Amateur Radio Club

The University of Akron is home to one of the highest rated college radio stations in the nation, WZIP 88.1 FM. That's not the radio station I'm talking about this week.

As a student of communication I learned about amateur radio, but never went into too much detail. Basically, if I wanted to put in the time, effort, and money, I was told that I too could have a radio station. Not in the traditional sense though. The term amateur does not imply a lack of skill or quality, but rather that amateur radio and its operators work outside of an official, governmental or commercial capacity. Basically, you're not going to find these stations on your car radio dial.

The university is home to the amateur radio club, W8UPD. Who knew we had an amateur radio club? By the looks of their website they have a nice little organization going too. Their opening statement says it all: "As a club, we use our time and resources towards expanding our knowledge and experience concerning not only amateur radio, but all aspects of technology. Club meetings are conducted in a semi-formal manner, and normally conclude with a general discussion and group chat, and afterwards we normally head to a local eatery for a bite. Fox hunts are normally done on foot around the campus, although there has been some interest for mobile foxhunting. You can find some more information in the Activities secton of the site. We regularly go to ham-fests as a club, including an annual trip to the Dayton Hamvention. For more information, please stop by a meeting, all are welcome!"

This is a great way for anyone who is interested in radio to get familiar with it on a small, yet professional scale. If anyone is interested in possibly setting up their own personal station, they might want to consider going to this site. It gives you all the information you need to start blasting out your favorite tunes to those young, out of control, hormone enraged, rebellious teenagers out there listening your amateur radio station.

For anyone interested in joining you can attend their meetings which are held Tuesdays at 8:00pm EST in Zook Hall Room 501(The Shack).

(image courtesy of http://www.w8upd.uakron.edu/?about)