Youth DX Adventure

In October 2009 team TI5N came up with the idea of a youth DX adventure. The purpose being to foster an interest in Ham radio for deserving youth interested in the hobby.

The plan is to take 6 youth operators age 11 to 17 from the ham community to TI5N in Costa Rica in July 2010 for a DX adventure for 5 days of participating and learning DX operations.

The team and leaders plan to travel in a group from Dayton, Ohio, to Costa Rica to the contest superstation TI5N owned by Carlos Diez, TI5KD/K2CE. During their stay the youth operators and their parents (also Hams) will participate in learning about propagation, antenna's, tuning amplifiers, controlling pile ups and all the finer points of being DX and working DX.

While in Costa Rica the team will also experience traditional Costa Rican foods prepared by the lovely Sophia Diez XYL of Carlos and TI2IY.

The team will have an opportunity to go on a sightseeing trip and experience some of the culture of the country and its people. A shopping trip for souvenirs is also in the schedule.

The 2 team leaders for this first of we hope many trips will be Don DuBon, N6JRL, and Dave Kalter, KB8OCP, both of who have been to TI5N for contesting in the CQWW contests. Don has also been on DX Peditions to Saint Lucia, Anguilla, and most notably Peter 1 Island in 2006 as well
as operating from many countries during his military career in the Marine Corps.

Dave is an avid DX'er and contester and is currently the chairman for the 2010 Hamvention Forums; Dave is also setting up a schedule with the International space station for school age kids with the Boonshoft Museum in Dayton. Both Don and Dave are members of DARA and SWODXA and
the ARRL, QCWA and FISTS.

The youth team members will be accompanied by 1 parent each; this will eliminate the need for any legal releases.
The youth operators will have fund raisers, and have a booth space at the 2011 Dayton Hamvention to display photo's, videos and speak with other youth interested in Ham
radio. There are plans to have the theme of Hamvention 2011 geared toward "youth DX’ers". Story and photos will be submitted (as written by the youth operators) to popular monthly magazines.

We are hoping to have this first of many annual trips for youth to be a success. Each year a different set of team leaders will assume the organization of the youth operators and provide the leadership and guidance for a team of 12 to make the trip. Our hopes are to reach out and create interest and have youth from all over the country have a
chance to participate each year.

We need assistance in making this happen. The Dayton Amateur Radio Association has provided a sizeable contribution to get things started and we are relying on the generosity of Clubs, organizations and individual Hams to make this happen. We have generated about 1/3 of our total $12,000 budget. Should we be able to generate more than needed it will be held for the following year's team. Should we fall short or have to cancel for any reason, all funds will be returned. We do have the assistance of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association as a 501C-3 organization, so donations may be tax deductable. Contributing donors
may have their logo and or name/call on the QSL card.

We are trying to develop a website but until then more info may be obtained from the team leaders at the following e-mail addresses and phones. Thank you and we hope we can count on your support.

Don DuBon, N6JRL - n6jrl@aol.com 937-298-9052
Dave Kalter, KB8OCP - Kb8ocp@yahoo.com 937-603-9707

Don, N6JRL

OPDX