Ham Radio a Hit at Philly "Family TechFest"        Originally web posted on www.arrl.org on December 4, 2001

Working the TechFest crowd: (L-R) At the ARRL booth, Al Tribble, W3STW; ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania PIC Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO; and EPA Section Manager Eric Olena, WB3FPL. [Except as noted, photos by Kay Craigie, WT3P]

Hundreds of Philadelphia-area residents visited the ARRL booth at the NBC10 Family TechFest, December 1-2, 2001. "We had a chance to present ham radio to a large number of people whom we might not otherwise reach," said ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P. "A lot of kids were there."

Craigie said the most common questions were "What's this all about?" and "Ham radio? I didn't know they did that any more." Quite a few amateurs also stopped by the booth, she said.

Jim Biddle, W3DCL (left, in light blue shirt) chats with an enthusiastic group of teens, while another crowd gathers before Al Tribble, W3STW.

Booth visitors were treated to a satellite presentation by Al Tribble, W3STW, and a 10-GHz demonstration by Temple University engineering professor (and Atlantic Division Assistant Director) Dennis Silage, K3DS, and the Temple University Amateur Radio Club. Eastern Pennsylvania Section Manager Eric Olena, WB3FPL, Eastern Pennsylvania Public Information Coordinator Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, and past EPA PIC Jim Biddle, W3DCL, also were on hand to greet visitors and answer questions.

After learning about satellites with an orbital tracking program and being told that hams can talk to the astronauts, a young girl is fascinated by the satellite antenna display. ARRL Vice President Kay Craigie, WT3P, is at the right. [Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, Photo]

"With over 10,000 people attending the Family TechFest, it was exciting to see activity at the ARRL booth," Josuweit said. He pointed out that the emphasis was on conveying some of the excitement of Amateur Radio as well as describing its educational benefits--although exhibit hall restrictions precluded setting up a working ham station.

"Many were amazed at the advancements in ham radio," he said. "They had associated ham radio being a Morse code-only hobby." Josuweit said visitors were interested to find out that hams also learn about geography, space, science, and various lifestyles and cultures in the course of their radio operating activities.

The Family TechFest also offered opportunities to speak with educators in junior and senior high schools, charter and private schools as well as with those involved with home schooling. In addition, Josuweit said, several Scout leaders dropped by to learn more about the hobby and how it could tie in with the Radio merit badge.

Craigie said many of those who gravitated to the ARRL exhibit "seemed genuinely interested in what we had to show and tell," and the booth staff was ready to handle all comers.

Dennis Silage, K3DS (right), fields a question about the Temple University 10-GHz student engineering project.

"The group was diverse in our ham radio interests," she noted. "Every person could talk about ham radio in plain English to people who never heard of it before."

Josuweit said it was also important to have people who were familiar with the many clubs in the area and could "work the crowd." For example, he said, Biddle's technique was to first chat with visitors to find out what they were interested in, then show them how ham radio could fit into their lifestyle.

(L-R) Al Tribble, W3STW, and Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, at the satellite station display. The tracking program on the computer fascinated young and old alike. AMSAT-NA provided brochures about ham radio satellite

Josuweit said events like TechFest can prove important to the growth of ham radio. "We're busy setting up license classes for those who want to join in the fun," he said, adding that visitors showing an interest were encouraged to consider Now You're Talking, the ARRL's basic ham radio study guide. "We had a copy of the book, so we were able to show how easy it is to study for the test."

During the event, NBC10 News interviewed Craigie about ham radio. She explained what ham radio was and some of its benefits, and the story aired on the station's noon, 6 PM and 11 PM newscasts.

Craigie expressed her appreciation to Paul Sokoloff, WA3GFZ, an employee of NBC10, which sponsored the TechFest. ARRL had a free exhibitor's booth, she said. Olena termed the event "a definite success."

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