Stickers, Straight Keys, and Worldwide Contacts: A Day of Ham Radio Fun for Families
What happens when you put radios, curious kids, and a room full of space-and-science excitement together? You get a day of real-world discovery—on the air.
At the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, the Granite State Amateur Radio Association hosted more than 100 children (ages 6–12) and their parents to demonstrate what Amateur Radio is all about, with 13 club volunteers operating hands-on stations and cheering on first-time operators.
Kids jumped right into making contacts—some chatting with local hams on nearby repeaters, others reaching across the All-Star network as far as Florida. And they didn’t just say hello; they asked the best questions: “How old are you?” “What do you do for work?” In minutes, the airwaves turned into a friendly, live community conversation.
At the Morse code table, future operators learned to “send” their names using a straight key—click by click—turning dots and dashes into something personal (and surprisingly addictive). Nearby, a special-event HF station gave families a taste of big-signal magic: making contacts with other hams beyond our area and out into the wider world.
We topped it all off with stickers and take-home info so the excitement could continue after the last contact was logged.
If you’ve ever wanted to help kids discover a new kind of science—one they can talk on—come join us at the next outreach event. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or just ham-curious, there’s a spot for you at the table and a call sign waiting on the mic.
Thank you to all the volunteers who dedicated their time to share their passion for ham radio with the young kids! Also, a big thanks to everyone who contributed photos! Also thank you to the Capital Area Repeater Society for letting us use the HF Station during the event!
