Ham Radio, The Greatest, Almost Free, STEM Opportunity For Kids

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May 25, 2018 – R. Fisher KG5SJO

Are you looking for something to keep those busy bodies engaged on summer break?

How about something that is almost free, combines the concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math and is so practical and fun they won’t even realize they’re learning.

If so, follow along, because unless you know a Ham Radio Operator, you’ve probably never even heard of it.

So let’s dig in and see why Ham Radio is one of the Greatest STEM Opportunities for kids you’ve probably never even heard about.

What Is Ham Radio?
Ham Radio, or as its officially titled, the Amateur Radio Service, is a license issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which allows U.S. citizens privileges to operate within designated frequency bands reserved for Ham Radio Operators.

In other words, the license allows you to use specific radio frequencies to communicate with other Ham Radio Operators, experiment with technology, design software, send emails, tinker with WIFI, control remote controlled vehicles, talk to the International Space Station, and a whole host of other things!

I Know, Exciting, right?

How Is Ham Radio A Great STEM Opportunity?
Ham Radio is all about experimenting and learning. Here are just a couple of examples:

After obtaining my license, one of the first things I did was build an antenna. Building an antenna greatly increases your ability to hear and contact other Ham Radio Operators and involves Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and it’s not a complicated process.

Recently, I began working on building and setting up an Allstar Link. This involves a Computer or Raspberry Pi, Electronics, and a small amount of coding. It gives me the Opportunity to talk to other Ham Radio Operators anywhere in the World by merging a Radio with the Internet.

There are so many things that can be done with a Ham Radio License, the possibilities are endless.

Ham Radio provides opportunities for you to share STEM with your kids, family, school, or the community in which you live.

How Do You Get A Ham Radio License?
In the U.S., there are three Amateur Radio licensing levels, Technician, General, and Extra. Each level allows the Operator more frequency privileges.

Getting licensed is as simple as passing a 35 question multiple choice knowledge exam.

And the best part, there are no age restrictions for obtaining a license, and there are tons of exam locations for you to take your little puddle jumpers.

The American Radio Relay League has created a database for locating exam sessions in your area, which you can find here.

The 35 questions used for the exam are drawn from a pool of questions and are available for study.

The American Radio Relay League has an online question pool study section that is available free of charge and can be found here.

Additionally, you can purchase any of the many books available, below are a few books that I have used as I prepared for my Technician Exam.

What If My Kids Are To Little To Take The Exam?
Don’t let that slow you down, if you think your kids are to little to take the exam or comprehend the material, you have another option known as third party traffic.

This option allows you to take the exam and still introduce your little ones to the world of Ham Radio.

Once you are a licensed Operator, your kids can communicate with you at their side. This is a great way to get people comfortable with using a Radio and understanding the concepts.

This Sounds Expensive,

Read the full article at https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/ham-radio-the-greatest-almost-free-stem-opportunity-for-kids.614293/. STRAY SIGNALS does not claim ownership of the article.

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