DEARS Club Recognizes Local Donors

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Dresden Elementary School hosted an event today to recognize local support they have received for their amateur radio club.

Several individuals donated equipment and accessories to the “DEARS” club, which was formed back in 2006. Most of the donations have come from other local amateur radio operators known as “hams.” The donations have allowed the group to purchase a new antenna for the roof as well as a snap circuit electronics lab so students can learn electronic principles used in amateur radio. One individual donated $1,500 for two new radios and accessories for the station.

“The DEARS club was formed along with other clubs here at Dresden school. And it was an idea to promote amateur radio for the young students of the school. Well it’s grown, and grown, and grown and we’ve had a lot of folks be donating equipment to us, and today we’re going to honor several of those folks for their donations to the club here,” said club adviser Jim Mayercak.

The donations have allowed the club to become a state of the art station with all of the latest digital communication technology, providing the ability to talk to individuals all over the world. Mayercak says they have communicated both digitally and voice-to-voice with individuals all across North and South America, the Caribbeans, and Europe.

“Amateur radio gives students that have an interest in electronics and radio communication, there’s no other way for them to ever use that skill or learn that skill in the first place. It also fosters community activity. And we’re so glad for the folks that have given, and given from their wallet, and given from their stations, given us equipment and accessories and things,” added Mayercak.

Mayercak expanded on the impact that the students have on the community as a result of the club. He explains some students have become active with WeatherNet spotting and other local communications. Two former students have even been speakers at an international conference in Dayton, OH presenting new and upcoming ideas within amateur radio.

Currently the DEARS club consists of about a dozen students between grades 5 and 8 that meet every other week for 90 minutes to two hours. The club is also active in radio competitions and just last month came in second place in their national competition.