The daughter of Mike, K0MDS, and Sharon Stewart, Emily was first
licensed in August of 2003 when she was 12; she holds a General class
license. She said she was "so excited" when she got her ticket that she
wanted to share Amateur Radio and made presentations while in middle
school about ham radio. That led to getting active in her local radio
club and contributing articles to the club newsletter. Through her local
activities, Emily was appointed in 2006 as the first Assistant Section
Manager for Youth in the ARRL Kansas Section.
Emily has lived in Kansas for eight years. Prior to that, home was in
Germany, where her father was serving in the US military. She credits
her dad for sparking interest in Amateur Radio when they moved back to
the United States: "I thought it was really cool when he started talking
to people overseas in Europe. And Germany was still kind of home to me,
so when he started talking to people in Germany, I said I wanted to do
that, too."
Last August, while attending the ARRL Kansas State Convention, Emily
conducted a survey of attendees, asking how many had persuaded their
children or grandchildren to get involved in Amateur Radio. The slim
response led her and Brian Short, KC0BS, to develop the Kansas Legacy
Project. This project has three prongs: Pass the spirit and knowledge of
the Amateur Radio Service to a new generation; build ties between family
members using ham radio activities, and increase youth participation in
ham radio. Through her efforts, Emily hopes to encourage hams to get the
younger members of their families to get their ham licenses and get
involved. The project has netted good results so far, including one of
the youngest hams in the region to be licensed -- 7 year old Lucie
Goodhart, KD0DMO, who took a license class with her dad and passed her
Technician test last March.
Emily is also interested in the public service and storm spotting
portion of Amateur Radio: "My dad would sometimes take me out with him
to go storm spotting. I decided that I wanted to have some training, so
I took a couple of online courses in emergency communications. I will
either go out with my dad when we get called out to do some storm
chasing or I will stay at home and do spotting from home -- just in case
something really nasty does happen. Then that way I'm home with my mom."
This fall, Emily heads into her senior year at Leavenworth High School
where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Vice President of
the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a copy editor for the school
yearbook. Already a Registered Pharmacy Technician with the state of
Kansas, she is considering making pharmacy her career.
Emily is a member of the ARRL and the Kickapoo QRP Amateur Radio Club.
She's also a regular participant in Field Day, Kids Days and QRP events.
The 2008 Amateur Radio Newsline! Young Ham of the Year Award will be
presented on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at the Huntsville Hamfest in
Huntsville, Alabama. As the 2008 Young Ham of the Year, Emily will
receive a trip to the Huntsville Hamfest, ham radio equipment, various
books and magazines and an all-expense-paid week at Spacecamp in
Huntsville. Amateur Radio Newsline will award her with a commemorative
plaque at the ceremony.
The presentation of the YHOTY award is a regular feature of the
Huntsville Hamfest and has been made possible through the generosity and
kindness of the event's Planning Committee. This year's YHOTY award
ceremony will be hosted by Don Wilbanks, AE5DW, of Amateur Radio
Newsline, along with representatives of corporate underwriters
Vertex-Standard and CQ Communications, Inc.
The Amateur Radio Newsline "Young Ham of the Year" award program
(formerly the Westlink Report Young Ham of the Year Award), has been
presented annually since 1986 to a licensed radio Amateur Radio operator
who is 18 years of age or younger and who has provided outstanding
service to the nation, his/her community or the betterment of the state
of the art in communications through the Amateur Radio hobby/service.
With the help of the L'Anse Creuse Ham Radio Club, students spent nearly 10 minutes in conversation with Clay Anderson, a U.S. astronaut serving aboard the International Space Station.
"I had goose bumps," said Sharon Gryzenia, King Academy principal. "We teach the curriculum every day. But it's one-dimensional. (Here), you get to hear it, see it and experience it."
Anderson fielded about 20 questions from fifth-graders who studied the space station in anticipation of Wednesday's event.
Do you enjoy weightlessness? "I like to float and spin around and tumble," the astronaut said. "I just have to make sure I don't go too fast."
The event was the brainchild of Bob George, a senior volunteer at the school. George, a ham radio buff, knew about the program that allows schools to communicate with the space station.
After checking with school officials, he recruited members of his club to help. Wednesday's event was the culmination of more than a year of planning.
George said the successful event illustrates "how amateur radio can help students learn about science and technology."
"You don't know how lucky you are," George said of the students. "You're the only kids in the world today who can do this."
Two of the students who questioned the astronaut agreed.
"I think it's really, really cool," said Brianna Boston.
Added Jaqualin Hannan: "I think to be able to do this at such a young age is great."
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West Florence Senior Earns National Honors (South Carolina)
By Dwight Dana
Greg Davis' Eagle Scout project might have helped him win the top national award for an amateur ham radio operator younger than 21.
Davis, 17, won the 150,000-member National Association for Amateur Radio (ARRL) Award for installing ham radio antennas at Red Cross evacuation shelters. Ham radio operators often are the first to have communications, provide damage assessment and share the status of their communities in the aftermath of a disaster.
Davis was nominated for the award by a local ham radio club. He received a plaque and a $1,500 check from ARRL for his community service project.
The West Florence High School senior has been into ham radio for three years. His father, Mark Davis, also is an avid ham.
"It's fun to get on the radio and talk to people all over the world," Davis said. "I can come home from school and talk to somebody in Russia, Germany, anywhere."
Davis talked to another ham radio operator in China several weeks ago. He said he used Morse Code to communicate.
"I use Morse Code most of the time," he said. "They call it CW, for continuous wave. It took me a couple of weeks to get the basics down, but I've been operating it full time for about a year. I can operate up to about 30 words a minute now."
Davis, like other ham radio operators, has a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles.
He had to pass an exam for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license to operate on radio frequencies known as the "Amateur Bands." These bands are radio frequencies reserved by the FCC for use by hams at intervals from just above the AM broadcast band all the way to extremely high microwave frequencies.
Davis said he got the idea to place antennas at the Red Cross evacuation centers from Bobby Collins, the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (a volunteer group) emergency coordinator for Florence County. Davis said he was talking to Collins about his Eagle project.
Collins and Scouts in Troop 444 at Calvary Baptist Church helped Davis install the antennas at Lake City and South Florence high schools. He said he plans to put up several more.
Davis has been in the Boy Scouts for eight years.
Davis said he also enjoys camping, traveling, scuba diving (he's a certified scuba diver) and music.
He plays the violin in the West Florence orchestra. And he's working on getting his private pilot's license.
Davis said his choice for college is Clemson, where he plans to major in electrical engineering.
Meanwhile, Amateur Radio has capabilities beyond phones and Internet systems. There are no choke points that can overload or fail.
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Special Events To Mark Jamboree, Scouting Centenary
Special event station VI3JAM will take to the air January 2-13 from the 21st Scouts Australia Jamboree. Part of the World Scouting centenary activities, VI3JAM is aimed at stimulating interest in Amateur Radio among attending scouts. One Jamboree highlight is a planned Amateur Radio contact with astronaut Suni Williams, KD5PLB, on the International Space Station. The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), Amateur Radio Victoria (ARV) and Icom Australia are the sponsors. Icom Australia has supplied a two-building ham radio shack with HF, VHF and UHF equipment. Held every three years, the Jamboree is expected to attract 13,000 attendees. Throughout 2007, the Scout Radio and Electronics Service Unit will activate special event VI3SAA to mark the 100th anniversary of World Scouting. Commemorative QSL cards will be available for both operations.
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ARRL Kids Day is Sunday, January 7*
The next chance to provide youngsters with a fun, hands-on radio experience is Sunday, January 7, when ARRL's first Kids Day of the new year takes place. "The popularity of the Kids Day operating activity continues to grow," says ARRL Education and Technology Program Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME, who offers some Kids Day 2007 thoughts and suggestions -- including a simple construction project -- on p 45 of December QST. Kids day begins at 1800 UTC and continues until 2400 UTC. There's no limit on operating time. Suggested exchanges are first name, age, location and favorite color. Call "CQ Kids Day" to elicit contacts. Spencer says a reported 484 kids -- including twins Adam (left) and Ben Rosen, nephews of Rick Rosen, K1DS (photo) -- took part in last June's Kids Day, making more than 2100 QSOs This time around, he suggests having the youngsters build the "Cheaper Beeper" code practice oscillator designed by William Gardner, W8WG. "Kids seem to be drawn to Morse code," Spencer observes. "Kids also love to make things." Suggested frequencies are 14.270 to 14.300 MHz, 21.380 to 21.400 MHz and 28.350 tu 28.400 MHz, plus local VHF repeaters with the sponsor's permission. Licensees should observe third-party traffic restrictions when making DX contacts. These apply when unlicensed individuals communicate via ham radio.
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13-Year-Old Virgina Ham Wins 2005 Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award*
A 13-year-old ARRL member and Amateur Extra class licensee, Jimmy Carter,
KG4SGP, of Burke, Virginia, is the winner of the 2005 Hiram Percy Maxim
Memorial Award. Jimmy is a student at Lake Braddock Secondary School, where
he organized the Lake Braddock Secondary School Amateur Radio Club, which he
serves as president. He says he got interested in ham radio from his
parents, both of whom are licensed. He envisions an engineering career.
"I don't know if it's ham radio becoming my career or my career becoming ham
radio," said Jimmy, reflecting how his interest in electronics has prompted
him toward further self-study as well as trying to enjoy as many different
facets of ham radio as he can. "I just get interested in a lot of different
things in ham radio," he said. That included a recent foray into 6 meters as
well as improving his Morse code speed, chasing DX and even building some of
his own gear.
"I just really like everything about ham radio," he said.
The HPM Memorial Award goes each year to a radio amateur under the age of 21
whose accomplishments and contributions are of the most exemplary nature
within the framework of Amateur Radio activities. The award was established
in 1936, and formal nominations come from ARRL section managers.
After organizing his schools ham radio club, Jimmy found a teacher to
sponsor it and several classmates to join. The club now boasts 15 members, 6
of whom are licensed. Jimmy also was instrumental in his school's successful
application for an ARRL Education and Technology Program grant.
Aside from his club activities, Jimmy participates in weekly nets of the
Alexandria Radio Club and is a volunteer responder for disaster relief. He
is in several honor classes and is a varsity athlete. Jimmy recently took
third place in the Virginia regional science fair with his project, "How Q
Affects Bandwidth and Signal Strength."
The winner of the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award receives a cash award of
$1500, an engraved plaque, and travel and accommodations to the site of a
formal presentation.
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YHOTY Award & Huntsville Hamfest Video Streamed***
When Catherine Ferry, NC8F receives the 2006 Amateur Radio Newsline
Young Ham of the Year award in a few weeks, you will be able to see it happen in real time on your computer.
The live Internet television coverage is happening thanks to Tom Medlin, WA5KUB. Tom, who
has televised other ham radio events on the Internet has now announced plans to bring the world
of Amateur Radio some live video and audio from this years Huntsville Hamfest.
This year's Huntsville Hamfest takes place the weekend of August 19th and 20th. The Young
Ham of the Year Award presentation is slated for 3 p.m. our time on Saturday the 19th.
WA5KUB says that he plans to be streaming on his way to and from Huntsville. He will then be
live from the Hamfest all day on Saturday and again on Sunday. Tom tells Amateur Radio
Newsline that at times the camera may be in a fixed location showing just the flea market but at
other times Tom will on the move wearing his famed Helmet Cam. With this device you will
actually feel as though you are walking around the Hamfest and visiting the exhibitors.
The Huntsville Hamfest is among the biggest events for radio amateurs living in the Southeastern
United States. Its held every year at Alabama's Von Braun Center In downtown Huntsville.
Tom says that the actual streaming video of the Huntsville Hamfest will be found at his website in cyberspace at WA5KUB.com. On the site, you can also chat live with other hams.
Until the hamfest there are ham radio news stories, videos of other hamfests and even ham radio videos. It's fun to watch and a great way to learn more about ham radio. It's also a great place to tell your friends to check out so they can learn more about your ham radio hobby.
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Catherine Ferry, NC8F, Named ARNewsline Young Ham Of The Year***
She is 18 years old, a concert musician and has devoted half of her
young life in service to ham radio. And now, Catherine Ferry, NC8F,
has been selected to receive this years Amateur Radio Newsline Young
Ham of the Year Award. Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, is here with a profile
of the young lady whose accomplishments helped to capture the judges
hearts:
A long-term commitment to Amateur Radio - including public service,
promoting the hobby through hamfests and licensing classes, and work as
a news letter editor - pushed Catherine Ferry's nomination to the top.
Catherine, who prefers to be called Cathy, was stunned to learn she had
been selected to receive the prestigious honor. Here's her reaction
after being told by the "Young Ham of the Year" administrator, Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF.
Pasternak: "Well, congratulations, you are the Young Ham of the Year."
Ferry: "I am?"
Pasternak: "You are (laugh)."
Ferry: "(gasping) Are you serious?"
Pasternak: "Would I be sitting here saying to you: 'Congratulations
Cathy, you are the Young Ham of the Year,' if I wasn't very serious?"
Ferry: "ahhh...I don't know..(laugh) probably not."
Pasternak: "I am very serious."
Ferry: "Oh my gosh! (gasp) Thank you!"
Cathy, who is from Silver Lake, Ohio, is the daughter of Bruce Ferry,
AK8B, and the late Joan Ferry. She was first licensed at the age of 10
and had her Extra Class ticket by age 13.
"I've been very involved with ham radio, almost for half my life,
actually," Ferry says. "I ended up getting my license when I was 10
years old. And, I've been involved with the Cuyahoga Falls Amateur
Radio Club pretty much since I first got my license.
"I've always participated in their Field Day. This year was one of the
best Field Days ever, actually. I had a great one-and-a-half-hour run
on 80-meters.
"I try to do as much public service as I can with them. I really, I
have a lot of fun with ham radio doing that. I'm also into computers
and I'm a big fan of reading, I love reading."
For the past two years, she's served as editor of the Cuyahoga Falls
Amateur Radio Club Newsletter and received an honorable mention in the
2004 ARRL Ohio Section Newsletter Contest. She's also serving as an
Assistant Emergency Coordinator and secretary of the Summit County Red
Cross Amateur Radio Club.
Cathy was asked before being told she was our winner, what it would
mean to her for her accomplishments to be recognized.
"To me, that shows that I'm somebody who like greatly represents ham
radio and like youth in the ham radio area and that's a very great
honor," Ferry says.
Cathy says using amateur radio for public service means a lot.
"I've been involved working with the Akron Road Runner Marathon, I've
volunteered with the All-American Soapbox Derby both the welcoming
committee and the race day events," Ferry says. "There's been a bunch
of local duo-athelons, the Belfur Run, Nardonia Hills, a bunch of local
ones I've done in the past few years."
Cathy has been ticket coordinator for hamfests by the club and also
promoted and help teach in the club's Technician Class licensing
course.
And, she did all of this while attending Cuyahoga Falls High School
where she graduated with a 3.5 grade point average.
And, if school and ham radio weren't enough to fill her time, there's
her passion for music and the bassoon.
"Most of my performances have been with the local high school band. But
I have participated in two community groups - the first being the
Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra," Ferry explains.
"I played with them for two years and I got to perform six separate
times at the Renaissance Theater in Mansfield, Ohio. And, this past
year I was involved with the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony.
"I performed twice at Severance Hall and then over the past week and a
half I've been touring with them in New Zealand and Australia. I
performed with them at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland.
"And in Sydney, I performed with them in the Town Hall and also in the
Sydney Opera House where I also got to perform with about 350 other
musicians when we were doing a world premiere piece of David
Gillingham's most recent piece, 'The Sails of Time.' "
Cathy says music has always been a big part of her life.
"Well, music is pretty much my life outside of ham radio," she says. "I
got involved in it in fifth grade when I first picked up the flute, you
know for the school band. And, then the next year I had switched over
to oboe, and the year after that I had switched over to bassoon where I
am now.
"And, I think part of the reason I'm so involved in music is because my
parents were both really into classical music. It seemed to always be
playing around the house. I think just my constant exposure to that is
what really connected me to music."
And, finally, what about the relevance of Amateur Radio to young people
today?
"There's so many teen-agers who have the internet and chat rooms and
that's how they meet other people," she says.
"Well, ham radio is kind of like that for me, it's just a different way
of meeting other people and that's something I really enjoy doing.
"It's also another way to connect with people. It's something else you
have in common with other people and you can meet other people
through."
Cathy plans to attend Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, this fall
where she will be majoring in, what else, music.
For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in
Philadelphia.
Catherine will receive her award on Saturday August 19th at the
Huntsville Hamfest. Amateur Radio Newsline's Don Wilbanks, AE5DW,
will be on hand to emcee the festivities. He will be joined by Don
Allen, W9CW, of CQ Magazine and a yet to be named representative from
Vertex Standard Corporation. Vertex Standard which makes Yaesu brand
ham radio gear and CQ Publishing are the corporate underwriters of the
Young Ham of the Year Award.
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Emily also has a deep interest in spaceflight and astronomy. One of her
cousins, US Astronaut Robert L. Stewart, was a crewmember onboard the
space shuttles Challenger and Atlantis. She has been attending Spacecamp
since she was in the 6th grade. "I'm also into astronomy and that's
another thing my dad and I do," said Emily. "We volunteer at an
observatory about an hour away from Leavenworth. We work on public
access nights."
