Hands-On Projects Help To Hone Skills-

FAIRS Supports Invention, Creativity & Resourcefulness

It is no secret that amateur radio operators are often innovative, experimental and “gadget-lovers” at heart.

FAIRS has taken initiative over the course of recent years to help those with technical interests and    talents to flourish, especially here at home in Floyd, VA.

At FCHS Amateur Radio school Club, elmers are teaching basic electronics to the student members using Radio Shack Basic Electronics Learning Lab Kits.  Partners or small groups work together to follow instructions and complete a series of tasks/circuits to achieve desired results.

By paid intern program         “I CAN! … MY DIRECTED THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE”, FAIRS has given support to high school, college and post-grad students to help further their education in course work, independent study and/or trips abroad.  FAIRS is pleased to be a part of their success stories.

Bryan Dowd, a student intern and host at N4USA and Bugbook Historical Microcomputer Museum, is helping to organize projects and work with guests.  He values the stories behind the technology and the inner workings of each piece.

He is assisting FAIRS as they partner with local Jacksonville Center for the Arts to put on a “Maker” Camp this summer.  Attendees will be shown how to incorporate simple electronics in some of their art pieces.   According to Bryan, “Many youth know very well how to operate modern day electronic devices, but have no idea how they work or what makes them work.  This camp will impart knowledge about  some simple wiring and circuits and will be a part of finished creations campers will take home and enjoy. During the camp they will also experience the interesting world of amateur radio. Many of our volunteers are licensed operators and will gladly demonstrate radio communications”.  Keep up with FAIRS on Facebook for more information on upcoming activities.

Scout Clubs Visit N4USA to Experience      Amateur Radio, Earn Merit Badges

FAIRS and local hams host several special events each year with the goal of reaching young people through amateur radio.

In early summer 2014, ARRL Kid’s Day was held at Chantilly Farm (2697 Franklin Pike SE, Floyd).  Youth and their families were invited to  visit the station and talk to each other nationwide on amateur radio.

In October, the annual “Jamboree on the Air” or JOTA brought Scouts and Girl Scouts to enjoy the outdoors, camp on farm grounds and meet people from all over the world over the airwaves. Adult leader Don Barker encouraged the kids and provided   photo (left).

Director David Larsen and members of Floyd Amateur Radio Society have demonstrated amateur  radio and provided training using call sign N4USA.  Several troops/packs have visited Floyd Community Amateur Radio Station and the museum in Floyd.

Plenty! Has a New Location—

FAIRS Helps Support the Community

FAIRS is a long-time supporter of the Plenty! group whose    mission is to nourish community and feed hungry neighbors by growing and sharing food in Floyd County.   Director Gaynell Larsen donated several turkey casseroles and baked vegetable dishes for distribution at Thanksgiving, and FAIRS has helped to support Plenty! in their new facilities at 192 Elephant Curve , Floyd, VA 24091.  Plenty! delivers fresh/food bank foods, and  creates school and community gardens.  Director David Larsen supplied video coverage of a special community event on December 16th, 2014 which thanked local supporters and celebrated the gift of a new FREE tractor to Plenty! by Yanmar Tractors and Kelli and John Higgs of T&E Small Engines.

Now, Jonathan Vandergrift, manager of Plenty! Farm, is working with the Virginia Tech chapter of  Habitat for Humanity to build wings onto a log barn to house equipment.  FAIRS directors have committed to gift a discer for use by the group, and David has delivered it in time for spring 2015 farm use.

FAIRS is Linking Arms w/ Hams of Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Club (VTARA)

Each year, FAIRS directors David and Gaynell Larsen travel to the small island country of Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean. This year, they traveled with their granddaughter Jacqueline, and she had the opportunity to gain a new perspective of the world. The purpose of their visit was to encourage program leaders supported by FAIRS (Foundation for Amateur Intl. Radio Service, Ltd.), to visit foreign friends and to try to make a difference in the lives of others.

Throughout the year, FAIRS works to gather items that we take for granted such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shoes, reading glasses, jewelry, band aids, diabetic supplies, and many other things which they deliver to those who have need in Dominica. FAIRS members also provide support to specific families they have met personally, heard about through project reports and past missions, or who they know need assistance. David and Gaynell take such items to these families: clothing, necessities and even a laptop computer.

Gloria Walsh is director of the Love One Teach One (LOTO) Foundation which benefits school-aged students in the capital city of Roseau. FAIRS has supported the foundation in a variety of ways. To show appreciation, a welcome party was thrown for the group as they arrived by LOTO students and leaders, held at the local Botanical Garden. The party was a great opportunity for David and Gaynell to meet the students which are supported by FAIRS and its members. FAIRS provided funds for a weekend youth camp for students involved in LOTO programs. Though students in the United States have the opportunity to go on field trips for travel and education while in school, Dominican students often do not have such opportunities, and transportation is an issue.  There was much cooperation to put on the camp, and the FAIRS group was happy to pay a visit to the attendees.  The focus of the camp was on leadership, self-esteem, abstinence, relationships and building family.   The theme was “Strengthening Minds for a Better Tomorrow.” Students were invited to take part in many games and activities throughout the weekend.

FAIRS has been working alongside citizens of the village of Bioche toward the construction a community building. The construction is now complete, and regular meetings are held there which the townspeople attend. These meetings are helpful for the community to have a voice and citizens can have a say about what happens within the village. Plans are in the works for a summer reunion. The goal of the reunion is to get people who used to live in the village to come home, visit, and see the progress that has been made.

In the small mountain village of Wotten Waven, FAIRS helps the Wotten Waven Primary School with maintenance and school supplies.  Jacqueline was excited to meet with students and to see how school is for them.

David worked with the amateur radio operators on the island and completed routine repair on critical amateur radio equipment. These repairs help keep communication over the airwaves at the best quality that it can be. David provided training for proper use of the equipment. FAIRS helps to sustain their communications infrastructure by repairing or replacing equipment as needed and helping or funding toward repairs. The goal of this work is to ensure quality communications, and to help those who have an interest in operating amateur radio to have the opportunity to take part in it.

A current project which is in need of support is for the benefit of indigenous people of Dominica in the Kalinago Territory.  Specific families and communities have need of the most basic items as clean water and a weather-protected place to sleep.  Education toward health and family planning are also priorities.  It is the hope of FAIRS director Gaynell Larsen to fulfill some of these needs as she and David continue to direct the Foundation’s mission to advance global goodwill through amateur radio.

FAIRS has been promoting goodwill through amateur radio since 1991, and has served communities both locally and abroad. We’re an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, and thankful for our members and supporters. Their gifts of tax-deductible money, equipment, etc. have made them an important part of the Goodwill works!

FAIRS directors David (KK4WW) and Gaynell Larsen (KK4WWW) are recently home from a mission trip to the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica. They were accompanied this time by grandson Dustin Thompson- a first mission trip and his first time flying!

The group carried large suitcases stuffed with medical and school supplies, shoes, clothes, and items requested by program leaders who carry out work on the island which is supported by FAIRS.

After taking time to activate a phone and organize parcels, the delegation went about making visits and distributions.  FAIRS met with Gloria Walsh of “Love One, Teach One” (LOTO) Foundation, who is currently helped by Peace Corps worker Carrie Katz fromGreensboro,NC.  The Foundation helps numerous children and youth enrolled in after-school feeding & help programs.  FAIRS gave classroom items, shoes, toothbrushes and Bibles.  A movie night was planned for LOTO kids from theSilverLakearea, where the Dominican government has a housing construction project underway, designed to improve living conditions for the people there.

FAIRS also contributed to an effort for helping teens cope with emotional challenges which many of them face.  A youth retreat and weekend seminar is being conducted by LOTO and associates to educate against bullying, acting out and destructive tendencies.

Other Peace Corps workers joined with the team to visit Hubert Thomas of the Council office of the Kalinago (the name of the indigenous people ofDominica).  A special afternoon was a treat for the children he works with in the villages.  They watched a movie, had snacks and juice, and Dustin passed out bracelets made by his sister Carly along with Bibles he collected with help from his church members at Pleasant Valley COB and the Gideons.  FAIRS provided coloring books and crayons, and gave dentistry items which were a gift from a dentist in our area.

The days are going by very fast and each one is a busy one with projects. Here is some of the past two days..

Assisting with Medical Supplies
The Foundation for Amateur International Radio Service (FAIRS) has bring medical supplies to the clinics in Dominica for years. The main hospital has also been on our list and many times we help furnish surgical and other supplies .
Their is always a shortage of supplies and even simple things like Tylenol, Aspirin are always in short supply.  Things list blood sugar  testing devices and the test strip that goes with them are needed. We generally bring sutures for the hospitals. These are expensive and always needed.
We are always glad to have help from folks that can furnish some supplies.  FAIRS is a 501-c-3 so we can generally accept item and issue a tax deduction. 

On this trip we has some of all the above and lots of other small items.

Assisting with School supplies