Meet 10 year old licensed radio operator Ivan Fry
A COLUMN By Bob Confer, pictured is Fry
Last week, during an episode of WNY Tonight, my guest organization was the Lockport Amateur Radio Association. Among LARA’s members joining me in the studio was Ivan Fry, who became a licensed radio operator last year.
Everyone who watched the television show was captivated by the 10 year-old — his interest and knowledge of the science and technology of communications is exceeded only by the energy and skill with which he speaks. I saw that same impact last month at Royalton-Hartland’s science fair, at which he took first place. He was busy all evening speaking to throngs of kids and adults alike about radio science, many of whom kept going back to learn more.
To see that youthful energy and how he uses it to attract others to a pursuit that some might think is home to old men using old technology is awesome, especially since he comes from one of the generations of people who are “digital natives”, that is, those born or brought up during the era of digital technology who are familiar with and reliant upon computers and the internet.
The web and the ubiquitous smartphone have, in a way, made the world a smaller place. They allow us to log on to Facebook and Instagram to share messages around the globe or use a device that’s in everyone’s pockets to call or text family and friends. But, as Ivan knows, there’s still a place for the joy afforded by ham radio (which is another name for the hobby). It’s exciting that you can use a small box of electronics and a wire antenna to talk to complete, but welcoming strangers, on every continent, in every neighborhood, and from every background.
You might be familiar with amateur radio by its presence in pop culture.
The movie “Frequency” starring Jim Caviezel and Dennis Quaid had a plot based on a geomagnetic storm that allowed a ham radio operator to talk to his deceased father decades earlier, which then allowed them to change the course of history. Tim Allen’s character on the sitcom “Last Man Standing” was an amateur radio enthusiast and it played a part in quite a few episodes of the show.
You might also recognize amateur radio from its presence in the community.
If you’ve taken part in events like the Ride for Roswell you’ve seen an army of men and women with handheld and mobile radios serving as communications support and observers for the riders. Perhaps you’ve seen the folks from LARA showing off their ability to communicate worldwide at the Niagara County Fair. Or, maybe you’ve heard news reports of hams connecting communities during hurricanes and other events that gut other forms of communication.
Getting licensed to take part in all this is an easier task than it used to be. Nearly 20 years ago, the Federal Communications Commission abandoned the Morse code requirements for its permits, an obstacle that had proved difficult to many and had prevented them from entering the hobby. Now, you just need to pass a written exam, knowing radio and electrical theory as well as the FCC’s rules and regulations. There are plenty of study guides available and most of them actually provide the hundreds of possible questions and answers that the 35-question exams pull from. You take the exam under the watchful eye of local hams. When that time comes, information about the exam times and locations — and amateur radio in general — can be found at the website of the American Radio Relay League (www.ARRL.org).
Back in 2011, I got my radio license (KC2ZZW) from the federal government after decades of participating in other radio pursuits like CB radio and listening to the police scanner or shortwave radio. With my modest low-power station I’ve talked to more than 85 countries and half of our states.
I also use ham radio, specifically VHF frequencies, as a lifeline. In some areas where I enjoy the great outdoors in New York (like Allegany County and the Adirondacks) there is questionable or no cell coverage, but my tiny walkie-talkie can reach ham radio repeater systems listened to by area hams in those regions. That offers peace in mind and preparedness for any sort of emergency you can encounter in the wilderness.
If you’d like to learn more about amateur radio locally, visit LARA’s website at www.lockportara.us or attend their June 7th Hamfest in the heart of Niagara County where you can meet radio enthusiasts and get into the hobby by taking the licensing exam (you have four weeks to study) and buying used but excellent equipment.
Give it a try. Amateur radio is a hobby for all interests and all ages — from the young ones like Ivan to the old guys like me.
Bob Confer is a Niagara County writer, TV show host, businessman, family man, and naturalist. You can reach him anytime at Bob@Conferplastics.com
