Chelmsford Radio Amateur helps set-up Florida school ISS contact

Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (CARS) member David Worboys M0ZLB originally obtained his Foundation licence by attending one of the very successful Foundation Courses run by CARS.

He is currently working in Florida were he holds the call sign KG4ZLB. Since he's been there David has taken an active part in the activities of the Amateur Radio Association of Southwest Florida (ARASWF) and is currently the secretary.

He and other club members developed contacts with the Pine Ridge Middle School to help introduce Amateur Radio to young people. An article he wrote on the clubs activities with the school can be seen at
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2005/nasa_night.htm

After much effort they managed to arrange a school contact with the International Space Station for 8th February.

Below is a copy of the press release about the event that
David sent to the local press and TV.

Amateur Radio Association of Southwest Florida
c/o KG4ZLB, David A. Worboys (Secretary)
PO Box 368395
Bonita Springs
FL 34136
239 292 6070

Local School children to talk to Astronaut in space via Ham Radio on Wednesday February 8th 2006

Local School children to talk to Astronaut – Students from Immokalee Middle School and Pine Ridge Middle School will have the opportunity to speak live to Commander Bill MacArthur aboard the International Space Station as he orbits over Naples some 300 miles above!

As part of the NASA Rover Program, these schools have been selected to take part in the scheduled contact that is overseen by ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) and NASA.

The logistics for this event have been provided by the Amateur Radio Association of South West Florida (ARASWF), and many hours of preparation have gone into ensuring that this historic event is a success.

The contact is scheduled to take place at 10.24 AM on Wednesday February 8th in the Multi Purpose Room at Pine Ridge Middle School in Naples and will be attended by students, teachers and parents. The contact will be broadcast over the School's closed circuit TV system so that all Students and teachers can listen in.

For further information concerning media opportunities at the school, please contact Sharon Lea at Pine Ridge Middle School on 239 272 2563

For further information concerning logistics, please contact Peter Gaddy (President-ARASWF), 239 353 7330, or Jordan Mash (Technical Director – ARASWF)

Latest news stories..

• Get our news headlines for your website • Submit your news story