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Despite the Internet and cellular phone, Amateur Radio continues to attract people world-wide by providing free international communications and friendships. Because it does not need pre-established supporting infrastructure, Amateur Radio reaches into every corner of the world -- and even into space.
With the help of Amateur Radio clubs and operators, space shuttle astronauts and crewmembers of the International Space Station have been speaking to youth around the world while in orbit. They are talking directly with schools, showing teachers, students, parents and communities how Amateur Radio energizes youngsters about science, technology, and learning. The program is called ARISS, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, and is an opportunity for students to experience the excitement of Amateur Radio by talking directly about science, technology, and learning. Speaking to the ISS crewmembers is a unique educational experience. Hundreds of Amateur Radio operators, including those from NASA Amateur Radio clubs at Johnson Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Marshall Space Flight Center, work behind the scenes to make these educational experiences possible.
Similar youth programs are available through Scouting as each year many thousands of Scouts "get together" over the airwaves for their Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA). Modern radio technology offers Scouts the exciting opportunity to make friends in other countries without leaving home.
JOTA is an annual event in which Boy and Girl Scouts and Guides from all over the world speak to each other by means of Amateur Radio. Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared via radio waves. Since 1958 when the first Jamboree-on-the-Air was held, millions of Scouts have met each other through this event. Many contacts made during JOTA have resulted in pen pals and links between Scout troops that have lasted many years. Many Scouts and leaders hold licenses, while others participate in JOTA at stations provided by local radio clubs and individual radio amateurs.
Young radio amateurs also form their organizations. One example is the World Wide Young Contesters, made up of radio amateurs under the age of 30 who enjoy participating in international operating competitions. Several members of the club qualified to compete in the World Radiosport Team Championship in Florianopolis, Brazil last July.
Calling "CQ" on the amateur shortwave bands can result in a contact with other amateurs across town or far across the oceans. While amateurs repeatedly have been in the news for their life-saving communications services in disasters, a large part of their activities remains the excitement and joy of contacting distant and remote areas of the world, learning directly about each others' regions and lives and trying different ways to make radio contacts around the world. In this way amateurs learn skills that, in other situations, have earned them world praise for their responses in emergencies. In addition, leading electrical engineers are able to draw from their practical, hands-on experiences gained as Amateur Radio operators while they develop the inventions that are today's necessities.
The IARU E-Letter is published on behalf on the Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union by the IARU International Secretariat. Editor: David Sumner, K1ZZ, IARU Secretary.
Material from The IARU E-Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The IARU E-Letter and The International Amateur Radio Union.
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