Reminder: ARRL Kids Day is Saturday, June 17(Jun 15, 2006) -- The next opportunity to bring Amateur Radio into the lives of young people is Saturday, June 17, when ARRL's second Kids Day of 2006 takes place. "It's their special day, so make the most of it," says ARRL Education and Technology Program Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME. 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. "More hams are getting involved in Kids Day, and it shows," Spencer says. "Why not join in the fun and invite some kids to experience the 'magic of radio' in your shack June 17?" Sumner Weisman, W1VIV, did just that in January, and several youngsters (photo) enjoyed operating from the Framingham (MA) Amateur Radio Association's W1FY. Spencer suggests that while the kids are experiencing the fun of ham radio, their licensed mentors encourage them to pursue their own ham radio tickets. Suggested frequencies are 14.270 to 14.300 MHz, 21.380 to 21.400 MHz and 28.350 to 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. More information on Kids Day is in June QST, p 53.

Kid's Day Rules
Educational Activities: Recruitment & Education • Kid's Day Survey

Purpose: Kid's Day is intended to encourage young people (licensed or not) to enjoy Amateur Radio. It can give young people hands-on on-the-air experience so they might develop an interest in pursuing a license in the future. It is intended to give hams a chance to share their station with their children.
Dates: January 8 and June 17 2006.
CQ KID'S DAY DE WA9LGQ
Fun was the apparent result of a successful recipe--a recipe that included lots of preplanning, food, and Ham Radio. At the Indianapolis the Red Cross Chapter house, the Red Cross radio disaster group sponsored its very first Kids Day event. [Full Story]


Time: 1800 to 2400Z. No limit on operating time.
Suggested exchange: Name, age, location and favorite color. You are encouraged to work the same station again if an operator has changed. Call "CQ Kid's Day."
Suggested Frequencies: 28350 to 28400 kHz, 21380 to 21400, 14270 to 14300 kHz and 2-meter repeater frequencies with permission from your area repeater sponsor. Observe third party traffic restrictions when making DX QSOs.
Reporting: Logs and comments may be posted on the Internet. Those without Internet access may forward comments to the Boring Amateur Radio Club (address below).

Awards: all participants are eligible to receive a colorful certificate (it becomes the child's personalized sales brochure on ham radio). You can download this certificate for free, customized with the kids' names, after filling out our Kid's Day Survey, or send a 9 X 12 SASE to: Boring Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 1357; Boring, OR 97009. More details may be obtained by joining the Kid's Day Reflector.