Kids get shortwave call from Santa

The smallest of patients got quite a big surprise at Driscoll children's Hospital in the USA.

The kids got to speak with Santa Claus via short-wave radio. Amateur radio operators went from room to room with a radio. On the other end, the man in red, and it was a conversation that brought smiles to each kid's face.

Izzy also told Santa he wanted a remote control car. Santa spent time talking with each of the kids, brightening up their day. Parents say the unexpected call from the North Pole helped the kids feel special and helps them to forget, even for a minute, that they are in the hospital.

This was the second year Driscoll has taken part in the North Pole Network. It is reminiscent of Brian VK4AED's help many years ago in getting packet messages from VK hams to 'The Man In Red'.

For another patient, 8 year old Javier Zapada, this was also a special visit because it was his last day in the hospital. He got to go home after talking with the busy man at the North Pole. When asked what he wanted, he said, a bike.

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia