Kids Day is alive and well thanks to Digger O’Dell and the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) at NAS Whidbey Island.  Eight youngsters made contacts via amateur radio June 19 from the MARS station located on the Seaplane Base in building 13.

“Most contacts were with a similar group over in Skagit County, but a few contacts were given out to groups in Vallejo, Calif., during the Amateur Radio Relay Leagues National Kids’ Day 2010,” said O’Dell. Kids of all ages were invited to participate throughout the day to learn first hand about the “Ham” radio system. They were given a basic training in how to make contacts and then to make a number of contact between stations, both CQing (general call to all stations), and answering these calls as well.

This was an on-air event to encourage young people to have fun with Amateur Radio.

It is designed to give on-the-air experience to youngsters and hopefully foster interest in getting a license of their own.

O’Dell, along with Willie Oliver and Jerry Henrichsen supervised, as contacts were made with amateur stations near and far. Each kid received a certificate of achievement and enjoyed talking via Ham radio.

The station also demonstrated digital slow scan TV, one of several digital modes used in day-to-day operations at the station.

For additional information about MARS, call O’Dell at the MARS office at 257-8038 or 8056.