Live & Listening

Live and Listening - Ham Radio Workshop for Kids

Group Members:

• Kira
• Lucía
• Dzestina
• Sam
• Diego

Event Overview:

• Name of the Event: Live and Listening
• Number of Participants: 12 kids (aged 7-12)
• Level of Experience: No prior knowledge of ham radio, but all participants speak English.
• Duration: Half a day (approximately 4-5 hours)
• Location/Space Needed:
  • A local club house with a ham radio station or a room where a station can be set up.
  • Create a "club room vibe" to keep the atmosphere friendly and engaging.
  • Comfortable seating and spaces for creative activities, like making QSL cards.

Food:

• Meals:
  • Provide snacks like pizza, sweets, and drinks (coffee for adults, juice for kids).
  • Serve snacks when energy levels start dropping, to keep participants engaged and create a "party vibe."

Budget:

• Do you need money for the event? Yes.
  • What for: Food and snacks (pizza, sweets, drinks).
  • Funding Source: Use the club fund for food and materials.
  • Additional Materials: Walkie-talkies (HTs) for hands-on practice.

Materials and Equipment Needed:

• A working ham radio station.
• Handheld radios (HTs) for kids to practice with.
• Vertical/straight Morse keys and electronic keyers for CW practice.
• QSL Cards or plain paper for kids to design their own QSL cards.
• Colour pencils, markers, and writing materials for creating QSL cards.
• Stationery for note-taking and participating in activities.

Organizer's Preparations:

• Coordinate with club members to schedule on-air contacts (Rx) from the station during the event.
• Ensure the radio station and all equipment are working properly (debugging, if necessary).
• Prepare blank QSL cards or materials for kids to design their own.
• Set up the station for interviews, and coordinate with club members to be on standby for on-air conversations with the kids.
• Prepare the room to feel comfortable and kid-friendly.

What Participants Need to Bring:

• Stationery (pens, pencils, etc.).
• Enthusiasm and curiosity!

Workshop Content:

1. Introduction (15 mins):

• Welcome the kids and introduce them to ham radio in simple terms.
• Explain what ham radio is and why it's exciting. Highlight how people use it to communicate across the world, even in emergencies.
• Briefly go over the day's schedule and activities.

2. ICAO Phonetic Alphabet (20 mins):

• Teach the kids the ICAO Phonetic Alphabet using fun examples.
• Have them practice saying their names using the ICAO alphabet.
• Activity: Let them introduce themselves on-air using the phonetic alphabet.

3. How to Say Your Name & Callsign in ICAO (20 mins):

• Teach kids how to say a basic callsign using the phonetic alphabet.
• Practice calling out a mock callsign over the station or handheld radio (HT).

4. Prepare QSL Cards (30 mins):

• Explain what a QSL card is and why it's important in ham radio.
• Let the kids design and create their own QSL cards using paper, markers, and colour pencils.
• Encourage creativity in their designs and have fun with it!

5. Interview with Club Members (30 mins):

• Schedule club members to be available on the air to speak with the kids.
• Have the kids prepare simple interview questions for club members:
  • Callsign: ________
  • Date/time: ________
  • Name: ________
  • QTH (location): _________
  • WX (weather): _________
  • Why do you like ham radio? ________________
  • What is your favorite part of ham radio? _______________
  • What is your most embarrassing moment in ham radio? _______________
  • Tell me about a friend you made in ham radio. _______________

6. Hands-On Communication with HTs (25 mins):

• Let the kids try handheld radios (HTs) to communicate with each other using what they've learned.
• Guide them through a simple off-air QSO using proper radio etiquette.

7. Introduction to CW (Morse Code) (25 mins):

• Teach the basics of Morse Code (CW), explaining how it was used for long-distance communication.
• Practice sending simple messages like SOS and CQ using vertical or straight keys.
• Let the kids practice with Morse code oscillators or keyers to try out basic letters and phrases.

8. Picnic Break (30 mins):

• Take a break for snacks and drinks (pizza, sweets, and juice).
• Use this time to socialize and chat about what they've learned so far.

9. Exchange QSL Cards (15 mins):

• Have the kids exchange their personalized QSL cards with each other or with the club members they spoke to during the interviews.
• Celebrate their accomplishments by discussing their designs and radio conversations.

10. Wrap-Up & Follow-Up Event Planning (15 mins):

• Recap the key takeaways of the day and encourage the kids to explore ham radio further.
• Mention upcoming events or workshops where they can continue learning about ham radio.
• Thank the participants for their enthusiasm and participation, and invite them to a potential follow-up event.

Learning Objectives:

• Get kids excited about ham radio by introducing them to the basics of communication and radio technology in a fun, hands-on way.
• Teach the ICAO phonetic alphabet and how to make a basic call using radio protocols.
• Show them how to use handheld radios and Morse code to communicate.
• Engage them creatively with QSL card design and real on-air interviews with experienced operators.
• Spark their curiosity to continue exploring ham radio as a hobby or future pursuit.