TARC received an e-mail from Col. Linda Riedel stating that the Citadel will be hosting a cyber village on campus as a part of our Cybersecurity Awareness Month on 26 Oct and “we want the students to have exposure to Amateur/Ham Radio”. As such, Glenn Stephens, WA4NMW, met with Col. Riedel (pictured) to make the arrangements for us to set up three operation stations and a display table at the Swain Boat Center on campus. On the day of the event, Glenn and Steve Anderjack, KO4AFL, manned the table with an IC-705 radio, tri-fold brochures and QSL cards to answer questions and invite visitors to go outside to the patio to operate a ham radio under our supervision.
Steve Behr had set up an IC-7300 working FT-8 with a 66′ EFHW antenna. Steve said “The students observed my computer making a few of the 10 FT8 QSOs (including 2 POTA). Seems some of the first visitors were impressed that we hung an antenna in a live oak tree.” Tom Valencia, W4ID, set up an Elecraft KX-2 QRP station working 20m CW with a small whip antenna for Col. Zimmerman, Dean of Electrical Engineering, and others to learn how to send and receive Morse code. Tom said “By the time Col. Zimmerman left my station, he was able to send my callsign in CW and copy the word “Cat” sent at 17 wpm. Cadet Savannah passed the same rigorous exam and monitored me making a POTA contact with N5IKL. As a matter of fact, all cadets transiting my station had to pass the “Cat” exam before being excused.”
Jim Wasson, KO4MNB, set up another IC-7300 for 20m SSB using a 33″ EFHW sloper from the second story balcony in addition to a 17″ WRC whip on a tripod next to the dock. Cadet Frederick talked to W5MKS as a Hunter to Park K-3051 in TX. Cadet Savannah, Cadet Delmar (KO4RZG), and Dr. Shankar Banik, Cyber and Computer Science Department Head, talked to the YL System Net. The NCO was K2DJL in NJ. Dr. Banik said he would talk to Col. Zimmerman about reactivating the Citadel Amateur Radio Club. He also said that he would call the Citadel Property Manager to locate their amateur radio equipment for us to check out.
All in all it was a great opportunity for the cades and faculty to learn about ham radio and operate for the first time. Hopefully, we have generated enough interest to hold a training class and a VE session at the Citadel and get them RADIO ACTIVE again. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible.
