Aspiring Ham Radio Operators

Seek Licenses Through Club

By Larissa Lytwyn

Newtown Middle School science teacher Martha Babbitt and husband Don Babbitt enjoy a hobby that to some may seem quaint among the ever-surging development of flashy new technology, from camera phones to digital media.

But can such technology be regularly used as a public service, or allow people to globally communicate at a far lesser cost than would a brand-new computer?

Amateur, or ham, radio is a mix of fun and public service, especially appealing to people with an interest in what’s happening in the world.

No one is certain where the term “ham” came from; one theory asserts that early amateurs liked being called hams because they enjoyed “hamming it up,” performing on-air.

Another proposes that the name came from the “ham-fisted” way some early amateurs handled their code keys.

The most prevalent theory, however, is that “ham” is simply a contraction of “am,” as in amateur.

Last spring, the Babbitts, both longtime members of the Candlewood Association of Amateur Radio, invited students to learn how to become ham operators through the formation of the after-school Ham Radio Club. Several students, now in high school, acquired their FCC operating licenses through the program.

All hams have to demonstrate a basic knowledge of radio technology, regulations, and operating principles in an FCC examination. Test-takers must correctly answer at least 27 out the exam’s 35 questions to pass and acquire their license.

“We had two visually impaired students take the test last spring, and one of them passed,” Mr Babbitt. “The other missed passing by missing only one question! Hopefully, they’ll try applying again. The point is that there are a lot of possibilities for ham operators. Anyone can become a ham.”

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created amateur radio in the early 1900s. The primary goal of amateur radio was to provide the world with a backup emergency communication system.

In addition, the hobby is believed to advance the communication and technological development of radio, as well as increase international goodwill.

The NMS Ham Radio Club recently started with more than a dozen fresh faces this year, including students’ parents and grandparents.

“It’s been wonderful to see the level of participation and interest in amateur radio,” said Mr Babbitt. “We offer a good, solid program. It’s something myself and [Ms Babbitt] are truly dedicated to.”

Club members must purchase the FCC-approved textbook, Now Your Talking, for a discounted rate of $14.92 (regularly $21.95).

“The book teaches the kids everything they need to know to pass the exam,” said Mr Babbitt.

Club members become familiar with the various ways to communicate through ham radio, whether it is Morse code on an old brass telegraph key through a low-power transmitter, voice communication on a handheld radio, or computer messages transmitted through satellites.

The NMS Ham Radio club met recently following a three-week hiatus caused by a deluge of parent/teacher conferences that required a series of student half-days, with no after-school activities.

Mr Babbitt was thrilled to invite John Ahle, treasurer of the Candlewood Association of Amateur Radio, to come to the meeting to share his experience with aspiring hams.

Mr Ahle is chief financial officer of St Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport.

Mr Ahle brought a radio programmed on a midlevel 40-width band to introduce students to how ham communication actually worked.

Amateurs are allocated nine basic “bands,” or groups of frequencies, programmed between 1800 and 29,7000 kilohertz, as well as seven bands in the very high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) ranges.

At theses ranges, one can hear aircraft, ship, fire, and police communication.

Although many amateur radio conversations can be heard around the world simultaneously, given the right frequency and propagation conditions, amateur radio is basically two-way communication.

A highlight of Mr Ahle’s presentation was his carefully compiled album of QSL cards from around the globe.

QSL cards are basically post cards sent between two hams that record the exact time of the interaction, as well as each ham’s code name.

Mr Ahle has received awards for contacting hams in all 50 US states.

The United States is divided into various “zones,” or quadrants represented in an American ham’s code name. Connecticut is in the northeastern “zone 1.”

Mr Ahle used a globe to point out the precise locations of other hams he has contacted over the past few years.

“One of my favorite, more unusual cards came recently, actually, from Angola, a country in South Africa, a weeks ago,” he said. “I’ve also made contact with hams in Soweto, also in Africa, and Svalbard, Norway, which is basically the North Pole.”

Each QSL card boasted its own unique appearance, reflective of its country. Many depicted nature scenes or national symbols.

“Another interesting location I reached was a ham on a remote island in the middle of the Indian Ocean,” Mr Ahle said. “It took awhile, but I did get a [QSL card] response.”

Postcards can be sent privately via direct mail or through the Amateur Radio Relay League base in Newington.

“The ARRL base is entirely volunteer run,” said Mr Ahle. He smiled at Mr Babbitt as he said that both he and Mr Babbitt had volunteered there in the past.

“Obviously, it takes longer through the ARRL system, but every year we go through a special process where we categorize and record all the QSL cards our members have received by letters A through Z,” he said.

Both Mr Ahle and Mr Babbitt discussed the manufacturing of antennas and receiver towers.

Mr Ahle currently has a 60-foot tower attached to his home.

“It was interesting when we moved [to Ridgefield],” he said. “You don’t go into many real estate offices with a topographical map! My wife wanted her house and I wanted it on a location that was ideal for good [radio] reception!”

He said their home is in a perfect locale, situated on top of a hill.

Mr Babbitt showed students his homemade copper antennae that he had produced “for only a couple of dollars.”

“Ham radio is not a terribly expensive hobby,” he said.

For digital communication, however, costs can rise slightly.

Mr Ahle has numerous computer software programs specializing in amateur radio communication.

The software can break down Morse code and provide instant, in-depth information on a ham from one the world’s many nations.

Mr Ahle concluded his visit with real-time vocal communication with a fellow member of the Candlewood Amateur Radio Association.

In closing, he encouraged students to keep studying their texts and remaining open to the many important and interesting functions ham radio can provide.

The Ham Radio Club meets Tuesday’s after school in Ms Babbitt’s room at Newtown Middle School.

For information on joining, contact NMS at 426-7638. For more information on ham radio operation and licensing, visit the National Association for Amateur Radio at www.arrl.org.