Kids Day - on the ground and in space

The first of two 2010 Kids Day operating events takes place today, Sunday January the 3rd, and this year it will be in space as well as on the ground.

This is because AMSAT North America and the AMSAT Oscar 51 Operations Group will be making that ham radio satellite available for this twice-yearly fun operation.

The terrestrial version of Kids Day takes place from 1800 to 2400 UTC.

The ARRL suggests using the following frequencies for Kids Day QSO's:
28.350 to 28.400 MHz, 24.960 to 24.980 MHz, 21.360 to 21.400 MHz, 18.140 to 18.145 MHz, 14.270 to 14.300 MHz, 7.270 to 7.290 MHz, 3.740 to 3.940 MHz, as well as your favorite 2-meter repeater with permission of the repeater’s
sponsor.

In space, AMSAT has announced that its AO-51 satellite will be configured with its uplink at 145.880 MHz FM voice and the Downlink at 435.300 MHz, also FM voice.

In either case, please be sure to observe third-party restrictions when making DX QSO's.

The Kids Day operating event is not a contest. It’s a way to tell children worldwide about the magic and mystery of two way hobby radio communications. To do this, Amateur radio stations are being asked to devote this short time window to promote the terrestrial hobby and ham radio satellite operations to youngsters. This, by providing a place to make contacts with other Kids Day stations around the world.

More information is on-line at http://www.arrl.org/kidsday/.

ARNewsline, AMSAT NA, ARRL