on getting them to the Oklahoma Research Balloon set for nov 8.
see more on www.neoksimplex.com

[kg6ath]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KD7WHQ @ Oct. 15 2003,22:58)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">A parallel website would be a good idea.

What age range are you targeting?

There is an elementary school teacher in Kirkland, WA who has gotten several hundred kids their tickets in the last few years.
Unfortunately, it doesn't keep well with 4th graders, as they seem to see it as a novelty, and go for a few months before dropping off the screen.

Two of the kids I was talking nearly daily with last school year are gone. #One other got his own radio, and I've heard him twice since the start of this...and his dad is a ham! #Where is the elmer there?

I'm going to talk to the teacher sometime this week, and see if I can't get ONE kid to actually keep going.

I was on a J-pole, and now I have two 11 element yagis, making it rather surplus. #These kids are on handhelds, but let's see what happens when one of them has a real antenna.

They are a kick to talk to, especially if you ask them how their day went, lol http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
When they hit Jr High, show them how to slice up coffee
cans and build tuned cavities for microwave work.
It will blow their mind when they realize that they can
build their own stuff.

With supervision, the classic 2 meter "copper cactus"
can be built by a 10 yo.

Theres something magic when they realize that they
dont have to buy everything. Being appliance operators
wears off early. When you start building things, there
are new gantlets that you can throw down and keep
them going.

The 1 bad thing about CW dying off is that the gear
becomes more expensive. In the Novice days, kids could
get licensed and build an entire station pretty easily
from junk parts. This tended to hold their attention.

Other modes are harder to build.
When buying gear, its harder for the kids to get the cash
together and the link from homebrew just isnt there.

The scratch building experience led several people I
know into careers in electronic hardware design.

I think this magazine is a great idea for kids. #I am 13 and have been licensed for over 2 years now and have enjoyed every bit of the hobby. #I also run my own website to attempt to get more kids involved. #Ham Radio for Kids, http://www.kidshamradio.com. #

Keep up the good work and take care http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[kw8g]

This is a really great idea. I would love to get a copy of this newsletter. My name is Laura Steinberger and i have been a ham for 6 years. I just turned 17 about 2 weeks ago. My call is W8JUZ and iam in 11th grade at Howell High School in Howell, MI. I would love to write an article, it just so happens that i write for my school, and county paper for journalism class. Iam a huge contester and iam going on DXpedition next year. So if someone would e-mail me about this i would love to write for the paper. E-mail is w8juz@hotmail.com, or kc8juz@hotmail.com


w8juz Laura