BE A PART OF THE GOODWILL – N4USA FLOYD, VA www.fairs.org
In July of 2012, Mrs. Annemarie Radke, instructor at FCHS,
indicated interest in being our sponsor for much-anticipated school club for
amateur radio. She believes it is a great opportunity for the kids, and guided
FAIRS, along with members of Floyd Amateur Radio Society to get things set up.
At the end of the month, we enjoyed a tour by Dr. Richard Turner (KZ4VT), principal of William
Byrd High School, who met with us to share his club expertise over the years
at one of the area’s most robust school clubs for amateur radio and the
correlation between amateur radio and other groups such as their Air Force
ROTC, which is also a premier club for the school.
Using what we learned, we laid out the plan for the new club, and once approved, we presented
to the students and faculty at the school, and commenced with initial/”early
bird” meetings prior to the first in-school club day. We had a great response
and good attendance! We’ve obtained call sign N4FCH (Floyd County High), weekly
meetings have been held on Thursdays after school, and many special events and
training toward amateur radio license have taken place.
At N4FCH, Wally WD1U and his VE team administered tech exams for the students and others,
resulting in the addition of three new Floyd County hams. Congratulations
Annemarie KK4MQG, Ashanti KK4MQF and Rima KK4MQE.
Right before school’s winter break, a celebration was held for Christmas during one of the
club gatherings. Pizza and refreshments were served, and licensed members
sported their NEW club t-shirts.
Weekly meetings of the club resume after schools starts back, on Thursday, January
10th, 3:30pm.
N4FCH is on Facebook – Floyd County High School Amateur Radio Club
N4FCH also has it’s own website – link from FCHS website.
FAIRS was host to Josanna Lockhart from Jamaica (formerly of Dominica) right here in Floyd, VA.
Highlights of the visit included:
• visiting FAIRS headquarters in Floyd, VA
• visiting Floyd Community Amateur Radio Station/FAIRS ECC in Floyd, VA
• visiting NEW
Floyd County High School Amateur Radio Club
• visiting supporting churches (including youth) and individuals
•visiting area attractions
This visit was in connection with our longstanding relationship and cooperative programs for
children and elderly (Dominica, Jamaica, and recently Antigua).
FAIRS was created as an idea during a train trip from Moscow to the Western Ukraine.
There were five Americans David KK4WW and Gaynell KD4GMV (now KK4WWW) Larsen,
Bob W6YMR and Virginia KD6NBW Friebertshauser, and John Douglas N0ISL) and
host Victor Goncharsky US5WE.
The date was May 9th, 1991. This sparked the name “59 Group”. We visited to set up/
distribute donated equipment in Russia and Ukraine. It seemed that a formal
group was needed to do this type of volunteer work in an organized way on a
regular basis.Today, FAIRS continues in its mission of promoting goodwill
through amateur radio:
By providing equipment, funds and training for amateurs & governments in less
fortunate countries, arranging exchange visits, partnering with groups &
individuals to provide radios, medical assistance & other services. We
transport medicine, supplies, and relief aid to various areas in need, and network
with individuals throughout the world who manage project activities on a
volunteer basis. We provide support & training, plus education for
students, interns in our area. We give motivational support in radio gatherings
held several times a week.
Floyd Community Amateur Radio Station is home to Floyd Amateur Radio Society (FARS).
They hold meetings each month – for info, phone 540-745-2322
FAIRS is a membership foundation with a suggested membership fee of $10 per year.
Anyone interested in joining may do so. In fact, many of our members are not amateur radio operators.
Your tax deductible donation of equipment or funds will help with FAIRS projects, or
you may volunteer your time & expertise for training or installing
equipment.
REMINDER: Funds donated to FAIRS are not used for salaries or travel.
By following us on Twitter and liking us on Facebook, you can receive updates on
what FAIRS is doing to promote goodwill through amateur radio.
FAIRS is sponsored by the LCF Group ™. Visit
www.virginiamountainland.com for Land For Sale By Owner in the Blue
Ridge Mountains near Floyd & Surrounding Counties.