Subj : Santa is On the Air Via Ham Radio
To   : QST
From : ARRL de WD1CKS
Date : Fri Dec 09 2022 09:21 pm

12/09/2022

As Christmas approaches, many amateur radio clubs carry out an annual tradition
of helping kids talk directly to Santa Claus while he is still at the North
Pole before his big ride.

On Saturday, December 10, 2022, the Wallingford Amateur Radio Group in
Connecticut will connect kids to Santa and Mrs. Claus via amateur radio during
their Calling Santa[1] event. The group organizes the event in cooperation with
the Wallingford Health Department, Youth & Social Services, and support from an
Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) grant to the Meriden Amateur Radio
Club[2] (MARC).

MARC President Dr. Ed Snyder, W1YSM, said this will be the third year for
Calling Santa. "The location is ideal for this event," said Dr. Snyder. "Our
communications van will be there, and the kids go inside and talk to Santa and
Mrs. Claus on a real amateur radio. There will also be a fire truck, coloring
books, crayons, and allergy-safe snacks." Each child will receive a full-color
certificate signed by the Clauses.

Already in operation for the 16th consecutive year, The 3916 Nets are hosting
the Santa Net [3]on 3.916 MHz. Kids can talk to Santa Claus nightly via amateur
radio at 7:00 PM CST now through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022. The
shortwave net welcomes radio amateurs to help their children and grandchildren
get on the air to talk to Santa (third-party rules and regulations apply).

The Big Bend Amateur Radio Club[4], covering the Big Bend area of west Texas
and based in Alpine, will have their 15th annual Santa Net ready to go on
December 14, 2022. Local 2-meter repeaters are used to make the connection to
Santa. The club highlights that "Santa Net introduces kids to ham radio." The
event is promoted through the local elementary school and its teachers.
Participants get a candy cane and a card commemorating the radio contact with
Santa.

The ARRL Special Event Stations database is updated regularly and includes
other Christmas and holiday-themed on-the-air events. You can search the
database at www.arrl.org/special-event-stations[5], and use keyword searches
such as "Christmas" or "holiday." Fill out the Special Events application form
at www.arrl.org/special-events-application[6] to add your event.


[1] https://www.wallingfordct.gov/events/2022/12/10/radio-to-north-pole-talk-to-santa/
[2] https://www.w1nrg.com/
[3] https://www.cqsanta.com/
[4] https://www.bigbendarc.com/
[5] http://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations
[6] http://www.arrl.org/special-events-application

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